A New Orleans car accident lawyer breaks down everything drivers should know
Louisiana is in the top 8 list of states with the best highway safety laws. Each year the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety releases a roadmap of each state's highway safety laws.
According to the Louisiana Illuminator, the U.S. Department of Transportation said it is recommended that each state have 16 specific laws as a part of a "comprehensive safety program". These laws are known as "lifesaving laws" and can help prevent car accidents.
Louisiana has 10 out of the 16 laws enacted. Listed below are 4 examples of the 16 lifesaving laws, all 4 of which Louisiana has in place:
All Driver Text Messaging Restriction
This law prohibits all drivers from sending, receiving, or reading a text message from any handheld or electronic data communication device, except in an emergency.
Primary Enforcement Front Seat Belt Law
Allows law enforcement officers to stop and issue a ticket for a violation of the seat belt law for front-seat occupants. No other violation needs to occur first.
Rear-Facing Through Age 2 Law
Requires infants and toddlers to remain in a rear-facing child restraint system in the rear seat from birth through age 2 or longer. After the child reaches the maximum weight and height limit for the rear seat, the child may be placed forward-facing in a harness-equipped child restraint system.
Learner's Stage: 6-Month Holding Period Provision
A beginning teen driver must be supervised by an adult licensed driver at all times during the learner's stage. If the learner remains citation-free for 6 months, he or she may progress to the intermediate stage. States have not been given credit if the length of the holding period is less than 6 months, or if there is a reduction in the length of the holding period for drivers who take a driver education course.
Louisiana receives a "green rating"
Louisiana and 7 other states received a Green rating, which shows the desire toward adopting all of Advocates' recommended optimal laws. There are 5 categories of the 16 life-saving laws. Occupant Protection, Child Passenger Safety, Teen Driving, Impaired Driving, and Distracted Driving. Listed below are the number of laws Louisiana has passed in each category:
- Occupant Protection: 3 out of 3 laws
- Child Passenger Safety: 1 out of 2 laws
- Teen Driving: 2 out of 6 laws
- Impaired Driving: 2 out of 3 laws
- Distracted Driving: 2 out of 2 laws
Highway safety laws needed in Louisiana
There is still 6 out of 16 highway safety laws that Louisiana does not have in place, including:
- Booster Seat Law
- Minimum Age 16 for Learner's permit
- Stronger Nighttime Restriction
- Stronger Passenger Restriction
- Age 18 for Unrestricted License
- Open Container Law
According to an article written by KATC News, Louisiana set a state record for the fewest car crash injuries in 2020 with 64,500. That number represents the fewest number of car accident injuries since 1988, when the state began compiling detailed crash statistics.
While this data is encouraging, it's important for drivers in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana to remember it only takes one reckless driver to cause a crash that turns your whole life upside down.
Crash victims may be entitled to compensation
If you were injured or a loved one died in a car accident due to negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for all your losses. The problem is to the insurance company, your injuries are nothing more than a threat to their bottom line. As such, it's common for insurance adjusters to purposefully delay, dispute, or flat-out deny valid injury claims. That's why you need an attorney on your side to protect your rights and advocate for the compensation you're entitled to.
At The Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC, our dedicated legal team knows how to build strong cases and fight for the compensation our clients deserve. Attorney John S. Williams is an experienced car accident attorney who can deal with the insurance company on your behalf so you can focus on what matters most—your recovery.
Find out how our law firm can help with your potential legal case and contact us today for a free consultation. We're located in New Orleans and serve clients throughout Louisiana.