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10
Aug

Chatham Man Charged with 4th DWI Offense

August 10, 2011

A Chatham man was arrested on his 4th DWI charge last Saturday afternoon after raising a beer and toasting another driver, then swerving off the road several times. According to a report in The News Star, the incident took place around 3:00 PM, when a citizen contacted authorities to report that a man had just raised a beer to her from behind the wheel of his vehicle, then swerved off the road several times, narrowly missing the support system of a railroad crossing’s safety arms.

Authorities caught up with the man in West Monroe, Louisiana, at a red light on the corner of Jonesborough and Thomas Roads. Arresting officers stated that the man looked intoxicated and failed a field sobriety test. The driver admitted to drinking behind the wheel but refused a blood alcohol test, forcing authorities to obtain a warrant for the sample.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than one-third of all traffic fatalities are alcohol-related, and the number of people killed by drunk drivers far outweighs the number of drunk drivers killed.

The Louisiana Car Accident Attorneys with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers may be able to help you get the money you need if you’ve been injured in a car accident that was no fault of your own, especially if a drunk driver is to blame. Contact them for a free consultation of your case.

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3
Aug

One Killed in Louisiana Truck Accident Near Ponchatoula

August 3, 2011

A Louisiana truck accident that occurred early Wednesday morning on I-55, near Ponchatoula, Louisiana, killed one truck driver and left another injured. WWLTV.com reports that the driver who died in the crash was a 53-year-old man from Westwego, Louisiana. According to Louisiana State Police, he had just reentered highway traffic following a brief stop and was traveling at a low rate of speed when his vehicle was struck from behind by another 18-wheeler. The impact caused the first truck’s trailer to shoot through the passenger cab and pin the driver to his seat. First responders declared him dead at the scene.

The other driver involved, a 59-year-old from Florence, Mississippi, suffered minor injuries. Both drivers were wearing seat belts at the time of crash. The accident remains under investigations as authorities work to determine whether speed was a contributing factor.

Truck accidents often occur because the size and weight of these vehicles make it harder for drivers to stop in time to avoid collisions. These factors also contribute to the high fatality rates involved in tractor-trailer accidents.

The Louisiana Truck Accident Lawyers with Dudley DeBosier understand the danger of big truck accidents for motorists and have experience handling challenging insurance adjusters and red tape hassles. Contact them for a free consultation of your truck accident case.

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27
Jul

Seatbelt Nearly Strangles 6-Year-Old New Orleans Girl

July 27, 2011

One New Orleans family is praising a man who they say saved their daughter’s life last Saturday. The family was driving through the suburb of Norco, just outside New Orleans, Louisiana, that afternoon, looking for a new house. Nola.com reports that the quiet ride turned to panic when the parents noticed the seat belt securing their 6-year-old daughter’s booster seat had somehow gotten wrapped around her neck and locked.

The more the family tried to loosen the belt’s hold on the child’s neck, the tighter it got, and it began choking her. The child was turning blue when the family pulled over into the parking lot of a local store. The father ran inside to retrieve a cutting utensil and swiftly returned with a box cutter. It failed to cut through the belt, and the family began frantically calling for help. Luckily, a local shop owner heard the commotion and came running over to help. He assessed the situation, pulled out his trusty pocketknife, and was able to free the girl in seconds. While the man feels he did what any other person would do in the given situation, the family is praising him as a hero for saving their daughter’s life.

The Louisiana Personal Injury Attorneys with Dudley DeBosier may be able to help in cases similar to this if your child was harmed because of a faulty booster seat or seat belt. Contact them, anytime day or night, to discuss the details of your case.

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20
Jul

8-Year-Old Louisiana Boy Killed in ATV Accident

July 20, 2011

The funeral for an 8-year-old boy, who died after the ATV he was driving flipped over, is being held today in Zachary, Louisiana. According to WAFB.com, the accident occurred in pasture near East Flonacher Road, as the boy and a 7-year-old girl were riding the vehicle. Authorities reported the children lost control of the ATV and it flipped. The girl was treated for minor injuries as the boy was transported to the hospital, where he later died.

