1. Rice and Kendig
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury litigation, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, road hazard claims
Case Types Handled: Rear-end motorcycle collisions, left-turn accidents, intersection crashes, impaired driver accidents, distracted driver collisions, road defect claims, government liability cases, hit-and-run incidents, wrongful death motorcycle claims
Legal Services: Accident investigation, expert testimony coordination, crash analysis, phone record subpoenas, witness statement collection, traffic camera footage analysis, negligence determination, insurance negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiation
Background: Firm established in 1970 with over five decades of experience serving Northern Louisiana. Attorneys work directly with senior partners on motorcycle cases. Known for accident reconstruction work with professional experts. Experience handling cases involving Louisiana R.S. Section 48:35 government road maintenance claims.
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Contact: (318) 222-2772 | https://ricekendig.com
Consultation: Free case review available
2. Wright Gray Trial Lawyers
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, insurance disputes
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions with passenger vehicles, head-on accidents, rear-end crashes, intersection accidents, distracted driving incidents, drunk driving motorcycle crashes, hit-and-run cases, wrongful death claims, uninsured motorist claims
Legal Services: Case evaluation, evidence gathering, liability assessment, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, comparative negligence analysis, damages calculation, litigation, trial preparation, settlement negotiation, wrongful death representation
Background: Experienced personal injury law firm with attorneys providing personalized representation throughout Louisiana. Handles cases under Louisiana’s pure comparative negligence system. Works with accident reconstructionists, medical professionals, and expert witnesses.
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana (part of statewide practice)
Contact: Contact through website | https://wrightgray.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
3. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Left-turn motorcycle accidents, lane change collisions, intersection crashes, rear-end accidents, drunk driver incidents, distracted driving crashes, blind spot accidents, wrongful death claims, uninsured motorist cases
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence collection, liability determination, comparative fault analysis, insurance negotiation, medical documentation, lost wage calculation, pain and suffering assessment, litigation, trial representation
Background: Firm with 679+ years of combined legal experience across all attorneys. Has helped Louisiana clients recover over $3 billion in compensation. Maintains aggressive approach to motorcycle accident cases with thorough investigation and negotiation strategies.
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana (with multiple Louisiana offices)
Contact: (318) 888-8888 | https://www.getgordon.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available
4. Greenwald Law Firm
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, trucking accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, personal injury, wrongful death, criminal defense, estate planning, successions
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle vs. car collisions, motorcycle vs. truck accidents, intersection crashes, rear-end collisions, distracted driving incidents, drunk driving accidents, wrongful death motorcycle cases
Legal Services: Medical bill organization, insurance adjuster communication, settlement negotiation, litigation, trial representation, evidence preservation, liability investigation, damages documentation
Background: Firm led by Joseph W. Greenwald, Jr. Serves Shreveport, Bossier City, and surrounding areas. Handles complex personal injury claims with focus on maximizing client compensation. Provides comprehensive representation from initial consultation through trial.
Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Contact: (318) 219-7867 | https://www.shreveportlawyer.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
5. Gordon and Gordon Law Firm LLC
Practice Focus: Motorcycle accidents, car accidents, personal injury, workers’ compensation, motor vehicle accidents
Case Types Handled: Motorcycle collisions, intersection accidents, stop sign and stoplight crashes, rear-end accidents, head-on collisions, traumatic brain injury cases, spinal cord injury claims, road rash injuries, wrongful death claims
Legal Services: Accident investigation, evidence gathering, liability determination, insurance negotiation, medical expense documentation, lost wages calculation, pain and suffering claims, litigation, trial representation
Background: Firm with 30 years of combined experience serving Northeast Louisiana. Offices in Shreveport, Bossier City, and Mansfield. Focus on motor vehicle accident claims with established credibility among insurance adjusters. Handles cases throughout Northwest Louisiana.
Location: 920 Pierremont Road, Suite 116, Shreveport, LA 71106 (with offices in Bossier City and Mansfield)
Contact: (318) 716-HELP | https://www.716help.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
Motorcycle Accident Laws and Regulations in Louisiana
Statute of Limitations: Louisiana has a one-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including motorcycle accidents. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3492, delictual (tort) actions are subject to a liberative prescription of one year from the date of the accident. This is shorter than most states, making prompt legal action essential. Wrongful death claims also have a one-year limitation period.
Property Damage Claims: Property damage claims in Louisiana are also subject to a one-year prescriptive period from the date of the accident.
Fault System: Louisiana is a fault-based (tort) auto insurance state. The at-fault party is responsible for compensating the injured victim for damages.
Comparative Negligence: Louisiana follows the pure comparative negligence rule (Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323). Even if a motorcyclist is partially at fault for an accident, they can still recover damages from other at-fault parties. However, the recovery is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the motorcyclist. For example, if a rider is found 25% at fault and suffered $100,000 in damages, they can recover $75,000.
