There are plenty of qualified attorneys in Shreveport. You are doing your research, which means something has happened. No one reads lawyer websites until they need one. Our clients came to us after they were injured in accidents caused by inadequate road lighting. This page explains what poor lighting accidents involve, who may be liable, and how we handle these cases. Read it. Compare us. Your decision.
How Poor Lighting Causes Accidents
Poor lighting makes it difficult for motorists to see traffic signs, pedestrians, curves, and other vehicles, which leads to misreading or failing to notice the environment. Sufficient lighting becomes more important during low daylight periods, like nighttime or bad weather. These factors increase the likelihood of serious car accidents.
Most people agree that improper lighting leads to an increase in roadway accidents. The following factors contribute to this:
- Streetlights that are not sufficiently spaced close to each other
- Broken streetlights
- Streetlights that cause a blinding glare because they are located too close to the ground
- Blinking or fading road lights
- An absence of lighting at streets, crosswalks, or intersections
According to Safer America, approximately 48% of traffic-accident fatalities occurred at night, and of these, 41% occurred in poorly lit areas. The deadliest three-hour periods for driving were Saturdays between midnight and 3 a.m., followed by 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., also on Saturdays.
The risk of encountering a drunk driver also rises at night. In 2016, 30% of all nighttime drivers involved in fatal car accidents were intoxicated at the time of the accident.
Improving the lighting in areas previously lacking can reduce the occurrence of wrecks, fatalities, and severe injuries.
Who Is Liable for Poor Lighting Accidents in Shreveport, Louisiana?
If you have been in a poor lighting accident in Shreveport, liability is not always straightforward. It may be that no driver acted unreasonably.
Liability for these accidents often lies with the parties responsible for road maintenance. In Shreveport, Louisiana, this is usually the parish-established road lighting districts. However, there are exceptions:
- Homeowner associations or similar parties may be liable for lighting on private property
- Additional responsible parties may also be held accountable aside from those who failed to light the roads adequately
- The prescriptive period (filing deadline) may be shorter if a government entity is one of the liable parties. Time matters in these cases, so contact a Shreveport poor lighting accident lawyer promptly
Prescriptive period refers to the deadline under Louisiana law by which a lawsuit must be filed. For standard personal injury claims in Louisiana, this is generally one year from the date of the accident. When a government entity is a defendant, additional procedural requirements and shorter notice deadlines may apply.
How Can Our Shreveport Poor Lighting Accident Lawyers Help You?
If you have been in a car accident due to inadequate roadside lighting, an attorney experienced in poor lighting accidents can provide accurate advice and help you file a claim. Specific areas of assistance include damage estimates, investigations, insurance company interactions, and case filings.
Our attorneys will represent you when liable parties make the legal process difficult by:
- Blaming the victim for the accident
- Refusing to cover the damages incurred
- Denying their liability in the case
- Forcing your case to trial
Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers has 20 years of experience handling injury cases in Louisiana. View our case results to see the outcomes we have achieved for clients.