One of the most common causes of a motorcycle accident is another driver’s failure to yield the right of way to the motorcycle. Many people blame the motorcycle for this problem because a motorcycle is much smaller and slimmer than other motor vehicles. While the size of a motorcycle may have some part to play in the problem, driver inattention is mostly to blame.
Drivers simply do not pay enough attention to the road ahead of them. They are distracted by cell phones, GPS, passengers, eating, grooming, or the other hundred things drivers do behind the wheel that they should not do while driving. Inattentive drivers cause thousands of accidents each year. Let our New Orleans motorcycle accident attorney help you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Who Is Responsible for A Failure to Yield the Right of Way Accident?
Left-turn accidents account for roughly 40 percent of all motorcycle accidents each year. You would assume that left-turn accidents are simple because it is obvious that the driver who turned left in front of the motorcycle is at fault. You would be wrong.
Unfortunately, motorcyclists have an unfair and unfounded reputation for being wild and reckless. Because insurance companies try to avoid paying settlement claims, especially large settlements in motorcycle accident cases, companies use this unfounded and untrue reputation to claim the motorcyclist is partly to blame for the collision. If the insurance company can make a successful argument, it will not be required to pay the full amount of compensation to the rider.
For example, if the company can convince a jury that the motorcyclist was speeding at the time of the accident, the jury may find the rider was partially to blame and assign a percentage of the fault to the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist’s compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to him for the collision.
Hire an Experienced New Orleans Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Even if you believe your case is a “slam dunk,” you can still benefit from consulting with a New Orleans motorcycle accident attorney before you deal directly with an insurance adjuster. The insurance adjuster is not working for you, regardless of what he may claim. He is protecting the best interest of the insurance company. If an insurance adjuster offers a quick settlement, you can almost always bet that the amount offered is lower than the true value of the claim.
Make sure that you are receiving all the compensation you are entitled to receive for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, physical pain, and emotional suffering. Instead of accepting an amount that is too low for your claim or face the potential of being blamed for the crash, contact Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm to discuss your case. Your first appoint is free, so you have nothing to lose.
Contact our office by calling (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to request your free legal consultation with a New Orleans motorcycle accident attorney.