Despite nationwide improvements in vehicle safety and crackdowns on negligent drivers, car accidents have been on the rise in the Lake Charles area. Between January and August of this year, 7 people have been killed in Lake Charles car accidents according to local police. There were only 2 deaths during the same time period in 2014. Four of those 7 deaths were pedestrian accident deaths, while 2 deaths involved only vehicles.
Lake Charles has seen a 17 percent increase in car accidents over the past year. The total number of accidents from January 2015 to August 2015 is just over 3,000. Police suspect that this increase has to do with an increase in the number of cars on the roads. With more industries coming in, many more people are finding employment in the area. There are more cars out on the roads than ever before.
Police also found that there has been an increase in auto insurance rates for Lake Charles residents over the last couple of years. Premiums have gone up 25 to 30 percent for many drivers. This rise in rates occurred as a result of the increase in traffic and the size of the area. As the community continues to grow, rates may continue to increase.
These tragic accidents can leave a lot of families devastated and unsure how to move forward. Grieving families can take comfort in knowing that those responsible for injuring or killing their loved ones can be held accountable for their actions. Victims and their families can file suit in civil court against the negligent drivers who caused them harm. If their suit is successful, they can recover damages for medical expenses and other expenses they have incurred as a result of the accident.
Source: KPLCTV.com, “Traffic accidents increase 17 percent in Lake Charles,” Erika Ferrando, Sept. 10, 2015
