Shreveport Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

A car may change lanes without seeing a motorcycle. A driver may turn left across a rider’s path. Someone looking at a cellphone may fail to notice a motorcycle stopped ahead. A commercial vehicle may move into a rider’s lane.

The driver of the larger vehicle may walk away from the collision.

The motorcyclist may leave in an ambulance.

If another driver’s negligence caused your motorcycle accident in Shreveport, Jacqueline Scott & Associates can investigate what happened, identify potentially responsible parties and insurance, document your injuries and losses, and pursue the compensation available under Louisiana law.

Make ’Em Pay.

Call (318) 746-5997.

Why Are Motorcycle Accidents So Serious?

Motorcycles do not provide the protective structure of passenger vehicles.

A rider may be thrown from the motorcycle or trapped beneath another vehicle.

Even with appropriate protective equipment, the rider can suffer catastrophic injuries.

Potential injuries include:

• traumatic brain injuries;
• spinal cord injuries;
• fractures;
• severe road rash;
• internal injuries;
• shoulder injuries;
• knee injuries;
• nerve damage;
• amputations;
• paralysis; and
• permanent disability.

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?

Many serious motorcycle crashes occur because another driver fails to recognize the motorcycle.

Common scenarios include:

• unsafe left turns;
• failure to yield;
• lane changes;
• rear-end collisions;
• distracted driving;
• speeding;
• running traffic signals;
• opening vehicle doors;
• following too closely; and
• impaired driving.

What If a Car Turned Left in Front of My Motorcycle?

Left-turn collisions can be catastrophic.

A driver may see approaching traffic but fail to recognize the motorcycle, misjudge its distance, or turn without looking carefully.

The rider may have only seconds to react.

Evidence can include:

• surveillance footage;
• dashcams;
• witnesses;
• vehicle damage;
• skid evidence;
• roadway markings; and
• traffic-control information.

What If the Driver Says They Never Saw Me?

"I didn’t see the motorcycle" does not necessarily mean the collision was unavoidable.

The investigation should determine why the driver failed to see the rider.

Was the driver distracted?

Did the driver fail to look?

Was the driver’s view obstructed?

Was the motorcycle visible?

Did the driver make an unsafe turn?

What If a Driver Changed Lanes Into Me?

Motorcycles can be overlooked during lane changes.

Potential evidence includes:

• dashcam footage;
• surveillance;
• witnesses;
• vehicle damage; and
• roadway evidence.

The point of impact can sometimes help establish whether the motorcycle was already occupying the lane.

What If I Had to Lay the Motorcycle Down to Avoid a Car?

Physical contact is not always necessary for another driver’s conduct to cause a crash.

If a vehicle entered your path and you took emergency action to avoid a collision, witnesses and video may help establish what happened.

What If the Driver Left the Scene?

Report the accident promptly.

Do not place yourself at additional risk trying to chase a fleeing driver.

Preserve whatever identifying information you can, including:

• license plate;
• vehicle description;
• driver description;
• location;
• direction of travel; and
• nearby witnesses.

Surveillance cameras may help identify the vehicle.

What If the Insurance Company Says I Was Speeding?

The insurer’s allegation is not evidence by itself.

Speed should be evaluated using available objective information.

Potential sources can include:

• video;
• witnesses;
• roadway evidence;
• vehicle evidence; and
• accident reconstruction.

Does Louisiana Comparative Fault Affect Motorcycle Cases?

Yes.

Louisiana’s current comparative-fault system is particularly important when an insurer attempts to blame a motorcyclist.

For accidents governed by the law effective January 1, 2026, a claimant who is 51% or more at fault cannot recover damages. A claimant less than 51% at fault may recover, but damages are reduced according to the claimant’s percentage of fault.

That makes preserving evidence important when fault is disputed.

What If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?

Louisiana has motorcycle helmet requirements, but the effect of any alleged safety violation on a particular injury claim is a legal and factual issue.

Do not assume an insurer’s statement about your case is legally correct.

The cause of the accident and cause of the particular injuries must be evaluated based on the evidence and applicable law.

What If I Was Wearing All My Protective Gear?

