Underage drinking and driving ends in a Louisiana car accident

Most everyone in Louisiana knows that driving after consuming alcohol raises the risk of getting involved in an accident. When the diminished capacity that accompanies intoxication is coupled with the inexperience of a young driver, the results could be catastrophic. A recent car accident may have been caused by drinking and driving by an underage driver.

The accident occurred at around 5 a.m. on Louisiana 14. Two teenagers, an 18-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl, occupied the vehicle. It was the older teen who was driving. Neither of the vehicle’s occupants was properly restrained at the time of the crash. The driver suffered injuries described as moderate.

The teenage girl’s injuries were more serious. Emergency personnel made the determination that she needed to be airlifted to an area hospital to be treated for her injuries. Information on the updated conditions of the driver and passenger was not immediately available. Louisiana authorities did say, however, that the driver will be charged with several crimes, including vehicular negligent injuring and driving under the influence.

While authorities await the results of toxicology tests and the teenage girl recovers from her injuries, medical expenses are undoubtedly adding up. Her parents retain the right to file a personal injury claim against the driver on her behalf in an attempt to recover those and other damages. If another person owned the car that the teen was driving, that party may be added as a defendant. Any criminal conviction obtained by prosecutors in connection with the car accident may be used as evidence of his negligence in civil court. If negligence is successfully proved, the court may award damages that could help the family with the cost of the girl’s care — both now and in the future, if needed.

Source: katc.com, “Teen injured in Saturday morning crash”, Melissa Canone, May 20, 2014