What causes half of all Louisiana accidents?

Louisiana state police have found that last year about half the fatal accidents they investigated were caused by an impaired driver. In Lake Charles and elsewhere throughout Louisiana, a fatal accident can happen in just a few seconds. When a motorcyclist is involved, accidents often end with serious injuries or death.

One such tragedy occurred this week in Lake Charles. A biker was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash that occurred between a motorcycle and an SUV. The state police are investigating the accident. The motorcycle was traveling northbound on LA 385 when the SUV reportedly turned left in front of him, causing the fatal accident. The driver of the SUV was not injured.

State troopers believe that the SUV driver may have been impaired at the time. She was booked on charges of vehicular homicide, DWI, and failure to yield when making a turn. The family of the motorcyclist may be able to seek damages from the driver who caused the fatal accident for funeral and related expenses as well as for pain and suffering engendered by the tragic crash. The impaired driver will now face criminal charges, while it remains to be seen what action — if any — the family of the victim will pursue.

It is barely comprehensible how a family finds the strength to cope when a loved one is senselessly killed due to the negligence of another driver. Not only is a life senselessly lost, but the fabric of the remaining family is changed forever. While nothing can changed what has already happened in this fatal accident, Louisiana courts offer aggrieved the opportunity to press claims for wrongful death based upon evidence that indicates the negligent or intentional conduct of another caused the death.

Source: WLOX.com – The News for South Mississippi, “Lake Charles woman arrested after fatal motorcycle accident,” Charlie Haldeman, May 14, 2012