Fines and Penalties for Drunken-Driving Accidents in Louisiana

Louisiana is known for parties and good times. People in the State, however, often suffer terrible consequences because of these events. As per the Government estimates, more than 3,000 people have been killed in Louisiana in drunken-driving collisions over the past decade. More people have been injured, and many have suffered life-altering injuries such as brain trauma, paralysis, and amputations. Unfortunately, even though strict drunk driving laws exist in Louisiana, there are multiple incidents of drunken-driving accidents. If you or your family has been affected by an auto accident due to drunken-driving, the auto accident attorneys in Monroe are here to fight for your rights. 

In this post, let’s take a look at the fines and penalties imposed for drunken-driving accidents in Lafayette:

Proving Negligence in Drunken-driving Accidents

• As per the Louisiana law, car drivers aged above 21 years are considered guilty of drunken-driving if the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08%. Driving under the influence may also include use of drugs or a combination of alcohol and drugs.
• Commercial vehicle drivers are considered drunk when the BAC is .04%.
• Drivers below the age of 21 are considered drunk when the blood alcohol level is .02% or above.
• Fines and Penalties 
• Lawbreakers face imprisonment from 10 days to 6 months and are required to pay a fine between $300 and $1000. The license of the driver is also suspended for 3 months. However, if the offender’s BAC is .20%, the driver’s license is suspended for 2 years and has to pay a fine amount between $700 and $1000.
• If the offender commits the same offense again within 10 years of the conviction, he is subject to pay a fine between $700 and $1000. The driving license is suspended for one year, and he faces an imprisonment of 30 days.
• When the accused commits the same offense for the third time within 10 years, h/she faces imprisonment for 5 years. The fine increases to $2,000 and the driving license is also suspended for 2 years.
• If the person commits the offense for the fourth time within 10 years, h/she faces imprisonment for 10 to 30 years. The fine rises to $5,000 and the license is suspended for 2 years.

Commercial Drivers

Apart from the penalties present in Louisiana’s drunken-driving laws, a commercial driver convicted of drunken-driving is prohibited from operating a commercial vehicle for one year. Also, if the driver is found carrying perilous materials, the imprisonment increases to at least 3 years.

Teenage Drivers

If someone under the age of 21 drives with a BAC of .08%, the offender may get penalized like the adult. The offenders who break the rules for the first time are subject to pay a fine of $100 to $250. Also, they need to participate in the court-approved driver improvement program. For a subsequent offense, an underage driver may face anywhere between 10 days and 3 months of imprisonment.

Costs of Drunken-driving Accidents

It’s important to understand that there are costs related to drunken-driving accidents. The victims of drunken-driving accidents are often left with physical, emotional, and financial damage. The cost of medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and funeral expenses may all add up and lead to a financial crisis.

Get in Touch With Our Auto Accident Attorneys in Monroe

If you or someone you love has been hurt in an accident caused by a drunken driver, it’s advisable to get in touch with seasoned attorneys as soon as possible. Our auto accident attorneys in Monroe at the Law Offices of L. Clayton Burgess have more than two decades of experience in tackling complicated auto accident cases with ease and efficiency. Having been in the industry for many years now, we understand that it takes a considerable amount of time and effort to investigate a car crash and build a case of liability. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means that we do not charge any fees unless we win monetary compensation for you.

For legal queries, call us at (318) 716-3118

Drowsy Driving: A Leading Cause of Truck Accidents

Drowsy driving is one of the major problems among drivers in the United States. Tired or fatigued driving usually happens when the driver has not slept enough, has untreated sleep disorders, is intoxicated, or is under medications. Falling asleep when behind the wheel is dangerous. Moreover, when the vehicle is a gigantic truck, it can lead to life-threatening injuries and in worst cases, death. The trucking accident attorneys in Alexandria have the skills, knowledge, and experience of handling severe trucking accident cases caused due to drowsy driving.

>> Did You Know?

As per the internal clock, every individual needs sleep between midnight and six in the morning. Even truck drivers who may be used to driving at these hours may still get drowsy. Drowsiness affects the reflexes, slows reaction time, and impedes the ability to make decisions.

As per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), drowsy driving led to 72,000 crashes, 44,000 life-threatening injuries, and 800 deaths in the US in 2013.

>> Truck Drivers and the Pressure to Deliver on Time

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates the hours of service for truckers and allows tractor-trailer drivers to drive up to 11 hours at a stretch and not beyond that. Unfortunately, truckers are often under immense pressure to work the maximum allowable hours and operate the vehicles even when fatigued. 

