Every day, Louisiana families are torn apart by the actions of an irresponsible driver. Motor vehicle accidents cause thousands of injuries and deaths every year. Many of these car accidents are caused by reckless drivers who act negligently behind the wheel. In New Orleans, a drunk driving accident during Mardi Gras injured 32 people.
The accident occurred when a 25-year-old man drove his pickup truck into a crowd watching the famous Krewe of Endymion parade. Those present said that the man revved his engine and sped forward into a couple of cars, before losing control and crashing into the crowd. Witnesses say that the man seemed “out of it” and unaware of what had happened.
Police reported that the driver had a .232 blood alcohol level close to two hours after the accident. This is nearly three times the legal limit of .08. The driver faces criminal charges including first-degree negligent vehicular injuring, reckless operation of a vehicle and hit-and-run driving causing serious injury.
The victims of this traumatic accident and other accidents may be able to file a lawsuit against the driver responsible for their accidents in civil court. Distracted driving, drunk driving, speeding and other reckless behaviors are all forms of negligence. If the accident victim can prove that the driver was negligent and that their negligence caused their injuries, they will likely win their case. If their case is successful, they could recover damages for their pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses. These damages can give families the financial support they need to focus on the recovery process and put their horrific experience behind them.
Source: USA Today, “Police: Mardi Gras crash suspect had blood alcohol level 3 times the limit,” Feb. 26, 2017