The accident raises questions about the safety of operation of such off-road vehicles for children. ABC News recently discussed the topic, where experts showed concern for the growing number of youth fatalities, nearly 200 total, associated with ATV’s. They stated that the sheer size and speed of the vehicles might be too much for children to handle. Manufacturers have worked to keep children off the machines through specific warnings and not marketing to the age group; however, ABC News discovered several businesses skirting those rules and selling the large machines for children’s use.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests the following tips for safe riding:

  • Take a hands-on safety training course
  • Always wear protective gear, especially a helmet
  • No passengers
  • Do not ride on paved roads
  • No children driving
  • No driving under the influence

The Louisiana Personal Injury Lawyers with Dudley Debosier Injury Lawyers encourage anyone with ATV’s to put safety first and respect the dangers these vehicles can pose.

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13
Jul

Five Injured in Tangipahoa Parish 18-Wheeler Accident

July 13, 2011

The driver of a tractor-trailer truck has been charged with careless operation of a vehicle after causing an accident that injured five people. According to WWLTV News, four of the individuals were inmates at Tangipahoa Parish Jail, and the fifth was the officer responsible for transporting them to a work site.

The accident occurred yesterday, just after noon, at the intersection of US 51 and New Genesse Road. State Police spokesman Trooper Nick Manale said the prisoners’ pickup truck was stopped, waiting for another car to turn right into a parking lot, when it was struck from behind by the 18-wheeler.

The four inmates and the officer driving them suffered injuries ranging from minor to moderate. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured, and was cited and released.

Tractor-trailer accidents result in more injuries and fatalities than passenger car crashes because the size and weight of an 18-wheeler generates much greater force than a passenger sedan, which takes the brunt of that force in collisions.

If you have been injured in an accident involving a tractor-trailer truck, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering, in some instances. The Louisiana Truck Accident Lawyers with Dudley Debosier are experienced in navigating the complicated systems and policies which determine who is responsible in such cases. Get a free online consultation by visiting their website, which also features an option for live chat.

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6
Jul

Lafayette Parish Child Run Over by School Bus

July 6, 2011

School board officials in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, are meeting today to discuss whether or not to uphold the dismissal of a school bus driver following a tragic accident that left one student dead.

According to WWLTV Eyewitness News, the March 14, 2011 accident took place on Duhon Road in Youngsville, Louisiana, when a 6-year-old boy and his cousin attempted board the vehicle while the driver was being distracted by another child on the bus. The boy became caught on the outside of the bus and and was dragged 20 feet before being released. The driver, assuming that all children had properly boarded the bus, continued on his route. The front tire of the bus ran over the boy, crushing his left side, and he died at the scene. Investigators have not yet determined how the victim got caught on the outside of the bus.

The driver was dismissed by the school board, and the victim’s family has filed suit against both the driver and the school board. The case is currently awaiting trial in district court.

According to Louisiana law, tenured bus drivers can be fired if they fail to operate their route in “safe, comfortable, and practical operating condition.”

Wrongful death suits may be filed when someone dies because of another party’s negligence. The Louisiana Wrongful Death Attorneys at Dudley DeBosier have extensive experience with such cases, and may be able to help if the careless or negligent actions of someone else were involved in your loved one’s death.

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29
Jun

Two Oil Rig Workers Injured in DeSoto Parish

June 29, 2011

There a very few places in the world more dangerous than an oil rig. Workers average of 12-hour days 14 days at a time, so as exhaustion slowly sets in, mistakes happen. The materials workers are handling could blow up at any given moment, not to mention the dangers of all the heavy equipment surrounding workers on all sides. If something does happen, the nearest hospital is hours away due to the remote location of most oil rigs.

An article in Time Magazine about the dangers of oil rig work says the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 120 fatalities in the oil and gas industry during 2008. The Minerals Management Service says there were 39 fires or explosions on rigs in the first five months of 2009.

