Motorcycle accidents pose a much higher risk of injury to people than car accidents do. Specifically, motorcycle operators and passengers are 22 times more likely to die and four times more likely to be physically harmed in a crash than those inside automobiles.
States are aware of these numbers and pass laws to reduce collisions and protect riders when they happen. After an accident in Lafayette, LA, the at-fault driver may scrutinize your compliance with state motorcycle laws to try to shift blame onto you. Kenny Habetz Injury Law can fight to keep the blame on the other driver so you can recover compensation.
For help, contact our Lafayette personal injury law firm at (337) 399-9000 for a free case evaluation.
How Kenny Habetz Injury Law Can Help You After a Motorcycle Accident in Lafayette, LA
Kenny Habetz Injury Law has represented injured clients in Lafayette, Louisiana, since 2010. We have recovered millions of dollars in compensation from at-fault parties and their insurers. Our Lafayette motorcycle accident lawyer has over a decade of legal experience fighting for accident victims like you.
If you suffer an injury due to someone else’s negligent or wrongful actions, our law firm provides the following services:
- Reviewing your case and identifying your legal options
- Collecting evidence to support your claim, including medical records and crash reports
- Filing insurance claims and negotiating with insurers
- Pursuing lawsuits when insurers and at-fault parties refuse to settle
A motorcycle crash can cause disabling injuries to your limbs, head, and spine. Contact our Lafayette personal injury lawyer for a free consultation to learn about your right to pursue compensation under Louisiana law.
How Many Motorcycle Crashes Happen in Louisiana?
Louisiana State University has a comprehensive database of traffic crash statistics at its Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS). The Motorcyclist Fatalities and Suspected Injuries report under the Traffic Overview tab states that accidents involving 1,612 motorcycles occurred in 2023. They caused 97 fatal injuries and 1,193 non-fatal injuries.
You can also filter the results by parish. In 2023, Lafayette Parish had 137 motorcycle accidents. These collisions caused two deaths and 100 injuries. When you include motorcycle passengers, 144 riders were involved in crashes, and nearly 71% of them suffered injury or death.
Louisiana Motorcycle Laws
Louisiana’s motorcycle laws focus on the following four areas:
Insurance
Motorcycle owners must comply with the same insurance requirements as automobile owners.
Specifically, you must have a motorcycle insurance policy with the following coverage to register your motorcycle in Louisiana:
- $15,000 in bodily injury liability (BIL) per person, up to $30,000 BIL per accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability (PDL) per accident
Liability insurance pays third parties for their losses if a covered driver causes an accident. For example, if a driver hits your motorcycle, their BIL coverage will pay your medical bills and lost income, whereas their PDL coverage will pay for vehicle repairs.
Operator Licensing
Every state requires motorcycle operators to obtain a special license or endorsement. In Louisiana, you have three options for getting one. First, you can transfer your valid out-of-state motorcycle license when you move here. Louisiana waives the written or skills tests in this case unless you want to change the license class.
Second, you can take written and skills tests at an OMV location when you submit your application. These tests assess whether you know the rules of the road and can handle a motorcycle.
Finally, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety conducts motorcycle operator safety courses. The OMV waives the written and road testing requirements for course graduates. However, the course includes knowledge and skills exams.
Equipment
Louisiana is one of only 17 states requiring all riders to wear motorcycle helmets. The state’s helmet law only exempts riders in parades and public exhibitions as permitted by local police authorities. Riders must also wear eye protection unless their motorcycle has a windshield high enough to protect their eyes.
If you plan to carry a passenger on your motorcycle, the state mandates that you have a seat long enough for you and your passenger or a separate permanent, fixed passenger seat. However, unlike many other states, Louisiana does not require motorcycles to have footrests for passengers.
Traffic Rules
Louisiana allows motorcycles to ride two abreast in a single lane. Even solo riders are entitled to use the full lane. This means that neither a motorcyclist nor a driver can pass using only part of a lane. Instead, they must move fully into another lane while overtaking and return fully to the other lane after passing.
The state specifically prohibits motorcycles from riding between lanes of traffic. Thus, lane splitting and filtering are illegal in Louisiana.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation With Our Lafayette Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Motorcycle crash injuries can prevent you from earning a living or even performing necessary tasks like driving and cooking. Contact Kenny Habetz Injury Law for a free consultation to discuss how we can help you recover compensation from the driver who injured you.
