Driving a car these days is a necessity of modern life. Whether you are trying to get your kids to school, scrambling to get to work on time, or picking up food from the grocery store, your vehicle is the backbone of your household.
Nonetheless, what happens if your most essential tool becomes the cause of death to you or someone you love? We have all seen fatal car crashes in movies or on the news, but to survive or experience the loss of a loved one is a completely different reality. Fatal car crashes result in traumatic experiences to the surviving family members and friends. It can uproot your life and the ones you love causing you to want justice for the loss of life.
Although fatal car crashes in Louisiana and across the nation saw a gradual decrease in the late 2000’s, that pattern has changed in the last decade. In recent years, fatal car crashes have seen a dramatic increase in nearly every state, including Louisiana. Not only do these accidents cause tens of thousands of dollars in damages to drivers and insurance, but they can end a life within seconds. A fatal car crash can happen to anyone at any time, which is why our experienced fatal car crash attorneys at the Charbonnet Law Firm, LLC are here to help.
Fatal car crashes throughout the State of Louisiana have risen dramatically in recent years. According to the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission’s recent Louisiana Highway Safety Plan:
Although Louisiana has seen a notable increase in total fatalities due to car crashes, the first six months of 2021 were particularly alarming. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Traffic Safety Facts article, summarizing traffic fatality data between January and June of 2021, the U.S. saw 20,160 individuals perish due to a fatal crash, an 18.4% increase since 2020.
Further, the region encompassing Louisiana has kept up with the national average with an 18% increase in total fatal crashes in the first half of 2016. Despite other regions of the country experiencing a 25% increase in fatalities or more, Louisiana and other states in its region have witnessed a notable rise in car crash fatalities.
Driving while under the influence of alcohol is an incredibly dangerous activity that no one should perform. Such actions could cause massive property damage, irreparable physical injury, and death. Although you may laugh at or dismiss those annoying public service announcements about someone getting pulled over for drinking, those PSA’s exist for a reason. Listening to their warning may help you avoid substantial financial and criminal liability. But, most importantly, they can help save a life.
According to a study conducted by Louisiana State University’s Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation and Safety found:
Alcohol-related crashes are not just statistics but have real-world consequences on the lives of ordinary folks. For example, a Jefferson Parish man’s bond was recently set for $1 million after being charged with vehicular homicide of a 9-year-old girl. Court documents showed the man driving 60-75 mph in a 45-mph zone after spending several hours drinking whiskey and smoking marijuana. The man that caused the crash had a blood alcohol content level of .22g%–the legal limit in the State of Louisiana is .08g%. The driver was also convicted of multiple charges related to driving while intoxicated before this incident.
On November 20, 2021, it was reported that two vehicles were involved in a car crash near Houma in Terrebonne Parish, which killed four—two drivers and two passengers. The crash took place on or around 8:00 p.m. on a Friday evening. Louisiana state troopers said in a statement that one vehicle tried to pass another at a high rate of speed in a no passing zone and that “impairment” of the driver and “risky operation” of the vehicle’s operation were suspected factors in the crash.
In an unrelated crash, three additional people were killed, and one was severely injured. The driver of a pick-up truck, the sole survivor of the incident, swerved across the highway’s centerline and hit an SUV head-on, killing the three occupants.
Police handling the case said that the pick-up truck driver was arrested for his fourth driving while intoxicated offense, along with other likely offenses, as he was likely impaired during the incident. According to reports, all three of the occupants of the SUV were nursing students between the ages of 18-19.
Addressing the death of a loved one due to a fatal car crash can be an extraordinarily difficult experience. At these moments, having a diligent advocate fighting on your behalf can make all of the difference so you can focus solely on recovering from your injuries. An experienced fatal car accident attorney can help you secure compensation for you and your loved ones. Contact Charbonnet Law Firm, LLC today at (504) 294-3910 or through our website to schedule a free case consultation.
With over 50 years of legal experience serving families in the New Orleans area and surrounding Louisiana communities, our firm takes pride in providing clients with personalized legal services tailored to individual needs.
