The accident occurred around noon in early May. The boy was traveling in a car driven by another 16-year-old. The car they were traveling in left the road for an undetermined reason and struck trees located in the median.
]]> The deceased teenager was in the back seat and was not wearing a seat belt. According to police reports, the teenage driver did not have a driver's license. It is currently unclear whether, and what, charges the driver will face as police continue to investigate the incident.It is hard to think of the emotions the family's of both these boys are experiencing today with the realization that one young life was tragically cut short and another forever altered as a result of the car accident. Even if criminal charges are not ultimately filed against the unlicensed driver, the parents of the deceased teenager can still seek a form of justice in a Louisiana civil court. If the court determines that the driver's negligence caused the accident, the family could be awarded with financial compensation to cover the unexpected costs of a funeral, for example. While it may not provide emotional comfort for the family, it could help relieve additional stress caused by the unplanned for financial burden.
Source: wafb.com, "Teen dies in crash involving unlicensed driver," Joshua Auzenne, May 6, 2013
]]>As there were no eye witnesses to the accident, the details are still murky. In mid-April, a 54-year-old woman on a bicycle was struck by a car. The victim claims she was not on the road at the time, but the driver of the car contradicts these claims. The daughter of the victim was originally told the accident was a hit-and-run, but later learned that the driver that struck her mother had been given a ticket.
]]> The victim received several severe injuries as a result of the accident including a broken back. She initially spent five days in intensive care and will likely have a long road to recovery. According the reports, the police will not continue to investigate the case as there were no witnesses, and the victim and driver tell conflicting stories.While it looks like the victim will not receive any relief in a criminal court of law, she does have the option of pursuing her case in a Louisiana civil court. Due to the extent of her injuries, she will most likely face a painful recovery that includes high medical bills and, possibly, missed work opportunities. If the court finds that the driver's negligence caused the accident, the injured woman could receive compensation.
Source: katc.com, "Lafayette Bicycle Accident Questions Answered," Alex Lebat, April 21, 2013
]]>We address common issues associated with the dangers of impaired driving such as texting while driving, riding without a seatbelt, and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. These decisions can lead to car accidents that can cause brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, paralysis, and death.
Holy Cross Mock Trial Photos and Event Details
A 52-year-old male was riding his motorcycle when he was struck by a 29-year-old in a pickup truck. The older man was transported to an area hospital, but he died the next day as a result of his injuries. Police believe the pickup driver was intoxicated.
]]> In addition to drunk driving charges, the younger man faces several additional charges. They range from failure to yield the right-of-way and an original charge of causing injury. The charge was changed to homicide after the motorcyclist passed away.Although the man has been charged with several crimes, the motorcyclist's family has a tough reality to face. Not only must they face a future without their family member, there is the practical question of finances that they must address. They will undoubtedly receive medical bills as well as face the expense of a funeral. They could consider filing a wrongful death suit in a Louisiana court as a result of the motorcycle accident. If the accused man is found guilty of the criminal charges, it will only bolster their cause in a civil court.
Source: nola.com, "Man killed in apparent drunk driving accident in Marrero, JPSO says," Mary Kilpatrick, April 14, 2013
]]>According to police reports, the driver of the SUV, a 32-year-old man, did not remain at the scene of the accident. Instead, police say the suspected hit and run driver was discovered after he hit a van. The impact of the accident pushed the van's rear end into the back row of passenger seats where four children were sitting.
]]> All passengers in the van reported some form of minor injuries that included head, back, leg and neck pain despite that fact that all the children were buckled. Police say that the 32-year-old driver had consumed enough alcohol to render him incapable of completing a field sobriety test. In addition to an open bottle of liquor found in his vehicle, police report the man admitted to being on drugs. A later blood test was said to reveal that his blood alcohol levels were significantly over the legal limit. The man has been charged with several violations of the law.The circumstances surrounding these two accidents are disturbing in that they could happen to anyone, without warning. The passengers of the van involved in the car crash are likely to have many medical bills related to the incident. The two adults in the van may need to miss work while they recover from their injuries. In a case such as this, filing a civil claim in a Louisiana court may be appropriate. If the court determines the man's negligence caused the accident, the victims in the van may be entitled to compensation to help with the bills associated with the accident.
