Far too many people lose their lives in auto accidents each year as a result of reckless driving.
Louisiana Fatal Accident Statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) compiles annual data on car accidents for each state. In 2016, the most recent year for which statistics are available, Louisiana's fatal traffic accidents were as follows:
- 487 passenger vehicle occupant fatalities
- 127 pedestrian fatalities
- 99 motorcycle fatalities
- 22 bicyclist fatalities
The top causes of fatal accidents in Louisiana were a lack of seat belt use, intoxicated drivers, and speeding:
- 225 passenger vehicle occupant fatalities involved people who did not wear seat belts
- 225 fatalities involved intoxicated drivers
- 173 fatalities were linked to speeding
Compared to the rest of the United States, Louisiana must do more to make its roads safer. As a whole, the United States had 11.59 fatalities per 100,000 people for 2016. In Louisiana, there were 16.17 fatalities per 100,000 people over the same time period.
Part of the reason that Louisiana has a higher than average fatality rate is an increased prevalence of drunk driving. In 2016, 30 percent of fatal crashes in Louisiana involved an intoxicated driver. For the United States as a whole, only 28 percent of crashes involved alcohol-related fatalities.
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim for a Fatal Car Accident
When someone is killed in a fatal motor vehicle accident caused by another party's negligence, the surviving family members are eligible to file a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim provides compensation for:
- Medical expenses up to the time of death
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost future earnings
- Pain and suffering in the deceased person's final moments
- The family's loss of the deceased person's care and companionship
Louisiana's statute of limitations requires you to file a wrongful death claim within one year of the deceased person's date of death. To protect your right to a fair settlement, it's best to work with an experienced attorney who can gather the necessary evidence to support your claim for negligence.
Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Car Accident?
If you've been hurt in a car accident you need to speak with an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.