Laplace Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Laplace, LA

If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash in Laplace, you know first-hand that the injuries riders sustain are on a whole other level than what most car accident victims face. No airbags, no structural protection, no buffer between you and the road or the vehicle that hit you. The medical bills come fast, the recovery is slow, and the insurance company representing the at-fault driver is already building a case designed to pay you as little as possible.

Our Laplace, LA motorcycle accident lawyer at Kiefer & Kiefer has been representing seriously injured riders across Louisiana for over 40 years. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Why Choose Kiefer & Kiefer for Motorcycle Accidents in Laplace, LA?

We’ve Spent 40 Years Fighting the Bias Riders Face

Motorcycle accident cases are different from car accident cases in ways that matter deeply to the outcome. The injuries are more severe. The motorcycle accident claims process is more contested. And the bias against riders from insurance adjusters, from defense attorneys, and sometimes from jurors is real and consistent. The assumption that a motorcyclist was riding recklessly gets baked into the defense before a single piece of evidence is reviewed.

Countering that bias requires preparation that goes beyond filing a claim. Accident reconstruction. Independent witnesses. Vehicle data. A clear, evidence-based narrative that addresses the assumption of fault head-on. As a personal injury lawyer in Laplace, LA, Kiefer & Kiefer has been doing exactly that work for over 40 years, and the results reflect it.

Chris Short is a partner at the firm who graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University Law School and is licensed in both Louisiana and Florida. He brings a methodical, precise approach to serious injury cases that consistently produces results for clients who have been seriously hurt. The way he approaches client communication is something that comes through from the very first conversation.

Megan Kiefer is a partner and one of the most recognized personal injury attorneys in Louisiana. She earned her J.D. from Tulane University Law School in 2009 and holds specialized training in mediation and negotiation from Humboldt University of Berlin. She has been named to Super Lawyers in 2022, 2023, and 2024, inducted into the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and recognized as a top personal injury lawyer by New Orleans Magazine. She is a two-time recipient of the New Orleans City Business Leadership in Law award and serves as an adjunct instructor at Tulane University Law School’s trial advocacy program.

Nat Kiefer Jr. has been practicing Louisiana personal injury law since graduating from Tulane University Law School with honors in 1982. He was inducted into the Order of the Coif, received the Walter Sutton Award, and served on the Moot Court Board. He has spent decades as an adjunct instructor at Loyola University Law School and as a community volunteer. Over 40 years of Louisiana trial experience informs every case he handles.

The firm has been featured on Fox, WWLTV, WDSU, and CBS, and our attorneys are recognized by Super Lawyers across multiple years.

A Track Record Built on Serious Injury Cases

Kiefer & Kiefer has recovered well over $100 million for injured clients across Louisiana. Our results include a $4.2 million recovery for a client who sustained catastrophic injuries, a $2.3 million result for a client with neck and back injuries requiring multiple surgeries following a vehicle accident, and a $1.4 million settlement for a commercial vehicle accident requiring back surgery. We have handled cases involving paralysis, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and complete disability from work.

Getting those results requires thorough preparation long before a case reaches a negotiating table. The right experts retained early. Evidence preserved before it disappears. A complete picture of your injuries and their long-term impact built from the ground up. That is the standard we hold ourselves to on every motorcycle case.

Former Defense Experience That Works for You

Our attorneys spent time on the defense side of personal injury claims before representing injured victims. That background gives us a direct understanding of how insurance companies evaluate motorcycle accident cases, what evidence they prioritize, and what arguments their lawyers will make to shift blame onto the rider. We use that knowledge on behalf of our clients every single day.

No Fees Unless We Win

Every motorcycle accident case we handle is taken on a contingency fee basis. No upfront costs, no fees unless we recover compensation for you.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Everyone here is friendly and easy to work with. Thank you Megan. I would absolutely use again” — Alan S.

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle in Laplace

Motorcycle crashes happen in many different ways, and the legal issues involved vary depending on the type of accident, the parties responsible, and the severity of the injuries. We represent riders injured in all kinds of accidents throughout Laplace and St. John the Baptist Parish.

