A motorcyclist was killed in a 2-vehicle accident in Acadia Parish on Sept. 25. The fatal accident was the result of a collision between the motorcycle and an SUV.
According to Louisiana State Police, the motorcyclist, a 54-year-old Scott man, was headed south on his 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle on LA Highway 343, south of LA Highway 98, when the car accident occurred. A 2002 Mitsubishi Montero, driven by a woman from Scott, traveling the opposite direction made a left turn in front of the motorcycle, causing the motorcycle to crash into the right rear side of the SUV. The motorcycle rolled on its side, slid off the road and fell into a ditch. The Scott man was thrown from the bike.
The motorcyclist was transported to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the SUV, who was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident, did not suffer any injuries. Police cited her for improper turning. Though alcohol and drugs are not suspected as factors in the collision, police continue to investigate the crash. Although the driver of the SUV in this case was released from custody, a driver who allegedly caused an accident might still be shown as negligent in a civil case if evidence proves that improper turning caused the accident and the victim’s death.
In similar cases, the victim’s family might choose to file a wrongful death claim against the liable driver even if the driver is not charged, since it may still be possible to show negligence. A successful claim in Louisiana might mean the family is awarded economic damages that can include medical care costs, funeral and burial expenses, and remuneration for loss of financial support and services.
Source: KATC, “Scott man killed in motorcycle crash”, September 26, 2014
