Distracted driving described in Louisiana as an epidemic

Highway safety officials for the state of Louisiana are referring to distracted driving as a dangerous epidemic on Louisiana roadways including in Baton Rouge. The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission is reminding drivers to remain focused on the road during April, which is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and always. A representative for the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission called upon drivers to put their phones down while driving.

The representative for the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission also noted that distracted driving can be observed taking place daily and is a national epidemic, claiming thousands of lives annually, and is also occurring in Louisiana. The Louisiana Highway Traffic Safety Commission further reports that during the period of time from 2011 to 2015, 192 victims were killed in Louisiana and another 26,977 were injured due to driver distraction occurring inside or outside of the vehicle.

Distracted driving can result in devastating accidents, damages and harm to victims. Whenever victims have been injured by a negligent driver, such as a distracted driver, they may be able to receive compensation for the physical, financial and emotional damages they suffered as a result. The personal injury legal process allows victims who have suffered harm because of another party’s carelessness to bring a claim for damages against the responsible party.

Because of physical, financial and emotional impact of a distracted driving-related car accident on victims, it is important that victims are familiar with the legal resources available to them. Different legal options are available that are designed to protect victims during a vulnerable period following a distracted driving accident.

Source: wbrz.com, “La. safety officials: distracted driving ‘dangerous epidemic’,” Kevin Dupuy, April 12, 2017