Houma Louisiana Personal Injury Blog

2017 saw fewer motorcycle deaths in the U.S., more in Louisiana

On behalf of The Law Offices of Brent J. Rhodes posted in Motorcycle Accidents on Saturday, June 16, 2018.

Motorcycles can be fun vehicles to operate, but most motorcyclists respect the fact that there are dangers associated with motorcycling. While a motorcyclist can take every safety precaution -- wearing a helmet and protective clothing, riding defensively and following traffic rules -- there is still the possibility they could be involved in a fatal crash.

According to a report by the Governors Highway Safety Association, fatal motorcycle accidents in the United States appear to have gone down 5.6 percent in 2017 from 2016. In 2016, nationwide 5,286 motorcyclists lost their lives in a motorcycle accident. Compare this to 2017, where preliminary data suggests around 4,990 motorcyclists lost their lives in a motorcycle accident.

3 tips for choosing a personal injury attorney in Louisiana

On behalf of The Law Offices of Brent J. Rhodes on Thursday, June 14, 2018.

For some people, just the mention of the words "personal injury attorney" conjures up images of obnoxious and aggressive lawyers who bombard potential clients with loud TV ads and promises that seem impossible to fulfill. This is a shame, because there are committed and hard-working personal injury attorneys in Louisiana who are truly invested in helping their clients find justice.

Before dismissing all personal injury attorneys as the same, have a look at these three tips for choosing the right lawyer for your case. You should not feel discouraged by the myths you may have heard about taking legal action. You have rights, and they should be protected by a strong advocate who will work on your behalf.

Seeking recovery for pain and suffering when a loved one dies

On behalf of The Law Offices of Brent J. Rhodes posted in Wrongful Death on Thursday, June 7, 2018.

When one files a wrongful death claim, they may seek compensation for a variety of damages. For example, depending on the circumstances a person might seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of future income or loss of companionship, among other damages. One type of damage that a victim's survivors might also want to seek is compensation for the victim's pain and suffering. In Louisiana, this type of action is a separate cause of action from a wrongful death claim. It is known as a survival action.

As mentioned, in a survival action, the victim's survivors are seeking compensation for the pain and suffering that, had the victim survived, he or she would be able to pursue damages for. In a survival action, the victim's survivors are pursuing just such a lawsuit on the behalf of the victim. It is possible to pursue both a wrongful death lawsuit and a survival action concurrently.

What are some common causes of burn injuries?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Brent J. Rhodes posted in Burn Injuries on Friday, June 1, 2018.

Most people in Louisiana have had a minor burn at some point in their lives. Perhaps they accidentally touched a hot pan in the oven, or they stayed outside too long and got a sunburn. These minor burns are everyday occurrences, but there are some common causes of more severe burns that vary based on the age of the burn victim.

For children under age eight, the most common type of burn is a scalding. This can happen, for example, if a child pulls a pot of hot water on the stove down over themselves or if the child is placed in bath water that is too hot. Sometimes microwaved foods can spill, causing serious burns. Young children can also be burned if they touch the glass front of a fireplace door. Older children may be more apt to play with matches. When it comes to adults, the most prevalent type of burn injuries comes from house fires or from the use of flammable liquids. Grease burns are also common.

How significant is distracted driving in Louisiana?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Brent J. Rhodes posted in Car Accidents on Thursday, May 24, 2018.

Cellphones are ubiquitous in today's society. People of all ages, from teenagers to seniors, use cellphones not just to make phone calls, but to send and receive text messages, post on social media, get directions and so much more. In fact, many people in Louisiana and across the nation these days may wonder how they ever got on without their cellphones.

While cellphones are certainly useful -- perhaps even essential to some -- there are times where a person should avoid using a cellphone. Specifically, a person should not use a cellphone while driving. If a person is using their cellphone while behind the wheel, they are distracted from the task of driving, which could lead to a car accident.

Use of heavy weaponry could lead to traumatic brain injury

On behalf of The Law Offices of Brent J. Rhodes posted in Brain Injuries on Thursday, May 17, 2018.

Our nation's service members deserve to be honored for the sacrifices they make for our country. Service members from Houma and nationwide have risked their lives to protect our nation. However, they could suffer injuries as a result, including injuries caused by the weapons they use.

According to a recent study, service members who have worked with heavy weaponry could have been subjected to blasts that lead to traumatic brain injuries. Reportedly, heavy use of weapons that are fired from a service member's shoulder could cause "overpressure" of the service member's brain. Basically, the sound wave from the blast of the weapon being used is more rapid than the speed of sound, shaking the service member's skull and putting pressure on the service member's brain.

More senior motorcyclists mean more severe injuries

On behalf of The Law Offices of Brent J. Rhodes on Tuesday, May 15, 2018.

Now that you are a retiree, you may have purchased something you have wanted all your life: a beautiful new motorcycle.

You are eager to take your bike out on the road, but it is wise to remember how vulnerable you will be. Sometimes drivers do not see motorcycles. Accidents happen. You must contend with some physical issues your younger counterparts do not have, and you are prone to more serious injuries than they are.

Pure comparative fault may apply to car accidents in Louisiana

On behalf of The Law Offices of Brent J. Rhodes posted in Car Accidents on Friday, May 11, 2018.

When a person in Louisiana is involved in a motor vehicle collision, the events that led up to the accident can be multifaceted. Of course, one party may have breached their duty to drive reasonably under the circumstances when they collided into the victim's vehicle. For example, they may have been drunk, they may have been speeding or they have run a red light at an intersection, causing them to crash into the victim's vehicle.

However, what happens if the victim also shares some responsibility for the crash? For example, what if they too were speeding, failed to use their turn signal or in some other way played a role in the crash? Can they still seek compensation through a personal injury suit from the other party?

What are the elements of a wrongful death suit?

On behalf of The Law Offices of Brent J. Rhodes posted in Wrongful Death on Friday, May 4, 2018.

The loss of a loved one can be a life-changing event. People in Houma who lose a loved one due to an illness or old age will experience a great deal of grief and in some cases financial hardships as they move on without their loved one in their life. However, this transition may be especially difficult if their loved one's passing came not from natural means, but due to the actions of another person.

For example, if a person loses a loved one in a car crash, a workplace accident or due to medical malpractice, that person may have a hard time coping with the fact that their loved one's death could have been prevented. They may experience damages that are both financial and non-financial in nature. For example, there may be medical bills to pay and the loss of income the victim provided. But, in addition, there will be the loss of consortium the victim provided and, if the victim was a parent, loss of guidance. When this happens, the victim's survivors may want to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit.

Serious complications could arise from burn injuries

On behalf of The Law Offices of Brent J. Rhodes posted in Burn Injuries on Friday, April 27, 2018.

Most people in Houma have suffered some sort of minor burn during their lifetime. For example, a person could burn themselves taking something hot out of the oven, or they may get a sunburn from staying outside too long. These minor burns usually do not require much special treatment, and heal fairly quickly.

However, sometimes a person suffers a more serious burn. Second-degree and third-degree burns are more serious injuries, which may require professional medical care. It is important that these burns are treated appropriately, as complications from such burns can arise.