Just after 1 a.m., on January 24th, Louisiana State Police responded to a multi-vehicle accident on I-10 in which two lives were lost.
Details on the Tragic Accident
Preliminary investigation shows that an 18-wheeler traveling east on 1-10 failed to adequately slow down as it approached slow moving traffic in an active construction work zone. Unfortunately, the truck driver smashed into the rear end of a 2015 Dodge Ram, which then caused the Dodge Ram to strike a Ford Escape, which then crashed into the rear-end of a second 18-wheeler. The second 18-wheeler involved in the accident struck the final vehicle in the accident, another 18-wheeler.
In total, five vehicles were involved in the crash.
Tragically, the drivers of the Dodge Ram and the Ford Escape both lost their lives in the incident. They were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
Investigations into the crash are ongoing and charges may be filed.
About Multi-Vehicle Car Accidents
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Highway Loss Data Institute, there were over 345 multi-vehicle accident fatalities in Louisiana in 2016 and over 16,800 nationwide.
Unfortunately, multi-vehicle accidents are some of the most dangerous types as vehicles are hit multiple times from multiple angles. Some of the most common types of multi-vehicle accidents include:
- Rear-end collisions, which generally result in multiple rear-end collisions (chain reaction).
- Side-impact collisions are caused when one vehicle crashes into a busy road, causing other vehicles to strike one another.
- Head-on collisions often occur in instances of drunk drivers or bad weather conditions.
These types of accidents generally occur as a result of: hazardous weather conditions such as heavy rain or fog; vehicles speeding in heavy traffic conditions; distracted drivers who are using cell phones, GPS, or some other electronic that causes them to take their eyes off the road; drunk drivers who fail to follow the rules of the road.
About Wrongful Death Claims
At the Cardone Law Firm, we are dedicated to providing surviving family members with the care and legal guidance they need to ease some of the pressures of losing a loved one. If you have recently lost a loved one as the result of a car or commercial truck accident, please consider the following information about wrongful death claims.
As per Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2, a wrongful death claim can be made when “a person dies due to the fault of another.” In the state of Louisiana, only a specific set of family members are allowed to file a claim, and this includes:
- The victim’s spouse and children.
- The victim’s parents if there are no surviving children or a spouse.
- The victim’s brothers and sisters if there are no surviving parents, children, or a spouse.
- The victim’s grandparents if none of the previously mentioned qualifications are met.
It is important for surviving family members or personal representatives to know that the statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death claim is one year. If a lawsuit is not filed within that time frame, then a motion to the dismiss the claim as time-barred will likely be granted by the courts.
Discovering Who Is At Fault
Multi-vehicle accidents, especially those involving 18-wheelers, can become extremely complex as there are many factors that could have caused the incident. Because the legal aspects of a multi-vehicle accident can become convoluted, it is in your best interest to seek the guidance of a qualified wrongful death lawyer to ensure you get everything that is owed to you.
The trustworthy and compassionate team at Cardone Law Firm will do a thorough investigation into who may be responsible for the loss of life. A wide variety of evidence can be collected to determine the party at fault. Often, in a semi-truck accident, the responsibility may lie on one or multiple parties, including:
- The driver of the truck if it can be found that they were driving in a negligent or reckless manner (i.e. under the influence of drugs or alcohol, distracted by a cell phone, traveling at unsafe speeds, etc.)
- The trucking company if it can be found that they failed to properly maintain the vehicle, hired a problematic driver, or acted in some other negligent manner.
- Parts manufacturer if it can be found that specifics parts of the semi-truck, such as the brakes or tires, malfunctioned while in use.
If you have lost a loved one who was involved in a multi-vehicle accident or a semi-truck accident, know that you are not alone. There is a team of Louisiana attorneys who are dedicated to fighting for your rights.
Contact Cardone Law Firm today for a free consultation.
Source: KATC