As the holiday season approaches, so does the mad rush of shoppers and potential for pedestrian accidents in Lake Charles. It is easy to get distracted while trying to cross off your to-do list. But during this time, it has never been more important to stay alert, paying particular attention to your surroundings. The goal is to return safely and peacefully home to your loved ones.

In the U.S., Pedestrian fatalities have increased 41 percent since 2008 and account for 16 percent of all traffic fatalities. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, Louisiana made the top 10 list of highest pedestrian deaths per capita. 

Unfortunately, our malls and shopping centers can be dangerous for pedestrians. Both drivers and pedestrians are likely to be distracted by their to-do lists while racing from one place to another.  

While cars traveling in parking lots tend to do so at lower speeds, a pedestrian accident is still dangerous. Distracted driving poses the most significant threat to pedestrians. Using cell phones (taking photos, texting, and talking), programming GPS, searching for a parking spot, failing to look before backing up, and adjusting seats or mirrors are the most common culprits. 

Many accidents can be avoided if drivers and pedestrians exercise extra caution and follow a few simple rules while shopping this holiday.  We have provided a few tips to guide you below. ​

Drivers, your responsibility is to yield to pedestrians and obey traffic laws. 

• Always drive the posted speed limit or lower (usually 10mph)
• When possible, park so that you can drive forward out of the parking space. Avoid the necessity of backing out
• Look around multiple times before backing up, do not rely solely on rear camera systems
• Parking garages tend to have tight corners, low ceilings, and dimmer lighting. extra caution should be exercised
• Program your GPS and take care of text and calls before starting your car

Pedestrian accidents range from minor to catastrophic, however, due to lack of protection too many of these accidents end in fatalities. If you've been injured by a distracted driver, consider calling our pedestrian accident attorneys in Lake Charles, LA at (337) 439-0707 for a complimentary consultation on seeking compensation. ​

Construction worker Injuries are far from rare.  As a matter of fact, one in ten construction employees reported minor injuries in 2017. Such injuries may occur due to the negligence of the worker or other workers when security measures aren’t practiced. In some cases, the workplace does not provide the proper safety equipment and/or does not follow the guidelines for ensuring maximum safety and security. In these cases, the company can be held responsible and employees are entitled to just compensation. The chance of workplace injury is high for construction workers. A construction site is full of dangers. A moment of negligence or carelessness can lead to life-threatening accidents.
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Injuries at construction sites could be minor or major.  In case of minor injuries, there is little concern regarding compensation as worker’s compensation usually provides adequately.  But, severe injuries could require substantial treatment and recovery time. If disputes arise in the claim settlement process, you should consider consulting with an injury attorney in Lake Charles LA. Below we have listed the most common injuries for construction workers.

1. Falling from Heights
Major concerns for construction workers include falling, stumbling or slipping. For example, when a tall building is being constructed, workers assume extreme risk working to erect the building. Proper equipment and safety gear when working at heights are paramount.  Generally, it is the hiring company’s responsibility to supply properly working safety equipment. Still, accidents occur and a fall from such heights are life-threatening,  

2. Hit by Hard Objects
Construction workers deal with heavy material and equipment.  The chances of being struck by heavy objects are greater than the general public risk. Incomplete projects also assume a greater risk of wall and roofing collapse.  Head and limb injuries are also a major concern as building material is moved from storage to use. 

3. Caught between Heavy Machinery Parts
Heavy equipment operation poses another threat.  Hydraulic presses for vertical lifting, forklifts for moving material, backhoes for digging and scaffolding for assembly, all carry a greater risk to those below, behind or in front of the machines, not to mention the moving parts.  Supplies that fall from any height can be fatal or life-altering to the workers below. Recovering from such injuries is usually a long journey and a costly affair. 

4. Electrocution Injuries
OSHA considers electricity a serious workplace hazard and has established stringent guidelines and safety equipment requirements.  An inexperienced construction worker that happens across unfamiliar electrical equipment can be extremely dangerous. To give you an example of the dangers, in a 45-year electrical career, the accident death to survival ratio is 1 in 16 out of 1000 electricians..

Options Available for Injured Construction WorkerA seriously injured construction worker will incur expensive medical and recovery bills. Moreover, until the time of recovery, they may remain jobless. Losing a limb or severe injury to the body can cause permanent unemployment. To deal with medical expenses and to find financial assistance, victims should consult with a construction accident injury attorney. A professional lawyer can negotiate compensation claims with employers. If negotiation does not work, an experienced trial lawyer can take your recovery case to court.  

In many instances, disputes arise with insurance companies regarding claim settlement. When this happens, enlisting the help of a local insurance claims attorney can be highly effective.

What is Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
It is abrupt damage to the brain caused by a jolt or blow to the head. The most common causes include motorcycle or car crashes, sports injuries, falls, and assaults.  These injuries can vary from a mild concussion to severe, lasting brain damage. Treatment for a mild traumatic brain injury can include medication and rest, but severe traumatic brain injury could require intensive care and surgery. The injured who survive a TBI can face life-altering effects in their mental, physical, emotions, and personality.

