Archive for the ‘ Auto Accident ’ Category

0
16
May

Deaths on U.S. Highways Lowest Since 1949

May 16, 2012

A preliminary report from The National Highway Safety Administration indicates that the number of U.S. road deaths declined by 1.7 percent in 2011. Last year approximately 32,310 Americans died in car crashes, the lowest number of fatalities on record since 1949 with 1.09 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

There were, however, significant differences in the number of crashes from region to region. New England states enjoyed the sharpest drop in the number of wrecks while Louisiana’s rate remained unchanged, as did rates in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Mississippi. Fatalities saw an increase in California, Arizona and Hawaii.

Experts told the Associated Press that the overall decline can be attributed to less driving due to a weak economy, more people wearing safety belts, improved safety equipment and fewer drunk drivers. It’s also important to note that vehicle travel fell 1.2 percent last year.

Since hitting nearly 43,000 in 2005, traffic fatalities have continually declined in the past five years.

The NHSA is expected to issue a full and more detailed report later this year.

The New Orleans Car Accident Lawyers with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers would like to see the Louisiana car accident rate decreased substantially in the coming years and want to remind drivers that speeding is a contributing factor in nearly 1 in 3 deadly crashes. Slow down and be a safe and conscientious driver.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Bookmark and Share
0
25
Apr

Work Zone Awareness Week Declared In Louisiana

April 25, 2012

As part of “Work Zone Awareness Week,” the Louisiana Department of Transportation recently hosted a ceremony to remember the highway workers who have been killed by occupational injuries. According to WWLTV News, the vigil and press conference were held Tuesday morning in front of the New Orleans Regional Transportation Management Center.

It was there that 576 orange road cones were placed, representing each individual who has been killed across the country while working in a highway construction zone. Of those deaths, 15 occurred in Louisiana.

During the event, officials announced that their goal is to slash the number of injury and fatality accidents within work zones in half before the year 2030. It was also announced that a cable barrier project spanning along I-10 from Kenner to Baton Rouge would also be completed within several months.

In the meantime, a spokesman for the National Safety Council, Claude Maher, claimed that the public could do its part to reduce the number of these senseless accidents by placing more of their attention on the task of driving. “Put down the phone. Don’t drive distracted, don’t drive impaired, but when you approach a work zone then slow down and pay attention to what’s going on,” he said.

The New Orleans Car Accident Lawyers with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers would also encourage motorists to slow down and become more aware of your surroundings when entering a highway work zone.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Bookmark and Share
0
21
Mar

Families Sue Louisiana DOT For Accident That Caused Five Deaths

March 21, 2012

When a fatal car accident occurs, the family of a victim can file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver whose actions caused the crash. But who is held responsible if improper road construction is to blame for the crash?

According to The Advocate, the families of five victims of a fatal accident that occurred almost a year ago are suing the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for the loss of their loved ones. They claim that if the state had installed guardrails or a cable barrier system along the highway where their loved ones died, they may still be alive today.

It all began on March 13 of last year along I-10 in East Baton Rouge Parish. Two vehicles were racing when the driver of the rear vehicle lost control. He overcorrected, causing him to skid into oncoming lanes of traffic and then collide with another vehicle head-on. The car that was hit burst into flames, killing all five people inside.

The two racing drivers were charged with five counts of negligent homicide and have pled innocent to the charges. The male driver also faces DUI charges.

Last month, the families of the victims filed the lawsuits naming the DOT and the two drivers as responsible for the crash.

The Louisiana Auto Accident Lawyers with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers express their condolences to the families of those who died in this tragic accident.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Bookmark and Share
0
7
Mar

Baton Rouge Prosecutor Wins Award For Efforts Against Drunk Drivers

March 7, 2012

A Baton Rouge, Louisiana, city prosecutor was recently given the title of Prosecutor of the Year at an awards ceremony sponsored by the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission for her efforts against drunk driving in the city. According to reports from WAFB 9 News, Prosecutor Lisa Freeman has helmed the battle against intoxicated drivers by establishing help programs and stringent rules for offenders during her more than 20 year tenure with the city.

