COMMON CAUSES OF AUTO ACCIDENTS IN LOUISIANA

There are a number of common causes of auto accidents in Louisiana that correlate to common causes throughout the U.S. Below is a brief discussion on some of these causes.

INTOXICATED DRIVERS

In 2016 in Louisiana, approximately 334 people were killed in vehicle accidents involving intoxicated drivers. These crashes accounted for nearly 40% of the overall total of traffic deaths. Nationally, about one in three fatal crashes involve alcohol consumption. Except for Utah, all U.S. states prohibit the operation of a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or higher. The penalties for those found to be operating under the influence have been heightened, particularly in the last few decades.

Louisiana is among the states that execute sobriety checkpoints in an attempt to keep drunk drivers off the roads.

“DRUGGED” DRIVING

Many accidents are also attributed to those motorists under the influence of drugs other than alcohol. The Louisiana Department of Public Safety has recently approved kits for the detection of drugs in a driver's blood or urine. Drugs like marijuana, methamphetamine, and various prescription drug products are among the most common. Louisiana recently was ranked third for the number of fatalities from accidents involving drivers under the influence of drugs.

DISTRACTED DRIVERS

In recent years the problem with drivers failing to remain focused on the task of driving has emerged. The injuries and fatalities that are a result of distractions have largely been attributed to the majority of Americans using mobile devices.

Between 2011 and 2015 in Louisiana, there were an estimated 192 traffic fatalities and 26,977 injuries caused by distracted drivers. Examples of distraction include:

Using newer onboard vehicle electronics
Eating or drinking
Tending to children, and/or
Texting while driving.

Because distracted driving has become a serious problem in recent years, Louisiana lawmakers have implemented penalties for it (e.g., texting while driving).

CARELESS DRIVERS

Another major concern involves drivers who are simply operating in a manner that is careless or reckless. Examples include:

Traveling well in excess of the speed limit
Changing lanes without looking or using signals
Demonstrating acts of “road rage,” and/or
Operating a vehicle that is unsafe (i.e. failing brakes or a malfunctioning power steering system).

POTENTIAL SERIOUS INJURIES IN LOUISIANA AUTO ACCIDENTS

There are a host of potential injuries that can occur in a crash. Some of the more severe possible injuries include:

  • Head/Facial: Trauma to the head region can potentially result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Brain damage can create a variety of problems, including a blood clot in the brain that could be fatal or impairment of key cognitive functions -- like speech, vision, and sense of touch.
  • Spinal: Spinal cord injuries (SCI) can cause devastating neurological impairments. A severely injured individual could experience some degree of paralysis, like an inability to control an arm or leg.
  • Loss of a limb: A loss of limb is an especially severe and difficult injury that creates serious physical impairment and psychological and mental pain and suffering.
  • Internal damage: Damage, like a punctured vital organ or serious internal bleeding, could have potentially fatal consequences.

MEDICAL COSTS OF AUTO ACCIDENTS

According to the Centers for Disease Control, the 30,000+ annual U.S. traffic fatalities result in approximately $44 billion in medical expenses and work losses. In Louisiana, these annual costs may exceed $1 billion. The Insurance Research Council says medical costs from auto accidents continue to outpace the rate of inflation.

Life-altering or permanent injuries are particularly costly.

Victims may require long rehabilitation periods to walk again, regain usage of a limb, or be capable of completing ordinary day-to-day tasks.
Specialty care, like physical or occupational therapy, is often needed.

Long-term future medical costs may be incurred for ongoing medication regimens, orthotics, medical equipment, and mobility products, etc.

Future costs are potentially recoverable in civil injury actions as damages that require the calculation.