How does a TBI happen?
During a car accident, the impact causes the brain to crash back and forth inside the skull. This causes bleeding, bruising, and can tear nerve fibers. It can cause confusion and memory lapse, blurry vision, and dizziness, or even loss of consciousness.   Immediately following the car accident, a person may appear fine, but the brain can undergo a delayed trauma. As it swells, it pushes itself against the skull, which reduces the flow of oxygen-rich blood. This secondary injury can be more damaging than the initial impact injury.

TBIs (Traumatic brain injuries) are classified according to the severity and method of injury:

Mild TBI – the person is awake and eyes open.  Typical symptoms can include disorientation, memory loss, brief loss of consciousness, confusion, and headache.

Moderate TBI – the person appears lethargic – eyes can open to stimulation.  Typical symptoms include loss of consciousness from 20 minutes up to 6 hours.  Varying degrees of brain swelling or bleeding, sleepiness, but can be induced to awake.
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Severe TBI – the person is unconscious – eyes will not open, even with stimulation. The person is unconscious for more than 6 hours.
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Types of traumatic brain injuries
A concussion is a mild head injury that may include a brief loss of consciousness; this usually does not cause permanent brain injury.

A contusion includes bruising of the brain due to impact.  It can appear either directly under the area of impact (called coup injury) or opposite the area of impact (called contrecoup injury.

A diffuse axonal injury (DAI) causes shearing and stretching of nerve cells. This happens while the brain is forced back and forth, damaging the nerve axons. Nerve axons connect nerve cells similar to running cables or telephone wires throughout the brain. When damaged, it disrupts the brain’s transmission of information, resulting in loss of consciousness.

A traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (tSAH) is when little arteries tear during impact, bleeding into the area that surrounds the brain. This area is usually filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that acts as a floating cushion that protects the brain. 

A hematoma is a clot that forms when a blood vessel bursts.  As blood escapes the bloodstream, it starts to thicken and clot. Clotting is generally good as it is the body’s way of stopping the bleeding.   Hematomas can be small, or they grow large. Large hematomas can compress the brain. Over time the body will absorb the clot, but occasionally surgery is performed to remove large clots.

A person that suffered a TBI likely has a combination of injuries, making it difficult to answer which part of the brain was injured. The answer is usually multiple areas that have different levels of injury severity. 

A secondary brain injury is the result of inflammation, the body’s response to the primary injury. The body’s natural response to injury it to send extra fluid and nutrients to the injured area. Under normal circumstances this response is good, but the brains rigid skull has limited space available and distributes the fluid, increasing pressure on areas of the brain not injured in the accident.
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• Symptoms of TBI can include: 
• Confusion and disorientation
• Memory loss / amnesia
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Visual problems
• Poor attention / concentration
• Sleep disturbances
• Dizziness/loss of balance
• Feelings of depression
• Irritability/emotional disturbance

How Rare are TBIs
TBIs are not rare, approximately 1.5 to 2 million adults and children are diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year in the U.S.  Of the 2 million, about 235,000 will be hospitalized for moderate to severe head injuries. Unfortunately, approximately 50,000 will die from their injury.If you have been injured in an accident and suffer from a traumatic brain injury, you will most likely need the assistance of an experienced TBI attorney to secure adequate compensation. Call the injury attorneys in Lake Charles LA at Lundy Lundy Soileau & South for a free case evaluation.​

Regardless of the mode of transportation, you use; the risk of an accident is always there. The foremost reason for accidents is negligence. But a minute of carelessness can have a detrimental impact on the life of the injured ones and their families. Most of us are familiar with car accidents, road accidents, and even rail accidents but maritime or offshore accidents are not often discussed. These accidents are not only a result of human errors but also the marine environment and ecosystem. 

Offshore accidents are vastly different from other modes of accidents, and the laws about it are also specific and specialized. If you or someone you know have recently met with an accident on a cruise; you need the services of a dedicated offshore accident attorney from a reputed firm like Lundy Lundy Soileau & South, LLP. For better clarity, we have listed out a few of those severe offshore accidents.  

• Equipment failure and Malfunction 

It is one of the most common human-error induced accidents that comes across. Many fail to repair or maintain the equipment used for various maritime activities like hauling, etc. Mechanical failures can occur due to design or manufacturing defects. Sometimes the equipment used is not appropriate for the task at hand. Repair and maintenance are the responsibilities of the vessel employer. His carelessness or irresponsibility can lead to grave accidents that can even be fatal.  

• Cargo hauling accidents 

The victim of this type of accident is often the cargo hauler. Even though reports suggest that usually the workers exaggerate their injury; it could be severe in genuine cases. You cannot do without an offshore accident attorney in this case to get justice and compensation.  