• Left-turn collisions. A driver turning left fails to see an oncoming motorcycle and cuts directly into its path. These are among the most common and most deadly crashes riders face. The fault analysis is often straightforward, but insurance companies still contest it aggressively, particularly when the rider sustained serious injuries that drive up the value of the claim.
• Rear-end collisions. A distracted driver strikes a motorcycle from behind. At highway speeds, these crashes are frequently fatal or catastrophic. Even at lower speeds, the impact a rider absorbs can cause severe spinal and head trauma.
• Lane change and merging accidents. A driver who fails to check blind spots before changing lanes can clip or fully strike a motorcycle traveling beside them. Riders have protections under Louisiana law that entitle them to the full use of a traffic lane, and violations of that right are central to these cases.
• Collisions with trucks. Wide turns, large blind spots, and unsafe lane changes by commercial drivers cause devastating crashes for motorcyclists. When a trucking company’s negligence is involved, liability extends beyond the driver, and the potential recovery is often significantly larger.
• Unsafe road conditions. Potholes, loose gravel, uneven pavement, and poorly marked construction zones are far more dangerous to a rider than to a car driver. When a road defect causes a crash, a claim against the responsible government entity may be possible, though these cases require fast action given Louisiana’s notice requirements.
• Defective motorcycle equipment. A mechanical failure caused by a defective component can give rise to a product liability claim against the manufacturer. Motorcycle defects including faulty brakes, defective tires, and other equipment failures require a different investigative approach than standard negligence cases, and we handle them.
• Fatal motorcycle accidents. When a rider is killed, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver and potentially other parties. These cases require both legal thoroughness and genuine sensitivity to what the family is experiencing.

Louisiana Legal Requirements for Motorcycle Accident Cases

Louisiana law governs how motorcycle accident claims are built, valued, and resolved, and understanding the relevant statutes matters to the outcome of your case.

Under La. R.S. § 32:190, motorcyclists in Louisiana are entitled to the full use of a traffic lane. No other vehicle may deprive a motorcycle of that full lane. Drivers who squeeze past riders, drift into their lane, or cut them off violate this statute directly, and that violation is relevant to establishing fault. Insurance companies know this, which is why their adjusters work quickly to build alternative narratives about rider behavior before the legal framework gets examined closely.

Louisiana requires motorcycle operators and passengers to wear helmets meeting federal safety standards under La. R.S. § 32:190.3. Failure to wear a helmet does not bar recovery, but under Louisiana’s comparative fault rules at La. C.C. Art. 2323 it can factor into how damages are allocated between the parties. Defense attorneys raise it when it applies. We address it head-on rather than letting it go unanswered.

The factors that affect settlements in Louisiana include the severity of injuries, the clarity of liability, the available insurance coverage, and whether the case proceeds to trial. Each of those variables requires active management from an attorney who handles these cases regularly.

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Louisiana is one year from the date of the accident under La. C.C. Art. 3492. That deadline is firm. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development maintains road safety data that can also be relevant when road conditions contributed to a crash.

What Damages Are Recoverable in a Laplace Motorcycle Accident?

Motorcycle injuries are among the most serious we handle. The human body absorbs the full force of impact in these crashes, and the resulting injuries frequently require multiple surgeries, extended rehabilitation, and permanent medical care. The damages available in Louisiana reflect that reality.

Economic damages cover the direct financial losses caused by your injuries. Past and future medical expenses, including emergency care, hospitalizations, surgeries, and ongoing treatment. Lost wages from time missed at work. Reduced earning capacity if your injuries have permanently limited your ability to work. In catastrophic cases, we work with life care planners and forensic economists to project future costs with precision. Riders who have been completely disabled from work, or who face a lifetime of medical treatment, need those numbers documented thoroughly and persuasively. We know how to do that.

Non-economic damages cover the losses that don’t come with a bill. Pain and suffering. Emotional distress. Loss of enjoyment of the activities and relationships that defined your life before the crash. Permanent scarring or disfigurement. Louisiana law allows full recovery for these losses, and in serious motorcycle cases they often represent the largest portion of the total damages. 

Punitive damages are not routinely available in Louisiana personal injury cases, but where the at-fault driver was intoxicated, enhanced recovery may be available under La. R.S. § 32:1502. We evaluate that question in every case involving an impaired driver.

Contact Kiefer & Kiefer

If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash in Laplace, do not give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster before speaking with us. Evidence disappears quickly, and the defense begins building its case immediately after a crash. We offer free consultations and handle every motorcycle accident case on a contingency basis. No fees unless we win. Contact us today to get started.