Being a passenger in a car imparts a lot of responsibility on the driver, since the passenger trusts that the driver will get them to their destination safely. Unfortunately, sometimes that trust is misplaced. Other times, even when the driver does everything right, there are still things that can go wrong. The passengers involved in a recent car wreck in Lake Charles may have misplaced their trust in the driver, although that possible conclusion may have to await the results of the pending investigation.
The accident occurred while a Dodge Caliber was following behind a tow truck around 4 a.m. on Interstate 10. The Dodge ended up rear-ending the tow truck. The driver of the tow truck was not injured, and the driver of the Dodge suffered only minor injuries. But the impact of the accident killed the frontseat passenger in the car and sent the backseat passenger to the hospital. The backseat passenger is listed in critical condition.
Authorities in Lake Charles are still investigating the accident. As part of that investigation, authorities obtained blood alcohol tests on both drivers, and those results are pending. Whether any charges will be filed as a result of the investigation remains to be seen.
In the meantime, two families have been turned upside down. One family must bury a loved one, and the other faces an uncertain future as their loved one fights to survive. When the dust settles and the official investigation is complete, the families may consider whether to file civil action against the party or parties deemed to be responsible in this tragic car wreck. Medical bills, funeral costs, lost wages and other expenses associated with accidents have a way of adding up quickly. A wrongful death action or a personal injury claim won’t erase the events of that day, but a successful result may help those involved prevent a personal tragedy from becoming a financial one as well.
Fatal Accident
2 Louisiana Residents Killed in Car Wreck on US 61
Driving on the highways of Louisiana can be treacherous. There are always things to watch out for and obstacles to avoid. Even if a driver manages to avoid a car wreck by being attentive and vigilant, sometimes unexpected things happen that are simply unavoidable. Recently, a flying pickup truck altered the lives of three people in East Baton Rouge Parish.
The driver and passenger in a Mercury Grand Marquis traveling down US 61 became the unfortunate victims of the airborne pickup truck. The driver of the pickup truck had lost control of his vehicle, crossed the median, became airborne and flipped over. As it flipped, it hit the top of the Grand Marquis killing the 84-year-old driver and 81-year-old passenger. The driver of the pickup truck was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a local hospital. A third vehicle was hit by debris from the accident, but, thankfully, no one in that vehicle was injured.
The Louisiana State Police are still investigating the accident. They do not believe that impairment was a cause of the accident, but have sent blood samples to the state crime lab for confirmation. They do say that speed may have been a factor in the crash.
Tragically, the victims of this fatal car wreck were in the wrong place at the wrong time. But knowing that may not give their families any solace. The outcome of the investigation will determine whether any criminal charges are going to be filed against the driver of the pickup truck, though authorities have indicated that charges are pending the outcome. A criminal conviction against the pickup driver, if obtained, may be offered as evidence of liability in any wrongful death action filed in Louisiana courts by the surviving family members of the victims. If liability is established, the families may demand financial remuneration for damages suffered as a result of the fatal accident.
2 Louisiana Men Dead After Motorcycle Versus Car Wreck
As many Louisiana residents know, being involved in an accident can be devastating. When the same accident is a motorcycle vs. car wreck, the results can be fatal and completely devastate a family. The vulnerability of motorcycle riders makes any accident they are involved in potentially that much worse.
For instance, a head on collision between two cars is sometimes survivable, but the probability of the accident being fatal increases dramatically when one of the vehicles is a motorcycle. The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office knows this all too well. They are currently investigating a head on collision between a car and motorcycle that left the driver and passenger of the motorcycle dead.
The accident occurred when a motorcycle headed west on Quarter Pole Road in Acadia Parish was hit head on by a car going east. One of the motorcycle riders was pronounced dead at the scene while the other succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The driver of the car suffered non-life threatening injuries. Louisiana authorities say that no charges have as yet been filed, but they are pending the results of the investigation.
While the families of the victims await the results of the investigation, they are left to bury their loved ones. When a life is cut short in a car wreck, families are never prepared for such a sudden, violent loss. As they struggle to come to terms with what occurred, they retain the right to file a wrongful death action against the driver of the car if the evidence confirms the deaths were caused by the negligence of the other driver. Filing a wrongful death claim won’t bring back their loved one, but it may help the family recover the inevitable financial loss associated with a fatal car accident if they prevail in proving that the driver was negligent in causing the death of the victims.
