Pedestrians in Louisiana who are struck by negligent drivers may be entitled to compensation for their injuries. The same may be true of those who were driving or riding in a vehicle involved in an accident caused by another motorist. Generally speaking, drivers must exercise caution when they see a pedestrian attempting to cross a street or walking along the side of a road. If necessary, they must honk their horns or otherwise warn pedestrians of their presence in an effort to avoid a collision.
Pedestrians are expected to walk on sidewalks wherever they are available, and it is generally in their best interest to cross the street at a pedestrian control signal or at a marked crosswalk. Vehicles are expected to drive on the right side of any road that they are traveling on. Drivers may move their cars to the left lane to pass a slower moving vehicle, and they are not permitted to return to the right side of the road until it is safe to do so.
Individuals cannot use a mobile device to make calls or send text messages while driving unless it is an emergency. A driver must maintain a proper following distance at all times. Proper following distances are usually determined by road conditions as well as how fast other vehicles are traveling.
A person who is hurt in a car accident may be forced to retire or otherwise experience a lower quality of life because of their injuries. A personal injury attorney may be able to help an injured victim obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages and lost future earnings. Legal counsel may show that a person’s injuries were caused by another individual’s negligence through the use of photos or videos taken at the crash scene.