Bicycle Accident Attorney in Lafayette

A bike accident can have deep, long-term effects on all aspects of your life. Not only do these accidents often cause catastrophic injuries, but the cost of your medical treatment and your lost wages could also severely strain your finances. When you include the mental and emotional toll from a bicycle accident, the cost can soar even higher.

Attorney Omar Thibeaux and the team at The Thibeaux Firm can help you seek fair compensation for your bicycle accident injury. We have extensive experience representing people like you in a bicycle accident claim, and our results demonstrate our skill and commitment to our clients.

Attorney Thibeaux understands the financial challenges you’re facing, which is why he’s proud to be “The 25% Attorney.” What does his moniker mean? It means you pay nothing upfront for the legal assistance you need, and he charges a flat and fair 25 percent on what he recovers for personal injury cases. This way, accident victims like you can keep more of the money we win for you through a settlement or trial verdict.

Are you ready to get started? Contact The Thibeaux Firm today for a free, no-obligation case review.

Benefits of Hiring a Lafayette Bicycle Accident Attorney

When a bike accident disrupts your life, you deserve to be able to focus on healing. A caring Lafayette bicycle accident lawyer can give you the space you need by managing the legal process, from investigating the accident to negotiating with insurance companies.

Insurers often try to settle for less than accident victims deserve. As your lawyer, Attorney Thibeaux can fight on your behalf in pursuit of the full amount you need to cover your injuries, medical bills, and other losses. He has experience dealing with these companies and knows how to counter their tactics.

Additionally, Attorney Thibeaux can represent you in court if needed. While a bicycle accident case usually ends with a settlement before reaching the trial stage, having a bicycle injury attorney shows the insurance companies that you’re serious about fighting for the compensation you deserve.

What To Do After a Bike Accident

Everything you do in the aftermath of an accident can affect the outcome of your claim, so prioritize taking actions that will protect your health and your rights:

• Call 911 to get the police on the scene and establish an official record of the accident.
• Secure any necessary medical treatment right away.
• Contact a Lafayette bicycle accident attorney to discuss your legal rights and options.

How much you’re able to do immediately after a bike accident depends on the severity of your injuries. You may not be able to take pictures of the scene or talk to eyewitnesses, but the police can, and this information will wind up in their report. Similarly, a determined attorney from The Thibeaux Firm will be able to follow up on the details mentioned in the police report and conduct a thorough investigation into the causes of the accident.

With our bicycle accident law firm handling your case, we will also field all communications with the insurance companies to protect your rights and negotiate for the compensation you need.

While you recover from your injuries, retain all communications and records related to the accident, including medical records, receipts, bills, statements, and emails from doctors and insurers. Forward all these materials to your lawyer.

What Compensation Can I Recover After a Bicycle Accident?

With the help of a hardworking Lafayette bicycle accident attorney, you have a greater chance of recovering maximum compensation for your injuries and other losses. Your bicycle accident compensation could include money for:

• Medical Expenses – You can recover the costs of all medical treatments related to the accident. This includes hospital bills, doctor visits, surgeries, medications, therapies, and any future medical costs related to your injuries.
• Lost Wages – If your injuries caused you to miss work, you have the right to recover compensation for the income you lost during your recovery. This also includes any lost earning potential if you cannot return to your previous job or work in the same capacity because of an injury or disability.
• Pain and Suffering – Compensation for pain and suffering addresses the physical and emotional effects you endured because of the accident. This can cover anxiety, depression, and other mental health effects.
• Property Damage – If your bicycle or any personal belongings sustained damage in the collision, you could recover compensation for the repair or replacement costs.
• Rehabilitation Costs – Injuries from a bicycle accident might require ongoing rehabilitation. You can pursue compensation for these costs, including physical therapy and any necessary assistive devices.
• Loss of Enjoyment – If your injuries keep you from enjoying activities and hobbies you once loved, you could seek compensation for this loss of enjoyment of life.

One critical fact to note is that you can still recover compensation for a bike accident even if you played a role in the crash. Under Louisiana’s comparative negligence law, contributing to an accident does not bar you from recovering compensation. Instead, your compensation is reduced by your degree of fault. A bicycle accident lawyer can review your case to give you a better idea of how much your claim might be worth.

How Long Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Louisiana?

Louisiana law says you typically have one year from the date of an accident to file a bicycle accident lawsuit. That’s not a long time, so it’s essential to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. They can gather the necessary evidence and take care of all the paperwork to file a lawsuit on time.

What Are the Louisiana Bicycle Laws?

Louisiana has a number of traffic laws in place that pertain to bicyclists, including those that cover:

• Helmet Use – Riders under 12 years old must wear a protective helmet. Not wearing a helmet does not imply negligence.
• Sidewalk Use – There is no specific law in Louisiana that either permits or prohibits riding a bicycle on a sidewalk.
• Rolling Stops and Vehicle Detection – Bicyclists must come to a complete stop at traffic control devices and cannot ignore traffic lights that do not detect them.
• Bicycles as Vehicles – Bicycles are considered vehicles in Louisiana. Cyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers, except where the nature of the law does not apply.
• Shared Traffic Lanes – State law does not require cyclists to use lanes or paths other than regular traffic lanes.
• Where to Ride – Cyclists should ride as close to the right-hand edge of the roadway as practicable, except in specific situations such as passing another bicycle, preparing for a left turn, avoiding unsafe conditions, or riding on a one-way street where they may ride near the left-hand curb.

Additionally, the law addresses certain driver behaviors around cyclists, including:

• Passing – Drivers must leave at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicycle and maintain this distance until safely past the bicycle. Passing in a no-passing zone is allowed only if it’s safe.
• Dooring – People cannot open a car door on a highway without first making sure it is safe to do so. Drivers and passengers should not leave doors open longer than necessary to load or unload passengers.
• Vulnerable Road User Laws – Louisiana law protects cyclists by making it illegal to harass, taunt, or throw objects at them.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents often occur due to factors beyond the rider’s control. One common cause is distracted driving. Drivers who are using their phones or otherwise not paying attention can easily overlook bicyclists, leading to accidents.

Poor road conditions also contribute to bicycle accidents. Potholes, debris, and uneven road surfaces can cause a cyclist to lose control and crash. Local governments have a responsibility to keep roads well-maintained, and failure to do so can lead to dangerous situations for bicyclists.

Another frequent cause of Lafayette bicycle accidents is speeding drivers. Drivers going too fast may not have enough time to react to a bicyclist in their path. High speeds also increase the severity of collisions, making accidents more likely to result in serious injuries.

Additionally, failure to yield is a significant factor in many crashes. Many bicycle accidents happen when drivers do not yield the right-of-way at intersections or when turning. This can result in the driver hitting a bicyclist who is legally crossing the road.

Finally, weather conditions can play a role in bicycle accidents. Rain, fog, and other adverse weather conditions can reduce visibility and make roads slippery, increasing the chances of accidents. It’s crucial for drivers to exercise additional caution in bad weather to avoid endangering bicyclists.

Common Types of Injuries from Bicycle Accidents

Cyclists have much less protection in an accident than people in cars, so they tend to suffer more severe injuries. Common bike accident injuries in Louisiana include:

Contact a Lafayette Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

You have a short window to take legal action and pursue compensation after a bike accident. Let a bicycle accident lawyer in Lafayette work to get you the results you deserve. Contact The Thibeaux Firm today or email us to get started with a free case evaluation with Attorney Thibeaux.