Riding a motorcycle in Louisiana isn’t just about freedom—it’s about knowing the laws that can keep you out of legal trouble and off an insurance company’s hit list. One mistake, and they’ll use it against you. Don’t give them the upper hand. Know the rules. Follow them. And if a reckless driver puts you in harm’s way, GET RUDE® and FIGHT BACK.
At RUDIN LAW, we don’t believe in playing nice when an insurance company tries to deny your claim. They don’t care about your medical bills, lost wages, or the fact that your bike is totaled. We do. Here’s what you need to know about Louisiana motorcycle laws—because the last thing you want is to let some loophole wreck your case.
No Endorsement? No Ride. Period.
Louisiana doesn’t care if you’ve been riding since you were a kid—without a motorcycle endorsement, you’re riding illegally. No excuses. No exceptions.
Helmet Up or Pay Up (For Now)
Louisiana doesn’t give you a choice—right now, helmets are mandatory for every rider and passenger. No exceptions. Your helmet must have:
- A securely fastened chin strap
- A visor or attached face shield
- Proper lining and padding
If your bike doesn’t have a windshield, you must wear eye protection.
Think you can skip it? Expect a ticket. Worse, expect an insurance company to argue that your injuries were “your fault” for not wearing a helmet—even if a careless driver ran you off the road.
While there has been some discussion among lawmakers about eliminating the helmet requirement for riders over 21, the law has not officially changed as of the publication of this blog.
For now, helmets are still required. Stay updated: Louisiana Helmet Law
Lane Splitting? Illegal. Don’t Even Try It.
Sitting in traffic is frustrating, but Louisiana bans lane splitting. You can’t weave between cars to move ahead. Here’s what’s allowed:
- You get full use of a lane—other drivers can’t crowd you
- Two motorcycles can ride side by side in the same lane
- You cannot pass a vehicle in the same lane
If a reckless driver cuts you off or swerves into your lane, they could be liable for the crash. But insurance companies love to argue fault, claiming you “should have avoided it.” That’s where we GET RUDE® —gathering evidence, proving their negligence, and making them pay for the damage they caused.
Read the full lane use law here: Louisiana Lane Laws
Your Bike Better Meet Legal Standards
Not every motorcycle is “street legal” in Louisiana. If your bike doesn’t meet state equipment laws, you could be ticketed—or worse, blamed for a crash you didn’t cause.
Here’s what’s required:
- Headlights, taillights, and turn signals that work
- A functioning horn that can be heard from 200 feet
- Rearview mirrors
- Handlebars that don’t extend above your shoulders
If you carry a passenger, your bike must have a second seat and footrests for them. If not? You’re breaking the law.
No Kids Under Five on Your Bike
Not every state bans young children from riding as passengers, but Louisiana does. Children under five years old are not allowed on a motorcycle. If you’re caught breaking this law, expect a ticket, legal trouble, and insurance headaches if you’re involved in a crash.
Older children must be properly seated and wearing a helmet—no exceptions.
Read the child passenger law here: Passenger Rules.
No Insurance? You’re Screwed.
Let’s make one thing clear: Riding without insurance is a mistake that could cost you everything. Louisiana requires every motorcyclist to carry minimum liability coverage:
- $15,000 for bodily injury per person
- $30,000 for total bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
Sounds like a lot? It’s not. If you’re hit by a driver who’s uninsured or underinsured, those numbers won’t cover much. That’s why smart riders carry additional coverage. If another driver’s negligence leaves you with a stack of medical bills, the right insurance policy can make all the difference.
Ride Smart, Ride Safe—Because No One Else Is Looking Out for You
Laws are one thing. Staying alive on Louisiana roads is another. The reality? Other drivers don’t see you. They’re distracted, careless, and often flat-out reckless. You have to be the one protecting yourself out there.
Here’s what separates riders who stay in control from those who end up as statistics:
- Gear Up Like You Mean It – Louisiana only requires a helmet, but if you think that’s enough, you’re kidding yourself. Wear reinforced gloves, a riding jacket, and boots. Road rash isn’t just painful—it can leave you permanently disfigured.
