This may not come as a surprise to many Louisiana residents, but according to the National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration, the stretch of Interstate 10 that runs from Lake Charles to New Orleans is the deadliest highway in the United States — particularly during the holiday season. A total of 49 people have lost their lives on this roadway between Thanksgiving and New Years over the last few years, and there is no saying how many might be added to that number over the next few weeks. There is always hope that everyone traveling I-10 will make it to and from their destinations safely, but if that doesn’t happen to be the case. Those who lose loved ones or suffer injuries in accidents on this stretch of highway may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses.
Interstate 10 spans the country from California all the way to Florida. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission deputy director says that the most accidents seen on I-10, locally anyway, occur around East Baton Rouge and Jefferson parishes. Many auto collisions are related to drunk driving, but many more result from distracted driving. Louisiana, in general, has a relatively high distracted driving incident rate compared to the rest of the country.
As the holidays are here, state officials are asking drivers to be careful, to be alert and to pay attention. These accidents do not have to happen. Most that do are highly preventable.
If anyone in Lake Charles or the surrounding area does happen to suffer injuries or the loss of a loved one this holiday season in an accident on I-10, it may be possible to hold accountable the individual or individuals responsible for one’s losses. An experienced attorney can investigate the matter and help one take legal action if doing so is deemed appropriate. While money cannot fix everything, it can go a long way in helping one recover and move forward.