Louisiana police report that a 12-year-old boy was killed on March 17 as he rode side-by-side with another bicyclist. The auto accident occurred about 160 miles east of Lake Charles on Louisiana Highway 43 in Albany in the early evening. The cyclists were riding southbound as the car approached. Reports say that the driver was unable to avoid hitting the boy because the child attempted to cross the street just as the car came upon him. Tragically, the impact of the collision killed the boy.
There have been no charges filed against the driver in connection with the auto accident. Indeed, preliminary indications are that the deceased victim of the car accident may have swerved into the path of the motor vehicle. Nonetheless, the family of the boy will likely be interested in the official report of the accident as well as any other evidence gathered from the tragic incident.
While it is too early to say whether or not a civil claim for wrongful death may be appropriate, the family may wish to consider its legal options once all the facts are known. Even when a driver is not charged with any crime or traffic violations, facts may come to light that establish negligence on the part of the driver or another party in causing the car accident.
In any auto accident, when a driver is found to be at fault, personal injury claims may result. When a victim suffers injuries, or even death, there are economic costs for medical care and other expenses. Additionally, there may be other damages as well as pain and suffering occasioned by the crash. The personal injury laws of Louisiana are designed to assist victims of car accidents caused by the negligence of another as they recover from their injuries. Losing a child in a car accident like this one is an unimaginable tragedy. Filing for compensation can allow the family and friends of a victim to mourn together without having to worry about funeral expenses and other costs.
Fatal Crashes
Pedestrian Killed in a Car Wreck in Vernon Parish
Crossing a busy roadway can be a dangerous task for Louisiana residents. Speeding traffic is only one of the concerns when a pedestrian steps into the road. A car wreck can happen when a driver is distracted or impaired, and injuries to a walker can result.
Louisiana police say that a pedestrian was attempting to cross U.S. Highway 171 in Vernon Parish on March 10 when he was struck and killed by a motorist. The 21-year-old victim died at the scene. There was no report of any injuries to the driver in this collision.
An investigation into the car accident continues, and police reportedly suspect that the driver was under the influence of alcohol. No reports as to the blood alcohol level of the driver or any field sobriety tests were initially reported. The driver was arrested at the scene and charged with vehicular homicide. While no other details of the collision were initially reported, the driver will now have to answer the criminal charges.
The surviving family of the deceased man has undoubtedly suffered a great loss, which may affect them both economically and emotionally for years to come. While no amount of money can make up for life tragically lost, the family may be able to make a legal claim to help compensate for the expenses they may now be facing. Damages sought could include funeral expenses, lost wages and lost future income as well as for pain and suffering occasioned by the senseless tragedy. By relieving their financial burden, the family may be able to better focus on comforting one another in their time of sorrow.
Louisiana Woman Killed in Rainstorm Car Wreck
When inclement weather is cited as a contributing factor in a car wreck, it can be difficult for investigators to determine who is at fault. All of the facts and circumstances surrounding the accident are collected before ultimate responsibility is placed. Every time an individual gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, a reasonable duty of care must be followed to ensure the safety of other people sharing the road, even in poor weather conditions. Louisiana drivers are required to turn their headlights on and also reduce their speed any time poor weather occurs while driving. A fatal car wreck has provided an unfortunate reminder of the care drivers must assume when driving in bad weather.
A 19-year-old Maringouin woman was traveling southbound on Highway 411 during a rainstorm when she lost control of her car. As she was rounding a curve south of Slacks Bridge, her vehicle crossed over the center line directly into the path of a northbound vehicle. The two cars collided, severely injuring the 19-year-old. She was later pronounced dead. The second driver was transported to a local hospital, suffering from non-life threatening injuries.
Both were wearing seat belts, and police do not believe that any type of impairment played a part in this car wreck.
Poor weather may have contributed to the accident but the injured party will likely wish to stay informed about the progress of the accident investigation. While all of the facts and circumstances surrounding this Louisiana car wreck are not entirely clear at this time, one person died and the other has been hospitalized. These tragedies show just how important safe and cautious driving is, especially when inclement weather strikes.
