During the summer months, there seem to be more motorcycles on Louisiana’s roadways. With that increase in riders comes a corresponding increase in the possibility of a serious or fatal motorcycle accident. Recently, a 21-year-old man lost his life in an accident while he was a passenger on the back of a motorcycle.
He and the 18-year-old driver were heading west on Louisiana 46. At the same time, a pickup truck driven by a 27-year-old man was heading east. At an intersection, the pickup initiated a left turn in front of the motorcycle. At approximately 9:15 p.m., the motorcycle collided with the pickup.
Both of the men were thrown off the motorcycle. When emergency medical personnel arrived at the scene, both the driver and passenger were still alive, but had suffered serious injuries. Both were rushed to LSU Interim Hospital in New Orleans for treatment. At last report, the driver remained in critical condition. His passenger, however, died from his injuries.
The pickup driver was tested for impairment, but troopers with the Louisiana State Police do not believe it to be a factor in the crash. The riders were not wearing helmets and, reportedly, the motorcycle’s lights were not on when the crash occurred. It is not known whether any charges are being contemplated against either driver in connection with the crash or the passenger’s death.
Regardless, the family of the passenger killed in this fatal motorcycle accident may file a wrongful death claim against one or both drivers in an attempt to achieve restitution for the financial losses incurred because of the loss of their loved one. Moreover, the motorcycle’s driver may be able receive some restitution for his injuries as well. Even if he is found partially liable for the crash and his injuries, he is not barred from recovery under Louisiana law so long as he is not found to be 100 percent responsible.
Motor Vehicle Accident
2 Drivers Arrested in Fatal Pedestrian Accident
Back in March, a Louisiana woman was killed after being struck by not just one, but two vehicles. Both drivers involved in this fatal pedestrian accident failed to remain at the scene. It was only recently that police apprehended the two drivers believed to be involved in this tragedy.
Early on the morning of March 13, the 33-year-old victim was walking along Highway 182. Evidence at the scene indicated that she was hit first by a Dodge Ram pickup truck, whose driver then fled the scene. A second vehicle then struck her, and that driver fled as well.
Troopers with the Louisiana State Police apparently located evidence at the scene that was consistent with a Dodge Ram pickup truck. This evidence, along with leads and tips from the public, led them to a 46-year-old man. Investigators concluded that he was the driver of the Dodge Ram that struck the victim. He was taken into custody and faces charges of obstruction of justice and hit and run. His bond was set at $250,000 and was released after meeting its terms.
The second driver was a 25-year-old woman. After being taken into custody and charge with hit and run, the woman was released on $5,000 bond. Investigators did not indicate whether the woman might have lived if either driver had stopped.
Her family may never get that answer, but they may be able to file a wrongful death claim against the drivers involved. If the court determines that one or both drivers were negligent in a manner that caused or contributed to the fatality, it may then consider awarding the family monetary damages against any party found liable, consistent with other fatal pedestrian accident cases. A monetary judgment could provide the family with financial restitution for the losses incurred in this tragedy.
Louisiana Man Ejected in Fatal Auto Accident
In addition to campaigns regarding driving drunk and texting while driving, law enforcement agencies here in Louisiana do what they can to remind everyone of the importance of buckling up. Each year, several people lose their lives when they are thrown out of a vehicle during a crash. This can cause what could have been a survivable accident for all of a vehicle’s occupants to become a fatal auto accident.
The Louisiana State Police recently reported that the passenger in a single-vehicle accident was ejected during a crash. Somehow, the driver of the car, a 27-year-old woman, failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle left the roadway, careened into a ditch and flipped. No further details regarding the wreck — such as whether the driver was impaired and/or speeding — were released.
Despite initially surviving being thrown from the vehicle, the 36-year-old man died from the injuries he suffered in the incident shortly after being taken to a hospital in the area. The driver suffered only minor injuries. However, that may be where her good fortune ends. Police took her into custody and booked her into the Lafourche Parish Jail on suspicion of careless operation and vehicular homicide.
In addition to any criminal proceedings that result from this fatal auto accident, she could also face a wrongful death claim from the victim’s family. Regardless of whether the victim was not properly restrained, the driver owed him a duty of care. If the court agrees that she breached that duty through some negligent act, a monetary judgment may be entered by the court in favor of the family, which could be reduced by any percentage of liability assigned to the deceased man by the court.
