No Sidewalks Factor in Louisiana Pedestrian Vs. Auto Accident

There are very few areas with sidewalks in two Louisiana parishes, so pedestrians are forced to walk on the shoulder increasing their risk of being struck by traffic. Recently, a Thibodaux man became a victim of this increased risk when he was involved in a pedestrian vs. auto accident on La. 20. He was walking to his job as he does every workday and was struck by a car.
The 23-year-old worked at a meat market and had no other transportation. As he was walking to work on July 16, a car drifted off of the road onto the shoulder where the victim was walking and ran him down. The pedestrian was rushed to an area hospital where medical personnel attempted to save his life. Unfortunately, the injuries that the victim sustained in the accident were too severe and he succumbed to his injuries.
Preliminary reports indicate that the 30-year-old driver had been drinking. However, a breath test indicated that the man’s blood alcohol level was below the legal limit for Louisiana. The results of a toxicology test are pending. It is not known whether the driver will face charges.
Of course, there is no guarantee that the victim would still be alive had there been sidewalks along the road, but it is a possibility. Should the victim’s family exercise their right to file a wrongful death claim in connection with this pedestrian vs. auto accident, the fact that there was no sidewalk available for the victim to use. Certainly, the driver may ultimately be found responsible for this man’s death, but he may not be the only one who legally had a hand in it.