A Lake Charles police officer suffered minor injuries in a two-vehicle crash that caused his vehicle to roll several times. According to KPLC, the accident happened on La. 397 close to the Cameron/Chloe exit. The victim, Corporal Gary Benoit, was trapped inside his LCPD 2014 Dodge Charger after the collision but was eventually removed.
The other driver, 19-year-old Andrew Machek Jr., was driving a 2009 Chevrolet pickup. He did not suffer injuries. Police cited Machek Jr. for failing to yield while making a left turn at an intersection. It is always tragic when a police officer sustains injuries while on duty.
As this story demonstrates, officers face far more dangers than aggressive criminals; all it takes is one negligent driver to cause an accident. If you were injured by a drunk, distracted or reckless driver in Louisiana, contact Morris Bart, LLC.
A car accident lawyer in Lake Charles will assess your case, evaluate the police report, interview witnesses and compassionately represent your interests. You may be entitled to compensation for economic and non-economic damages. Call 800-537-8185 today to schedule a free consultation. Read on to learn about the top four traffic violations that cause injury accidents:
Drunk Driving
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 9,900 people died in alcohol-related accidents in 2014. That means alcohol contributed to nearly one-third of all traffic deaths.
For a free legal consultation, call 800-537-8185
Speeding
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, speeding was a contributing factor in 27 percent of all fatal traffic crashes in 2015. Speeding reduces the amount of time a driver has to react to unexpected hazards, and it enhances the impact of a collision, thus increasing the likelihood of injuries or death.
Distracted Driving
Pursuant to R.S. 32:300.5, it is illegal for any driver to text behind the wheel in Louisiana. The reason? Texting distracts a driver physically, mentally and cognitively, which dramatically increases the risk of crashing. Violating this law comes with a $175 fine for the first offense and a $500 fine for each subsequent offense.
Despite new laws aimed at preventing distracted driving, many motorists continue to use their cellphones, eat and drink, and engage in other distracted behaviors behind the wheel. According to Distraction.gov, more than 3,100 people died and 431,000 were injured in distracted-driving accidents in 2014.
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Tailgating
In Louisiana, it is illegal to operate a vehicle recklessly, or in a way that put other road users at risk of injury or death. One common way drivers violate this law is by following other vehicles too closely. According to the Washington Post, there are approximately 1.7 million rear-end collisions in the United States every year, and many of these accidents involve drivers who tailgate.
If you were injured by a driver who violated a traffic law, contact Morris Bart, LLC. A Lake Charles injury attorney will help you pursue justice and compensation from the at-fault motorist. Call 800-537-8185 today to schedule a free initial consultation.
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