Minimum Motorcycle Insurance Requirements: Louisiana requires motorcyclists to carry liability insurance with the following minimum limits: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident, $25,000 for property damage per accident.
Helmet Law: Louisiana has a universal helmet law (Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:190). All motorcycle operators and passengers must wear DOT-approved safety helmets regardless of age. Helmets must include lining, padding, visor, and chin strap that meets specifications established by the commissioner. The chin strap must be properly secured while the motorcycle is in motion. Violation results in a $50 fine. The law has been in effect since August 2004.
Eye Protection: Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:190.1 requires eye protection for all motorcycle operators unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windshield of sufficient height to provide adequate eye protection. Tinted eye protection is prohibited for night riding.
Lane Splitting: Lane splitting is illegal in Louisiana. Motorcyclists cannot pass vehicles in the same lane or ride between rows of vehicles (except for on-duty police officers). However, two motorcycles may ride side-by-side in the same lane.
Lane Use: Motorcyclists are entitled to full use of a traffic lane. Other drivers are prohibited from driving in a way that deprives motorcyclists of full lane use.
Motorcycle Licensing: Louisiana requires a motorcycle endorsement on the driver’s license (Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:408). Applicants must pass a motorcycle knowledge and skills test with at least 80% score. The requirement may be waived by completing a Department of Public Safety Motorcycle Safety, Awareness and Operators Training Program.
Equipment Requirements: Handlebars cannot be above shoulder height when seated (Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:191.3). Motorcycles must have footrests for passengers if carrying a passenger.
Passenger Requirements: Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:191 requires passengers to sit in a permanent seat attached to the motorcycle. The driver cannot carry a passenger unless the seat is designed to hold another person.
Child Passengers: Children under five years old are prohibited from riding on motorcycles in Louisiana. Older children must wear an appropriately sized helmet and properly fit in the passenger seat.
Vehicle Inspection: Motorcycles must have valid license plates, insurance, and current inspection stickers.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Not required but recommended.
Government Liability: Under Louisiana R.S. Section 48:35, government entities must maintain safe roadways. This may provide a basis for claims when road defects contribute to motorcycle accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the deadline for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Shreveport, Louisiana?
A: Louisiana has one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the country for personal injury claims. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3492, you have only one year from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a lawsuit. If you fail to file within this one-year period, you will lose your right to seek compensation through the court system. Wrongful death claims also have a one-year limitation. Because evidence can disappear quickly and witness memories fade, it is advisable to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident to ensure your claim is properly investigated and filed in time.
Q: How does Louisiana’s comparative negligence rule affect my motorcycle accident claim?
A: Louisiana follows the pure comparative negligence rule under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 30% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would receive $70,000. Unlike Alabama or other contributory negligence states where any fault bars recovery, Louisiana allows motorcyclists to pursue claims regardless of their degree of fault. However, insurance companies often try to attribute more fault to motorcyclists than warranted, so having an attorney who can effectively counter these arguments is important.
Q: Is lane splitting legal in Louisiana, and how does it affect motorcycle accident liability?
A: No, lane splitting is illegal in Louisiana. Motorcyclists cannot ride between rows of vehicles or pass other vehicles within the same lane. Only on-duty police officers are exempted from this rule. However, two motorcycles may legally ride side-by-side in a single lane. If a motorcyclist is involved in an accident while lane splitting, they may be found partially or fully at fault for the collision, which would reduce their recovery under Louisiana’s comparative negligence system. Conversely, motorcyclists are entitled to full use of their traffic lane, and other drivers who crowd or deprive motorcyclists of full lane use may be held liable for resulting accidents.
Q: Can I recover compensation if I was not wearing a helmet at the time of my Shreveport motorcycle accident?
A: Yes, failure to wear a helmet does not prevent you from pursuing a motorcycle accident claim in Louisiana, as the lack of a helmet is not what caused the accident itself. However, the at-fault party’s insurance company may argue that your injuries, particularly head injuries, were worsened because you were not wearing a helmet. They may attempt to reduce your compensation for damages they claim could have been prevented with proper helmet use. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can push back against these arguments and help you recover fair compensation. Under Louisiana’s pure comparative negligence rule, any reduction in damages would be based on the percentage of fault attributed to your failure to wear a helmet relative to your injuries.
Q: What types of damages can I recover in a Louisiana motorcycle accident case?
A: In Louisiana motorcycle accident cases, you may recover economic damages including medical expenses (emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, future treatment), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, property damage (motorcycle repair or replacement, gear, clothing), and disability-related expenses. Non-economic damages may include compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disfigurement or scarring, and loss of consortium. If the at-fault driver’s conduct was particularly egregious (such as drunk driving), additional damages may be available. Louisiana does not have statutory caps on personal injury damages in most cases. Because Louisiana’s one-year statute of limitations is short, it is important to document all damages quickly and thoroughly.