Chip and Jonathan Forstall: Mid-City personal injury motorcycle accident lawyers

Chip and Jonathan Forstall are motorcycle accident lawyers who serve Mid-City and the greater New Orleans area. Our office is easy to reach, and our firm is built around personal service. When accidents happen, we want you to feel heard, supported, and protected. Chip has spent decades helping New Orleanian families after accidents; he ensures that every family matters. Jonathan brings energy, focus, and careful case strategy to all of his clients to get top-rate results. Together, they lead a team that understands motorcycle accidents, truck crashes, and complex insurance claims.

Our clients remember the way we treat them: respectful, responsive, and prepared. We also love to say it plainly: “motorcycle injuries big or small, the Forstalls take care of it all” 
And we mean it—Forstall takes care of it all.

Why Timing Matters in Louisiana Law

In Orleans Parish, deadlines can move faster than people expect. Every accident has a timeline. Under Louisiana law, deadlines can be strict. Waiting can make accidents harder to prove. Witnesses forget details, video can be overwritten, and the accident scene changes. If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, act quickly and protect your options.
Here’s a simple plan:

• Call for medical care and keep medical records.
• Call police and ask how to get the report.
• Contact our office and schedule a free consultation.
• Let your lawyer and attorney handle insurance calls.
• Focus on healing, and let our firm handle the legal work.

If you’re in NOLA and you need help after motorcycle accidents, contact our office today. If you’re in New Orleans and your family needs guidance after accidents, call now for a free consultation.

Why Accidents Happen in Orleans Parish

Motorcycle accidents in Orleans Parish happen for many reasons, and the same patterns show up again and again.

Distracted driving accidents

Texting, GPS, scrolling, eating; distracted driving is the leading cause of accidents. A distracted driver may drift into a lane or miss a motorcycle in a mirror. These accidents can cause severe injury and complex insurance claims.

Left-turn accidents

A driver turns left across a motorcycle’s path. This classic accident scenario is common in New Orleans traffic. The crash is often violent, and injuries can be serious.

Unsafe lane changes and merging accidents

In heavy Orleans Parish traffic, drivers merge quickly. A motorcycle can vanish in a blind spot, and accidents happen in seconds.
Speeding, tailgating, and aggressive driving
Aggressive driving raises crash force and increases injury risk. These accidents are avoidable, but they still happen daily.

Road hazards and street conditions

Potholes, uneven pavement, metal plates, and slick surfaces can trigger motorcycle accidents. Streetcar tracks also create hazards; if a rider hits a track at the wrong angle, an accident can occur.

Truck-involved accidents

A truck has massive blind spots and longer stopping distances. Motorcycle accidents with a truck can be catastrophic and may involve multiple insurance layers and multiple parties.

Truck-Involved Motorcycle Accidents

Truck motorcycle accidents can involve company policies, multiple insurance layers, and fast-changing evidence. We act quickly to preserve records, confirm liability, and document injuries. If a truck driver caused the crash, our firm builds the case with practical proof and pushes for fair compensation.

How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Proves Liability in Orleans Parish

Liability means legal responsibility for the accident. To prove liability, we gather evidence and connect it to Louisiana law.

Evidence that supports liability

• • police report details and diagrams
  • witness statements
  • video footage- dashcam, and nearby cameras
  • phone records in distracted driving accidents
  • crash reconstruction in severe accidents
  • medical records linking injury to accident impact

Louisiana law and comparative fault

Louisiana uses comparative fault. That means a person can still recover compensation even if they share some blame, but the damages may be reduced. Insurance loves to argue comparative fault in motorcycle accidents. A motorcycle accident attorney can push back with evidence and clear legal arguments.

Damages and Compensation After Motorcycle Accidents in New Orleans

After motorcycle accidents, the real question is often: “How am I going to pay for this?” The law allows compensation for losses caused by a negligent driver. Your case may include both economic damages and non-economic damages.

Common damages in a motorcycle accident are:

• past medical costs (ER, surgery, rehab, medication)
• future medical care for ongoing injuries
• lost wages and reduced earning ability
• pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment
• property damage to the motorcycle and gear

A motorcycle accident lawyer will calculate damages carefully, so your compensation demand is accurate. Insurance will try to minimize damages, especially for “soft tissue” injuries. We don’t let them.

Common Misconceptions About Motorcycle Accident Claims

Motorcycle accidents come with bias, and that bias shows up in insurance negotiations.

Misconception 1: “The rider must have caused the accident.”
Many accidents are caused by a driver who wasn’t watching. A motorcycle is smaller, but it has the same right to the road.

Misconception 2: “If I wasn’t wearing a helmet, I have no case.”
Helmet issues can affect a case, but they do not erase liability for the accident. The facts matter.

Misconception 3: “Insurance will do the right thing.”
Insurance is a business, and many accidents turn into hard negotiations.

Misconception 4: “I can wait to get checked out.”
Waiting can make injuries worse and make a case harder to prove.

Misconception 5: “A quick settlement is safest.”
Quick settlements can underpay damages, medical costs, and long-term injury impact.

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer FAQ for New Orleans

1. Do I need a lawyer after a motorcycle wreck?
   If you have an injury, property damage, or insurance pressure, yes. A motorcycle accident lawyer protects your rights and builds your case.
   
   
2. How much does it cost to hire your firm? 
   Your consultation is free. You pay nothing upfront, it’s that simple . Our fee comes from recovery, so you can focus on healing.
   
   
3. What if the police report is wrong? 
   We can challenge errors, gather witness statements, and build a stronger case than the report alone.
   
   
4. What if I was partially at fault? 
   Louisiana comparative fault may reduce damages, but you can still recover compensation. A lawyer can explain your specific case.
   
   
5. How long will the claim take? 
   Timelines vary, especially with serious injuries or truck accidents.
   
   
6. What injuries are common in motorcycle accidents? 
   Fractures, road rash, head injury, spinal injuries, and internal injuries are common.
   
   
7. Can I recover compensation if a car door opened into me? 
   Often, yes. Liability depends on the facts.
   
   
8. What should I say to insurance? 
   Keep it brief, then contact a lawyer.

Insurance Tactics After Motorcycle Accidents

After motorcycle accidents, insurance companies often move fast. They may ask for a recorded statement, push for a quick settlement, or suggest your injuries are minor. This is where legal experience matters. Insurance is trained to reduce claims, and motorcycle accidents give them room to argue.

Common insurance tactics we see in accidents

• • “You were speeding,” even without proof
  • “You should have seen the vehicle,” even when the driver was distracted
  • “The injuries are not from the accident,” even when medical records say otherwise
  • “The damage isn’t that bad,” even when the motorcycle was thrown or pinned
  • “We just need one more report,” to delay the process

A lawyer can respond with the right legal strategy, the right evidence, and the right documentation. We request the report, compare the report to photos, collect medical documentation, and build a clear timeline. That’s how we handle accidents that insurers try to minimize.

How the Forstall New Orleans Motorcycle Crash Team Can Help

We keep your case moving and your stress down. Here’s what our firm does:

We handle the insurance calls

Once you hire us, we take over. Insurance companies stop calling you, and we manage the claim process.

We gather the report and build the case file

We secure every accident report, medical record, and relevant document. We also gather photos and witness information.

We value damages and demand fair compensation

We don’t guess. We calculate damages based on records and future needs. Then we negotiate hard.

We prepare every case like it may go to trial

Most cases settle, but preparation matters. Insurance takes you seriously when your lawyer is ready.