- Stay Sober or Stay Off the Bike – If you’re drinking, don’t ride. Period. Even a slight buzz messes with your reflexes, and Louisiana doesn’t play when it comes to DUI laws. Get caught, and you’re facing fines, jail time, or worse—a funeral.
- Ride Like a Pro, Not a Statistic – The best riders don’t just “know how to ride”—they master their bikes. Take an advanced riding course, practice emergency braking, and learn to escape dangerous situations before they happen.
- Ride Like You’re Invisible – Because to other drivers, you are. They’re texting, messing with their GPS, and switching lanes without looking. Assume every car will cut you off and be ready for it.
- Know the Road, Know the Risks – Wet pavement, potholes, and oil slicks aren’t just annoying—they can kill you. Stay alert, avoid loose gravel, and never trust that an intersection is safe just because you have the right of way.
If every rider followed these rules, we wouldn’t see half the crashes we do. But when another driver’s recklessness puts you in the hospital, that’s when it’s time to GET RUDE® and make them pay.
What Happens If You Get Hit? Time to GET RUDE®.
Following the law is one thing. Holding reckless drivers accountable is another. If a careless motorist crashes into you, don’t expect their insurance company to play fair. They’ll:
- Blame you for the accident
- Claim your injuries aren’t that serious
- Lowball your settlement or deny your claim altogether
That’s where we come in. At RUDIN LAW, we don’t waste time with back-and-forth games. Our New Orleans motorcycle accident attorneys:
- Dig deep into the facts—we research everything to put together a rock-solid case.
- Expose the lies—insurance companies will twist the story, but we understand their playbook.
- Develop a strategy that leaves them no room to wiggle out—this is where we put the pressure on.
- Execute with zero hesitation—they either pay, or they get dragged into court. Period.
This isn’t about being polite. It’s about making sure you don’t get taken advantage of. If you’ve been in a crash, it’s time to GET RUDE® and make them pay what they owe.
Why You Need a Lawyer Who’s Ready to GET RUDE®
When insurance companies think you don’t know how pure comparative negligence works, they’ll try to take advantage of you. At RUDIN LAW, we follow the R-U-D-E Method. We don’t let insurance companies call the shots. We’re here to make sure they know you mean business.
| RESEARCH: Let’s get started with a chat! We’ll walk you through a consultation, pinpointing potential problems and asking for any necessary documents.
UNDERSTAND: By the end, we’ll have a clear understanding of your legal concerns and be able to offer valuable insights and solutions to move forward. DEVELOP: We’ll develop a customized legal strategy tailored to your specific situation, addressing your concerns and goals. EXECUTE: We’ll implement the legal strategy, providing expert guidance and advocacy to achieve the desired outcome. |
Stop Letting Insurance Companies Control Your Future!
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you already know how reckless drivers and insurance companies try to shift the blame. They’ll claim you were at fault, lowball your settlement, or outright deny your claim—even when you did everything right.
At RUDIN LAW, we don’t play their games. We expose their tactics, challenge their excuses, and fight for every dollar. Whether they’re trying to use helmet laws against you, argue over liability, or stall your payout, we push back hard to make sure you don’t get left with the bills.
You found this page because you’re searching for a “New Orleans motorcycle accident lawyer” or “personal injury attorneys in New Orleans” who actually fights for riders. You found the right team. With over a decade of experience battling insurance companies, we know how to make them pay.
It’s time to GET RUDE® and take control. Call RUDIN LAW at (504) 500-5504(504) 500-5504 for a FREE case review today. Prefer online? Fill out our confidential online form to get started.
We fight for motorcycle riders across Louisiana and Texas—because you shouldn’t have to handle this alone.
Get Hurt? Get Help. GET RUDE®.
Copyright © 2025. RUDIN LAW. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
RUDIN LAW
5500 Prytania St. #404
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 500-5504(504) 500-5504
https://www.GetRude.com/
