Auto Accidents

158-Vehicle Pileup on I-55

October 24, 2023 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A massive chain reaction car crash on I-55 early Monday morning last left 2 dead, 30 people injured, and over 100 people stranded on the interstate. There was a total of 25 crashes in three different areas of 1-55. Involved in the crash were three 18-wheelers, two of which were fully engulfed in flames. Because of the massive pile up, deputies had to run along the roadway just to get to the crash sites.

The crashes occurred due to extremely dense fog. In light of this incident, here are a few tips to keep in mind when traveling in foggy conditions:

Use headlights if you are unable to see 500 feet in front of you

Jury Awards Plaintiff $4.9 Million for Injuries in a Motor Vehicle Crash

May 18, 2023 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

Broussard, David, & Moroux recently obtained a jury award of $4,900,000.00 on behalf of a 41-year-old wife and surgical technician from Acadia Parish. The plaintiff was injured on August 12, 2019 while on her way to work at Jennings American Legion Hospital. She was traveling down Highway 98 when a Diamond B. Construction pick-up truck ran a stop sign and crashed into the plaintiff’s Suburban, causing it to flip over several times and land upside down in a nearby ditch. As a result of the crash, she suffered immediate and extensive injuries to her neck and low back. Even though the construction worker admitted to fault at the scene, his employers refused to admit fault and contested liability through trial.

Following the crash, the plaintiff was immediately brought to the hospital. She suffered neck, mid back, and low back injuries. As a result of her injuries, she underwent a neck fusion and required a second neck surgery. She also suffered compression fractures in her midback and low back, as well as anxiety, depression, and headaches due to the accident. Her chronic pain required long-term treatment with pain management doctors and her surgeon testified would likely need adjacent segment surgery in the future.

After a four-day jury trial, the plaintiff was awarded $408,857 in past medical expenses, $800,000 in future medical expenses, $948,819 in lost earnings/capacity, and $2,500,000 in general damages. Her husband was also awarded $250,000 in loss of consortium. With judicial interest, the total judgment is $5.5MM.

Beat the Clock: Louisiana Prescriptive Period for Personal Injury Cases

April 27, 2023 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

Personal injury cases arise in many different shapes, sizes, and kinds. Whether it be a small injury from a simple car accident or life-altering damage from a plane crash, negligence may be found and recovery necessary. But not matter the type of case, all claims have one thing in common: a time limit for how long you can bring your case to court. When a plaintiff fails to bring their claim within this time period, the court will refuse to hear the case and a settlement cannot be made. So, how much time do you have to file your claim?

Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3492, an action for personal injury, not relating to a faulty product, must be filed in court within one year of the date of the injury. This means as of the day your injuries or damages are sustained, the prescriptive period starts running. This rule applies to injuries arising from: (1) car accidents; (2) slip and falls; (3) pedestrian accidents; and (4) dog bites or attacks.

Not only should prescription be considered to ensure a claim may be filed, but waiting too long may raise other issues. As time passes, witnesses may be harder to find, videos and pictures of an accident may be lost, and other evidence may be destroyed. Additionally, filing sooner allows more time for settlement negotiations to be made.

Judgment of over $2 Million Obtained for Plaintiff Injured in Motor Vehicle Collision

March 7, 2023 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

On January 28, 2017, plaintiff was T-boned by a Lafayette police officer who pulled out of the parking lot at Our Lady of Fatima Church on Johnston Street in Lafayette, crashing into the side of plaintiff’s pickup truck. Prior to trial, the parties stipulated that the defendant police officer was the sole legal cause of the subject collision and that he was in the course and scope of his employment with Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government at the time of the collision.

As the result of the collision, the 29-year-old plaintiff suffered injuries to his cervical and lumbar spine including annular fissures at C4-5 and C5-6, a central disc protrusion at C6-7, disc bulging at L3-4 and L4-5, as well as a disc protrusion and fissure at L5-S1. Plaintiff’s pre-trial treatment included three (3) rounds of cervical steroid injections and two (2) rounds of lumbar injections. In 2019, plaintiff’s treating spine surgeon recommended that plaintiff undergo total disc replacement at C6-C7 and an anterior lumbar interbody fusion at L5-S1.

