If you have recently been involved in a car crash, you might be wondering whether a defective car part could be to blame. This is an understandable concern and one that is not always easy to address. After all, unless you’re an experienced auto mechanic, chances are that you’re not even sure how to begin assessing whether a defect played a role in the circumstances that led to your crash.  The list below is not comprehensive. But asking a mechanic to begin reviewing the following kinds of car parts can be a good way to get started. The following types of parts have traditionally been asso ..read more

Drivers have to be in good mental shape when they’re on the road. Being too tired to drive and trying to push through that feeling to make it to their destination can lead to others on the roads being placed at risk of suffering injuries.  Many people don’t realize just how dangerous it is to try to push through fatigue. A person who hasn’t slept in 20 hours will experience the same effects on their driving as a person who is considered legally drunk.  Fatigued driving can involve more than just a lack of sleep While lack of sleep is a primary cause of fatigued driving, other causes ..read more

People who get hurt suddenly often have a hard time responding appropriately to the situation. Someone in the midst of a stress response does not typically make the most rational decisions. Additionally, it is human nature to try to minimize an injury out of concern that complaints could inconvenience others. Someone who experiences a slip-and-fall at a business might try to brush themselves off and act as though nothing happened. The way that they behave immediately after the incident could have a negative impact on their rights in the future. People who take the right steps immediately after ..read more

Louisiana is getting closer to prohibiting drivers from using hand-held cellphones and other electronic devices. A bill currently in the state legislature, if it becomes a law, would fine drivers up to $1,000 if they’re caught and, in some cases, even cause them to lose their driving privileges for two months. The fine would double if a driver is involved in a crash while on a hand-held device. Of course, there could be other consequences as well, such as liability for injuries and damage caused by such a crash. Louisiana is among the deadliest states when it comes to distracted driving While ..read more

There are multiple reasons why it can be more dangerous for teenagers to drive than adults. One of the most concerning issues is the lack of experience on the road. Young drivers often don’t know how to handle sudden changes in traffic conditions and could make mistakes that lead to preventable collisions. Young adults also have brains that are not yet done growing, which can affect their decision-making abilities. Teenagers are at higher risk of getting into a crash, and collisions are one of the leading causes of death among young adults in Louisiana and across the United States. According t ..read more

Pedestrians have to share the road with motor vehicles, which can be quite dangerous. They have nothing protecting their bodies from the force of impact, meaning that crashes between pedestrians and cars often lead to tragic outcomes for the pedestrians involved. Serious injuries and death are possible even when crashes occur at moderate speeds. Pedestrians should understand this risk and do their best to minimize it by consistently following traffic rules. They also need to watch vehicles carefully when jogging on the road, crossing at a crosswalk or passing through parking lots. In recent ye ..read more

Rideshare services have become a game-changer in how many Americans commute, offering convenience and accessibility like never before. However, not all rides go as planned and accidents may happen, potentially resulting in injuries or property damage. Determining liability in a rideshare crash can be complex but with careful investigation and consideration of various factors, it’s possible to accurately establish who is at fault. Police reports Police reports are invaluable documents in determining liability in a rideshare crash. These reports often contain valuable information such as the loc ..read more

A driving distraction is anything that causes a driver to look away from the road in front of them, take their hands off the wheel or think about anything other than driving safely. Eating, changing the radio and talking to passengers are some common forms of distracted driving. The most common driving distraction is likely phones. When drivers use their phones, they are engaging in all three forms of distracted driving. Notifications from calls and texts may be the biggest distraction for drivers. However, drivers can take steps to reduce distracted driving caused by their phones. Here’s how ..read more

When thinking about factors that make Louisiana stand out from the rest of the country, people often focus on the positive. There are unique cuisines that have their roots in Louisiana, including both Cajun and Creole cuisines. New Orleans, in particular, is famous for having world-class restaurants and unique dishes that just aren’t the same anywhere else. Unfortunately, another factor that sets Louisiana apart from other states is the level of risk drivers and passengers in motor vehicles have when traveling. Research into crash rates and drunk driving in particular make it clear that Louisi ..read more

As New Orleans moves from Mardi Gras towards spring, drivers will be sharing the road with even more bicyclists. Responsible drivers are careful to give cyclists plenty of room because they know a car/bicycle crash could be catastrophic for the cyclist. Not all of these crashes, however, are the driver’s fault. Cyclists can be negligent, reckless, distracted and even under the influence, just like drivers can. Sometimes when they’re in a group, like a bike club, they can get a little more brazen than they’d be on their own and move out of the bike lane into traffic or (if they have no choice b ..read more