Move yourself and your bicycle out of traffic if you can do so safely. Call 911 immediately. Louisiana law requires reporting any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $500. A police report is essential — it documents the crash, identifies the at-fault driver, and creates an official record that is critical to your claim. Do not let the driver convince you a police report is unnecessary.

If you were wearing a helmet and may have sustained a head or neck injury, leave your helmet on until emergency medical personnel arrive. Your helmet is also physical evidence — it may show the point of impact and the force of the collision. Do not discard it after the accident, even if it is cracked or damaged. A damaged helmet is proof of what your head absorbed.

Accept EMS treatment at the scene and follow up with a doctor the same day even if you feel okay. Bicycle accident injuries — including traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, spinal damage, and road rash infections — frequently have delayed symptoms. Adrenaline can mask serious pain in the immediate aftermath of a crash. A same-day medical record directly linking your injuries to the accident is one of the most important documents in your case.

Photograph everything before vehicles or your bicycle are moved. Capture the vehicle that hit you from multiple angles, the driver’s license plate, the point of impact, your bicycle’s damage, skid marks, road conditions, any bike lane markings, traffic signals, and all visible injuries. Take wide shots of the full intersection or road and close-ups of all damage. If you cannot photograph yourself, ask a bystander to do it for you.

Get the driver’s full name, phone number, address, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance carrier and policy number. Note the make, model, color, and year of the vehicle. Do not rely solely on the police report — errors in accident reports happen, and you need your own independent record.

Get names and phone numbers from any witnesses before they leave. Eyewitness accounts are especially valuable in bicycle accident cases — drivers often claim they never saw the cyclist, and independent witnesses can establish the driver ran a red light, failed to yield, or was distracted. Witnesses leave quickly, so act fast.

Do not repair or discard your bicycle, helmet, or clothing until an attorney advises you to do so. Your damaged bicycle may need to be inspected by an accident reconstruction expert. Your helmet can show the angle and force of impact. Your clothing may contain paint transfer from the vehicle that hit you — all of this is physical evidence that supports your claim.

Do not apologize, say you are “fine,” or make any statement suggesting you contributed to the crash — even if you think you may have been slightly in the wrong. Louisiana follows pure comparative fault, meaning any admission reduces your recovery. Let police gather the facts. Say nothing to the driver’s insurance company without speaking to an attorney first.

Bicycle accident victims face the same anti-cyclist bias that affects motorcyclists — adjusters often assume the rider was at fault or taking unnecessary risks. An attorney who handles bicycle accident cases knows how to counter that narrative with evidence. The consultation is free and you pay nothing unless we win.

Louisiana law requires drivers to share the road with cyclists. Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles when operating on public roads. Drivers must pass cyclists with a safe distance — Louisiana’s safe passing law requires at least three feet of clearance when overtaking a bicycle. Violations of this law are strong evidence of the driver’s negligence.

The most common driver-caused bicycle accidents in Louisiana involve: failing to yield at intersections; opening a car door into the path of a cyclist (dooring); turning right across a bike lane; running red lights or stop signs; distracted driving; driving under the influence; and following too closely. Each of these constitutes negligence that can form the basis of your claim.

Louisiana’s pure comparative fault rule means that even if you contributed to the crash — for example, by riding against traffic, running a stop sign, or failing to use lights at night — you can still recover damages. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies routinely try to assign cyclists more blame than warranted. An attorney fights to keep that percentage as low as the evidence supports.

Potholes, missing manhole covers, cracked pavement, and poorly maintained bike lanes can cause serious bicycle accidents. If a road defect contributed to your crash, a government entity may share liability. Claims against government entities in Louisiana have much shorter filing deadlines — sometimes as few as 90 days — and require a formal notice of claim. Contact an attorney immediately if a road defect was involved.

In Louisiana, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the crash involved a government vehicle or a road defect on public property, the deadline may be as short as 90 days. Do not wait — evidence disappears and deadlines are strictly enforced.

Louisiana law requires drivers to maintain at least three feet of clearance when overtaking a bicycle. If the driver who hit you failed to give you adequate space, that violation is direct evidence of negligence and strengthens your claim significantly.

Louisiana follows pure comparative fault. Even if you were partially responsible for the crash, you can recover damages reduced proportionally by your share of fault. Insurance companies aggressively try to assign cyclists partial blame — an attorney protects your position.

Louisiana’s direct action statute allows you to sue the at-fault driver’s insurance company directly. You do not have to first obtain a judgment against the driver personally. This can streamline your recovery and ensure you are dealing with the party that actually controls the settlement funds.

Yes. If a driver’s negligence caused your bicycle accident, you have the right to pursue compensation for your injuries, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. Louisiana’s pure comparative fault rule means you can recover even if you were partly at fault — your damages are simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility. An attorney can evaluate the specific facts of your case and advise you on the strength of your claim.

Your own auto insurance policy’s uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may apply even though you were on a bicycle at the time of the crash. Louisiana’s UM coverage can extend to injuries sustained by a policyholder while riding a bicycle if an uninsured motor vehicle caused the crash. An attorney can review your policy and identify every available source of compensation.

Louisiana does not have a statewide helmet law for adult cyclists, though some local ordinances may apply. However, wearing a helmet — or not wearing one — can affect your claim. If you were not wearing a helmet and sustained a head injury, the driver’s insurer may argue your injuries were worsened by your own conduct. Documenting whether you were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash is important.

Being struck while riding lawfully in a designated bike lane strongly supports your claim. Drivers are required to respect bike lanes and yield to cyclists riding within them. A driver who crosses into a bike lane and strikes a cyclist has almost certainly violated their duty of care. Document the bike lane markings in your photos at the scene.

Generally two years from the date of the accident. If a government entity is involved — such as a city vehicle or a poorly maintained public road — the deadline may be as short as 90 days. Do not wait to speak with an attorney.

You may be entitled to economic damages — medical bills, future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and bicycle repair or replacement — and non-economic damages including pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. If your injuries are catastrophic or permanent, future care costs and loss of quality of life are also recoverable.

Nothing upfront. Mansfield Melancon handles bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. If we win your case or reach a settlement, you pay an agreed percentage of the recovery. If we do not win, you owe us nothing.