Traffic in and around the bigger cities of Louisiana, such as Lake Charles, is steadily increasing with every passing day. Considering the large number of motor vehicles that ride on the roads of Lake Charles and its surrounding areas, there always remains a substantial chance of getting into an accident and getting injured. Most people would agree that the consequences of motor vehicle accidents are never good, and an injury sustained in a crash can haunt a victim for a long time.
Recently, a car crash near Lake Charles claimed the life of a woman and injured three others. The incident happened on Interstate 10 near Sulphur. According to reports, the collision occurred between an 18-wheeler and a car that was carrying four people.
The Sulphur Police Chief said that the westbound car became disabled and came to a stop in the middle lane of I-10. The driver of the car attempted to push the vehicle to the side but was unable to do so. Therefore, he immediately tried to alert oncoming vehicles about his disabled vehicle in the middle lane. The Chief said that the driver of the 18-wheeler did not see the car and crashed into it. Police stated that there were three people in the car at the time of the impact.
Two passengers, who were in the back seat, sustained moderate injuries and were rushed to the hospital. The driver of the 18-wheeler also sustained minor injuries and was treated at a Lake Charles hospital. Sadly, a third passenger in the car was ejected from the vehicle and killed in the accident.
In cases of fatal accidents like this, crash reconstructions are often used by police and personal injury lawyers to identify the party at fault for the accident. In this case, if the driver of the 18-wheeler is found responsible for the crash, the victims who suffered injury and the family of the victim who died may choose to file personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against the truck driver or the trucking company.
These civil actions can be complex, so it is crucial that everyone involved understands the process and what is involved. Furthermore, seeking guidance and assistance would allow the injured and family members of the deceased to choose the right legal path and file a timely claim so they could receive compensation.
Source: KPLCtv.com, “Two-vehicle crash near Sulphur takes life of one, sends three others to hospital,” Erin Miller, April 25, 2014
