According to local news reports, a Coushatta teenager died recently following a crash in Red River Parish that involved a vehicle and two people just east of US Highway 71. According to Louisiana State Police Troop G, two teenage Coushatta girls, age 19 and 17, were walking on the side of LA 784 when they were hit by a westbound 2002 Buick Century driven by the impaired 47-year-old man, also from Coushatta.
One of the girls died from her injuries while the other received minor injuries from the crash. Authorities say that the impaired driver was not injured in the crash, but confirmed that he was impaired at the time of the accident. These accidents will not only cause physical injury, but also psychological injury to the victims and family members. Victims often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a serious accident. If an injury is sustained, the victim can become unable to work, resulting in a loss of wages.
It’s always heartbreaking to hear of the death of anyone, especially a teenager or child when the accident could have been avoided. Sadly, drunk driver accidents frequently result in wrongful death. With the right drunk driver accident attorney, victims or their families can receive compensation for vehicle damages, medical expenses, loss of wages, and funeral expenses.
Each year, on Louisiana’s highways, numerous people are killed or seriously injured in automobile crashes that involve impaired drivers. In 2016, 52% of the fatal crashes in the Troop G area involved impaired drivers. Driving while impaired is a very serious crime, and in Louisiana, we must be particularly cautious when we drive because of the high rate of drunk driving incidents that occur.
According to Louisiana driving laws, drivers over 21 with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher are considered to be driving while intoxicated (DWI). Drivers under 21 can be charged with DWI if their BAC is 0.02% or higher. If a driver is charged with DWI, the driver could face fines, imprisonment, and the suspension of driving privileges. While Louisiana has implemented serious consequences for drunk drivers, the state does not handle compensation for other individuals involved in an accident resulting from drunk driving.
To report impaired drivers, motorists are encouraged to dial *LSP (*577) from their cellular phone or to contact their local law enforcement agency. Motorists are asked to designate a sober driver any time alcohol is consumed.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a drunk driving accident in Shreveport or the surrounding parishes, please contact our experienced Shreveport personal injury attorney at Greenwald Law Firm for a free legal consultation.