Community Pulls Together After Fatal Car Accident in Louisiana
When a tragedy occurs in a small city, it tends to touch the lives of a large number of its residents. Under these circumstances, the community often pulls together to help each other, the victims and their families through their grief. This is what is reportedly happening in a small Louisiana city after one teen was lost and three others were injured in a fatal car accident.
Four local students — two age 17, one age 12 and one age 16 — were traveling east on a roadway in the area near a school when the driver lost control of the vehicle. It then careened off the roadway and slammed into an embankment, which caused the vehicle to roll and crash into a tree. The 16-year-old, who was a passenger, died because of the injuries he suffered in the impact. The other three teens survived, but suffered a variety of moderate injuries, including broken bones and lacerations. Authorities report that their injuries were not life threatening.
When word of the crash spread, one student left the school and ran to the scene. Other students waited until the bell rang, and rushed to the Shreveport hospital where the three injured victims were taken. At last report, officials were still conducting the investigation into the accident to determine exactly what happened.
As hard as this tragic fatal car accident is on the community at large, the families of the victims are undoubtedly suffering even more. For the family of the deceased passenger and the injured juveniles, expenses are also mounting with each passing day. They retain the right to file civil actions against in a Louisiana court in an attempt to receive restitution for those financial losses. Successfully establishing negligence on the part of the driver could lead to an award of damages that could help defray these unexpected losses.
Fatal Accident on I-55 Leads to Vehicular Homicide Charges
Sometimes it is not the initial car accident that causes injury to Louisiana residents. The occupants of the vehicles may feel fortunate to have survived the crash uninjured, but it is shortly after a crash when they can be the most vulnerable. A seemingly minor initial wreck can quickly become a fatal accident if the drivers of vehicles approaching it fail to stop.
For instance, two vehicles were involved in an accident at approximately 4 a.m. on a recent Sunday morning on Interstate 55 in the northbound lanes. Both vehicles stopped partially on the left shoulder and partially in the left lane. The two drivers did what most people would do and got out of their cars.
As they were talking, another northbound vehicle slammed into one of the stopped cars and its driver. The 27-year-old from New Orleans died from the injuries she suffered in the crash. It is not known whether the other driver who was standing with her suffered any injuries.
The 43-year-old driver of the car that hit her is suspected of having been impaired by drugs. According to the Louisiana State Police, he was taken into custody for careless driving, vehicular homicide and driving without a valid license. At last report, he was being held at the Tangipahoa Parish Jail. Investigators are awaiting the results of a toxicology test to verify whether the man was under the influence of drugs at the time of the accident.
Meanwhile, the family of the victim in this fatal accident may exercise its right to file a wrongful death claim against the allegedly impaired driver. Her family may receive an award of damages if the court finds that the party deemed responsible for her death was negligent. The monetary proceeds of any judgment awarded to the family could help defray the expenses incurred because of her premature death.
Fatal Accident in Louisiana Parking Lot Robs Family of Future
An engaged couple in Louisiana were just two days away from getting married. More than likely, they were involved in last minute preparations and were excited about spending the rest of their lives together. Sadly, it was not meant to be. A fatal accident in a parking lot stole that future from them.
Shortly after 12 p.m., the couple decided to go visit her mother. As they walked across a private parking lot, an SUV careened off the adjacent roadway into the parking lot. It slammed into the couple.
The man attempted to push her out of the way when he saw the out-of-control vehicle heading toward them, but he was hit before he could get her clear of the vehicle. Tragically, she became stuck underneath one of the SUV’s tires. Both victims were taken to an area hospital to be treated for the injuries they suffered in the accident.
The man’s injuries were considered moderate, but the woman’s injuries turned out to be fatal. She died at the hospital. The Louisiana State Police are attempting to determine whether impairment caused the 52-year-old driver to lose control of the vehicle.
The woman is survived by three children. Raising them will now fall to her family. They retain the right to file a wrongful death claim against the driver in connection with this tragic fatal accident. If a civil court determines that the victim’s death was caused by the negligence of the driver, damages may be awarded to the family. Any monetary restitution could be used to pay for the burial of their loved one and provide for the children left behind.