18-Wheeler Accidents

Two Fatal Crashes on Interstate 10 on the Same Day Close the Interstate in Both Directions

July 6, 2021 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

On July 6, 2021, Interstate 10 was the location of two fatal car crashes, which occurred about thirty miles from each other. For approximately two hours, I-10 experienced closures in both the east and west bound lanes.

The first occurred earlier in the day around 8:00am. Near mile marker 92 near Duson, an 18-wheeler truck going westbound crossed into the eastbound lane and struck a truck pulling a livestock trailer head on, causing the 18-wheeler to overturn into the median. This multi-car crash resulted in two fatalities and five injuries- the identities of the victims have not been reported at this time. All westbound lanes on I-10 near miler marker 92 were closed until about 4:00 that afternoon.

The second accident occurred around noon at mile marker 69 between Jennings and Egan. Though information of the crash has not been released, Louisiana State Police has reported that the interstate-closing crash in the eastbound lanes was fatal. After about two hours, the eastbound lanes were cleared.

What Comes Next – A Glimpse into The Post-Accident Legal Process

March 26, 2021 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

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.

18 WHEELER HAULING PRODUCE ENGULFED IN FLAMES

March 23, 2021 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

On Feb. 3^rd, 2021, St. Martin Parish Fire District and Henderson Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to Grand Pointe Avenue near I-10 for a vehicle fire. When first responders arrived, there was an 18-wheeler carrying produce engulfed in flames. After additional assistance from neighboring first responders and Breaux Bridge Volunteer Fire Company aerial unit the fire was able to be contained without causing any further incidents. No injuries were reported according to Henderson Police.

Thank you to the local area first responders, and all those involved that were able to contain this incident without further injury.

As reported, no one was hurt, but accidents can happen at anytime and anywhere. To help ensure the safety of yourself, and others, remember to stay vigilant while on the road and be mindful of your surroundings.

As the Number of Fatal 18-Wheeler Accidents in Louisiana Rise, Drivers are Advised to Take Extra Precautions to Protect Themselves and Their Loved Ones

February 18, 2021 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

No one doubts the essential functions 18-wheelers provide in the daily exchange of commodities as large truck drivers tend to cover as much as 5,000 to 6,000 miles a week. However, due to the inherent nature of such trucks, drivers are at a greater risk of injury or even death when being involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler. In fact, the number of fatalities resulting from large truck accidents increased by 31% nationally from 2009-2018, according to U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS).

Unfortunately, Louisiana also experienced an increase in the number of fatal crashes involving 18 wheelers. According to FARS, Louisiana’s fatal crashes with large trucks increased by 42% as the number spiked from 67 in 2015 to a somber 95 in 2018. Nationally, there were 4,475 fatal crashes at the hands of 18-wheelers in 2018.

Just last week, an 18-wheeler traveling southbound on LA Highway 578 struck a 58-year-old man going east at a Highway intersection in Franklin Parish. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Vermillion Parish Jury Awards Over $1.48MM to Plaintiffs in 18-Wheeler Collision

January 10, 2020 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

Plaintiffs Latoya Fontenot and Michael Robertson were injured when an 18-wheeler changed lanes and struck their vehicle. There was minor property damage on the Fontenot’s vehicle and neither plaintiffs sought medical attention at the scene. Robertson and Fontenot began treating with chiropractor Dr. Rowdy Gautreau. When conservative measures failed, Robertson and Fontenot both presented to Dr. William Brennan, a Lafayette neurosurgeon. Dr. Brennan performed a laminectomy on Robertson; one year later, Brennan performed a fusion at L4/5 L5/S1. Dr. Brennan also performed a three-level cervical fusion on Latoya. Michael Robertson was enrolled in pain management after the accident and was treating with Dr. Sanjiv Jindia for chronic pain. At the time of the accident, Robertson was working offshore.

Defendants defended the case on all angles: liability and damages. On the first morning of trial, defendants stipulated to liability. With respect to damages, defendants attacked Robertson’s credibility, particularly the fact that Robertson, a convicted felon, had testified that he did not return to work after the accident despite evidence that Robertson returned to his job for six days. Defendants also argued that Robertson failed to disclose his 2010 treatment to “chronic back pain” to his treating physicians and that he overexaggerated the facts of the crash and the property damage to the vehicle. With respect to Fontenot, the defendants argued that while Fontenot was treating with Dr. Brennan and complaining of neck pain, the visits she made to her primary care providers contained no mentions of neck pain.

Plaintiffs experts were as follows: Sy Arceneaux and Stony Landry, vocational rehabilitation, and John Theriot, economist. Defendants retained Dr. James Domingue to give expert testimony about Latoya Fontenot’s EMG, and Dr. Chambliss Harrod to provide an Independent Medical Exam regarding the plaintiffs’ need for surgery.

Tractor-Trailer Backs into Stopped Vehicle, Causes Injuries

December 1, 2016 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

Three parties have sued a truck driver and his employer for injuries and damages sustained in a crash earlier this year.

