Baton Rouge Personal Injury Law Blog

4 out of 10 accident victims have PTSD

On behalf of The Lucky Law Firm, PLC on Sunday, November 10, 2019.

Simply surviving a car accident does not mean that you can quickly put the incident behind you. It's a very traumatic experience. It may be the most frightening thing that has ever happened in your life. That takes a mental and emotional toll, as well. It's not just a physical issue. And these other ramifications can, in some cases, prove far harder to shake.

For instance, did you know that almost four out of every 10 people who go through a serious accident then develop post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD? Technically, the number from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is 39.2%. That's out of all motor vehicle accident survivors.

One of the biggest threats to motorcyclists: Other drivers

On behalf of The Lucky Law Firm, PLC posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Friday, November 8, 2019.

Every motorcyclist knows about the risks they face. They must learn about these risks and how to minimize them as part of the process of earning a motorcycle driver's license in Louisiana. With that in mind, good motorcyclists know how to watch out for slick roadways, obstructions and other hazards. Unfortunately, there is only so much they can do to protect themselves from one of the most serious risks they face: other drivers.

According to some researchers, as many as half of all motorcycle accidents involve another driver. Most of these are caused by the other driver violating the motorcyclist's right of way.

The dangers of drunk drivers on the roadways

On behalf of The Lucky Law Firm, PLC posted in Drunk Driving Accidents on Friday, November 1, 2019.

Drunk drivers can cause serious and catastrophic car accidents that can leave victims unexpectedly facing serious harm and damages. As a result, victims of drunk driving accidents need to be familiar with their personal injury legal protections and the resources and remedies available to hep them with their damages.

Whether the drunk driver was driving a car, commercial truck or other type of vehicle, they may be liable for the victim's physical, financial and emotional damages. Drunk driving can be considered negligence when a drunk driver causes a drunk driving accident. Following a drunk driving accident, a personal injury claim for damages can be brought by the victim against the drunk driver seeking help with the damages they have suffered. Victims of drunk drivers can suffer a wide range of damages from broken bones to brain injuries and worse.

What is common carrier liability?

On behalf of The Lucky Law Firm, PLC posted in Commercial Vehicle Accidents on Thursday, October 24, 2019.

All drivers owe a duty of care and caution to those they share the roadways with and a negligent driver who does not exercise due care for the safety of others may be liable to the victims they harm.

However, common carriers are held to an even higher standard of care and may also be liable when they cause an accident such as a bus accident.

The costs of motorcycle accidents for motorcycle accident victims

On behalf of The Lucky Law Firm, PLC posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Thursday, October 17, 2019.

Motorcycle accidents can be costly to victims physically, financially and emotionally so motorcycle accident victims and their families need to know how to protect themselves. The personal injury legal process is available to help protect victims from the harm they have suffered in a motorcycle accident.

It is important for victims and their families to understand and be familiar with the full scope of the losses they may suffer in a motorcycle accident. The Government Accounting Office reports that motorcycle accidents result in $16 billion in direct costs including emergency services; medical costs including rehabilitative care costs; property damages; lost productivity including lost wages; loss of household productivity; and insurance and claims costs.

Drivers of all ages admit to dangerous habits

On behalf of The Lucky Law Firm, PLC on Thursday, October 10, 2019.

When you consider age and dangerous driving habits, odds are your thoughts go in one direction: teenage drivers. They often get labeled as the most dangerous drivers. They're considered reckless, impulsive and inexperienced. People often cringe when they have to drive near teens, just waiting for them to get older and theoretically become better drivers.

But do they?

What can car accident victims do about whiplash injuries?

On behalf of The Lucky Law Firm, PLC posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, October 10, 2019.

Whiplash injuries are one of the most common types of injuries car accident victims can suffer in a car accident. Just because they are common injuries does not mean they are not serious, however, and are not an injury that car accident victims may find themselves needing help with.

It is important for car accident victims to pursue whatever medical care and treatment they need to treat their car accident injuries, including whiplash injuries. Whiplash injuries can sometimes be challenging to treat and can also worsen over time. Whiplash injuries occur when the victim's head is thrust violently back in forth such as during a car accident. Whiplash injuries can occur at any speed, including at low speeds.

Distracted driving rules truck drivers must follow

On behalf of The Lucky Law Firm, PLC posted in Truck Accidents on Thursday, October 3, 2019.

Important rules regulate truck driver texting while driving. These rules are federally set and are important for truck drivers and trucking companies to abide by. Because truck accidents have the power to cause catastrophic injuries and harm to victims, truck accident victims should also know what they can do if they are injured by a negligent driver such as a truck driver who was texting while driving.

Both texting while driving and the use of a handheld mobile phone is limited for truck drivers and other drivers of commercial motor vehicles while they are driving. According to research directed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the odds of being involved in a safety-related accident increases just over 23 times for commercial motor vehicle drivers who text while driving when compared to those that do not text while driving.

Damages can help injured car accident victims

On behalf of The Lucky Law Firm, PLC posted in Car Accidents on Friday, September 27, 2019.

Unfortunately, car accident victims can suffer from a variety of serious injuries and may require help with their physical, financial and emotional damages. A personal injury claim can help them with those damages so they get the help they need with their medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering damages.

Car accident injuries can range from cuts and contusions to injuries that can result in death. Many car accident injuries car accident victims commonly suffer include whiplash injuries and other soft tissue injuries; spinal cord injuries; brain and head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries; paralysis, including quadriplegia; shoulder injuries; joint, muscle, back, neck and bone injuries, including broken bones; knee damage; burn injuries; and scarring and disfigurement.

How truck drivers can help keep everyone safe on the roadways

On behalf of The Lucky Law Firm, PLC posted in Truck Accidents on Friday, September 20, 2019.

It is important for truck drivers to drive safely because of the serious harm commercial trucks can cause when there is a truck accident. Truck drivers can be negligent while driving when they are fatigued, distracted, under the influence, speeding or fail to adjust to traffic, roadway or weather conditions. Negligent truck drivers may also be liable for the damages truck accident victims suffer.

To stay safe on the roadways truck drivers should ensure they get required rest and adequate sleep. Truck drivers should make sure they get sleep when they are tired, take naps and avoid using tricks to stay awake and alert. Truck drivers should also avoid medications that can make them drowsy and eat a healthy diet. It is additionally important to recognize the signs of drowsiness and be aware of the serious dangers of driving while fatigued.