Ms. Freeman helped to establish Baton Rouge’s Sobriety Court program for repeat DWI offenders. The program is a 12 month course designed to help repeat DWI offenders stay sober. Since the program’s inception just over a year ago, it has already had 11 successful graduates. Colleagues stated that fairness, accountability, and transparency in the prosecution of DWI cases have been a staple of Ms. Freeman’s time in the position.

Lt. Col. John LeBlanc, executive director of the Louisiana Highway Commission, added that Ms. Freeman’s work has saved many lives by taking drunk drivers off the road. In 2010, 43% of the 720 crash related deaths in Louisiana were attributed to alcohol consumption.

The Baton Rouge Drunk Driving Victim Attorneys with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers ask that we all do our part to keep the highway safe by utilizing sober, designated drivers and by encouraging others you know to do the same thing. Every effort we make to eliminate drunk driving could save a life.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Bookmark and Share
0
29
Feb

Alabama Man Faces Charges in Fatal Baton Rouge Crash

February 29, 2012

A 20-year-old man from Gulf Shores, Alabama, has been arrested and charged with crimes connected to a fatal Baton Rouge, Louisiana, accident that occurred this past November. Reports from WAFB 9 News indicate that the man faces charges of negligent homicide, reckless and careless operation of a motor vehicle, not wearing a seat belt, and speeding.

The accident happened at around 9:15 PM on November 10 of last year in the eastbound lanes of I-12 at O’Neal Lane. Reports of the incident from the Baton Rouge police department state that a tractor-trailer was stopped in the left-hand lane of the highway due to construction congestion. As a GMC Sierra truck slowed to a stop behind the 18-wheeler, the driver of the pickup noticed a Honda Odyssey minivan in his rear-view mirror approaching from behind at a high rate of speed.

The driver of the pickup attempted to avoid a collision by moving to the shoulder of the road, but did not have room to make the maneuver and was struck by the van.

The 55-year-old driver of a Honda Civic following the minivan was able to stop behind the crash, but was struck from behind by a Nissan Titan pickup. The driver of the civic passed away at the scene of the crash.

The Baton Rouge Auto Accident Attorneys with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers extend their condolences to the driver’s family.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Bookmark and Share
0
8
Feb

Three Pedestrians Killed Within Four Days In Baton Rouge

February 8, 2012

While walking to get where you need to go may be a green and healthy mode of transportation, it can be dangerous. Reports coming from WAFB 9 News say that three pedestrians have been hit in killed over the last several days in the greater Baton Rouge, Louisiana, area.

Last Thursday morning, a 2005 Toyota Camry struck a 90-year-old man as he tried to cross East Boulevard just before noon. He died at a local hospital the next day. Hours later, a 56-year-old man was hit and killed by a Dodge pickup truck as he tried to cross Greenwell Springs Road.

Then, on Monday afternoon, a 55-year-old man from Walker, Louisiana, died after a hit-and-run accident. Reports from the Louisiana state police show that the man was strolling along Walker North Road near a Ford Expedition that had stopped in the southbound lanes. A pickup truck approaching from behind did not have time to stop and rear-ended the Expedition, sending the pickup towards the pedestrian. The large truck plowed over him and through an embankment before striking a house and coming to rest. The Expedition fled the scene after the collision, leaving the pedestrian to die and the pickup truck driver injured.

The Louisiana pedestrian accident attorneys with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers often handle cases for pedestrians who were hurt at no fault of their own. If you have been injured, contact an experienced attorney today.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Bookmark and Share
0
2
Feb

One Louisiana Teen Killed, Two Others Injured, In I-12 Crash

February 1, 2012

A Louisiana teenager was killed and two others injured they crashed on I-12 Monday evening. Reports from WAFB 9 News say that the accident happened at about 8:00 PM near the St. Tammany parish border.

Louisiana state police say that the 17-year-old driver of a yellow 2003 Ford Focus, along with her 16 and 18-year-old passengers, were heading west along the highway when the vehicle veered off of the shoulder of the highway. The young, inexperienced driver then over-corrected, causing the vehicle to spin wildly out of control. The driver was killed instantly when the vehicle traveled across both lanes of the highway and slammed into a tree on the driver’s side.

The two passengers survived and were taken to local hospitals for treatment of moderate injuries.