• Accidents on barges and tugboats 

There are an innumerable number of barges and tugboats carrying a significant amount of cargo at any point in time. Their build is such that their movement is restricted in water. There might be some defect in the barge-towing equipment. If there are faulty towing cables; an accident can happen in the blink of an eye.  

• Fire and explosion 

This type of accident often takes place with crude oil tankers and cargo, on oil rigs, etc. Oil and similar materials are combustible, and even a small explosion can lead to severe injuries and a significant loss to property and lives. Statistics indicate worker’s negligence as the top cause of this type of accident. It is tough to get the right compensation here without the intervention of a specialized offshore accident attorney. 

• Chemical exposure 

One is required to take all precautions and wear protective gear when working with hazardous materials. Any direct contact with the chemicals or its inhalation can cause severe health issues to the workers. You always have the added threat of equipment failure and worker’s negligence to spike up the gravity of accidents.   

• Weather threat  

Weather can be important as well as dangerous to the maritime activities. Harsh weather conditions like strong winds, high tide, etc. can lead to vessels like fishing boats, or small ships to capsize or develop significant problems that can lead to a severe accident. An unfortunate aspect of this type of accident is that you have no control over it and cannot do anything if faced with it. 

Wrapping up  Apart from the above accidents, several other types of offshore accidents can take place like offshore oil rigs accident, cruise vessels and commercial fishing vessel mishaps, grounding of ships, crane mishaps, accidents due to drugs and alcohol, etc. If you are a victim of any of these types of accidents, you are entitled to compensation. But this needs a thorough investigation and be proved beyond doubt.  You can trust Lundy Lundy Soileau & South, LLP  to walk the extra mile and ensure that you receive justice with minimum hassle and pain. Give us a call to find out more about how we can make a difference!

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​Car accidents do not happen by intention or with prior notice. It hits you unexpectedly. Most of the time, you are not the guilty party, but the victim of the other driver’s fault.  Not only do you suffer serious injuries, your car also needs extensive repair. This is When you look to your car insurance to seek compensation from the injured party.  

Often you find your car insurance company rejecting your claims or not giving you adequate compensation. While we may blame them, we cannot shy away from our fault as well. We tend to trust only the insurance agent and but forget to consult a reputable Lake Charles auto wreck lawyer like those from Lundy Lundy Soileau & South, LLP.  Here, we look at some of the common misconceptions and bust them from the experienced auto wreck lawyers in Lake Charles point of view.  

Myth 1. The other party’s car insurance company will advance the cost of my damages if I am not at fault.  

This is completely wrong. According to the experienced car wreck lawyers, the guilty party’s insurance company is not required to nor is bound by any law to advance you any amount for your car repair, your medical expenses or any other out of pocket costs. They will only pay for your car damages to an extent as stipulated in their insurance contract. Under very rare circumstances, they might pay a few costs upfront but are not obligated to do so. Generally, they have a 30-day window to pay to fix your car. 
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Myth 2: Regardless of the insurance coverage I carry, the guilty party’s insurance company will pay for all the damages if I am innocent.  

This is also a myth that holds no water. Every state requires all vehicle owners to carry a certain minimum amount of coverage. Anything greater than that is the choice of the car owner. More often, the minimum coverage amount is not even sufficient to pay even the smallest of personal injury and car wreck claims. You are also likely to encounter people who may drive recklessly but have no insurance at all, as Louisiana has one of the highest uninsured motorist rates in the country.  

The auto wreck lawyers in Lake Charles also points to another excellent observation. Despite all advertisements and tall claims, while the insurance company is your best friend when of receiving your premiums, Dr. Jekyll transforms in the blink of an eye into Mr. Hyde the moment you make a claim. They try to pass on the fault on you and pay as minimum amount as possible regardless of whether it is sufficient or not. It is truly devastating to find at the time of a crisis that the insurance company is paying you cut-rate coverage.  

While you cannot force individuals to purchase adequate coverage or drive cautiously; you can certainly look after your interests. You might consider consulting with a Lake Charles auto wreck lawyer before purchasing insurance, as they can help you understand your true liability and what’s at stake.  

Myth 3. The insurance company will compensate for my damages fairly, and I will not need an attorney. 
Many people think of consulting or hiring an attorney, an extra expense. Often, they realize their mistake when it is too late to make amends. You need to remember that insurance is also a business,  and insurance carriers responsibility is to make a profit. But a lawyer with experience will fight and negotiate with them for your interests and make sure that you get your justified claim. If you do not have an attorney; you are ripe picking for the insurance company, and you would almost always be paid less than your rightful compensation. 
 
Wrapping up
The above points make it evident how important it is to seek the services of a car wreck lawyer, Lake Charles when involved in an accident. Lawyers from Lundy Lundy Soileau & South, LLP are your ultimate partners whose service can prove truly invaluable for you every step of the way. 

Contact us today to know the multiple ways in which we can help you. ​