Two oil rig workers were injured on a rig in DeSoto Parish Tuesday morning. According to KSLA News, the accident occurred at 9:45AM off of Highway 175 North. One worker had to be airlifted to LSU Hospital, while the other was transported to a local hospital for less serious injuries. The accident is still under investigation.

If you or someone you love has been injured on an oil rig, the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Lawyers with Dudley Debosier have experience with both maritime law and the workers compensation system. Get a Free Consultation today.

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22
Jun

Eight People, Including Four Children Injured In I-12 Car Crash

June 22, 2011

An accident involving three cars on I-12 near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, left eight people injured. Four children were among the injured. One child was ejected from the vehicle. None of the children were properly restrained.

According to Channel 9 News, a driver lost control of their vehicle just before the I-10/I-12 split and hit two other cars. A witness said that he heard a loud bang and saw two of the vehicles go flying through the air. The witness then ran to the scene to make sure everyone was okay. Upon arrival, he found what he at first thought was a doll, about 15 feet from one of the vehicles. Closer inspection proved it was a toddler that had been thrown from the car.

The toddler and another child are still in intensive care, while the others who were injured were transported to local hospitals to be treated for non-life threatening injuries and were released. Baton Rouge Police are still investigating the cause of the accident and are unsure if anyone will face any charges.

Wearing your seatbelt when driving or riding in a vehicle is the best way to protect yourself from injury in case of an accident. The Louisiana Car Accident Lawyers with Dudley Debosier fight for victim’s rights to fair compensation for damages such as medical expenses, car repairs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. They may be able to help you if you were injured because of someone else’s careless driving.

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15
Jun

New Limits On Pain Killer Dosage

June 15, 2011

In their most recent newsletter, the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked drug manufacturers to limit the dosage of acetaminophen in prescription products in the interest of patient safety. The limit was set at 325 milligrams per dosage unit and a warning must be placed on the packaging of each unit due to the high risk of severe liver injury associated with the drug. The new standards only pertain to prescription strength drugs, while over-the-counter drugs were not affected.

Long term, heavy use of acetaminophen has been shown to cause kidney and liver toxicity that can cause a complete shut down of the organs. Overdoses of the drug are also a possible risk factor. Signs of an overdose can start with nausea and vomiting, progressing to organ failure and eventual death.

Take for instance the case of an Oklahoma girl who died in 2003 after taking too much Tylenol for a headache she was suffering from. The girl ingested more than double the recommended maximum dosage. She soon became extremely ill and was admitted to the hospital, but it was too late. Her organs began to fail and she eventually died.

Just because we don’t need a prescription to get a drug does not mean it is not dangerous. The Louisiana Drug Injury Lawyers with Dudley Debosier Injury Lawyers may be able to help you if you, or someone you know, has suffered due to a drug that was given to you by a doctor.

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8
Jun

Louisiana Teen Drowns After Paddleboat Capsizes

June 8, 2011

An afternoon of revelry on the water with friends turned disastrous for two teens in Eros, Louisiana, when the paddle boat they were on flipped. One of the boys was not able to swim to shore and drowned. WWLTV reports that officials have not released the boy’s name.

Capt. Alan Bankston with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the accident occurred Monday evening as two boys were riding a paddleboat on a private pond. For an unknown reason, the boat capsized and the two teens were thrown into the water. One boy was able to swim back to the shore, but when he looked back, he did not see his friend. Officials responded to the call for help at 7:45 PM, and recovered the body about an hour later.

Many people drown every year because they are poor swimmers or cannot swim at all, but feel safe on a boat without a life preserver. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did a study that found in 2009, of the 736 people that drowned while on a boating trip, over 90% were not wearing a flotation device of some kind. The same percentages were reported for 2008.

These accidents are often times preventable, but if a mistake is made and an accident does occur on a boat you may need a Louisiana Maritime Injury Attorney on your side. The Attorneys at Dudley Debosier Injury Lawyers work with victims of boat accidents and may be able to help you.

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