Injured in a New Orleans Motorcycle Accident that Isn’t Your Fault?
New Orleans Motorcycle Accident Attorney Peter Diiorio Can Help
According to the NHTSA, motorcycle riders continue to be overrepresented in fatal traffic accidents, with 5,014 motorcyclists dying in 2019. Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable when they are involved in a traffic accident because they have virtually no protection, other than a helmet (if worn). While passenger vehicle drivers are surrounded by a steel and glass “cage,” along with safety belts and airbags, motorcyclists have none of these things. Therefore, when a motorcyclist is hit, the injuries are likely to be severe. Following a motorcycle accident, it can be extremely beneficial to speak to an experienced New Orleans motorcycle accident attorney.
At New Orleans Legal, LLC, our personal injury attorneys help people in the same situation as you. We understand that your motorcycle accident may have changed your life forever. You may be gravely injured, unable to work, and anxious about your future. You may also be getting the runaround from the at-fault party’s insurance, which adds frustration. At New Orleans Legal, LLC, we work hard for our clients, helping them return to their former lives to the extent possible. We take over dealing with the insurance company and all the other legal issues, leaving you the time and space to concentrate on getting better.
What Happens After An Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault?
What are the Primary Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
One of the major challenges faced by motorcyclists is a lack of visibility to those in automobiles or trucks. Many drivers simply do not pay enough attention to motorcyclists, often misjudging the speed of the motorcyclist when turning left at an intersection. Some drivers change freeway and highway lanes without looking for motorcyclists, and still others back out of driveways and parking lots or open their vehicle door into traffic without looking for motorcyclists. Additional causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Debris in the road (tree limbs, rocks, etc.);
- Weather hazards associated with wind, ice, snow, and rain;
- Animals in the roadway;
- Potholes in the road, or pavement of differing heights.
- Inexperienced motorcyclists;
- Loose gravel roads;
- Driver fatigue or distraction, and
- Impaired drivers.
Unfortunately, what might be nothing more than a minor bump in the road for a vehicle can often cause a motorcyclist to wreck. A pothole looks considerably larger when you are driving a motorcycle than for other drivers. Uneven pavement is another issue that may be hardly noticeable for drivers of passenger vehicles but can be very serious for a motorcyclist. A tree limb or animal in the road will rarely cause a wreck for a passenger vehicle but is very likely to cause a collision for a motorcyclist.
Overview of Potential Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Road rash can be an extremely serious injury resulting from a collision. As noted, motorcyclists have very little protection in the event of a collision. While some states still have helmet laws (Louisiana does require motorcycle helmets to be worn by all motorcyclists), other than a helmet, the only possible protection for motorcyclists is leather chaps, long sleeves, and gloves. Motorcyclists that ride in the summertime rarely include these because of the heat. Yet when a motorcyclist is hit and thrown from the motorcycle, road rash from sliding is a very serious issue.
There are three degrees of road rash: first-degree road rash involves bruising, redness, scrapes, and minor bleeding. Following initial medical treatment, most first-degree road rash can be treated at home but will be fairly painful. Second-degree road rash means the skin is broken by the abrasions.
Dirt, rock, and glass could become lodged in the wounds, and the chances of permanent scarring are significant if proper medical care is not sought. Third-degree road rash causes deep wounds and severe abrasions. Third-degree road rash exposes tendons, nerves, muscles, and even bone. The risk of infection is significant, and scarring is common.
While motorcycle helmets reduce the potential seriousness of head injuries, traumatic brain injuries can occur when a motorcyclist’s head comes into contact with pavement or a gravel road. Skull fractures, brain bruising, concussions, or epidural hematomas can also occur among motorcyclists involved in an accident.
Aside from road rash and head trauma, the other common injuries seen among motorcycle accident victims include crushed bones, broken bones, amputations, spinal cord injuries, burns, disfigurement, scarring, and internal injuries. Many victims of a motorcycle collision require full-time, long-term medical care, leaving families struggling to get by. Having a knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney by your side from start to finish can help you get the medical treatment and compensation you need and are entitled to.
Where Do Motorcycle Accidents Typically Occur?
According to the NHTSA, about 56 percent of all motorcycle crashes occur on urban roadways, mostly at intersections. Often, the motorist is making a left-hand turn and fails to see the motorcyclist coming toward them. Other times, a motorist sideswipes a motorcyclist who is attempting to make a left turn. Motorists may fail to check their blind spots or fail to yield. Intersections are highly-traveled areas, therefore also more likely to have standing water, potholes, or loose asphalt.
Many motorcycle accidents occur on freeways when a driver fails to see a motorist approaching on either side, then changes lanes. Of course, some motorcycle accidents are caused by the motorcyclist, usually due to inexperience. Motorcyclists can also be distracted or inattentive, but overall, motorists are responsible for watching for motorcyclists simply due to the fact that the motorcyclist is much more likely to be severely injured.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Attorney at New Orleans Legal, LLC
When you have a motorcycle accident attorney like Peter Diiorio from New Orleans Legal, LLC on your side, you have a strong legal advocate who will fight for your rights and your future. We will work hard to ensure you receive reimbursement for medical expenses and money to cover future medical expenses. We will calculate not only your current lost wages, but your future lost wages as well. Pain and suffering will be factored in as well. In short, we believe strongly in the rights of our clients to try to put their lives back together in the best way possible following an accident caused by a negligent driver. Contact New Orleans Legal, LLC today.
