Blog: Legal News - Page 3

Do Know the Parade Routes, and Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Get Where You Are Going Don’t Speed to Make Up for Mardi Gras Traffic The heart of Mardi Gras season is parades, but with parades come road closures and Mardi Gras traffic. Certain ways will be completely cut off, and you may need …

The numbers don’t lie: Young drivers are more likely to be involved in deadly accidents than older, more experienced motorists. Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that drivers aged 16 to 19 years old are three times more likely to be in fatal wrecks than motorists aged 20 and older. One primary …

In less than a second, a motorcycle accident can cause brain trauma, broken bones and spinal injuries. No matter how safe you are in the saddle, all it takes is one drunk, distracted or negligent driver to cause a severe collision. If you are like most riders, though, those dangers will not dissuade you from …

A Baton Rouge woman died when her vehicle crossed the center line of LA 955 and hit a semi-truck. According to The Advocate, three passengers in her vehicle – a 22-year old and two infants – were injured in the crash. The driver of the 18-wheeler, 56-year-old Fredric Jones, was not injured. Police have not …

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration will recall a drug if it receives reports that a medication is causing adverse side effects that were previously unknown. In certain situations, the FDA will recall a drug if another treatment becomes available that is just as effective yet poses a lower risk to patients. Recalls often happen …

Since the 1800s, the motorcycle has been a symbol of a free-spirited lifestyle. In the United States, millions of riders have embraced the rush that these two-wheeled vehicles offer. However, part of that excitement is the inherent dangers that come with riding. According to the Insurance Information Institute, motorcycle accidents are far more likely cause …

Buying a new motorcycle is exciting, but before you hop in the saddle, it is important that you take steps to avoid legal problems, insurance issues and – perhaps most important – injuries if a crash happens. These five steps are particularly important: Conduct a thorough inspection Buy insurance Register your new motorcycle Buy the …

The life of a motorcycle passenger is entirely in the hands of the driver. All it takes is a small mistake to cause an accident, and an impact with the pavement or another vehicle is likely to cause catastrophic injuries. Although passengers do not have direct control over the motorcycle, there are steps they can …

  It’s no secret that a motorcycle accident is likely to end with serious injuries. Even with the appropriate safety gear, an impact with the pavement or another vehicle can break bones and cause brain trauma. Data from the Insurance Information Institute shows that an accident involving a motorcyclist is more likely to end with …

It’s no secret that motorcycles offer better gas mileage than passenger vehicles, and they’re certainly more thrilling to drive. However, motorcyclists take a risk every time they hit the road. Even the most cautious riders can fall victim to drunk, distracted and negligent drivers. Despite these dangers, the Insurance Information Institute estimates that 8.4 million …

One man was critically injured after he ran a stop sign and his vehicle was hit by an 18-wheeler. The crash happened just before 7 a.m. on U.S. 71 about 30 minutes north of Lafayette. Although the truck driver was not injured in the crash, his vehicle rolled over and was severely damaged. According to …

Children are easily distracted and unpredictable, and many young kids do not know how traffic operates. Sadly, auto accidents cause 1 in 4 unintentional injury deaths to children in the United States. As such, all motorists should know how to adjust their behavior when driving in school zones, residential neighborhoods and other areas with young …

For teenagers, obtaining a driver’s license is a ticket to more independence, a part-time job and other freedoms. For parents, the day their kids start driving is rife with anxiety. Some fear that their children are not mature enough to handle the responsibilities of driving; others worry that a negligent motorist will injure their kids. …

Police Chase Ends with Major Accident that Puts Innocent Victim in ICU A man and woman who were fleeing police ran a red light and T-boned a Ford Taurus, causing life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford, Brittany Berry, was listed in stable condition after recovering in ICU. The accident happened on Lamey Bridge Road …

A Shreveport woman was killed in a major rollover accident on the Terry Bradshaw Passway. According to The Times, Pamela Peterson Reece, 47, was driving her 1997 Ford Explorer when it was hit from behind by another SUV. Reece’s Ford left the roadway, rolled several times and ejected her from the vehicle. Reece was not …

