A 44-year-old Louisiana man from Lake Charles lost his life in a fatal accident as he was trying to change a flat tire on April 22. State police say the man, a passenger in a vehicle that became disabled by a flat tire, was attempting to retrieve a spare from the car trunk when the collision occurred about 7 p.m. The driver of the car that caused the fatal accident was a 25-year-old female, also of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Both drivers and another person in the vehicle with the flat tire were also injured. Authorities say a 13-year-old passenger in that car suffered more serious injuries than the driver, though both were said to be wearing their seat belts. All three individuals in the fatal accident were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Louisiana law enforcement confirmed that toxicology tests will be a part of the investigation. Many other circumstances of the crash are likely to be discovered in the still-open accident investigation. If it is determined that negligence on the part of any individual caused or contributed to the collision, a legal basis to pursue civil claims for personal injury and wrongful death may exist.
Whether or not criminal charges are filed against anyone in this fatal accident, the deceased man’s family may consider filing a wrongful death claim against any party or parties whose negligence caused the death. Similarly, those seriously injured through no fault of their own may decide to file personal injury claims against any at-fault party. A successful claim may include reimbursement for medical bills and other damages, including pain and suffering related to the accident.
Wrongful Death
Fatal Accident on I-10 Kills 5 Near New Orleans
A tragic accident on Interstate 10 left five people dead early this morning. The fatal accident happened after a driver was reportedly traveling the wrong way on the interstate near LaPlace, Louisiana. The wrong-way driver collided with another vehicle that was carrying four occupants, killing everyone inside. The wrong-way driver also died in the collision.
Many details regarding the circumstances of the tragedy were unavailable in a news report, including the identity of the wrong-way driver. However, police are presumably investigating the accident and will hopefully release an accident report soon so as to allow the families of the victims some understanding of what occurred. Based on early reports, troopers became aware of the wrong-way driver only moments before the accident happened.
Additionally, at least two others received minor injuries as a result of the accident. An 18-wheeler sideswiped the wreck, causing another vehicle to crash into it. Fortunately, they are expected to recover from their injuries.
In cases such as these, little can be done to replace the life of a loved one. However, through a wrongful death lawsuit, the families may be able to collect monetary compensation to cover funeral expenses along with any medical expenses and other damages. A wrongful death refers to a fatality caused by the negligent or willful conduct of another, and may apply to the heartrending nature of this fatal accident. One can only hope that the families of these five car accident victims find peace eventually as they struggle with their sudden loss.