Louisiana Family Mourns Death After Hit-and-Run Auto Accident
Even when a loved one dies of natural causes, it leaves a hole in the family’s life. Losing a loved one in an auto accident adds another dimension of grief since the loss is so sudden. One Louisiana family must deal with the sudden loss of a woman who was killed by a hit-and-run driver.
The woman and her fiancé were leaving the Gueydan Duck Festival on foot when they were both struck by a car. Both victims were taken to a local Louisiana hospital. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, the woman later died as a result of her injuries. Her fiancé is still in the hospital and has already had to undergo three separate surgeries to repair damage to his legs.
There is still no news of the vehicle that hit them. The woman’s fiancé is assuming that there should be significant damage to the vehicle after hitting two people. Authorities are asking for anyone to come forward who may have information about this tragic accident.
The family knows that finding the person who hit the woman and her fiancé won’t bring the woman back or heal her fiancé’s injuries, but it may provide them with a sense of closure. The family may want to be advised of their rights in connection with this auto accident so that when authorities find the driver, they have the information they need to file civil actions if they choose to do so. Any civil action they file may also be affected by the outcome of criminal charges, if any, and any conviction may be offered as evidence of liability in a related civil proceeding.
Louisiana Police Officer Killed in Off-Duty Accident
Everyone in Louisiana knows that being a police officer can be a dangerous job. Every time an officer puts on a uniform and goes to work, he or she takes on a risk of being injured or killed. Most news stories about police officers being killed are when they are on the job. However, off-duty police officers are perhaps just as likely to be the victim of an accident, even a fatal accident, as the rest of the drivers on the road.
An off-duty Rosepine, Louisiana, police officer was killed in a traffic accident earlier this month. The officer was preparing to make a right-hand turn when another vehicle rear-ended him, causing the officer’s car to overturn. The officer wasn’t wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle. He was taken to Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, where he later died despite the efforts of medical personnel to save his life. The driver of the vehicle that collided with the officer was also not wearing a seat belt but did not suffer any injuries as a result of the accident.
As part of their initial investigation, Louisiana authorities have cited the driver for following too closely. The accident is still under investigation, and toxicology samples were also taken to determine whether impairment was a factor in the accident. Whether any further citations or charges will be filed remains to be seen.
In the meantime, the family of the officer is left to grieve their loss. At some point, the family may wish to assess whether they want to file a wrongful death action against the driver. Making that determination involves several factors, and the family may gain from seeking advice from a personal injury attorney regarding their decision. Although it is true that nothing can bring back a loved one who has died in a fatal accident, the family may often gain some sense of justice from civil action. There are also financial considerations when a loved one dies, such as medical and funeral expenses, based on proof of negligence by another party in the accident.
Police Find Driver Involved in Fatal Accident in Louisiana
Bicycles are a regular presence on the roadways in Louisiana. When a bicyclist gets on the road, they rely on motorists to pay attention and look for obstacles. However, bicycles are still at a higher risk of being involved in a fatal accident, and the reason that is often cited by drivers is that they just didn’t see the bicyclist.
Authorities were uncertain whether that was the case with one bicyclist who was struck by a car on July 7. The driver hit the cyclist then fled the scene of the accident. The cyclist was taken to Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans, where medical personnel attempted to save his life. However, despite their efforts, the cyclist died as a result of the serious injuries he suffered in the accident.
After an exhaustive investigation, Louisiana authorities were finally able to locate the driver who hit the cyclist. While they were diligently searching for the driver, the family of the cyclist was grieving. Losing a loved one is always difficult, but when they are stripped from a family through a sudden and seemingly senseless tragedy, the pain can be insurmountable. Waiting for word from authorities may have added to their frustration.
Finally knowing that the person said to be responsible for the accident that caused the death of their loved one has been identified by authorities may provide the family with some sense of comfort. Regardless of what happens with any criminal charges the driver may face, the family retains the right to file a wrongful death action against the driver to recoup the financial losses that families inevitably face in these situations. Medical and funeral expenses are just two examples of types of expenses that can be recovered in a successful wrongful death action, based upon proof of negligence by another party.