What Louisiana Families Need to Know After a Drunk Driving Crash
A drunk driving crash can change a family’s life in an instant. When someone is seriously injured or killed because another driver chose to get behind the wheel impaired, the consequences extend far beyond the crash itself. For Louisiana families facing devastating injuries or the loss of a loved one, the steps taken in the days that follow can have a lasting impact on their ability to seek justice and hold those responsible accountable.
On October 10, we were proud to support MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) Louisiana’s walk in Baton Rouge. Through our work representing families affected by catastrophic injuries and wrongful death, we see firsthand the devastating impact impaired driving can have. Supporting MADD’s mission to prevent these tragedies and stand alongside victims and their families is especially meaningful to our firm.
What Evidence Disappears After a Crash – and Why Speed Matters
The criminal case and civil claim are two separate legal processes. While criminal proceedings focus on holding the impaired driver accountable, a civil claim allows injured victims and their families to pursue financial compensation. Building a strong civil case depends on preserving critical evidence, some of which can be lost or become harder to obtain in the days following the crash.
Surveillance footage from nearby businesses may be deleted or recorded over within days. A vehicle’s event data recorder can provide valuable information about speed and braking before a crash, but that data needs to be preserved before the vehicle is repaired or destroyed. Witnesses’ memories can fade, and important records may become difficult to obtain without prompt action.
In serious drunk driving cases, preserving evidence early can make a significant difference. An experienced catastrophic injury attorney knows what to look for, which questions to ask and what steps to take to protect critical evidence before it’s lost. The sooner that process begins, the stronger the foundation for pursuing accountability and compensation.
What a Wrongful Death Claim Involves in Louisiana
When a drunk driver causes a fatal crash, the family left behind must navigate difficult legal decisions while grieving an unimaginable loss. Louisiana law allows certain surviving family members to pursue compensation, but who can bring a claim, what damages may be recovered and how much time they have to act depend on the circumstances. An experienced Louisiana personal injury attorney can help families understand their rights and the options available to them.
The financial impact of a catastrophic injury or wrongful death can last a lifetime. A spinal cord injury may require ongoing medical care and assistance with everyday activities. A traumatic brain injury can permanently affect someone’s ability to work and live independently. When a loved one is killed, no amount of compensation can replace them or undo the loss. However, a civil claim can help families recover damages that reflect both the immediate and long-term consequences, including future care needs, lost income and the personal impact of their loss.
Catastrophic Injury Attorneys in Lafayette, Louisiana
At Broussard, David and Moroux, we have spent more than two decades representing families who have been through some of the worst moments a person can experience. In a four-month stretch in 2025, our trial attorneys secured four jury verdicts totaling more than $60 million. Our attorneys have represented families across Louisiana in drunk driving crashes, wrongful death claims and catastrophic injury cases. We understand what’s at stake and the importance of building a strong case from the very beginning.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured, or you’ve lost someone in a drunk driving crash, contact our team for a free consultation. We’re here to help you understand your rights and the next steps. Call (337) 233-2323 locally or (888) 337-2323 toll-free. Justice. Obtained.