Due to the immense stress to deliver cargo on time, it’s not surprising that truckers end up using prescription drugs and over-the-counter stimulants to keep themselves awake. It’s important to understand that stimulants may avert the symptoms for a short span, but the brain and body never get the optimum rest they need.

>> Warning Signs of Drowsy Driving

Despite FMCSA’s best efforts to implement regulations to prevent deadly accidents, there still has been 20% increase in the number of commercial trucking accidents. Here are some warning signs of drowsy driving:

• Yawning 

• Drifting lanes

• Blinking frequently

• Hitting a strip on the side of the road

>> Ways to Prevent Drowsy Driving Before Taking the Wheel

• Get enough sleep

• Develop good sleeping habits

• If there are symptoms of sleep disorder, talk to a medical professional for treatment options

• Avoid drinking alcohol or other medications that make you fall asleep

>> Common Injuries in a Trucking Accident

If a gigantic rig hits a passenger car, the accident is more likely to be deadly. Common injuries you may suffer in a trucking accident include:

• Head, spine, back, and brain injuries. Neck and spine injuries often leave the patient paralyzed

• Minor injuries such as bruises, cuts, abrasions, and scrapes. However, it’s advisable not to neglect such injuries as small cuts may also become serious when infected

• Soft tissue injuries such as strains, sprains, and pulled muscles

>> Types of Damages You Are Entitled to in Trucking Accidents

When you are injured in a trucking accident, you are entitled to receive compensation (if the accident was not your fault).  Even if you are partially at fault, you may be entitled to economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Our Baton Rouge trucking accident attorneys work with a seasoned team of paralegals, clerks, and assistants to fight for your legal rights and obtain maximum compensation you are entitled to.

>> Types of Damages in a Trucking Accident

** Economic Damages

These damages are those that can be quantified. They include:

• Lost wages

• Medical expenses

• Future medical expenses

• Future loss of wages

** Non-Economic Damages

These damages cannot be quantified and are only estimated by seasoned attorneys and insurance companies. Some of these include:

• Pain and suffering

• Loss of love and consortium

• Inconvenience if you are unable to carry on with your job

** Punitive Damages

These damages are only awarded if the party at fault was outrageously negligent.

Seek the Assistance of Competent Trucking Accident Attorneys

If you have a valid trucking accident case and you believe that you’ve suffered damages due to the negligence of someone else, our Alexandria Injury Attorney are readily available for assistance. Our trucking accident attorneys in Alexandria have more than two decades of experience in tackling such cases and obtaining favorable compensation.

For further queries, call us at (318) 527-4932.

5 Common Knee Injuries from Trucking Crashes

The sudden force of a truck accident poses numerous health hazards. It’s a well-acknowledged fact that trucking accidents are deadly. If you are fortunate enough to survive the crash, you may still end up with minor cuts, bruises, broken bones, traumatic, or permanent injuries. Knee injuries are one of the most common forms of harms in crashes. However, you are entitled to claim compensation for all the losses and injuries. Our truck accident lawyers in Alexandria, LA at the Law Offices of L. Clayton Burgess are adept at obtaining maximum compensation for all the damage.

Let’s take a look at 5 common knee injuries in trucking accidents:

1. Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains are some of the most common types of knee injuries. In most instances, medical professionals prescribe rest, ice, compression, and exercise. Severe strains may lead to damage of ligaments, tendons, muscles, and the joint capsule surrounding the knee.

2. Knee Dislocation

Knee dislocations are relatively rare. If untreated, the dislocation may cause serious problems such as amputation. It’s therefore important to get in touch with a medical professional immediately after an accident.

3. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury: After a deadly trucking accident, you may find that the ACL has been damaged. This ligament runs across the knee to provide it strength and stabilization. Any damage to ACL needs instant medical attention. After an ACL injury, you may have difficulty in walking. Ongoing medical treatment is crucial to treat it.

4. Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury: The posterior cruciate ligament is much stronger than ACL. Due to its strength, it requires greater trauma to seriously injure or tear it. Depending on the severity of the injury, PCL may cause instability in the joint. Treatment of PCL may range from the use of ice pack to surgical repair.

5. Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injury: MCL injuries frequently occur in trucking accidents. When you have an MCL tear or sprain, you may end up having a tingling sensation around your knees. These injuries may require surgery and long-term rehabilitation.

If you’ve suffered injuries to your knees due to a trucking accident, you can recover compensation for your medical bills, pain, and suffering, and lost wages. However, you need to prove the negligence and liability of another driver. Our auto accident attorneys in Alexandria at the Law Offices of L. Clayton Burgess have a team of paralegals, clerks, and assistants to resolve complicated trucking accident cases with ease. In an 18-wheeler accident, the trucking company could be held vicariously liable for the negligence. So, call us to recover all the losses.