Although investigators are still examining the crash, they have determined that all passengers were properly restrained, and no kind of impairment seems to be a factor. This leads investigators to believe that a distraction of some kind may have been at fault for the crash.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that passengers riding in the vehicle with teen drivers make the risk of a fatal accident skyrocket. Their numbers show that the risk doubles with one passenger in the vehicle, and can be as much as five times higher with two or more passengers.

The Louisiana Car Accident Attorneys with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers may be able to help you if you have been injured in a crash caused by a distracted driver.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Bookmark and Share
0
25
Jan

Drunk Driver Runs Over Two Cyclists In Baton Rouge

January 25, 2012

The man responsible for running over two cyclists, killing one, and critically injuring the other, is behind bars today in lieu of more than $90,000 in bail on charges of second offense DWI and vehicular homicide. According to reports from WAFB 9 News, the 28-year-old drunk driver responsible for causing the accident hit the men at around 8:45 PM near the intersection of Quail Run and Perkins Road in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Both cyclists had helmets on and lights mounted to their bikes, but it wasn’t enough to keep them safe when the man with a blood alcohol level of nearly four times the legal limit rammed them from behind. The cyclists fell to the asphalt where they were then run over by the vehicle. One cyclist, a 30-year-old father, was declared dead at the scene. The other cyclist was taken to a nearby hospital, where he remains in critical condition and faces numerous surgeries to repair the injuries to his legs and ankles.

Baton Rouge City Court records show he was booked for his first DWI on August 3, 2006, when his blood-alcohol level was .241, or more than three times the state’s legal driving limit.

The Louisiana DUI accident attorneys with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers are an experienced and compassionate team of attorneys here to help if you have been injured because of another person’s negligence. Complete a free initial consultation now.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Bookmark and Share
0
11
Jan

Tractor-Trailer Being Sought In Connection With Hit-And-Run Accident

January 11, 2012

The cloud of mystery surrounding an SUV found abandoned and partially submerged this morning in Lake Pontchartrain at the Twin Spans is beginning to lift. According to reports from WWLTV 4 News, the vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run accident with a tractor-trailer late Tuesday night.

A spokesman for the New Orleans police department said that the driver of the black SUV was heading eastbound along I-10 at around 10:00 PM Tuesday night, when a tractor-trailer with a purple cab moved into the SUV’s lane and clipped the vehicle. This caused the SUV to spin out of control and into the lake.

The driver was able to escape through a sunroof and swam to shore. There, investigators said a witness stopped and helped the victim. The male driver of the SUV was extremely shaken up by the incident, but he was otherwise uninjured.

Police are searching for a tractor-trailer with a purple cab that possibly says “Raynor” on the side.

Although no one was injured in this crash, more times than not, truck accidents are deadly. The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) estimates that roughly 5,000 people are killed per year in tractor-trailer related accidents.

Due to guidelines that regulate the trucking industry, truck accidents involving injuries or death can quickly become tied up in bureaucratic red tape. The Louisiana truck accident attorneys with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers specialize in helping cut through that mess. Call us today if you have been injured in a tractor-trailer accident and have any questions regarding your case.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Bookmark and Share
0
4
Jan

Smoke And Fog Cause Havoc Along Louisiana’s Interstate-10

January 4, 2012

Over the last several weeks, a combination of smoke and fog has been blamed for numerous accidents along a stretch of I-10 outside New Orleans, Louisiana. According to WWLTV News, a three-vehicle crash occurred due to weather conditions this morning. They also reported that weather conditions are also being considered as a partial cause to a 40-car pile up that occurred in the same area last Thursday. Two people died and dozens were injured as a result of the crash.

The low lying marsh area around the highway is prone to fog and is only compounded by a marsh fire that has burned in the area for more than a year. Local agencies have tried to extinguish the blaze several times to no avail.

The Louisiana Department of Insurance says the best thing to do if you are driving in low visibility areas is to:

  • Slow down
  • Turn on your lights (Not High Beams)
  • Use windshield wipers
  • Try not to switch lanes unless necessary
  • Use the right side of the road as a guide, not the center lines
  • If you don’t feel safe, pull over at the next location off the highway

They also advised against using caution blinkers in bad visibility conditions, as other drivers are attracted to lights and tend to follow them even if they are off the road.

The Louisiana auto accident attorneys with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers ask that motorists be safe during their morning commutes when the likelihood of these low visibility conditions are at their highest.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Bookmark and Share