New Orleans Personal Injury Law Blog

With the beginning of a new school year, Louisiana officials are hoping to get the word out about the need for motorists to be especially aware when approaching school zones. With school is in session, there is a significant increase in both pedestrian and vehicle traffic. It is the goal of state officials to eliminate the danger of students becoming victims of distracted driving accidents.

Personnel with the Capital Region Transportation Safety Coalition recently held a press conference with the purpose of educating motorists about the dangers of distracted of driving. According to recent reports, an estimated 30 drivers were cited for distracted driving in and around school zones since the beginning of August. The conference will highlight the dangers posed by using cell phones or other electronic devices while behind the wheel. Any use of a cell phone -- including talking -- while driving carries a risk of a driver becoming inattentive to the road.

Every year, law enforcement agencies in Louisiana -- and throughout the country -- launch safety campaigns warning motorists to be aware of the presence of motorcyclists. In addition, there are constant reminders about the dangers of driving while impaired. Sadly, these messages are not heeded by many motorists, and motorcyclists often pay the price by suffering serious injuries, or worse, caused by negligent drivers.

Louisiana State Police troopers recently responded to the scene of a serious crash involving four motorcyclists and two passenger vehicles. According to the preliminary report, a 63-year-old woman was headed west along Highway 84 around 1 a.m. For reasons that are yet unclear, her vehicle veered from its travel lane and collided with two motorcycles traveling in the eastbound lanes. That initial collision caused two trailing motorcyclists to wreck as well.

Traveling the highways throughout Louisiana and everywhere else can be a dangerous undertaking due to the heavy traffic and presence of commercial vehicles. The majority of motorists take precautions to ensure that they drive carefully to ensure their safety as well as that of their fellow travelers. Unfortunately, horrific accidents occur much too frequently and can often be attributed to the actions of a negligent truck driver.

Louisiana police recently responded to the scene of a tragic collision involving a small passenger car and an 18-wheeler. According to the preliminary report, the car, which was being driven by a 17-year-old female, was slowing down in preparation to navigate an upcoming turn. The driver of a tractor-trailer following the vehicle purportedly failed to take evasive measures to prevent an accident and the two vehicles collided.

In today's busy world, sleep is often at a premium. Whether you put in long hours at work or have other time-consuming commitments, getting enough rest can be hard. But you are a cautious driver, so you avoid getting behind the wheel when you feel too tired. Unfortunately, not everyone takes those same precautions. This is perhaps because few people in Louisiana understand just how dangerous drowsy driving is.

Drowsy driving is exactly what it sounds like -- driving while overly sleepy or tired. A drowsy driver may have a slower reaction time than other drivers on the road. A particularly exhausted driver might even struggle to keep his or her eyes open. If you spend any amount of time on the road, particularly at times when sleep-deprived drivers might be on the road -- you are at risk for serious injury.