Many people today ride bicycles to work because it is the only time they can fit physical exercise into their busy schedules. Others ride for pleasure on the weekends. Bike riding positively impacts the environment and the bike rider’s physical and mental health. Riding on highways, however, comes with risks, as speeding motor vehicles can cause serious injury or death to a bicyclist if the driver is driving dangerously.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a bicycle accident, seek financial compensation with a trusted personal injury attorney as soon as you can. Contact a Houma bicycle accident lawyer immediately to discuss your options.
Louisiana is an at-fault state for auto insurance. This means that the parties who are at fault for causing an auto accident are responsible for paying for the personal injuries and property damage they caused.
State law provides that bicycle accident injuries fall under state insurance liability laws. Depending on the extent of the injuries, the car driver’s auto insurance might not cover all the expenses incurred by the injured person. For example, state law provides mandatory minimum liability limits of $15,000 per person, up to $30,000 per accident, and $25,000 in property damage. If the injured person’s claim exceeds the policy limits, the driver may hold personal liability for any uncovered damages that remain.
If the at-fault car driver left the injured bicyclist in a hit-and-run scenario, you may not know the identity of an insurance company to file a claim against. Leaving the scene of an accident is a violation of Louisiana automobile insurance laws. If an accident causes personal injuries, the driver must remain on the scene until the police arrive and the injured person gets medical attention for their injuries.
An injured person in Houma has the right to hire an attorney to coordinate the bicycle accident insurance claim, even where the identity of the at-fault driver is unknown. An experienced lawyer like Patrick Yancey has the resources and knowledge to investigate, interview witnesses, and preserve evidence.
Personal injury claims are based on a legal theory of negligence or fault. That is, the at-fault person either did not act or took actions that violated the required duty of care owed to the injured person. When negligent behavior is the cause of the personal injuries suffered, the at-fault driver must compensate the bike rider.
Personal injuries usually include medical expenses, which can add up quickly. Auto claims may also include lost wages due to the accident, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and property damage. If a drunk driver caused a bicycle accident, the injured person may seek punitive damages above and beyond the compensatory damages.
You should not have to navigate the complex personal liability rules and mandatory auto insurance laws while you are trying to recover from serious injuries. A Houma bicycle accident lawyer knows this area of the law and has the experience to negotiate with insurance company attorneys and trial attorneys.
We invite you to contact the Patrick Yancey Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation. Your experienced attorney will review the facts of your case and let you know the best path forward to receive the money you deserve.
(985) 313-9791