Source: nola.com, "New Orleans drunk driver who injured 6 crashed into house earlier that evening, police say," Michelle Hunter, April 12, 2013
]]>In early April, a woman driving an SUV was traveling in the opposite direction of a man on a motorcycle. The woman allegedly attempted to make a left turn in front of the motorcyclist without yielding. As a result, the motorcyclist slammed into the side of the SUV before repelling into a second, parked vehicle.
]]> Both drivers in the incident were injured. The SUV driver received minor injuries, but the driver of the motorcycle was severely injured. Some reports indicate that the man's leg was crushed. The SUV driver could face criminal charges as a result of the accident as the investigation continues.Even without the criminal charges, a civil case could be filed by the man in the motorcycle accident in New Orleans. Because of the severity of his injuries, he will most likely face a long, painful recovering resulting in many medical bills and missed time from work. A civil court can determine if the woman is liable for the incident, and, if so, award a money settlement to help offset the bills and missed work.
Source: The Daily News, "Motorcyclist severely injured in Monday collision on Ave. F," Marcelle Hanemann, April 2, 2013
]]>The patrol member was responding to a request to remove pieces of waste that were littering a bridge. The government employee parked his truck behind the waste. He was standing in front of his truck. Unfortunately, the driver of an 18-wheeler did not see the stopped truck in time and rear-ended it.
]]> The force of the crash propelled the patrol member's truck forward and into him, causing his death and the closure of the road for almost three hours. Currently the driver of the 18-wheeler has been charged with careless operation of a vehicle. As the investigation continues, more changes may be filed.The death of this man is clearly a tragedy for his family and the state of Louisiana. Although the exact details are still being discovered, perhaps this truck accident was completely preventable. In addition to the criminal charges, the family of the deceased man is likely entitled to workers' compensation death benefits through his employment. Moreover, the family could pursue a separate case in a civil court against the truck driver and the truck driver's employer. If the court determines that there is a preponderance of evidence documenting the negligence of the driver of the 18-wheeler, the family could be awarded reimbursement of monetary damages, including pain and suffering.
Source: nola.com, "Worker killed in crash on Mississippi River bridge," March 26, 2013
]]>The man that allegedly caused the accident left his vehicle and ran from the scene after the accident. A search of the vehicle's registration number yielded the name and address of a man that was listed as the legal owner of the vehicle. When police confronted the man, he initially denied that he was there, yet could not tell police where his vehicle was located at that time.
]]> Upon further questioning, the man confessed to being the driver of the vehicle, but said he ran because he was scared. During questioning, the police also noticed that the man appeared intoxicated. Even though blood was drawn from the man over two hours after the accident, the man's blood alcohol level was 0.115. The legal blood alcohol content in the state of Louisiana is 0.08.The man has been charged with DWI and leaving the scene of an accident. He is also wanted for outstanding warrants in another state. The victims of this car accident retain the right to file personal injury claims against the man in order to seek recovery of the costs and damages incurred as a result of being injured in the accident. In order to be entitled to monetary compensation, they will need to prove that the man negligently caused or contributed to the accident that resulted in their injuries.
Source: theadvocate.com, "Ga. fugitive arrested in Walker hit-and-run incident," April 1, 2013
]]>Likely due to inexperience, authorities believe teen drivers are more susceptible to distraction while on the roadways. Teenagers also seem more likely to travel at high rates of speed and neglect to use their seatbelts. As a result, motor vehicle accidents are proven as the number one cause of death among teenagers.
]]> The state of Louisiana is now considering a graduated driver's license program in order to help minimize the occurrence of car accidents. Purportedly, states that have instituted a graduated driver's license law do experience a reduction in fatal accidents. A study now claims that, by instating graduated driver's license laws, Louisiana could eliminate as many as 45 percent of fatal car accidents among teens 15 to 17 years old. The law is meant to be stricter for young drivers, thereby making the roads safer for both themselves and others. As it stands, in the wake of heartbreaking car crashes, the law will come too late for some.Unfortunately, when it comes to car accidents, and negligent or careless operation of a vehicle, the same penalties and consequences are incurred no matter how old the driver happens to be. People who feel they've been victimized by a car accident - whether at the hands of an inexperienced teenage driver or a veteran driver who's been on the road for 30 years - do have options and rights within the parameters of the law. Sometimes, reparation is both warranted and justified following a car accident, the right advocacy can help make reparation a reality.
