When Lafayette residents are out on the road late at night, they usually have a general awareness of the possibility of impaired drivers on the road. When one is traveling on an interstate, rarely does one anticipate coming up against a wrong-way driver.
On an interstate, it often takes more than simple distraction to head in the wrong direction. Frequently, wrong-way car accidents that take place on interstates are the result of drunk drivers. That appears to be the case in a recent wreck on I-55 near Manchac, Louisiana. A 32-year-old Franklinton man was reportedly going the wrong direction on the highway when he struck a car being driven by a 31-year-old man. Sadly, that father died in what was likely a drunk driving accident.
Another driver was affected as well in the early morning crash. A third car tried to avoid hitting the wreck, and ended up slamming into a guardrail. That driver suffered minor injuries. The deceased driver had been on his way to work when he was hit, and leaves not only a spouse but also four children behind.
The criminal justice system imposes stiff penalties for drunk driving, but the civil system can be particularly helpful for those directly affected. In civil court, an injured party can recover compensation from a negligent driver or their insurance company. The compensation can include medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, loss of earning capacity, and disfigurement. When a victim dies, the family can make a wrongful death claim and recover damages for loss of support and loss of companionship. An experienced Louisiana car accident attorney can help a victim, or his or her family, deal effectively and efficiently with these associated costs.
Source: Fox 8 New Orleans, “I-55 accident kills Tickfaw father of 4,” Mar. 14, 2014