The post Seven Dead in Crashes Involving 150 Vehicles on Louisiana Interstate 55 appeared first on Simien & Simien, LLC.
]]>Several “multiple-vehicle” crashes in the northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 55 began at mile marker 22, and a stretch of the crash scene caught fire.
More than 25 people were taken to hospitals with varying injuries; others sought medical attention independently.
At a news conference Monday, State Police Sgt. Kate Stegall said the crashes began shortly before 9 a.m. and stretched across a mile.
While the investigation into the massive crash remains fluid, the state police cautioned drivers about fog in a Facebook post Monday morning.
“There is heavy fog in the area, and drivers should avoid the area if possible and use alternate routes,” the post said. Video of the aftermath of the pileup shows foggy conditions and at least one instance of a pickup on top of another vehicle. There were also multiple fires, including marsh fires, in the area, the National Weather Service in New Orleans said Monday on X.
The weather service said dense fog and smoke combined to form “Superfog,” which “heavily impacted” parts of the interstate.
In addition, a tanker truck carrying hazardous liquid was involved in the collision.
In a statement on X, Gov. John Bel Edwards asked for prayers for those killed and injured, saying, “The combination of wildfire smoke and dense fog is dangerous, and I want to encourage all Louisianans in affected areas to take extreme caution when traveling.” He continued, “I also want to thank first responders and medical personnel who have worked diligently to save lives and render aid.”
At Simien & Simien, LLC, our Louisiana auto accident attorneys share the governor’s sentiments and send our heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of those lost in this horrendous crash, and wish those who were injured a speedy recovery so they can regain control of their lives after such a traumatic incident.
We are dedicated to providing emotional support, compassionate care, and legal resources to all impacted by this massive crash or other crashes, including injury victims and those who lost their loved ones, helping them to understand their legal rights and options. Contact us today for help.
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]]>The post Can social media hurt your personal injury lawsuit? appeared first on Simien & Simien, LLC.
]]>Social media can also be used against you in a personal injury lawsuit. Insurance companies and defense attorneys will often scour social media looking for any evidence that they can use to discredit your claim. For example, suppose you post pictures of yourself engaging in physical activities or attending events that suggest you are not as injured as you claim to be. In that case, this can be used to argue that your injuries are not as severe as you have stated.
Here are three tips to help you protect yourself and your personal injury lawsuit on social media:
Before posting anything on social media, ask yourself if it could be used against you in your personal injury lawsuit. If you’re not sure, it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid posting it.
Ensure that your social media accounts are private and that only people you trust can see your posts. However, keep in mind that even if your accounts are set to private, there is still a possibility that your posts could be seen by someone who could use them against you.
Do not post anything about your personal injury lawsuit on social media, including details about your injuries, the accident, or any settlements or negotiations.
Social media can have a significant impact on your personal injury lawsuit. While it can be a useful tool to support your claim, it can also be used against you. It’s essential to be cautious about what you post on social media while your lawsuit is pending and to follow the tips outlined above to protect yourself and your case.
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]]>The post 5 dangers of self-driving cars appeared first on Simien & Simien, LLC.
]]>In 2016, Google tested an autonomous vehicle that crashed into a bus. Luckily, no one sustained injuries. That being said, it doesn’t change the fact that they carry hazards. Here are five dangers of self-driving cars:
Self-driving cars contain lithium-ion batteries, which are flammable materials. The National Transportation Safety Board notes that if a strong force destroys a lithium-ion battery, it causes combustion. It also releases toxic gases that can suffocate someone or damage their skin.
A downside to self-driving vehicles is that they’re not impervious to inclement weather. Heavy snow or rain can ruin their laser sensors, preventing them from working properly — or at all.
Self-driving cars are prone to hacking because they’re Internet-powered devices. Therefore, once a hacker gets access to a vehicle, they can program it to carry out any malicious deed.
Since autonomous vehicles can mostly operate by themselves, human drivers might become complacent and over-reliant on them. It can put them in danger if they’re about to collide with something, and their reaction is too late to take control.
The autonomous car industry is in its infancy, so it’s currently an unregulated niche. And because it’s an unregulated industry, manufacturers can escape the consequences of their actions if consumers become injured from vehicle malfunctions.
Self-driving cars are excellent in theory but risky in practice since there are still kinks to work out. Did you or a loved one get hurt in an autonomous vehicle accident? It may be time to seek legal guidance to best protect your rights.
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]]>The post Outside pressures truck drivers may face appeared first on Simien & Simien, LLC.
