An estimated 14 percent of Louisiana drivers are uninsured, and this figure is well above the national average. On top of that, there are a significant number of under-insured drivers, because the state minimum is only $15,000 per person in bodily injury coverage and $25,000 in property damage coverage.
Fortunately, in many such cases, there may be a responsible third party in addition to the tortfeasor (negligent driver), so victims can more easily obtain fair compensation for their injuries.
[Read more…] about Third Party Liability In Car Crashes
‘A Gentleman And A Gunfighter’?
One hundred thirty years ago this month, notorious Wild West gunslinger Clay Allison, whose childhood brain injury probably explained his lifelong erratic and violent behavior, was killed in a wagon accident near his home in Pecos, Texas.
Mr. Allison was born around 1840 in Tennessee. Some years later, the Confederate Army discharged him for what doctors called a “partly epileptic and partly maniacal” condition, an almost certain reference to a brain injury. After the War of Northern Aggression, Mr. Allison moved west and either single-handedly or in cooperation with others killed several innocent people. He married in 1881, and though his violent rages ceased his bizarre behavior continued: he once rode naked through the streets of Mobeetie and, following a dispute with a dentist, pinned the hapless man to the ground and forcibly extracted one of his teeth with a pair of pliers. [Read more…] about ‘A Gentleman And A Gunfighter’?
In Louisiana, 'Stop' Means 'Stop'
A motorist who apparently either coasted through a stop sign, or failed to see it entirely, caused a severe car crash in Log Cabin.
According to officials in Morehouse Parish, 56-year-old Richard Lindeman Jr. of Bastrop, was westbound on Highway 140 when, for reasons that are still unclear, he failed to stop and yield the right-of-way at the U.S. Highway 425 intersection. He collided with 24-year-old Jessica Eppinette, of Bastrop, who was northbound on U.S. 425. [Read more…] about In Louisiana, 'Stop' Means 'Stop'
Gotta Catch ‘Em All
After a rash of crashes in Louisiana and elsewhere, officials are warning drivers not to play Pokémon Go while they are behind the wheel.
The game has been available on smartphones for less than a month and has already been downloaded millions of times in the United States alone. In the virtual reality-type game, players must physically run, walk, stop, and move in order to meet certain objectives. One Louisiana tow company said it pulled three cars out of ditches in one day, and all three vehicle owners were playing while driving. “She was pursuing a Pokémon character and, you know, missed her turn,” commented Walker Police Captain John Sharp, when speaking about one such incident. “You shouldn’t be doing this while you’re driving,” he added. [Read more…] about Gotta Catch ‘Em All
Feds Launch Probe Following Driverless Car Crashes
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is demanding answers from Tesla after its vehicles’ auto pilot feature allegedly failed in two separate incidents.
In May, 40-year-old Joshua Brown was killed when his Tesla Model S sedan apparently failed to distinguish a beige-colored tractor-trailer from the bright sky and did not apply the brakes. After the car passed under the trailer at full speed and its roof sheared off, it drove off the road, crashed through at least two fences, and finally slammed into a pole. Apparently, the air bag never deployed. The manufacturer has until August 28 to produce data concerning its vehicles’ Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems. [Read more…] about Feds Launch Probe Following Driverless Car Crashes
Motorcycle vs Car Accident At Fault Questioned
Investigators have yet to assign fault in a motorcycle-vehicle crash in Calcasieu Parish.
Louisiana State Police report that 46-year-old David Butts, of Sulphur, was southbound on Highway 27. As he attempted to pass the vehicle in front of him, that driver suddenly made a left turn into a private driveway and crossed directly into Mr. Butts’ path. The force of the collision launched him off his motorcycle. First responders rushed Mr. Butts to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. [Read more…] about Motorcycle vs Car Accident At Fault Questioned