Law enforcement authorities are in the process of investigating a recent crash involving a semitrailer that left one man dead and four other individuals injured. This event occurred outside Lake Charles in Calcasieu Parish on July 16. Sadly, it is not uncommon for truck accidents to have outcomes like this.
According to reports, a 34-year-old male was operating an 18-wheeler on the eastbound side of Interstate 10 when he crossed into oncoming traffic and struck a pickup truck and an SUV. Sadly, the driver of the SUV died at the scene — he was 54 years old. The driver of the pickup — a 24-year-old male — required immediate medical treatment and was taken to the hospital. His current condition is unknown.
The truck driver was also hurt, as were his two passengers — children ages 3 and 8. All three individuals were taken to a medical facility in Lake Charles for care. Police say that charges are pending in this case. They are still trying to determine a cause for the collision. At this time, it is unclear if impairment was a contributing factor.
Truck accidents often have tragic outcomes. The sheer size and weight of these monster trucks cause them to do significant damage with minimal effort — it is just physics. This means that victims, if they survive, tend to be left with physical and psychological injuries, along with financial losses that they will feel for years to come — if not for the rest of their lives; likewise, family members of those who fail to survive may suffer significant losses from which they may struggle to recover. Thankfully, Louisiana laws allow victims or their surviving family members to seek relief through legal means. An experienced attorney can review the details of this case and assist those who would like to seek compensation do so if legal action is deemed appropriate.