Lafayette Louisiana Personal Injury Law blog

Motor vehicle accidents may lead to pedestrian deaths

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, June 11, 2020.

A woman has sadly lost her life in a pedestrian crash in Louisiana. Now, her family members are left to grieve and wonder how such an accident could have claimed their loved one's life. Sometimes, these types of motor vehicle accidents happen as a result of driver negligence, which is grounds for litigation.

The recent Louisiana accident took place on a Wednesday at a little after 1 p.m. According to authorities, a 32-year-old woman was waiting in a median at an intersection to cross a street. All of a sudden, a car reportedly ended up leaving the street and striking the woman.

Several lives already lost in boating accidents this year

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in admiralty & maritime law on Sunday, June 7, 2020.

Boating is a favorite pastime of many Louisiana residents and visitors to the state. Unfortunately, it has also proved to be a dangerous one. So far in 2020, seven people have lost their lives in boating accidents.

Recently, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement participated in Safe Boating Week. Its staff worked diligently to remind boaters to be responsible and safe when out on the water. This means boats should be in good repair and have all safety gear aboard, and the operators should be properly trained.

Wrongful death: Charges filed in fatal accident case

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in wrongful death on Friday, June 5, 2020.

In early May, a wrong-way driver caused a car crash that claimed the life of one individual. This driver is now facing criminal charges for the incident. If the deceased's family so desires, they can file a wrongful death claim against this individual in a Louisiana civil court.

According to reports, on the evening of May 7, a 26-year-old male was operating his pickup truck in the wrong direction on an unspecified highway in Morganza. While doing so, he struck the vehicle of a 20-year-old male head-on. Sadly, the victim died at the scene.

Wrongful death: Did you lose a loved one in a pedestrian accident

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in wrongful death on Friday, May 29, 2020.

Every year, far too many Louisiana residents are killed in auto-pedestrian accidents. The surviving family members of the victims are often left devastated, not only emotionally but financially as well. If you have experienced the loss of a loved one in a pedestrian accident, know that relief may be available to you. Under the right circumstances, you may seek compensation by filing a wrongful death claim in civil court.

All drivers know they have a responsibility to be on the lookout for pedestrians; unfortunately, knowing and doing are two very different things. The sad reality is most drivers are operating their vehicles while distracted or intoxicated or simply with reckless abandon. Pedestrians who are often in plain sight get hit as a result. As the human body is not meant to withstand the full impact of an automobile, numerous victims end up losing their lives.

Proposed law could hurt victims of motor vehicle accidents

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, May 21, 2020.

The Louisiana Senate recently passed a bill that could hurt car crash victims. The bill will be handed over to the House for further debate, but many believe that it will pass without much issue -- as similar proposals have garnered committee support. If this bill does become law, what will it mean for the residents and, most importantly, victims of motor vehicle accidents?

One reason this bill is gaining support is that it may help lower car insurance rates. Currently, the state of Louisiana has the second-highest insurance rates in the country -- falling just behind Michigan. Right now, individuals living here pay well over $2,000 per year for auto insurance, while people in most other states spend an average of $1,470 per year. If this bill passes, insurance rates would supposedly drop anywhere from 10-25%, which would be great, sure, but at what cost?

Does talcum powder use cause cancer?

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm on Sunday, May 17, 2020.

Talcum powder is a substance that is commonly used in many types of toiletries. Talcum powder is made from talc, a mineral that absorbs moisture well, and that's why it is so popular to use after bathing, to prevent friction rashes and to improve the appearance of oily skin. While there is a broad range of aesthetic benefits to be had by using talcum powder, many people use it while unaware of the potential risks to their health.

Some talc is known to contain asbestos. Asbestos is a substance that is now clearly linked with the causation of cancer. When asbestos is inhaled, it can settle into the lungs or the stomach. Over time, this can cause several types of cancer. Most notably, asbestos exposure is the only known cause of the rare type of cancer, mesothelioma.

When preeclampsia goes undiagnosed

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in birth injury on Friday, May 15, 2020.

While bringing a baby into the world is a natural thing, this does not mean it is without risks. Many things can go wrong during pregnancy that, if undiagnosed, can have severe -- if not fatal -- consequences for the mother and baby. One such complication is preeclampsia, which numerous mothers in Louisiana experience every year.

Several factors play into the cause of preeclampsia. So, why one develops this condition may not be easily identifiable. There are known risk factors that should make it easier for doctors to identify patients who may develop this complication. Some of those risk factors are:

First pregnancy
Family history
Obesity
Being younger than 20
Being older than 40
History of high blood pressure
History of migraine headaches

Police investigating multi-vehicle crash involving a semitrailer

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in Truck Accidents on Friday, May 8, 2020.

Interstate 10 is known to be one of the most dangerous highways in America. Numerous people have suffered injuries or lost their lives in collisions that occur on I-10 while traveling through the Baton Rouge area. Most recently, Louisiana police were called to investigate a multi-vehicle crash involving a semitrailer.

At approximately 5:45 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29, a collision involving a total of seven automobiles occurred in the eastbound lanes of I-10 near the exit to Highland Road. Pictures of the incident only appear to show four of the vehicles involved in the collision. A semitrailer can be seen on top of a crushed sedan and smashed into the back of a pickup truck. Behind those three vehicles, another car with significant damage appears to have struck the concrete barrier. Only minor injuries were initially reported.

How the Deepwater Horizon spill led to suits from Gulf area businesses

By Gaar Law Firm on Tuesday, April 28, 2020.

Ten years ago, on April 22, the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig exploded, causing the largest marine oil spill in history. After the explosion, an estimated 136 to 206 million gallons of oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico. The explosion killed 11 workers and injured 17 more. It also caused deep environmental and economic harm to U.S. Gulf Coast states for years.

2 lives lost in recent pedestrian accidents

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in wrongful death on Friday, April 24, 2020.

Police in Louisiana are in the process of investigating the recent deaths of two young men. Their lives were lost in separate pedestrian accidents that occurred in Baton Rouge the evening of Friday, April 10. If driver negligence can be established, the family members of the victims may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses by filing wrongful death claims in civil court.

According to reports, both accidents occurred around 9:45 p.m. One of the incidents involved a 25-year-old male who was in the process of crossing Airline Highway when he was hit by not just one, but two vehicles. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The other male -- a 27-year-old, was walking along Old Hammond Highway, near Sherwood Forest Boulevard, when he was struck and killed by a passing SUV.