Articles Posted in General Negligence

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According to U.S. Dept. of Transportation, seatbelts saved approximately 15,000 lives in 2017. Wearing a seatbelt is one of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make. Here are a few reasons why it is so important to wear your seatbelt:

  • Air bags are not enough – just because your vehicle has air bags does not mean you can skip the seatbelt, still wear it.
  • It can reduce injuries – wearing your seatbelt reduces your risk of sustaining injuries like whiplash and other head injuries.
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An afternoon crash claimed the life of a 6-year-old child in Calcasieu Parish. A vehicle ran a stop sign and collided with an SUV cause the SUV to flip several time before landing in a ditch. The 6-year-old child was unrestrained in the SUV and was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. Drivers of both vehicles sustained minor injuries with the additional minor passengers in the SUV sustaining no injuries. Impairment is not suspected in this crash.

Broussard & David offer their condolences and sympathy to the family and friends during this difficult time.

The attorneys at Broussard & David have the knowledge and experience necessary to handle cases of this nature and will fight to obtain fair compensation for your injuries. If you, or a loved one has suffered harm because of the fault of another, contact the attorneys at Broussard & David to discuss your legal rights at (337) 233-2323 (local) or (888) 337-2323 (toll-free).

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Bicycling is a great form of exercise, and as the weather warms up you will begin to see more cyclists on the road. Bicyclists face a higher risk of crash-related injuries and deaths than occupants in motor vehicles. To ensure your safety, whether you are a cyclist or a driver, here are a few things to remember regarding bike safety.

 For Cyclists:

  • Inspect your bike – adjust the seat, check the tires, and ensure your bike is safe to operate before going out for a ride;
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Defensive driving is a driving skill that allows you to protect yourself from possible accidents or collisions. Actions such as looking ahead, keeping your eyes moving, and more are just a few tips of defensive driving. Here are more defensive driving that you can follow to help keep you and others safe.

  • Focus on your driving – don’t let your phone, radio, or children distract you from the road.
  • Don’t speed – the faster you are traveling, the longer it takes to stop, and higher speeds can potentially cause a more dangerous collision.
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On Tuesday March 30th a school bus crashed in the city of Duson. The crash occurred as the result of an SUV crossing the center line and striking the bus. Thankfully there were no children aboard the bus at the time of the accident. Passengers of the SUV and the bus driver were transported to the hospital for treatment.  A field sobriety test was conducted for the driver of the SUV and there was no conclusive evidence of impairment, but the driver of the SUV was found to be at fault for the accident and issued citations. All individuals are expected to make a full recovery.

Remember to follow the rules of the roadway and practice safe driving to reduce your risk of accidents and injuries.

The attorneys at Broussard & David have the knowledge and experience necessary to handle cases of this nature and will fight to obtain fair compensation for your injuries. If you, or a loved one has suffered harm because of the fault of another, contact the attorneys at Broussard & David to discuss your legal rights at (337) 233-2323 (local) or (888) 337-2323 (toll-free).

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On Monday, March 29 all lanes of I-10 east-bound of the Mississippi River Bridge were closed due to multiple car accidents. There were two separate crashes, one causing the other that involved a total of six vehicles. One vehicle transporting sheet metal collided with the back of another vehicle causing debris to fly and scatter across the roadway. No injuries were immediately reported.

Accidents can happen at anytime and anywhere. To help ensure the safety of yourself, and others, remember to practice safe driving and stay attentive of other drivers.

The attorneys at Broussard & David have the knowledge and experience necessary to handle cases of this nature and will fight to obtain fair compensation for your injuries. If you, or a loved one has suffered harm because of the fault of another, contact the attorneys at Broussard & David to discuss your legal rights at (337) 233-2323 (local) or (888) 337-2323 (toll-free).

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Six of the nineteen people onboard a 129-foot commercial lift boat that capsized off the Louisiana coast Tuesday afternoon have been rescued so far. The vessel, the Seacor Power, had left port less than two hours before the accident and encountered rugged seas on its way out to the Gulf of Mexico.

The Coast Guard was on the scene within 30 minutes and several other good Samaritan vessels have been assisting the Coast Guard in the search and rescue operation.

Broussard & David offers their thoughts and prayers to family and friends of the missing crewmembers in this difficult time and hope that all crewmembers are safely rescued.

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24-year-old Ryan Fontenot was riding his bike eastbound on U.S. Highway 190 in the early morning hours last week when he was struck from behind by an unknown vehicle. While looking to make a left-hand turn into Acadian Medical Center from the turning lane, the unknown vehicle hit Mr. Fontenot and propelled him off of his bike and into the westbound lane where he was struck again, causing fatal injuries. Sadly, Mr. Fontenot was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver who struck Mr. Fontenot after he was ejected from the bike showed no alcohol in his system and no signs of impairment. However, the driver who initially hit Mr. Fontenot from the rear fled the scene immediately after the accident.

Though officers are unsure of the type of car that fled the scene, officers believe the hit-and-run vehicle is a ram pickup truck with damage to the left front bumper, headlamp, and fender.

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An average of 16,500 car accidents occur daily across the United States. In the blink of an eye, a rear-end car accident can completely turn one’s life upside down by causing life-altering injuries. Such an event can leave one lost as to what to do next, scared as to the daunting recovery process that lies ahead, and confused as to where to even begin. Some insight into the expected process of legal settlements may aid you or a loved one in making important decisions following a tragic accident.

In Louisiana, a car accident resulting in an injury, death, or property damage resulting in over $500 requires the parties by law to contact the local police department. Following the accident, an injured party should seek legal assistance. This will significantly offset the post-accident burdens of both filing a claim with the negligent party’s insurance company and gathering  supporting evidence like medical examinations, photos, and witness testimony.

Further, an attorney can file suit against a negligent party, thereby holding that party liable for their actions. The lawsuit must be brought within 1 year of the date of the accident or else the claim is forever lost. Once the legal process begins, parties will work tirelessly to reach what is known as a settlement. A settlement resolves the dispute by dropping the claim before reaching trial in return for a monetary compensation. Settlement processes can last anywhere from a few months to a few years depending on the severity of the injuries and the accident. In the settlement process, the injured party seeks recompense for physical pain and suffering, repair or replacement of their car, medical expenses, mental anguish from the accident, lost wages, as well as other forms of damages.

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On the morning of October 23, 1983 in Beirut, Lebanon, Iranian terrorists drove a truck loaded with explosives through steel fences and right up to a 4-story military barracks before detonating, leaving 241 United States Military personnel dead. Lance Corporal Lex Trahan, a Lafayette native and 19 years old at the time, was stationed for service in Beirut and on the 3rd floor of the barracks, was one of the casualties in the attack. Now, 37 years later, Lance Cpl. Trahan’s family will soon begin receiving installments of a $50 million settlement for his passing.

With the help of attorney Warren Perrin of the law office of the law firm of Perrin Landry deLaunay (associates on litigation with Broussard & David), Lance Cpl. Trahan’s family secured a $50 million award from a 2016 lawsuit filed against the Islamic Republic of Iran & Iranian Ministry of Information and Security for wrongful death, battery, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. In the 1st U.S. District Court in Washington D.C., the plaintiffs, including both victims of the terrorist bombing and families of the deceased, were granted default judgement against the Iranian government after the foreign government did not respond following service of process.

The plaintiffs collectively received $338 million in the lawsuit. Lance Cpl. Trahan’s family and estate were awarded approximately $11 million in damages with the remaining $39 million awarded as punitive damages. The $50 million settlement is the largest award for the death of a teenager in United States history.

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