Police in Louisiana are investigating the cause of a multi-vehicle accident that occurred Jan. 15, at approximately 11 a.m. They say one individual died in the crash and two other people suffered injuries. The man deemed responsible for the collision is facing criminal charges. When negligence is behind motor vehicle accidents, the victims or, in the case of a fatality, their surviving family members may seek relief through legal means.
According to reports, a 41-year-old male was driving northbound on LA 1 when he collided with the back end of a pickup truck that was stopped at a red light. The force of the impact sent the truck into the vehicle in front of it and had a domino effect, impacting two other cars which were also stopped at the traffic signal. The driver of the pickup — a 77-year-old male — suffered fatal injuries. A passenger in the truck and one other individual were taken to a nearby medical facility with unspecified injuries.
Authorities believe distracted driving played a role in this collision. They believe the driver responsible was likely looking at his cellphone when the crash occurred. Tests were also administered to determine if impairment was a factor in this case. According to a news report, the driver believed responsible is facing negligent homicide charges.
Motor vehicle accidents that involve multiple cars negatively affect a lot of people. In this case, one family is left without their loved one, two individuals are left trying to physically and emotionally recover and one person is facing jail time. The cost of distracted driving is simply more than most people think. According to the laws of Louisiana, the injured victims and the surviving family member of the deceased may all be entitled to seek compensation for their loses. Legal claims can be filed against the responsible party in civil court with the assistance of an experienced attorney.