Why Is the I-10 in Louisiana So Dangerous for Drivers?

The I-10 In Louisiana is home to 11 bridges, according to bridgehunter.com. Many of the bridges that service the I-10 are in varying states of disrepair. The American Road & Transportation Builders Association cites 47,000 bridges considered structurally deficient. Louisiana ranks seventh in percent in structural deficiency.

Poor road conditions, traffic congestion, and driver error might also play a role in what makes the I-10 in Louisiana so dangerous for drivers. Unrepaired road conditions that lead to dangerous driving conditions include:

• Damaged shoulders
• Unrepaired potholes
• Ruts and bumps in the road
• Debris and objects in the road

The Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation (CARTS) reports that 39 of the 84 vehicle collisions that led to fatalities on Louisiana’s interstate happened on the I-10. In addition to routine lane closures that potentially create bottlenecks or traffic jams, driver errors can contribute to car crashes as well.

Stay Alert While Sharing the Road With Other Travelers

The I-10 can carry travelers from California to Florida on close to 2,500 miles of roads, according to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The many drivers who share the road on the I-10 in Louisiana do so in many different types and sizes of vehicles including:

• Passenger cars and SUVs
• Personal trucks and vans
• Motorcycles
• Police and emergency vehicles
• Large trucks and buses

When vehicles of such varying sizes and heights travel on the same roads, the drivers of the smaller vehicles might be harder to see by the drivers of large buses and trucks. Similarly, the drivers of the smaller vehicles might be unable to see around large trucks and buses.

If one of these blind spots or other conditions contributed to the accident you were involved in, talk to a lawyer who can help determine fault and assign financial liability.

Driver Errors That Contribute to the Dangers of Driving on the I-10

Of the 4,922 (CARTS-reported) accidents that led to injuries on interstates in Louisiana, driver-related errors and other factors contributed to making the I-10 in Louisiana so dangerous for drivers. Some contributing factors due to driver error include:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol.
• Cell phone use and other types of driving distractions.

Speak to a lawyer if a driver-related error contributed to the dangerous accident you or a family member were involved in on the I-10.

Call Local Police as Soon as You Can After an Accident on the I-10

A police report is an important part of your financial claim after a car accident. In Louisiana, a police report is mandatory if you were injured in the accident. You are also required to file a car accident report if an accident resulted in a fatality or if either car sustained more than $500 in obvious damages, under RS 32:398.

Your completed police report can also contain valuable information that can help bolster and support your case for a monetary award, including:

• The name and contact information of each driver.
• The name of each driver’s insurance company.
• The license and registration number of each vehicle.
• The name of the police officer investigating the accident.

You can pick up a copy of your police report about 14 days after the accident for a small fee, according to the Louisiana State Police. Obtain a copy for yourself and one for your lawyer as soon as you learn they are ready.

File a Claim for an Accident on the I-10 as Soon as Possible

In Louisiana, you have the right to file a claim for financial compensation after a car accident. Your claim must be filed as soon as possible because CC 3492 limits your time to do so to only two years.

You and your lawyer need time to obtain police and medical reports, interview witnesses, and assess the cause of the accident. Understanding what makes the I-10 in Louisiana so dangerous for drivers and the role its dangers may have played in your accident can help your lawyer assign liability.

Do not hesitate to file your claim on time, or you might risk giving up your right to file a claim at all. Contact a lawyer right away to start the process of obtaining the compensation to which you may be entitled.

Protect Your Finances After an Accident on the I-10

The factors that make the I-10 in Louisiana so dangerous for drivers may have contributed to the accident in which you were involved. If you or a member of your family sustained injuries in a car accident on this dangerous interstate, you have options for getting your expenses paid.

Contact a lawyer to hold the at-fault driver and his insurance company financially responsible for your accident and injury-related expenses and for your property damage. Get in touch with the Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers at (337) 282-9205 today for more information about how you can hold the party responsible for your injuries liable.