Lafayette Failure to Yield Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Louisiana motorcycle riders have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of other vehicles, including the right-of-way at traffic lights and intersections when the law specifies. Unfortunately, many motorcycle accidents happen when drivers of other vehicles ignore motorcyclists’ right-of-way, leading to devastating accidents and severe injuries. Worse still, unfair stereotypes against motorcycle riders mean they often have trouble proving they should receive compensation.

The Thibeaux Firm proudly represents injured motorcyclists in their battles for fair compensation. Our failure-to-yield motorcycle accident lawyers in Lafayette can handle your legal case and defend your rights while you rest and heal. Attorney Omar Thibeaux has over twenty years of experience and has recovered millions for people like you. Unlike other Lafayette motorcycle accident lawyers, our law firm charges a 25 percent flat fee for personal injury cases, meaning you keep more of your insurance settlement or trial award. You don’t owe any fees unless you recover compensation, so call now or complete our contact form for a free case review.

How The Thibeaux Firm Can Help You

You don’t need the stress of a motorcycle accident claim when you’re dealing with serious injuries. Our failure-to-yield motorcycle accident lawyers in Lafayette can handle the legal burden while you concentrate on healing and rebuilding your life. Some steps we can take on your behalf include:

  • Investigating the Accident Thoroughly – We’ll gather evidence, including police reports, witness statements, accident photos, and any available video footage to prove that the other driver failed to yield. When needed, we’ll bring in accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals to strengthen your motorcycle accident case and show how the crash has affected your life.
  • Handling All Insurance Communications – You won’t have to deal with pushy insurance adjusters or confusing paperwork. Experienced attorneys can talk to the insurance companies for you and protect you from lowball offers.
  • Calculating the Full Value of Your Claim – Many injured motorcyclists settle for less than their claim’s full worth because they don’t account for all their losses, including their future needs. We can make sure your claim accounts for all the harm you’ve suffered, including your medical bills, future medical treatment costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage for your motorcycle.
  • Taking Your Case to Court if Needed – If the other side refuses to settle fairly, we’re fully prepared to present a strong case to a judge or jury on your behalf. We have extensive courtroom experience and know how to shape your case to help you make a compelling argument for maximum compensation.

If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, reach out to The Thibeaux Firm for legal help with your personal injury claim.

How Do Louisiana Yield Laws Affect Motorcycle Claims

The key to winning a failure-to-yield accident claim is to show how the other driver broke Louisiana’s traffic laws and violated your right-of-way. That means understanding the state’s right-of-way laws in Title 32 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. Some crucial rules to know include:

  • Drivers and motorcycle riders must yield to vehicles approaching from the right when entering an intersection simultaneously from different roads.
  • Drivers and motorcycle riders turning left at an intersection must yield to oncoming traffic that is close enough to be a hazard.
  • At stop signs, drivers and motorcyclists must come to a complete stop and yield to any vehicle already in the intersection or approaching closely on the cross street.
  • At four-way stops, the driver who arrives first goes first. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the one on the right.
  • At yield signs, drivers must slow down or stop if necessary and give the right-of-way to any vehicle in or near the intersection.
  • On one-way streets and roundabouts, drivers must follow directional signs and drive to the right of traffic islands.

Common Injuries Motorcycle Accident Victims Suffer

Most motorcycle accidents cause serious or even life-altering injuries. Motorcyclists do not have the same safety equipment afforded to other motorists, like a steel frame, seat belts, or airbags. Because of this, motorcycle collisions are often serious accidents with corresponding serious injuries, such as:

These injuries can cause physical pain, permanent disabilities, impairments, and a drastically decreased quality of life. Fortunately, you can take legal action to pursue the compensation you deserve for these and other accident-related losses.

Available Compensation for Your Failure-to-Yield Motorcycle Injuries

Failure-to-yield motorcycle collisions cause serious injuries and may keep you from working for weeks or months. Therefore, understanding the value of your personal injury claim and accounting for all eligible losses is critical. Some losses for which you can seek compensation in a motorcycle accident claim include:

  • Your current medical expenses
  • Your future medical needs
  • Your lost income
  • Your reduced earning capacity due to your injuries
  • Your pain and suffering
  • Your emotional distress
  • Your diminished quality of life due to your injuries
  • The cost to repair or replace your motorcycle and other damaged property

Common Causes of Failure-to-Yield Accidents in Lafayette

Many failure-to-yield accidents involving motorcycle riders happen due to careless or overly aggressive drivers. Some examples of negligent driver behaviors that cause these collisions include:

  • Drivers Turning Left in Front of Motorcycles – Many drivers misjudge a motorcycle’s speed or distance and turn left into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist without yielding, putting themselves directly in the rider’s path.
  • Failure to Yield at Stop Signs or Red Lights – Some drivers roll through or completely ignore stop signs or red lights, assuming they can clear the intersection before a motorcyclist arrives.
  • Improper Lane Changes – Drivers who don’t check their blind spots or use turn signals may move into a lane without realizing a motorcycle is already there, causing dangerous lane-changing accidents.
  • Entering Traffic Without Looking – Whether pulling out from a driveway, parking lot, or side street, careless drivers often fail to spot an oncoming motorcycle before merging.
  • Distracted Driving – Drivers may be distracted by cell phones or might not be paying attention. Such drivers are more likely to overlook motorcycles and fail to yield the right-of-way.
  • Impaired Driving – Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs may not spot motorcyclists.

How Liability Can Be Established in a Failure-to-Yield Accident

It’s unlikely that the driver who hit you will acknowledge that they broke the law. Instead, you need concrete proof that the other driver failed to yield the right-of-way and caused the crash.

One type of evidence that often helps in these cases is traffic camera or surveillance footage. Video of the collision can provide an objective view of the driver’s actions, including whether they stopped when they were supposed to. Eyewitness accounts can provide similar support for your claim.

The police crash report might also support your claim, particularly if the investigating officer cited the other driver for failing to yield. Similarly, photos from the accident scene may show the angle of impact, suggesting that the other hit you instead of the other way around. A failure-to-yield motorcycle crash attorney can collect the available evidence while you recuperate.

Contact Our Lafayette Failure-to-Yield Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Trust the 25% Attorney to fight for the compensation and justice you deserve after a driver’s failure to yield the right-of-way causes you harm. Call The Thibeaux Firm today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.