Paying attention to your surroundings is an integral part of driving. Smaller vehicles and pedestrians can are particularly at risk from passenger cars and larger vehicles — especially if the driver’s attention is elsewhere. When a driver fails to exercise this basic duty to others on a Louisiana roadway, a serious or fatal accident can result.
At approximately 12:30 p.m. on a Sunday, an out-of-state couple was taking a ride on a motorcycle on Highway 121. Another vehicle, driven by a 62-year-old man, began making a left turn into the parking lot of a store. It turned into the path of the motorcycle.
The trooper with the Louisiana State Police who worked the accident reported that the driver of the motorcycle attempted to stop but was unable to avoid a collision. Both of the motorcycle riders were wearing helmets. Even though emergency responders managed to get the pair to a hospital, they still passed away. The other driver did not suffer any injuries in the crash. Reportedly, he was cited for making an improper turn.
Even if the only official charge against the driver is a citation, that does not mean that the surviving family members of the two deceased victims cannot file wrongful death claims against him. The burden of proof in a civil action is not as stringent as in a criminal proceeding. So long as negligence is established by a preponderance of the evidence, the court may award damages generally consistent with those that accompany fatal accident judgments.
Source: kwtx.com, “