Three Things to Know About Fatal Car Crashes
Thousands of traffic collisions occur on a regular basis, and some do not result in any injuries at all. Yet data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that there are thousands of fatal collisions every month in the United States, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Louisiana has one of the highest rates of fatal motor vehicle crashes in the country. Accordingly, it is important to do everything you can to keep yourself and your family safe with knowledge and action, and it is also critical to have a clear understanding of what to do in the event of a deadly vehicle wreck involving a loved one.
Our Shreveport car accident lawyers and Shreveport wrongful death lawyers can tell you more and assess the specific facts of your case. In the meantime, the following are three important things to know about fatal car crashes in Louisiana.
- Deaths in Motor Vehicle Collisions Happen More Often Than You Might Expect
Fatalities result from car crashes more often than you might think. On average, according to a new report from Bankrate, there were nearly 41,000 deaths in the United States in motor vehicle crashes in 2022, the last year of full data released, and close to 4,000 deaths on average every month. The best way to avoid a fatal crash is to recognize that they happen with more frequency than many people expect, and to take steps to promote safe driving. Always wear a seatbelt, avoid dangerous driving behaviors like distracted driving and speeding, and teach your teen driver the same safe driving habits.
- Certain Types of Crashes and Behaviors Are Responsible for a Large Percentage of Fatalities
Some types of crashes result in fatalities more often than others. In general, head-on collisions and side-impact (or T-bone) crashes tend to have the highest rates of fatalities in relation to all types of motor vehicle crashes that occur regularly. In addition, certain types of hazardous driving behaviors tend to be causal factors in fatal collisions, including:
- Intoxicated driving;
- Speeding;
- Distracted driving;
- Drowsy driving; and
- Failing to wear a seatbelt.
- Wrongful Death Claims Can Allow Surviving Family Members to Obtain Damages
Louisiana wrongful death law may allow a surviving family member to file a civil lawsuit in order to seek damages associated with their loved one’s car crash death. Under Louisiana law, there is an order in which surviving family members can be eligible to file a claim, beginning with either a surviving spouse or surviving children. Louisiana law only gives a surviving family member one year from the date of death to file a claim, however, so it is critical to begin working with an attorney on a lawsuit as soon as possible.
Contact a Shreveport Wrongful Death Attorney Today
If you lost a loved one in a motor vehicle collision in Louisiana, we know how difficult it can be to try to focus your attention on a civil lawsuit. At the same time, we know how important these types of lawsuits can be for families struggling emotionally and financially in the aftermath of a loved one’s untimely death. An experienced Shreveport wrongful death lawyer at Rice & Kendig can help you and your family file a claim to recover necessary damages, which may also help to bring some sense of closure. Contact us today at 318-222-2772 for assistance with your wrongful death case.
Sources:
legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109371
iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/yearly-snapshot
bankrate.com/insurance/car/car-crash-statistics/#car-crash-statistics
cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/accident_mortality/accident.htm
