Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident in or around Baton Rouge? One important issue motorcycle accident victims need to know about is statutes of limitations.
A statute of limitations is a deadline on when you can file a lawsuit.
In Louisiana, the statute of limitations for motorcycle wrecks and car accidents is one year. This means that if you intend to sue, you need to file your lawsuit before the one-year “anniversary” of your accident.
At Pierce & Shows, our dedicated team of Louisiana motorcycle accident attorneys can help you make sure you don’t miss the deadline.
What happens if I miss the statute of limitations in Baton Rouge?
If you file a personal injury lawsuit for your motorcycle wreck injury after a full calendar year has passed, your lawsuit will likely be dismissed.
This is why it is incredibly important to file before a calendar year has passed. We recommend filing as early as possible so that your case can be heard.
What if I accept an insurance settlement?
Injuries from motorcycles and car accidents can take time to develop. Sometimes, our clients do not realize how badly they are injured until some time after their accident has passed.
There could also be unanticipated symptoms and issues associated with your accident that affect your daily life, your ability to work, and your cognitive abilities.
For this reason, it’s best to consult with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney before signing any legally binding document with an insurance company.
Plus, accepting an insurance settlement before filing a lawsuit could lead to a dismissal of your lawsuit, too, since many insurance companies require you to sign over your rights to sue upon signing a settlement agreement.
What about wrongful death claims?
Let’s say that your loved one was in a motorcycle accident and didn’t make it. In this case, your lawsuit would be a wrongful death suit, not a personal injury one.
If you would like to file a wrongful death claim after a motorcycle accident, you need to file the suit within one calendar year of your loved one’s death.
This statute of limitations is different from others, as the plaintiff can file more than a year after the initial accident as long as they file within a year of the injured party’s death.
Why should I hire a Baton Rouge motorcycle wreck attorney?
Motorcycle accidents are particularly dangerous, as they have higher rates of injured persons developing head and neck injuries and brain trauma.
A serious motorcycle wreck could leave a person severely disabled for the rest of his or her life. The severe nature of these injuries could result in significant reductions in one’s quality of life as well as one’s ability to earn a living.
An experienced attorney can help anticipate a client’s long-term needs for living expenses and medical expenses.
Many people who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents accept inadequate settlements because they aren’t aware of long-term expenses. Hiring an attorney who understands the devastation that comes with a serious injury can help ensure that you have the funds you need to recover.
At Pierce & Shows, our attorneys have aggressively protected the rights of our clients in court and in negotiations with insurance companies in Baton Rouge and throughout Louisiana for decades. We will ensure that all paperwork is filed on time to avoid missing the statutes of limitations, as well as make sure that our clients do not sign anything that could prevent them from receiving the fair compensation they are entitled to.
Contact our Baton Rouge-based attorneys at Pierce & Shows today
We serve clients in and around Baton Rouge, Louisiana. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact our team at Pierce & Shows at (225) 388-9574.
