Louisiana Woman Arrested After Fatal Accident Involving Bicyclist

Like pedestrians, Louisiana bicycle riders are often forced to share the roadways with cars, trucks and motorcycles. This puts them at risk of being struck by one of these heavier, faster moving vehicles. An error on the part of a driver could cause a serious or fatal accident in which the rider of the bicycle is the victim.
Recently, a bicyclist was riding south along a Louisiana street at approximately 2:10 p.m. on a Friday afternoon. A vehicle heading the same direction struck the man. He initially survived the crash and was transported by emergency personnel to a hospital in the area. Tragically, the injuries he suffered in the accident were too severe, and he ultimately succumbed to them.
Making matters worse is the fact that the 48-year-old woman driving the vehicle that hit him was not even supposed to be driving since her license was suspended at the time. Thus far, she has been charged with driving without a license and careless driving. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and officials report that more charges may be forthcoming. At this time, however, it is not believed that impairment was a factor. Nevertheless, the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab is conducting toxicology tests to verify this belief.
In the meantime, the family members of the victim may file a wrongful death claim against the driver seeking restitution for the loss of their loved one. Providing the court with sufficient evidence that their family member’s death was caused by the negligence of the driver could lead to the consideration of an award of damages. Those damages will not bring back their loved one, but they could defray the impact of the financial losses that often accompany a fatal accident.