On Thursday, Feb. 12, a 33-year-old St. Bernard Parish man was killed while driving his 2013 Taoi moped eastbound on Louisiana 300 near Deborah Drive. The accident occurred when a 2001 Chevrolet Astro van turned from Deborah Drive onto Louisiana 300 in front of the moped causing it to hit the rear of the van. The moped driver was thrown from the vehicle.
The St. Bernard Parish man was transported to the Interim LSU Hospital’s trauma center but was pronounced dead. There were no injuries reported to the 29-year-old van driver. A Breathalyzer test was administered to the van driver and no alcohol was detected. Toxicology results are still pending, and the investigation is ongoing.
Investigators working on a fatal car accident case may be able to determine if only one of the drivers was negligent in the operation of their vehicle. For example, if drugs and alcohol were ruled out, investigators might find that distractions, such as a cellphone, or fatigue were contributing factors in the accident. If the evidence suggests that negligent behavior occurred, the victim’s family members may choose to pursue a civil suit against the apparently at-fault driver for wrongful death.
A wrongful death claim could help the family of a deceased victim with expenses related to the accident, such as medical costs and the loss of future income. However, pursing such actions in court may be difficult without assistance from a legal professional. Because of this, the family of a victim killed in a car accident might work with a personal injury lawyer. That lawyer may be able to evaluate the costs stemming from the incident and could represent the plaintiff’s interests in negotiations and during court proceedings.
Source: NOLA, “St. Bernard Parish crash leaves moped driver dead,” Benjamin Alexander-Bloch, Feb. 13, 2015
