Louisiana Fatal Crash Statistics
The latest statistics show that about 737 people lost their lives in traffic crashes in Louisiana in 2014. While the state has continued to work to improve these statistics, negligent driving behaviors continue to play a fundamental role in the deaths of far too many each year. Some of these behaviors include driving while intoxicated, which contributed to the deaths of 253 people in one year alone, and speeding, which has increased over the past ten years, and was a factor in 204 deaths.
Crash type data show that of the 737 fatalities,
- 465 involved a single vehicle
- 80 involved one or more large trucks
- 204 involved a driver going over the posted speed limit or too fast for road conditions
- 255 involved a rollover crash
- 466 involved at least one vehicle leaving the roadway
- 152 involved an intersection
The vehicles that were involved in these accidents include –
- Passenger cars (257 deaths)
- Pickup trucks (150 deaths)
- Light utility trucks (87 deaths)
- Vans (8 deaths)
- Large tucks (20 deaths)
Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Motorcyclists
We all know that cyclists, bikers, and walkers are at a disadvantage when it comes to sharing the road with motor vehicles. Despite knowing this, Louisiana has not done enough to protect these road users. In fact, in 2014 alone, 105 pedestrians were killed by vehicles.
Motorcycle fatalities have also remained stubbornly high, a clear indication that the state must do more to protect riders. 83 motorcyclists died in 2014 on state highways and byways, up from a ten-year low of 74 in 2010, and down from a high of 103 in 2009.
Bicycle fatalities fell from a ten-year high of 24 deaths to 12 deaths in 2014.
New and Experienced Drivers
A total of 938 drivers were involved in fatal accidents in 2014, a significant reduction from a high of 1,337 drivers in 2009. Even though these numbers are unfortunately high, they actually represent a significant but gradual decrease. While the vast majority of fatal accidents involved adult drivers over the age of 21, new drivers have also been involved in too many fatal accidents. To give young drivers the extra time they need to develop solid driving skills, the state implemented a graduated driver’s license program that doesn’t give novice drivers full privileges until the age of 17. This program has helped reduce new driver fatal accidents greatly, from 158 fatal crashes in 2005 to 81 in 2014.
Have You Been Injured in a Car Accident? Call Us Today!
America’s highways and bi-ways are dangerous. If you’ve been injured or lost a family member in a motor vehicle accident, you need a dedicated team of attorneys and legal professionals fighting for your rights. Our attorneys have a long and proven record of helping the victims of car accidents get the compensation they deserve.
Call us today if you or a loved one were injured in a
- Commercial bus crashes
- School bus accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck crashes
- Motorcycle collisions
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Semi-truck crashes
We’ll fight insurance companies, negligent operators, and reckless drivers to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.