Driving in Louisiana is not especially safe, and dangerous roads lead to motor vehicle collisions, injuries, and related costs. According to the Shreveport Times, Louisiana was recently ranked 7th in the nation for the most dangerous roads in the U.S. Both Baton Rouge and New Orleans ranked in the top 10 most dangerous cities to drive in due to a combination of driver behavior and poor road quality and maintenance, two factors which often lead to accidents.
Being injured in a car accident caused by someone or something else can entitle you to compensation to cover all the costs linked to your injuries, including vehicle repairs, medical bills, plus lost wages and earnings.
One of the experienced Lake Charles car accident lawyers from The Johnson Firm is standing by to review the facts related to your car accident and any injuries you sustained. Read on to learn more about Louisiana’s most dangerous roads.
Drunk driving affects overall safety trends in Louisiana
The Louisiana State Legislature through Sec. 98 of the state’s laws clarifies that the crime of operating a vehicle while intoxicated is when a person operates a motor vehicle, watercraft, aircraft, vessel, or other means of conveyance when the operator is under the influence of alcoholic beverages, controlled dangerous substances, prescriptions medication, or some combination of these things.
In the road statistics that follow, not only are the total number of fatal accidents and deaths considered, but also the number of fatal accidents that involve a drunk driver.
When a drunk driver causes an accident that leads to a death, they can face the potential charges of vehicular homicide, vehicular negligent injuring, and first degree vehicular negligent injuring. The state of Louisiana takes drunk driving accidents seriously, and literally all drunk driving accidents are preventable.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident caused by an intoxicated driver in Louisiana, you could be entitled to compensation. A local Lake Charles car accident attorney can help.
#10: US-171
This particular highway saw 26 fatal crashes between 2015-2017. Of those 26 deaths, 8 were caused by crashes involving a drunk driver.
#9: I-12
I-12 is another dangerous road in Louisiana, with 25 fatalities between 2015-2017, which led to 26 deaths, 8 of which were the result of a drunk driver.
#8: US-165
US-165 experienced a total of 31 fatalities between 2015 and 2017, 4 of which were the result of drunk driving.
#7: I-49
From 2015-2017, I-49 had a total of 29 fatal accidents, leading to the death of 37 individuals. Of these accidents, 4 involved a drunk driver, but it was not necessarily the at-fault drunk driver who was injured or killed in the crash.
#6: US-61
There were 34 fatal accidents that led to 38 deaths in Louisiana between 2015 and 2017, with 8 of these fatalities caused by drunk drivers.
#5: SR-1
This particular road is known for its high number of fatalities, with 45 fatal accidents and 48 deaths between 2015 and 2017. Of these, 15 were caused by drunk drivers.
#4: US-90
US-90 experienced a total of 50 fatal accidents and 52 fatalities between 2015-17, 21 of which involved a drunk driver.
#3: I-20
The number of fatal accidents on I-20 between 2015-17 numbered 49, leading to 52 deaths. Of these, 13 involved drunk drivers.
#2: US-190
On US-190 between 2015-17, there were 48 fatal accidents leading to 54 deaths, with 12 of these accidents involving drunk drivers.
#1: I-10
I-10 is the deadliest road in Louisiana by far. Between 2015-17, this road experienced 121 fatal accidents, leading to 136 deaths. Of the 121 fatal accidents on I-10, 39 involved drunk drivers.
Several parties may be liable for your injury
When innocent drivers who are following the rules of the road are victimized by drunk drivers, they are entitled to damages. The statistics above clearly demonstrate the dangers associated with both the roads of Louisiana, as well as the drivers on the road.
Most of the time when a car wreck happens, one or more drivers’ decisions caused the wreck. Sometimes, though, road conditions do play a factor. Steep ledges, missing and poorly placed signs, and other maintenance problems sometimes cause a wreck even when the drivers are doing everything right. When that happens, the agencies in charge of maintenance may be liable for your damages. The best way to determine liability in an accident is by working with an experienced local car accident attorney.
Working with an experienced Lake Charles car accident lawyer from The Johnson Firm will ensure that you recover the full amount that you are entitled to in compensation. If we take your case, we will collect evidence in support of the liability of the driver who hit you, and to accurately and completely measure the damages associated with your accident.
Hurt in a crash on one of these roads? Call The Johnson Firm today.
Your initial consultation is risk-free and cost-free, and you are not obligated to do anything unless and until we come to an agreement that begins our attorney-client relationship. You’ll have a chance to ask any questions you might have before we get started.
Connect with us by calling (337) 433-1414 or visit our website to schedule a consultation to discuss your case. The sooner you reach out to us after your accident, the faster we can get to work collecting evidence and building the best possible case on your behalf.