Most breakdowns can be resolved quickly by replacing a tire or calling a tow company. As such, many drivers only carry the basic emergency supplies such as a jack, cell phone and jumper cables. However, the American Automobile Association recommends that drivers prepare for the worst by carrying these 10 emergency supplies: Flares and reflective …

When used correctly, a global positioning system (GPS) can actually reduce your risk of crashing. Voice guidance can be a godsend when driving on unfamiliar roads, and step-by-step navigation will help you avoid making last-minute turns. Like other electronic devices, though, GPS can draw a driver’s attention off the road long enough to cause an …

The long Thanksgiving weekend is the perfect time to visit family and friends. According to Travel + Leisure, more than 89 percent of the 47 million people who travel on Thanksgiving will commute by car. Unfortunately, combining long hours behind the wheel with unfamiliar roads and restless kids can be a recipe for disaster. Even …

Except for New Hampshire, every U.S. state has laws that require most drivers and other front-seat occupants to wear a seat belt. Louisiana, like many other states, also has laws that require seat belt use in the back seat. These laws apply to those over the age of 9, with few exceptions. Children under age …

Letting your children walk to school is a great way to teach them responsibility. Before you let them commute alone, though, make sure they understand pedestrian safety etiquette. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4,735 pedestrians died in traffic accidents in the United States in 2013, and thousands more received treatment for …

We all need the help of a qualified, experienced doctor at some point – and when we do, we expect only the best in modern medical care. Unfortunately, many doctors have demanding schedules and constantly changing patient lists. These and other factors can lead to medical errors, which often have devastating or even fatal consequences. …

If you’re like most adults, then you spend plenty of time behind the wheel of a car. That familiarity can easily lead to complacency, but accidents are far more common than many people realize. In 2014, an estimated 2.34 million people in the United States sustained injuries in motor-vehicle wrecks, according to the National Highway …

Although the average American spends more time behind the wheel during the day than at night, nearly half of all accidents happen after sunset, according to Forbes. With lower visibility and more drunk motorists on the road, the risk of crashing is much higher at night. On Halloween, these dangers will be compounded by the …

Most drivers are fastidious about safety. They never drive under the influence, engage in distracted behavior or break traffic laws. Unfortunately, there are some hazards that are out of your control. It’s no secret that snow and sleet increase the risk of crashing. What you may not know, however, is that rain is the deadliest …

It is an unfortunate fact that holidays tend to be the most dangerous times for drivers and pedestrians. According to USA Today, Halloween is the deadliest day of the year for young pedestrians. More than 110 pedestrians aged 18 and younger died on October 31 between 1990 and 2010. If your child plans to trick-or-treat, …

A woman had to be airlifted to UAB hospital after she sustained serious injuries in a crash at the intersection of Henry Street and West Meighan Boulevard. According to AL.com, Jessica Miller Frazier, 39, was driving a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban when she crashed into a box truck that was transporting mail. The mail truck driver …

Children look forward to Halloween with unrivaled anticipation, but this candy-filled festival is a cause of concern among parents. With so many young kids on the road, pedestrian accidents are bound to happen. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2013, 1 in 5 children aged 14 and younger who died in …

Are your tires properly inflated? If not, then you’re taking a risk every time you drive. According to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, tire-related issues caused more than 78,000 accidents in 2003. However, this was before the widespread installation of tire pressure monitoring systems. Your tires are the only …

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Americans take approximately 2.6 billion road trips each year. Unfortunately, driving on unfamiliar roads increases the likelihood of crashing. Looking for landmarks and traffic signs can distract a driver’s attention long enough to cause a tragic wreck. If you’re planning a long-distance journey, these five tips will help …

Cycling is a healthy activity for the whole family, but it comes with inherent dangers. Even a slow-speed collision with a motor vehicle is likely to end with injuries. In 2013, more than 900 cyclists died in accidents in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That same year, at …