Source: wwltv.com, "Tougher laws considered to reduce deaths in teen drivers," Sheba Turk, March 26, 2013
]]>Recently, a 26-year-old Westlake man was operating his vehicle at a high rate of speed at about 2:45 a.m. on Gateway Drive in Moss Bluff. He drove off the road and struck a ditch and culvert, which resulted in his ejection from the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the fatal accident.
]]> The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office is investigating the fatal accident. It will evaluate toxicology tests to determine if alcohol or drugs were a factor. Authorities did already express their opinion that speed was a factor in making the driver lose control and veer off the road. The one passenger, a 25-year-old Lake Charles man, was hospitalized with serious injuries.The passenger will have a right in this case to seek a personal injury claim from the estate of the deceased driver. Funding for a settlement would be covered by the auto insurance applicable to the vehicle driven in the fatal accident. In some cases, other insurance in the decedent's household would also be available to contribute funding to the passenger's damages suffered.
If the driver's insurance for the car accident is insufficient to cover the passenger's serious injuries, the passenger's own insurance may be required to contribute under its policy terms and pursuant to Louisiana law. Damages may be claimed for lost wages, loss of earning capacity and pain and suffering. Other damages may be appropriate depending on the circumstances. It's always an advantage for an injured person in Louisiana to seek qualified professional guidance in order to get through the claim process effectively and expeditiously.
Source: kplctv.com, "Man dies in overnight vehicle accident, CPSO investigating," Gerron Jordan, March 17, 2013
]]>According to a spokesman for the Louisiana State Police, the elderly woman is now facing charges of vehicular homicide in the first degree as a result of the death of her 92-year-old passenger, who died from injuries sustained in the accident. The new charge against the woman has been added to her prior charge of vehicular negligent injury in the first degree. The 74-year-old driver has also been charged for driving while intoxicated as well as driving a vehicle on an expired license.
]]> Reports of the accident confirm that the woman's vehicle crashed into the rear end of another traveler on Louisiana Highway 109. There's currently no information available pertaining to the number of people or the well-being of the driver and the passengers in the second vehicle. The woman's bond has been set at $30,000.This story is proof positive that a momentary lapse in judgment can result in lifelong consequences. Drivers of all ages should take into account their responsibility to the safety and well-being of both their passengers and other drivers on the road. In this case, it is safe to say that, in the wake of this fatal accident, the elderly woman's hope for maintaining her legal freedoms will depend on a solid defense.
Source: kwtx.com, "Elderly Texas Woman Charged In Deadly Traffic Crash," March 9, 2013
]]>On the night of Feb. 23, a fatal accident involving three vehicles resulted in one man's death and minor injuries to the other drivers involved in the crash. The accident occurred at 7:54 p.m. on U.S. Highway 190. A 26-year-old man reportedly drove his Chevrolet truck across the centerline, colliding with a Dodge truck and a Lincoln sport utility vehicle.
]]> Both drivers of the other vehicles and a passenger were properly restrained and suffered only minor injuries. The driver of the Chevrolet truck was pronounced dead at a local hospital after succumbing to his injuries. Authorities reported that toxicology samples were obtained to determine if impairment was a factor in the collision, and the investigation is ongoing. A police investigation will help to determine why the driver crossed the centerline. Driver error is only one of many reasons that could force a driver off the road. Other reasons include a malfunction in the vehicle or hazardous road conditions.Automobile accidents can result in serious consequences and lofty medical bills. Individuals involved in accidents due to the negligence of others may be eligible for compensation for any medical expenses and wages lost, as well as pain and suffering. For victims, the first step to getting proper compensation is knowing their legal rights and ways to restitution.
