As the sweltering temperatures of summer give way to a mild autumn, more bicyclists are hitting the roads in New Orleans. Unfortunately, recent headlines indicate that bikers have more to worry about than leg cramps.
Hit and runs have become alarmingly common in New Orleans. NOLA recently reported on a hit and run that allegedly left biker Rebekah Abernathy with inner ear damage and a concussion. The accused, 24-year-old Michael Foley, now faces charges for hit and run and driving with an expired license.
According to the report, Foley was driving a white Dodge Magnum when he struck Abernathy. The accident occurred on September 12 in front of the World War II Museum. The incident was caught on video, and it did not appear that the driver slowed down after the crash.
If you were injured in a hit and run, or if your loved one died in a bicycle crash, turn to Morris Bart, LLC. An accident lawyer in New Orleans will help you claim compensation for medical bills, lost wages and non-economic damages. If your family member was killed in a wreck, our legal team will help you file a wrongful death lawsuit.
Our firm has been representing the injured for more than 30 years. Call 800-537-8185 to schedule a free initial consultation.
Recent Headlines Highlight a Hit and Run Epidemic in New Orleans
Rebekah Abernathy wasn’t the only hit and run victim in recent weeks. On September 28, a man who was riding near the intersection of Washington Avenue and Jefferson Davis Parkway was hit by a car. Police have not yet identified the driver.
The 36-year-old victim was taken to Ochsner Baptist Hospital. He suffered injuries to his knee and head.
A car accident lawyer in New Orleans, LA can help you pursue compensation for damages if you sustained similar injuries in a hit and run accident. The experienced team at the Morris Bart law firm successfully recovered a $550,000 payout for our client who suffered a hit and run accident. This compensation helped reimburse our client for spine surgery needed to treat a protruding and herniated disc.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Conditions May Be Improving for Pedestrians in New Orleans
The recent hit and run reports have provided much-needed exposure for the pedestrian safety issue in New Orleans. The city was ranked one of the five most dangerous places for walkers in 2013, and the cyclist fatality rate was more than 60 percent higher than the national average. In 2015, at least 18 pedestrians and seven cyclists in the city died after being hit by vehicles.
Although the roads are still dangerous for commuters, there have improvements in recent months that are aimed at resolving the problem. Research from the Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Advisory Committee has been transformed into recommendations to make the city a safer place to walk and cycle.
Among many changes is an update of New Orleans’ traffic laws. One proposal is an increase in penalties for drivers who kill pedestrians in hit and run accidents. Currently, these violators would face up to $300 in fines and up to 10 days in jail, but the state penalty ceiling for this offense is a fine of $5,000 and 10 years behind bars.
If you were injured in a pedestrian crash, contact Morris Bart, LLC. An accident lawyer in New Orleans will aggressively and compassionately represent your interests. Call 800-537-8185 today to schedule a free consultation.
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