On June 24, Plaintiffs Marvin Gaitlin and Tasha Bodie, both individually and on behalf of her minor daughter Mykalia Collins, brought suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana against Sam Grace, EPES Transportation Systems Inc., and National Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh. The suit alleges that Grace negligently operated his vehicle and that EPES negligently entrusted the tractor-trailer to Grace.

On February 25, Gaitlin was stopped in traffic on Manhattan Boulevard, near the intersection of Ute Drive in Jefferson Parish. Bodie and Collins were Gaitlin’s passengers at the time, and their vehicle was directly behind the tractor-trailer driven by Grace and owned by EPES Transportation. According to the suit, Grace suddenly reversed his tractor-trailer and backed into the front of Gaitlin’s vehicle, leaving him no time to avoid the collision. Grace then proceeded to back up his vehicle again, striking Gaitlin’s vehicle a second time. As a result, the parties suffered severe and debilitating mental and physical injuries.

Lafayette jury awards $30MM to Rayne native paralyzed by 18-wheeler

October 29, 2016 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

LAFAYETTE, LA – October 27, 2016

A Lafayette Parish jury awarded $30,438,225.00 to Rayne native Ronald Stutes, who was paralyzed when an R+L Carriers 18-wheeler failed to yield at a stop sign causing a crash.

On January 23, 2013, R+L Carriers employee, Gerald Pitre, was operating an eighteen-wheeler loaded with hazardous cargo when he failed to yield at a stop sign and red flashing light at the intersection of Austria Road and U.S. 90 (Cameron Street) near Duson, Louisiana. Ronald Stutes, a master carpenter, was on his way to work at 5:30 a.m. when the 18-wheeler pulled directly into the path of his pick-up truck.

Two Dead After Vehicle Hit By Train

June 7, 2016 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

Two Baton Rouge siblings were killed last week when their vehicle was struck by an oncoming train. Byron Henderson, 41, and Myra Henderson, 42, were driving their SUV westbound on Dorcy Road in White Castle, LA when it came to a complete stop while atop of the railroad tracks. The crossing is not outfitted with warning lights or crossing guards.

Union Pacific, the owners and operators of the train, allege that the train’s horn was blown continuously for forty seconds prior to the collision. The Iberville Sheriff’s Office is still looking into why the vehicle was parked on the railroad tracks. Investigators are hoping that footage from the train’s front-mounted cameras will shed more light on this event.

Union Pacific is cooperating with the Sheriff’s Office by conducting their own investigation into the events of that day. While it is not currently know what speed the train was traveling at the time of impact, Union Pacific spokesperson Jeff DeGraff confirmed that their trains’ speed is limited to 60 mph in that area.

Authorities Still Investigation Cause of Deadly Crash

May 24, 2016 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A two-car collision in Baton Rouge last Saturday resulted in the death of a Memphis man and an injured local preacher.

George Mabon and Reverend John Pitzer were passengers in a Mercedes when it was stuck at the intersection of South Acadian Thruway and North Boulevard. Authorities believe that a southbound Nissan ran the red light and struck the back of the west-traveling Mercedes. Pitzer suffered fractured ribs and was transported to a local hospital. Mabon did not survive the crash.

The unidentified Nissan driver has yet to be charged, pending an ongoing investigation that involves accident reconstruction and the driver’s blood test. However, charges have already been filed on the driver of the Mercedes, John Baur of Memphis, after officers observed visible signs of intoxication at the time of the accident. Responding officers reported that Baur’s eyes were red, his balance unsure, and his breath and person smelled of alcohol. A field sobriety test was conducted and Baur’s blood-alcohol level registered 0.13 percent. In Louisiana, a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher is considered presumptive evidence of drunk driving. Baur was booked on counts of first-offence DWI and reckless operation, with other possible charges pending.

First Annual Bicycle Safety Festival! June 4 from 9 am-12 pm @ Parc Sans Souci-Downtown Lafayette

May 18, 2016 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

The first annual Bicycle Safety Festival will be held on June 4th from 9am-12pm at Parc Sans Souci in downtown Lafayette. The Bicycle Safety Festival is presented by Lafayette Consolidated Government, Bike Lafayette, and Broussard, David & Moroux. There will be free adult and youth bicycle helmets for the first 300 participants, free bike registration, free safety training and instruction, and participants are eligible to win a free bicycle (valued at $300 – courtesy of Hub City Cycles). Additionally, there will be food, refreshments and musical entertainment by Zydeco Radio.

In Acadiana, there have been far too many cyclists injured in preventable bicycle accidents. The aim of this event is to help cyclists and motorists become more knowledgeable about bicycle safety and the rules of the road. As Lafayette Consolidated Government embraces more bicycle lanes and smarter growth, bicycle awareness is becoming even more essential.

Broussard, David & Moroux, a law firm located in downtown Lafayette, has a great deal of experience in representing people catastrophically injured in bicycle related accidents. In sponsoring this event, the partners at Broussard, David & Moroux hope that — through education and training — the roads will be safer for bicyclists, motorists and pedestrians alike.