Source: katc.com, "Three vehicle crash claims one life," Feb. 24, 2013
]]>Recently, a serious car accident in eastern New Orleans resulted in the death of one man and rendered another man critically injured. The four-vehicle accident happened on a weekday morning close to the entrance of Bayou Savage National Wildlife Refuge on Chef Menteur Highway.
]]> According to police, a 23-year-old man driving a Chevy Lumina westbound on Chef Menteur Highway was in the left lane and preparing to make a left turn when a person driving a Chevy Silverado struck him from behind. The 23-year-old's car was struck by a Chevy Blazer moments later as his car was pushed into the eastbound lanes. A fourth driver, who was behind the Blazer, entered the crash scene and was able to get through with minimal damage.The 23-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. The driver of the Chevy Blazer was in critical condition and transferred to a hospital, where his condition was upgraded to stable.
The crash is under investigation by the New Orleans Police Department. Toxicology reports are pending.
Car accidents can carry very serious consequences. If you or a loved one is involved in a car accident, you may be eligible for damages that cover medical expenses among other things.
Source: NOLA.com, "Fatal accident in eastern New Orleans kills one man, leaves another injured," Helen Freund, Feb. 14, 2013
]]>When negligent drivers hit motorcyclists, the outcomes of these types of accidents are often devastating. Motorcyclists may be thrown off of their bikes, causing major injuries to their bodies. And even though motorcyclists may wear helmets, their helmets may not always be enough to prevent serious trauma or death. All motorcyclists face the possibility of suffering serious injuries when they are involved in an accident, but a recent study suggests that older motorcyclists may be at a greater risk of suffering injuries than their younger counterparts.
]]> The study included data gathered from U.S. hospitals over a seven-year period. During this time, 1.5 million adults over 20 years of age had required emergency care after being involved in a motorcycle crash. The study revealed that bikers over the age of 60 were three times more likely to seek medical treatment at a hospital compared to motorcyclists in their 20s and 30s. Those in their 60s were also two-and-a-half times more likely to suffer a serious injury in a motorcycle accident.Upper body injuries were more common in older riders, while younger motorcyclists were more likely to suffer hand, arm and shoulder fractures.
The results of aging may be a simple answer as to why older motorcyclists were more likely to be injured than younger motorcyclists. Bone density decreases with age, fat distribution may change, and there may be a change in the elasticity of the chest wall as well.
Motorcyclists -- whether they are older or younger -- are at risk of suffering numerous injuries when they are involved in crashes. Injuries may result in costly medical treatment, lost wages and other damages. When motorcyclists are injured by negligent drivers, they may need to consider consulting an attorney who will fight for the compensation they need and deserve after a serious crash.
Source: BBC News, "Older motorcyclists 'more likely to be injured'," Anna-Marie Lever, Feb. 6, 2013
]]>However, trucking firms and their drivers do break the rules sometimes in order to save time and money. When safety rules and regulations are broken, and when truck drivers fail to take their responsibilities seriously, other motorists have every reason to feel a bit scared when they are driving near a tractor-trailer. If anything goes wrong because of a truck driver's or trucking firm's negligence, innocent motorists could suffer catastrophic or even fatal injuries.
]]> Accidents between smaller vehicles and large commercial trucks are often devastating. A small car is no match for a speeding 18-wheeler, which means passengers and drivers of smaller vehicles are at a great risk of suffering serious injuries. With this in mind, one can assume that the outcome of an accident between a pedestrian and a tractor-trailer may be even worse.Last year, two women were killed when they were struck by a big rig while changing a tire on the side of the highway. According to reports, a 16-year-old from Louisiana was driving the big rig and transporting a horse trailer to a competition in Wyoming when he struck the women. The teen was later charged with several offenses including careless driving, and last week, he was sentenced to two years of probation.
Although the teen has pleaded guilty to criminal charges regarding his involvement in the crash, one of the victim's families is still pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit against the teen for causing the fatal accident. The family is most likely seeking compensation for their pain and suffering and for their loved one's funeral expenses.
Source: ABC 7 News, "Teen sentenced in fatal I-70 big rig crash in Eastern Colorado," Wayne Harrison, Feb. 9, 2013
]]>