Preserve damaged protective equipment.

Items such as:

• helmet;
• jacket;
• gloves;
• boots; and
• other gear

may become relevant evidence concerning the severity and mechanics of the collision.

Do not automatically discard them.

What Should I Do With the Motorcycle?

If the accident is serious and fault is disputed, consider preserving the motorcycle before major repairs or disposal.

Damage patterns can potentially provide information about impact location and collision mechanics.

Photograph it thoroughly.

What If I Suffered Road Rash?

Road rash can range from superficial abrasions to deep injuries requiring extensive treatment.

Serious cases can involve:

• infection;
• nerve damage;
• scarring;
• skin grafting;
• surgery; and
• permanent disfigurement.

Photographs taken throughout recovery can help document how the injury developed.

What If I Broke Multiple Bones?

Motorcycle accidents frequently cause orthopedic trauma.

Fractures may require:

• surgery;
• plates;
• screws;
• rods;
• casts;
• rehabilitation; and
• additional procedures.

Some injuries can permanently limit mobility.

What If I Suffered a Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury can occur even when a rider wore a helmet.

Symptoms may include:

• memory problems;
• headaches;
• concentration difficulty;
• dizziness;
• sleep problems;
• mood changes;
• sensitivity to light; and
• cognitive impairment.

Seek appropriate medical evaluation.

What If I Cannot Return to Work?

A serious motorcycle injury can prevent someone from performing physically demanding work or returning to a previous career.

Document:

• wages;
• missed work;
• overtime;
• employer communications;
• medical restrictions; and
• changes in duties.

Permanent limitations may require analysis of future earning capacity.

What If the Driver Was Working?

If the driver who caused the motorcycle crash was performing employment duties, additional liability and insurance questions may arise.

The driver’s employer may need to be investigated depending on the circumstances.

What If an 18-Wheeler Hit My Motorcycle?

Motorcycle-versus-truck collisions can be catastrophic.

A commercial trucking investigation may involve:

• motor carrier;
• driver qualification;
• electronic logs;
• GPS;
• dashcams;
• maintenance;
• trucking-company records; and
• commercial insurance.

Those cases should not automatically be handled as ordinary passenger-car accidents.

What Insurance May Apply?

Potential insurance can include:

• liability coverage of the responsible driver;
• applicable coverage associated with another responsible party;
• commercial coverage if a business vehicle was involved; and
• your own applicable uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.

The actual policies must be reviewed.

What Damages Can Be Recovered?

Depending on the facts and applicable Louisiana law, damages may include:

• medical expenses;
• future medical treatment;
• lost wages;
• reduced earning capacity;
• motorcycle damage;
• permanent impairment;
• scarring; and
• other legally recoverable losses.

How Long Do I Have?

Louisiana currently provides a general two-year prescriptive period for delictual actions under Civil Code Article 3493.1, beginning when the injury or damage is sustained.

But the correct deadline can depend on the accident date and circumstances.

Evidence may disappear far sooner.

What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?

Get medical care.

Call law enforcement.

Photograph the scene when safely possible.

Identify witnesses.

Preserve your helmet and gear.

Preserve motorcycle photographs.

Save video.

Keep medical and employment records.

And be cautious about signing a release before understanding your injuries.

Talk With Jacqueline Scott & Associates After a Shreveport Motorcycle Accident

Motorcyclists sometimes face unfair assumptions after crashes.

The evidence—not a stereotype about motorcycle riders—should determine what happened.

Did the driver turn in front of you?

Change lanes into you?

Fail to yield?

Look at a phone instead of the road?

Was a commercial vehicle involved?

What video exists?

At Jacqueline Scott & Associates, we investigate serious Shreveport motorcycle accidents and pursue the evidence needed to establish responsibility and document the full impact of our client’s injuries.

Make ’Em Pay.

Call (318) 746-5997.

Every case is different. Results depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each individual matter. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This page provides general educational information and is not legal advice.

This article is general information about Louisiana law and is not legal advice. Laws and deadlines can change, and every case depends on its own facts. Past results do not guarantee or predict future outcomes. Reading this page or contacting the firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship.