From 2003 to 2012, 1,028 pedestrians lost their lives on the streets of Louisiana. Of all the traffic deaths that occurred during that period, 12 percent were pedestrians. This puts Louisiana fifth in the nation for fatal pedestrian vs. car accidents.
When the numbers between these 10 years are broken down by metropolitan area, three of the top locations with the most pedestrian fatalities were New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette. It may not be surprising that New Orleans leads the pack with 270 reported deaths. Baton Rouge was next in line with 163 fatalities. Seventy-four pedestrian deaths were reported in Lafayette.
The fact that Louisiana ranks third in the pedestrian deaths of children is even more discouraging. For every 100,000 residents, 1.43 children died as the result of an accident. Many people assign at least a portion of the blame on a lack of sidewalks and crosswalks in the state. Some are calling for city planners to correct the problem in order to save lives.
In an urban setting, pedestrians often have no choice but to share the roads with vehicles. This puts them in a particularly vulnerable position. When an accident is between an unprotected individual and a vehicle of any size, it does not take much for a pedestrian to suffer serious or fatal injuries.
Sadly, these statistics only relate to individuals that lost their lives as a result of pedestrian vs. car accidents. Many people are left with permanent injuries after becoming victims in these incidents. Whenever there is evidence that suggests that an injury or a fatality was the result of another party’s negligent actions, a victim or victim’s family retains the right to file a civil claim in a Louisiana court. Monetary damages awarded from a successfully litigated lawsuit can be applied toward medical bills, burial costs and any other expenses that are being incurred as a result of the unfortunate incident.
Car Accidents
Police Find Car Involved in Louisiana Hit-And-Run Auto Accident
A bicycle rider was run down and left for dead by the driver of the vehicle that hit her. Police knew they were looking for a 2013 Toyota Camry thanks to a witness. The vehicle was located in the parking lot of a Louisiana hotel, just days after the hit-and-run auto accident.
At approximately 12:45 a.m., on Oct. 7, the 34-year-old bicycle rider was struck by the Toyota. The preliminary investigation suggests that the driver of the vehicle ran a red light prior to hitting the cyclist. According to a witness, the man driving the Camry initially stopped and got out of the vehicle, but then left the scene shortly thereafter. The witness was able to get photographs of both the vehicle and the driver before he fled.
The bicycle rider survived the accident and was taken to an area hospital. She is said to be in stable condition at this time. The nature and extent of her injuries is not known, however.
The vehicle is reportedly registered to a 77-year-old woman who lives in Oregon. She does not appear to be involved in this incident. Police are still attempting to locate the man from the witness photographs, who is believed to have been driving the car at the time of the accident. Law enforcement officials are seeking any information regarding the man’s whereabouts.
When he is found, not only is it likely that he will face criminal charges, but the injured woman may file a personal injury claim against him as well. Under Louisiana law, she may be able to recover damages associated with this auto accident, such as pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages. The official report and witness statements in this case may be used by the woman as evidence of the driver’s negligence, which must be proved for her to recover any damages.
Louisiana Car Accidents: State No-Texting Law Expanded
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, there are approximately 660,000 drivers using cell phones or other electronic devices while driving at any given moment during the daylight hours around the country. There was no mention of how many of those users are subsequently involved in car accidents. This may be part of the reason that Louisiana has expanded its ban on texting and driving to include all social media accessible from an electronic device.
The other part of the reason the law was expanded may be because using social media is “technically” not texting. The fine for breaking this law is $175 for the first offense and additional violations can run up to $500 per incident. It is hoped that this new law will help curb the ever increasing number of people that are distracted while driving.
Things that Louisiana State Police troopers look for are crossing into oncoming traffic, varying speeds, and other erratic driving. These are much the same actions that troopers find in impaired drivers. The outcome of being distracted while driving can also have the same deadly consequences as driving while impaired.
It has become automatic for authorities to obtain cell phone records in car accidents that are serious or deadly. The records are used to determine whether a driver’s cell phone was in use at the time of the crash. There is nothing more important while driving a weapon weighing anywhere from one ton upwards than paying attention to the road and traffic laws. When people forget they are operating a deadly weapon and become distracted, accidents will happen and people will get hurt or die. In those cases, civil actions may be filed to recover the financial losses that inevitably follow such tragedies.
Louisiana Brothers Killed in Head-On Car Accident
Friends and family say that the two Louisiana brothers were always together. So it was no surprise when the two boys left their jobs at a local Sonic together. What was a surprise was that on the way home, the boys became the victims of a head-on car accident.
Both boys died as the result of injuries they sustained in the accident. However, one of the brothers was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was still alive when emergency personnel arrived. He was taken to an area hospital where he, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries some time later.
Police believe that the Louisiana man behind the wheel of the truck that slammed head-on into the boys’ truck was impaired by some sort of controlled substance when he drifted over the line into oncoming traffic. It was not reported whether the driver was injured. The investigation has not yet been completed. Toxicology samples were taken and authorities are awaiting the results.
Charges have not yet been filed against the driver. What charges will be filed will depend on the outcome of the investigation. The family of the Louisiana boys may exercise their right to file a wrongful death claim against the driver. If they prevail in their action, they will be able to recover those expenses such as medical bills, funeral expenses and other damages incurred in connection with the car accident that took the boys from their family. Of course, no amount of money will ever replace the hole the loss of these brothers leaves in their family.
Slidell Auto Accident Kills 19-Year-Old Woman
Driving Interstate 12 through Slidell, Louisiana, helps motorists avoid the traffic going to New Orleans. However, it doesn’t help avoid an auto accident. A 19-year-old was killed in mid-June while driving on I-12.
The woman and her passenger were traveling on the interstate when traffic backed up around exit 80. The driver slowed the car in response to the traffic, but the Dodge pickup truck traveling behind her did not slow down at all. It slammed into the car from behind, killing the 19-year-old and seriously injuring her passenger.
Authorities determined that the driver of the Dodge pickup had been drinking, although he was not legally drunk. As a result, he was arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide and other charges and was taken to the St. Tammany Parish Jail. All that is known about the condition of the passenger of the car is that his injuries were serious, and he was taken to an area hospital.
Losing anyone in a fatal auto accident is horrible, but there seems to be an added sorrow when the victim is so young. Those who are left behind have to deal with the loss of a friend and loved one in addition to the loss of a life that had just barely begun. The costs of a fatal auto accident, such as funeral expenses and property damage, can be overwhelming at best. The fact that the driver of the Dodge vehicle will be criminally charged means he may not be driving again for quite some time, but a conviction won’t bring back the driver, nor will it provide any compensation for her family’s financial and emotional losses. To gain this compensation, her family will have to file a civil wrongful death lawsuit that effectively demonstrates the pickup truck driver’s negligence caused the young woman’s death.
Louisiana State Police Use Car Wreck to Remind us Not to Speed
A fatal accident on June 5 has given the Louisiana State Police the opportunity to remind drivers to slow down. Excessive speeds reduce reaction time for things such as stopping, avoid obstacles and even taking a curve in the road. The car wreck they are currently investigating may have been the result of a speeding driver that lost control.
The accident in question occurred on U.S. Highway 165 near Bastrop. This is the 18th fatal accident that Louisiana State Police Troop F has investigated so far this year. An out-of-state driver somehow lost control of his vehicle and spun into the oncoming lanes of traffic. When that happened, another vehicle was unable to avoid colliding with the out of control car.
The out-of-state driver was killed as a result of the accident. His passenger ended up being taken to an area hospital with injuries that have been described as serious. The driver and two passengers in the other vehicle sustained moderate injuries and were also taken to an area hospital. The current conditions of the injured parties are not known.
It is not believed that alcohol played a factor in the crash, but in accordance with procedure, toxicology samples were taken and sent for analysis as the investigation continues. Those that were injured in the car wreck have the right to file personal injury claims against the estate of the deceased driver. Expenses such as medical bills and lost wages have a tendency to add up quickly and may be reimbursed through a successful civil action.