Plaintiff, a father of six, continued to work through his pain following the collision so that he could support his family. At trial, the defense attempted to downplay plaintiff’s injuries using job descriptions which indicated he was required to perform heavy lifting at work and testimony from his supervisors confirming those job descriptions. Plaintiff testified the job descriptions did not accurately reflect the actual work he was required to perform at those jobs and on cross-examination, plaintiff’s supervisors were forced to admit that they had never actually observed him perform any heavy lifting after the accident.

Bridge Accident Safety Tips

January 23, 2023 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

On the morning of January 19, 2023, an 18-wheeler crashed on the Estherwood pontoon bridge. This is the site of another 18-wheeler crash just last fall. Not only do bridge crashes like this one cause bridge closers and detours for motorists, it also causes additional safety risks for other drivers on the road.

In light of this accident, here are a few safety tips to remember when traveling on bridges:

To avoid a chain reaction collision, keep at least two car lengths between you and the car in front of you.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

November 16, 2022 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

During the evening of November 13, Lafayette Police Department responded to the scene of a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on Bertrand Drive. The female pedestrian died on the scene as a result of her injuries.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 6,516 pedestrians were killed and an estimated 55,000 were injured nationwide in 2020. In light of these facts and the events of last weekend, Broussard, David & Moroux would like to remind both those driving and walking of tips to keep everyone safe on the roads.

For drivers, the following tips can help to protect pedestrians walking near roads:

Daylight Savings Time & The Difference an Hour Makes

November 3, 2022 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

Daylight Savings Time ends this Sunday, November 6. Many of us look forward to this time of year and are welcome to the idea of gaining an extra hour of sleep. It may seem like Daylight Savings only affects our sleep schedule and the sun going down earlier, but studies have shown there’s more to it than that.

Studies have shown a direct correlation between the time shift and motor vehicle crashes. In March, we lose an hour of sleep. Our sleeping patterns are disrupted, leading to many drowsy drivers getting on the road for their daily commute. Though we gain an hour of sleep come November, there are still legitimate risks that come with it.

Daylight Savings Time ending means it gets dark outside earlier, which limits visibility during our typical afternoon or evening commute home. This increases the risk that drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians will be involved in an accident.

Safe Driving Tips for School Buses

October 11, 2022 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

The school year is now in full swing and it is important as drivers to continue to practicing safe driving, especially when children are involved.

On Thursday, September 29, a tow truck crashed into a school bus carrying 27 children in St. Landry Parish, causing two children to be airlifted to the hospital and two others taken by ambulance. Children were exiting the bus when the tow truck crashed into the rear of the bus. In order to prevent incidents like this from happening again, it is crucial to remember Louisiana’s laws and procedures when driving near a school bus.

In Louisiana, the law states the driver of a vehicle coming upon a stopped school bus and red lights are flashing must stop no less than 30 feet away from the school bus and shall not proceed until the bus resumes motion or the visual signals are no longer activated.

Current Status of the Basin Bridge Cameras

September 29, 2022 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

In June, Governor John Bel Edwards signed SB435 into law, which provided that safety measures, including camera safety devices, will be installed on the Basin Bridge as a measure to reduce safety risks.

The new law went into effect on August 1, 2022 and will be implemented in three phases:

Phase one began with crews installing “Higher Fines” and “Safety Corridor” signs to warn drivers of the changes. Also, as of August 1, 2022, fines are doubled for those speeding. This means those speeding may face fines as high as $350.

National Traffic Awareness Month: How Louisiana is Participating

August 29, 2022 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

National Traffic Awareness Month in August draws awareness to traffic safety, not only for those behind the wheel, but for those riding as passengers and pedestrians as well. This month is used to shed light on the safety rules that help prevent major and minor accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 42,915 people died in car crashes in 2021. This is a 10.5% increase from 2020. The National Safety Council reported that approximately 4.8 million people were seriously injured in automobile collusions and estimated a total cost of car crashes of $474 billion in 2020. In light of these statistics, it is important to go back to basics and remember safe driving can save lives.

Louisiana is taking is a major step toward safety by installing speed cameras on the Atchafalaya bridge. In 2021 alone there were 269 accidents, resulting in 89 injures and two deaths. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn Wilson stated: “What this will ultimately do is save lives.”