Safety concerns regarding vehicle collisions with wildlife crossing the road have been on the rise, particularly since there was a serious accident recently involving a car collision with an alligator. Unfortunately, alligators trying to cross the road are a common sight on the I-10 in New Orleans East, with a lot of them dead along the side of the road as the result of getting hit by cars.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 1.5 million wildlife/vehicle car collisions occur in the U.S. each year. Approximately 150 of those collisions are fatal for occupants of the vehicle, and the total cost of property damage is estimated at $1.1 billion annually.
Total cost of property damage is estimated at $1.1 billion annually.
Roads and interstates in Louisiana sometimes run through animals’ habitats, resulting in frequent collisions. Some of these accidents could arguably be avoided if there was more lighting along the interstate, and more done to make the roadways safer by putting up fencing to keep alligators and other animals off of the roads.
Insurance Issues
It is crucial that you have comprehensive insurance coverage because, even though a car accident with wildlife is technically a collision, it is not covered by collision insurance. Comprehensive coverage protects you for damages resulting from vandalism, theft, fire, “acts of God” (such as flooding), and collisions with animals. You will not be covered by an accident with an animal if you only have the required liability coverage (Louisiana law only requires drivers to carry minimum coverage amounts on any vehicle, which is $15,000 for the injury or death of a person, $30,000 for the injury or death of multiple people in a single accident, and $25,000 for property damage, such as damage to a vehicle).
Stay Alert
Driving in Louisiana requires that you stay alert, particularly at night and around dusk and dawn, when animals travel. It is also crucial that you slow down, particularly where wildlife-crossing signs are posted. A decrease in habitat for these animals has led them to wander in search of better areas to sustain them, often leading to crossing roadways more frequently during the hours when it is difficult to see them.
Harrell & Nowak
Each year, thousands of Americans are injured in motor vehicle accidents. These accidents can cause serious spinal cord, traumatic brain, and other types of personal injury.
Louisiana’s personal injury statute of limitations is one of the strictest. It gives you only one year after the occurrence of an injury to initiate a lawsuit. If you do not have your complaint filed before the statutory deadline passes, the court will most likely refuse to hear your case altogether.
The auto and car accident attorneys at Harrell & Nowak have helped many victims in New Orleans, Kenner, Metairie, and throughout Louisiana obtain financial compensation for their injuries. Our car and auto accident lawyers will work to ensure that your rights are protected and that your financial needs are met if you’ve been injured in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident.