Unfortunately, New Orleans motorcycle accidents happen far too frequently. Louisiana state troopers are investigating a motorcycle crash that caused the death of a 43-year-old. He was driving a Suzuki motorcycle near a permanent roadway closure, the motorcycle struck the concrete barrier and ejected him and his passenger. He suffered fatal injuries, and the passenger suffered moderate injuries. This motorcycle accident is just one of many recent accidents that have resulted in the deaths of New Orlean residents. 

An Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help

If you have suffered a serious personal injury from a New Orleans motorcycle accident, we recommend speaking to a lawyer as soon as possible for help pursuing the compensation you deserve for your losses. At Arnona Rose, our experienced personal injury lawyers work hard to protect the rights of those who have suffered injuries. Contact our New Orleans law firm as soon as possible to schedule your free consultation. 

New Orleans Motorcycle Accidents Can Be Fatal

According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, motorcyclists are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents. In 2017, 97 motorcyclists died from fatal crashes. That year 1,856 crashes involving motorcyclists happened on Louisiana’s roadways. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration guessed that over 43% of motorcyclist deaths across the United States might have been prevented through the use of a helmet. In fact, if every motorcyclist wore a helmet in 2013, as many as 715 deaths could have been prevented. 

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accident Deaths

More people than ever are driving motorcyclists in New Orleans, and injuries and deaths caused by motorcycle accidents continue to increase. Motorcycles are smaller than other passenger vehicles and they lack any type of exterior protection, putting motorcyclists at an increased risk of death. The most common cause of motorcycle accidents is human error, including the following:

• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Alcohol
• Bad weather conditions
• Aggressive driving
• Dangerous road conditions
• Lack of driver experience
• Entering a turn too quickly 
• A car change lanes and colliding with the motorist
• Lane splitting
• Slippery roads

Negligent Drivers Can Crash into Motorcyclists

Many passenger vehicle drivers and commercial drivers do not pay enough attention to their surroundings. When a driver looks down for as little as five seconds to read a text message, he can swerve into another lane and run over an innocent motorcyclist. When large commercial vehicles make lane changes at high speeds on the freeway, they may miss a motorcyclist in their blind spot and hit them, causing a fatal crash. 

Accidents often happen on the exit and entry ramps of highways, where smaller motorcycles are more difficult to see, and when larger vehicles are turning. In bad weather conditions, this is especially true. The higher the speeds of the motorcyclist and the other driver, the more likely a severe accident will happen. 

Additionally, many drivers do not respect motorcyclists on the road. They may tailgate, or drive extremely closely behind a motorcyclist. If the driver is not paying enough attention, they may run into the motorcyclist in front of them. Drivers often think they have more time to stop than they actually do. Indeed, motorcyclists need to be even more aware of their surroundings because when other drivers do not pay enough attention to them. 

Common Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists are particularly exposed to injuries when they are involved in an accident. There is no steel outer shell on a motorcycle that protects the driver as with a passenger vehicle. Also, many motorcyclists do not wear enough protective gear, including a helmet. Even those who wear all of the suggested protective gear may suffer debilitating injuries after an accident. 

Head and Brain Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents

Unfortunately, brain injuries are among the most common types of injuries in motorcycle accidents. Even when motorcyclists are wearing a protective helmet, they are still relatively unprotected from impact with a larger vehicle. During a motorcycle accident, a rider’s head often makes contact with the ground at a high speed. Anytime someone’s head hits the ground, they are at an extremely high risk of closed head injuries, such as brain hemorrhages. Additionally, these types of accidents can cause serious neck or spine trauma.

In some cases, motorcyclists fly off of their motorcycles and collide with a stationary object, such as another motor vehicle, a streetlight, or a tree. Another object such as sharp metal or a blunt piece of debris can penetrate a person’s brain, causing injuries. Accidents can cause the brain to tear or shake inside of the skull. Even when a person’s skull has not cracked, the person can suffer a brain injury. Finally, whiplash from the sudden forward and backward motion of a collision can cause the brain’s connective tissue to become damaged. Brain swelling can cause permanent damage when not treated properly. 

Other Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Road rash is a common type of serious injury for motorcyclists. When the skin scrapes against the pavement at a high speed, the skin will become torn and filled with debris. If not properly treated, a serious infection can happen to the skin. Lacerations, bruises, and fractures of the bone are also common. In severe cases, a person can become paralyzed due to spinal cord injuries incurred in a motorcycle accident.

Sadly, many serious motorcycle accidents are fatal. If your loved one died in a motor vehicle accident, you may have a right to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover expenses related to medical care before he or she passed away, funeral costs, and compensation for the loss of companionship of your loved one. 

Contact Our Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today

If you or your loved one have suffered a serious injury from a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, past and future lost time working, and for your pain and suffering. At Arnona Rose, we have extensive experience advocating for our clients’ right to recover compensation. Contact us as soon as possible so schedule your free initial consultation.