New Orleans Personal Injury Law Blog

Driving a company vehicle on busy Louisiana roadways can be quite challenging at times. Especially if you happen to be a delivery truck driver, this time of year typically means you have a heavy workload, as many people are ordering and sending gifts for the holidays. One of your priorities is no doubt to make as many deliveries in as little time as you possibly can; of course, you also want to do that as safely as possible.

The last thing you need is for a negligent driver to abruptly interrupt your workday by slamming into your vehicle. If you suffer injuries, not only will the rest of that day be a mess, but you may need an extended leave of absence from work during your recovery. If you get hit with exorbitant medical costs at Christmas time, it just might be enough to throw your finances completely out of whack. The benefits to which you may be entitled through workers' compensation may be crucial toward financial stability.

There are a variety of scenarios in which a person may become tired or fatigued while operating a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, falling asleep behind the wheel of a moving vehicle can be dangerous, and driver fatigue has been the cause of far too many serious or fatal car accidents. Individuals in Louisiana who wish to reduce their chances of being involved in a potentially disastrous collision could benefit from better understanding the possible risks and leading causes of driver fatigue.

Fatigue can impact a person's ability to drive in various ways. For example, drivers who experience fatigue may be more prone to distractions, and they may also have more difficulty reacting to certain driving scenarios. In addition, once a driver's eyes close for even a moment, his or her vehicle can travel several hundred feet in virtually any direction.

While bicycle riders have many of the same rights to the road as drivers of other vehicles, they also face a variety of hazards that are unique to their mode of transportation. Understanding these risks and knowing how best to handle them is imperative, as car accidents involving cyclists can have catastrophic outcomes. A recent crash involving a motor vehicle and bicycle in Louisiana has reportedly claimed the life of a 37-year-old man.

Authorities received reports of the incident just before 8 p.m. on a recent Saturday. Initial investigations suggest the accident took place when a cyclist was riding southbound when he was suddenly struck from behind by a nearby truck. The impact of the crash tossed the man off his bicycle and he was reportedly pronounced dead at the scene soon thereafter.

A stoppage in traffic can occur at any moment and under a variety of circumstances. Upon approaching a congestion in traffic, drivers must use caution in allowing sufficient time to apply the brakes, as failure to do so increases the chances that dangerous car accidents will occur. One person has died and another suffered major injuries in a collision that took place under similar circumstances in Louisiana.

Louisiana State Police advised the incident occurred just after 4 p.m. on a recent Thursday as traffic came to a sudden halt following a separate collision. According to reports, a driver who was approaching the stoppage was unable to react quickly enough to bring his vehicle to a halt. Authorities advised that he swerved to avoid striking the vehicle in front of his and subsequently collided with the rear-end of a nearby Freightliner.