40 Car Pileup in New Orleans Closes I-10 for 12 Hours

January 3, 2012 | J. Price McNamara
40 Car Pileup in New Orleans Closes I-10 for 12 Hours

Last Thursday morning, more than 40 cars were involved in a fatal accident on westbound Interstate 10 in eastern New Orleans. The accident occurred around 4:30 am and was purportedly the result of heavy fog in the area. Two people were killed and approximately two dozen more went to the hospital to be treated for their injuries. Thirty-seven others hurt in the accident refused immediate medical care. A New Orleans firefighter was also treated for facial cuts received while attempting to free an individual from a vehicle. Accident victims were taken to several area hospitals including Tulane, LSU Interim, Slidell Memorial, and Ochsner Baptist. The horrific accident closed the entire interstate for nearly 11 hours and westbound lanes for about 12 hours. According to reports, the accident left some vehicles split in half and vans wedged beneath the trailers of eighteen wheelers. Traffic was backed up for miles during the busy morning commute. Witnesses say visibility on the road was reduced to less than 10 feet which likely contributed to the severity of the pileup. One witness stated it seemed as if the vehicle in front of her simply dropped off the face of the Earth. Millions of Americans spend countless hours each week in their vehicle. Unfortunately, automobile accidents are an unpleasant fact of life. Luckily, few are as horrifying as this one. Still, motor vehicle accidents account for the majority of personal injury claims filed each year. In fact, approximately five million car accidents occur annually in the United States. Motor vehicle accidents can be caused by a variety of factors including a drunk or impaired driver, speeding, reckless or distracted driving, and even weather conditions. The motor vehicles involved in an auto accident may range from small cars to large semi-trucks with trailers. The size of the vehicles involved in a crash will generally impact the severity of a victim's injuries. Accidents involving larger vehicles or those traveling at a high rate of speed will often result in more life threatening injuries. If you or someone close to you was involved in a serious automobile accident, a skilled personal injury attorney may be able to help you recover monetary damages to compensate you for your injuries. J. Price McNamara is an experienced Louisiana car accident lawyer. He handles cases throughout the state including Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Kenner, Lafayette, Lafourche, Mandeville, Orleans, St. John, Terrebonne, and West Baton Rouge Parishes. If you were injured in an automobile accident due to someone else's negligence or carelessness, contact J. Price McNamara for a free initial consultation. Call him today at (866) 248-0580 to schedule an appointment at one of his offices located in Baton Rouge or Metairie.

J. Price McNamara Author Image

J. Price McNamara

Attorney

Losing my own brother, then my father and sister after long, disabling illnesses just a few months apart drove a career change for me. Before that experience, I never truly understood the place you’re in. I never understood the dramatic impact that receiving (or not receiving) the disability and life insurance benefits you paid for and counted on can have on your life especially when you need to focus on family and healing. What I experienced with my own family now drives the way I view my clients and my work, and I will never forget it!

Author's Bio