Truck Driver Negligence Leads to Fatality in Louisiana
A serious truck accident in Louisiana recently resulted in the death of a motorcycle driver. Initially, troopers were called in to assist with a report of a stray dog located west of the Whiskey Bay Bridge. Traffic was blocked while animal control and law enforcement removed the animal from the road, but an 18-wheeler driver failed to stop for the traffic. The resulting auto accident snarled traffic and caused the troopers to initiate an accident investigation to determine exactly what happened.
While the dog was being removed from the roadway and traffic was backed up, several miles back the 18-wheeler driver veered into the center of the road. His truck struck three vehicles and the back of a motorcycle. The motorcycle driver was pronounced dead on the scene. No other injuries were reported.
The 18-wheeler driver was charged with reckless operation and negligent homicide. All of the drivers voluntarily submitted breath samples, which showed no alcohol in any of their systems. For this reason, police do not believe that alcohol or any other type of impairment was involved in the auto accident.
The truck driver is facing serious criminal charges for his part in the truck accident. He may also be facing liability claims for the family of the deceased motorcycle driver for his negligent actions. Distracted drivers are a danger on the roadways and can cause serious harm to other motorists. This man’s failure to pay attention caused an extremely serious auto accident in Louisiana and shows that just a few seconds of inattention on the road can cause a lifetime of repercussions.
Fatal Auto Accident: Lake Charles Woman Behind the Wheel
For residents of Lake Charles Louisiana, pedestrian accidents may feel as though they’re becoming an all too common occurrence. These types of accidents are particularly tragic because they almost always result in serious bodily harm or death. Just last week we highlighted the story of a 23-year-old man who died as a result of injuries sustained when he was struck by vehicle on Elliot Road. Unfortunately, the tragic auto accident trend continues. Louisiana State Police have confirmed that a 76-year-old man recently lost his life after being struck by a vehicle in Avoyelles Parish.
The fatal car crash took place when the elderly man was hit by a 68-year-old woman from Lake Charles. Purportedly, the woman was driving on Highway 115 when the Mansura man walked into the northbound lane at about 6:40 p.m.
News reports allude to the fact that the woman may have had difficulty seeing the man, because he was dressed in black attire. Police officers routinely make it a point to encourage pedestrians to wear bright clothing, and possibly carry a flashlight or light source, when walking in low visibility conditions.
The accident remains under investigation and results of toxicology tests are still pending. There is currently no indication what criminal charges, if any, the driver may face for her part in the auto accident. It remains unclear as to whether she was distracted or impaired in some way at the time of the incident. Undoubtedly, the friends and loved ones of the man who lost his life in the fatal crash are grieving. Depending upon the outcome of the investigation, the victim’s family may seek more information concerning their rights and options within the parameters of the legal system.
Pedestrian Killed in Fatal Accident Near Lake Charles
Under normal circumstances, walking is considered a safe and relatively fear-free means of transportation. Unfortunately though, what should be a common, simple or everyday occurrence can result in unforeseen tragedy. Case in point, a 23-year-old Louisiana man was killed in a fatal accident last week after being hit by a vehicle near Lake Charles.
The young man was struck at approximately 4 a.m. while strolling northbound on Elliot Road. Investigators have identified the man, and did confirm that he was struck by a vehicle headed southbound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The fatal accident remains under investigation by authorities. However, a spokesperson for the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office told reporters that impairment resulting from the use of drugs or alcohol did not appear to be a factor in the man’s death. Nonetheless, as a part of the accident investigation, toxicology tests will be performed on both the crash victim and the driver of the vehicle that struck him.
There is currently no information available on the legal ramifications, if any, the driver of the passing vehicle may face. If the driver is found to be at fault in the collision, he or she could face serious charges. However, regardless of the investigative outcome, the victim’s loved ones will likely be left with more questions than answers. Family members may choose to seek their own answers — and possibly reparation for their loss — through avenues available to them under the umbrella of the law. In cases like this, monetary damages are sometimes sought despite no criminal conviction.