Louisiana drivers are conditioned to be on the lookout for obstacles on the highways and bridges across the state. However, no matter how prepared a driver may be, coming up on a stopped vehicle in your lane of travel can cause some measure of panic. If a driver is unable to avoid an impending collision, the resulting car accident could result in catastrophic injuries.
At approximately 2:20 a.m., a vehicle headed eastbound onto a bridge. That vehicle encountered another vehicle in the outside lane that was stopped. The driver was unable to maneuver around the vehicle or otherwise avoid colliding with the stopped car.
Reports regarding the accident are not yet complete since the investigation is ongoing. It is known that the impact injured at least four people. So far, all that is known regarding the survivors of the accident is that both drivers were among the injured. A passenger sitting in the back seat of the stationary vehicle suffered fatal injuries caused by the impact. She did not survive.
Her family and any of the seriously injured passengers may decide to exercise their rights to file civil actions against the party or parties deemed responsible for the car accident. Once filed, it will be necessary to prove that each party’s negligence caused or contributed to the crash and the fatal or serious injuries suffered as a result. If negligence is proved, the court will then consider awarding damages allowable under Louisiana law. Any monetary restitution could be used to pay medical bills and other expenses, make up for lost wages and cover other damages such as pain and suffering. The deceased passenger’s family could receive funds to cover funeral and burial, along with other damages.
Source: theadvocate.com, “Early morning accident on Mississippi River bridge leaves one dead, several others injured”, Feb. 17, 2015