Though it is difficult to track down just how many drunk driving deaths occur on the Louisiana stretch of Interstate 10 (I-10) each year, it is clear that:
- Drunk driving is a major problem, especially in Louisiana
- Interstate 10 is a particularly deadly road, and the stretch of I-10 that lies within Louisiana is especially hazardous
If you are traveling in Louisiana along I-10, it is important to be aware of the danger that drunk drivers pose so that you can navigate the road with more caution. If you do find yourself involved in an accident with a drunk driver while on I-10, or anywhere else, you may have multiple means of seeking justice.
Interstate 10 Is One of the Most Dangerous Roads in America
I-10 runs from Florida to California, and a significant stretch of the interstate lies within Louisiana’s borders. A stretch of I-10 that runs between the Atchafalaya Basin in south-central Louisiana and the Mississippi River is known to some as “The Devil’s Triangle.”
The Devil’s Triangle stretch of I-10 within Louisiana accounts for roughly 800 crashes per year. According to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD), there were 40 deadly crashes on I-10 in Louisiana in 2019, which was lower than in previous years.
A precise figure for drunk driving deaths on the Louisiana stretch of I-10 is difficult to come by. Still, Louisiana’s rates of drunk driving are substantially higher than national averages, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Drunk driving is considered a problem on Louisiana’s stretch of I-10 because:
- 1 in 3 accidents on I-10, considered the most deadly highway during the holiday season, was found to have involved at least one drunk driver, according to CBS-4WWL
- Louisiana has higher than average rates of drunk driving
- Crashes on I-10 accounted for nearly 50 percent of all crashes on Louisiana’s interstate roads, according to the LADOTD
Whether a drunk driver is traveling on Interstate 10 or another interstate, they represent a confluence of dangers that can prove deadly if they result in an accident.
Drunk Drivers and Interstates Are a Potentially Deadly Combination
Drunk driving is known to be dangerous, as being legally intoxicated may:
- Negatively impact muscle coordination
- Negatively impact judgment
- Impair the senses
- Reduce self-control and increase impulsive behavior
- Harm perception of time and distance
- Cause balance issues, which may also impact your ability to brake when necessary
Though the public may be generally aware of these dangers, these dangers do not always prevent drivers from driving while drunk across Louisiana or on I-10. While driving drunk is a dangerous behavior on any roadway, it may be even more dangerous on an interstate because of:
- High speed limits on interstate roadways
- High density of traffic
- Risky driving behaviors on the highway, such as speeding, illegal passing, or distracted driving
Combine drunk driving and the ever-present dangers of navigating a major roadway such as I-10, and the result is great danger. You or your loved one may have experienced this danger first-hand as the unfortunate parties in an accident involving drunk driving on Interstate 10. If so, you may be able to collect compensation for your losses.
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ClientPursuing Compensation After a Drunk Driving Accident
Whether you were in an accident involving a drunk driver or not, you could be eligible to collect compensation based on negligence. If you were involved in an accident with a drunk driver, then you may have a clearer path to compensation than if the driver was not legally intoxicated.
You have the option of getting a Lake Charles DUI accident lawyer to initiate any lawsuit you bring. A lawyer may:
- Conduct a free consultation to gather the facts of your accident
- Speak with witnesses to the accident and document their accounts
- Conduct an independent investigation into the accident and the defendant in your case
- Consult experts to provide testimony on behalf of your case
- File your case and complete every subsequent legal requirement necessary to complete your lawsuit
- Represent you in negotiation settlements or at trial
- Defend your rights
If your lawyer is successful in proving that you were the victim of negligence, you may be able to collect multiple forms of compensation, possibly including coverage for:
- Medical expenses
- Property loss or damage
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
You may be entitled to additional compensation depending on the circumstances of your accident.
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Rick Smith | ClientCall Our Team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers Today
Our firm’s roots run throughout Louisiana, and we will fight for you if you were injured in an accident. Call our team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today at (337) 777-7777 for a free consultation.
