According to WWLTV, dense fog was a contributing factor in six collisions that occurred in less than an hour on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway late last month. The series of accidents happened in the southbound lanes on a Thursday morning over the span of just 45 minutes during rush hour.
Car Headlights of a car at night
The first crash occurred at 7:40 a.m. near the 7-mile marker and involved two vehicles. Just seven minutes later, a secondary wreck occurred near mile marker nine as a result of the congestion left in the wake of the first incident.
Police believe an impaired motorist caused the third crash. During this collision, a white van struck a guardrail after its motorist had allegedly been driving recklessly.
Then, at around 8:20 a.m. near the 12-mile marker, another vehicle overturned. The motorist involved in this wreck sustained injuries and had to be transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Minutes later, a car rear-ended the officers who were responding to the overturning incident. Then, at 8:26 a.m., another two-vehicle accident occurred.
Authorities blame the morning’s dense fog and reduced visibility for the above crashes. They urge motorists to slow down and exercise caution when driving over the bridge in such conditions. When the causeway was reopened, both directions were limited to single-lane traffic because of the fog.
If you were hurt in a motor vehicle collision despite adjusting your speed for poor weather conditions, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages. To determine if you have grounds for a claim, turn to The Downs Law Firm.
Ross Downs is a member of the Louisianan Trial Lawyers Association, as well as the Louisiana State and American Bar Associations. Visit our website at www.rossdownslaw.com, or call 318-284-8551 to schedule a free case evaluation with a car wreck lawyer in Bastrop.
How Can You Avoid an Accident When Conditions Are Foggy?
If visibility is poor because of dense fog, it’s in your best interests to stay off the roads entirely. When staying home is not an option, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of causing a crash.
- Turn off Your High-Beam Lights
Although high-beam headlights are supposed to improve visibility, they can actually have the opposite effect when driving through mist. Fog is comprised of tiny water droplets, which means the light from your high beams will merely reflect off them, bouncing back to the windshield instead of illuminating the road in front of you.
- Turn on Your Low-Beam Lights
Bright headlights may not be helpful when visibility is poor because of condensation, but fog lights or “low beams” ensure other motorists can see you. Turn on your low-beam lights to reduce the risk of a head-on collision.
- Slow Down
When your vision is compromised, you have much less time to respond to hazards that arise. As a result, traveling at the posted speed limit can be incredibly unsafe in fog.
Sadly, even if you follow all recommended precautions for avoiding an accident, it takes just one reckless driver to cause a wreck. If you sustained injuries in a collision that was not your fault, contact The Downs Law Firm today.
Call 318-284-8551 to schedule a free consultation with an accident attorney in Bastrop. If you want to learn more about personal injury claims in Louisiana, visit USAttorneys.com.