]]>But it’s also important to remember professional drivers are usually very good at what they do. In some cases, the accidents they are involved in actually stem from outside pressures that they’re facing while they work. As a result, the trucking company that employs them may be responsible for some or all of the harm that results from a particular collision.
For example, truck drivers are often paid by the mile. If a truck driver is stuck in traffic or sitting at a warehouse waiting for the truck to be loaded, but they are not earning money. They may feel that the only way to recoup these lost earnings is to drive longer than they should or to drive faster than they should. Both of these can be dangerous decisions, but the financial pressure is real and can influence the risk of a crash.
As in many industries, productivity is very important in the trucking industry. This is actually part of the reason that truck drivers are paid by the mile. It encourages them to work hard and companies are only paying directly for that productivity.
However, this could also lead to complicated situations wherein drivers feel pressure to do things that they know are unsafe. Say that the driver has a deadline they have to meet, but they’re feeling fatigued while driving at night. Are they going to pull over and rest or just continue driving to their destination? In some cases, trucking companies may even pressure drivers to stay on the road for too long, violating regulations concerning mandatory breaks, because they don’t want to miss a deadline.
All of these pressures can make the aftermath of a trucking accident very complicated when determining who is at fault and when injury victims are seeking compensation. Those who have been injured need to be sure that they know about all of the options they have when pursuing justice. Working with an experienced attorney can help to facilitate that consequential goal.
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]]>The post 2 ways to reduce distracted driving appeared first on Simien & Simien, LLC.
]]>While you can’t do anything about other drivers, here’s how you can avoid becoming one yourself and adding to the problem:
You likely have your phone on your right now or, at the very least, know where it is. The instant you hear it ring or chime with a notification, does your attention get drawn to your phone? You aren’t the only one. This is why phones are one of the leading causes of distracted driving. If your phone suddenly rings while you’re driving, your mind, hands and eyes may automatically be drawn to your phone. As a result, you may limit your ability to avoid an accident.
To prevent an accident that’s caused by your phone, you may have a few options. The easiest option is to turn off your phone when you get in your car – that way you don’t know when you’re getting notifications. If that’s too uncomfortable for you, you could instead place your phone in a bag, glovebox or back seat where it’s out of reach, so you can hear your phone but you can’t use it.
One form of distracted driving that people often overlook is eating. Many people eat while driving without realizing that it’s dangerous. They may do this because they are rushing to work, for example, or simply need a hot meal. However, when people eat while driving, they compromise their attention on the road.
Next time you go through a drive-thru, you likely don’t want to drive all the way home or to work only to find that your meal has gone cold. Instead, you should consider finding a parking spot. This way you can enjoy your meal without risking an accident.
While you may be able to prevent yourself from becoming distracted while driving, you can’t prevent others. Because of this, you may be in an accident with a distracted driver and need to know your legal rights to seek compensation for your injuries and damages.
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]]>The post What causes intersection accidents? appeared first on Simien & Simien, LLC.
]]>One of the most common locations for serious motor vehicle accidents are is a busy intersection. In fact, it has been reported that over half of all injury-causing or fatal accidents occur near or at intersections. It has also been found that driver error and inattention are some of the most common causes of these accidents.
It’s estimated that 96% of intersection accidents were caused by driver error, with half caused by recognition error. This means failing to pay attention, distractions and not looking before moving through the intersection. Another cause of intersection accidents is decision errors — even if the potential for a collision is recognized, the decision to proceed is still made.
While intersection accidents are common, there are steps you can take to help prevent them. Some of the best ways to avoid being involved in an intersection accident include the following:
If you are involved in an intersection accident caused by another person’s error, you might be able to file a claim to recover compensation. It is essential to ensure you have evidence to show why the other party is at fault, which will help you prove your claim. Good evidence includes pictures that show the area and the locations of the vehicles. Knowing your legal rights and options can help you get the compensation you deserve after an intersection accident.
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]]>The post When can families sue after the death of a loved one appeared first on Simien & Simien, LLC.
]]>It is natural for grieving family members in Louisiana to want to find someone to blame for their recent tragedy. In some cases, the law may actually support the right to do so. Sometimes, those who lose a loved one have grounds to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit in the Louisiana civil courts.
When does the law allow families to hold an individual, business or other entity responsible for a death?
Louisiana actually has a relatively broad wrongful death statute. The law permits family members affected by someone’s untimely passing to pursue a claim against a party that is at fault for the death. Either a business or an individual could have direct responsibility for someone’s death.
Fault can stem from negligence, such as failing to maintain a vehicle or a property in safe condition. Fault can also have to do with omissions, such as failing to do something as required in a contract. Finally, fault can also involve intentional misconduct, such as breaking the law.
In a scenario where surviving loved ones have evidence that shows an outside party was at fault for someone’s recent death, they may have grounds to pursue a lawsuit.
Those grieving the unexpected passing of a family member may have a hard time understanding the practical implications of that loss at first. Someone’s untimely death can cost their immediate family members tens of thousands of dollars, often much more.
It can also feel unfair for someone innocent to die while the party at fault sees no criminal consequences. A successful wrongful death lawsuit can lead to a sense of having secured justice and therefore closure for those impacted by a tragic situation. They will need to act quickly, however, as state law imposes a one-year statute of limitations on such claims.
Learning more about Louisiana wrongful death claims can benefit those who have been deeply affected by someone’s unexpected passing. Seeking legal guidance can also be helpful when surviving loved ones have questions and/or are in need of assistance.
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]]>The post The link between acute orthopedic injuries and mental health appeared first on Simien & Simien, LLC.
]]>Researchers have found that even when people do not suffer acute orthopedic injuries, like those just mentioned, can also suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, panic disorders and other mental health issues as a result sudden, traumatic events such as accidents. Too often, however, these aren’t properly diagnosed because the patient, their family and their doctors are more focused on whether there are and the extent of the physical injuries.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), these psychological injuries can also be long-term ones – especially if they aren’t dealt with as soon as possible. A delay in treating psychological impact of accidents can not only delay a person’s physical recovery but can extend the period of these impacts.
These mental health issues can arise after an acute physical injury for a number of reasons that could involve the nature and significance of the injury but more likely arising out of the circumstances of the injury, such as a violent car crash or other event attack that was traumatic and unexpected. If a person thought they or others in their care were going to die, even for a few seconds, that trauma can have a long-term impact. They can also occur because a person is facing a future – even a temporary one — with seriously limited mobility.
If you’re seeking compensation from an at-fault driver or other party who caused serious injuries, you have a right to include the cost of mental health care along with compensation for the impact it has had on you in the damages you’re claiming. That’s just one reason why you should never agree to a settlement before you know the full extent of your physical and psychological injuries. By having legal guidance, you can better ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
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]]>The post How Louisiana protects the rights of accident victims appeared first on Simien & Simien, LLC.
]]>In a small fraction of states, if an injury victim was in any way responsible for their own harm, they cannot sue others who may have been 99% responsible for what happened to them. In most states, injury victims can pursue compensation against other potentially liable parties if they were less than 50% or 51% (depending on the state) to blame for their own harm.
The state of Louisiana honors a pure comparative negligence standard concerning the joint liability of victims and other negligent, reckless and/or intentionally dangerous parties. This means that injury victims of car and truck accidents, premises liability cases and a host of other personal injury matters are empowered to seek compensation against others even if they were more than 50% at fault for what happened to them.
This doesn’t mean that it is a good idea to file a lawsuit against another party who was only 5% responsible for a victim’s harm, as the victim is only eligible to seek 5% of the value of their case accordingly. But, even an 80/20 case could be worth pursuing if the overall value of the case is high enough.
Understanding that Louisiana employs the broadest standard available concerning joint liability can make it easier for accident injury victims to feel confident about exploring their legal options. Because “some compensation” (and potentially a significant amount of it) is far better than “no compensation,” partially-liable victims have nothing to lose by connecting with a lawyer about the possibility of pursuing legal action.
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]]>The post Can elderly drivers be more dangerous? appeared first on Simien & Simien, LLC.
]]>While a person’s age does not mean they should not drive, it is important to consider when an elderly individual may no longer be safe to do so. After all, as someone ages, some of their senses and abilities will deteriorate – this is expected and normal. Outlined below are a few factors to keep in mind.
As a person ages, their eyesight will likely deteriorate. This often starts as early as age 50 and can continue into their 60s and 70s. Being able to see properly is essential to driving safely. This is why it is required that drivers pass a test before obtaining their license. While glasses may help, they are only effective to a certain extent.
You have likely seen someone in your family lose some of their cognitive abilities as they age. For example, when they were younger, they ran a business, but now they need help to carry out simple tasks. With this type of issue, it is clear it would be dangerous for them to drive since their ability to make prompt and correct decisions is inhibited.
If an elderly person cannot press the brake or move a steering wheel like they used to, they may not be able to operate a vehicle safely. Weaker muscles can greatly impact someone’s ability to continue driving.
Unfortunately, if an older driver continues to operate a vehicle, they may cause an accident and injure others. If you find yourself in this situation, you have legal rights and may be able to recover compensation.
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