Mardi Gras Accident During Nyx Parade

Mardi Gras Accident Attorney |February 22nd, 2020

Wednesday night, during a Mardi Gras Parade, an unidentified woman lost her life. The current accounts of the accident show the woman attempted to pass between two sections of float No. 21. This parade, known as Nyx, is the largest one held during Mardi Gras season with more than 80 floats and 3,000 member participants. Currently, the cause of the accident is under investigation by the New Orleans Police Department. The remaining portion of the parade was cancelled after the accident.

Mardi Gras Accidents in New Orleans

New Orleans — the Big Easy — attracts millions of locals and tourists during Mardi Gras. In fact, some news reports show that average attendance at Mardi Gras festivities typically range around 1.4 million people in attendance, although after Hurricane Katrina, attendance was markedly lower. One challenge this presents is Mardi Gras has also earned the title of being the deadliest state holiday in Louisiana.

Unfortunately, the celebratory atmosphere associated with Mardi Gras often results in poor decisions including drunk and drugged driving. These poor decisions often result in death or serious injury to pedestrians, motorcycle operators, and bicycle riders. Facing a serious injury or losing a family member at any time of the year because of someone’s poor decision to drive while under the influence is bad, when it occurs during a celebration, it is even more heartbreaking.

During a Mardi Gras parade in 2017, 28 people were injured, some of them critically after a drunk driver went careening through a crowd of watchers. These types of accidents put a pall over the celebratory air surrounding Mardi Gras. In 2019, two people lost their lives, and seven others received serious injury during a drunk driving incident.

The air of celebration often leads to other bad decisions including distracted driving. Statistically, Louisiana records show 20 percent of all fatalities, and about 30 percent of all car accidents are directly related to some form of distracted driving including cell phone usage. These statistics should bother every driver on Louisiana roadways.

Other Personal Injury Cases Stemming from Mardi Gras

Unfortunately, parade and car related injuries are a fraction of the potential injuries which can be problematic for attendees of annual Mardi Gras celebrations. Some of the other problems which can occur include:

• Violent attacks — when you mix people and alcohol, nearly anything can happen and unfortunately, too often during Mardi Gras over consumption is common. Assaults, gunshot wounds, and other violent attacks can occur while participating in various events. Unfortunately, violent attacks can also occur in hotels, pubs, and out in the open. Victims often do not know where to turn when they are suffering the financial burden of a violent attack which occurred during Mardi Gras.
• Injuries in hotels — with more than 40,000 hotel rooms in New Orleans, it is probably not a big surprise to anyone that injuries can occur on the grounds, poorly maintained facilities which result in people being injured on staircases, in a bathroom where the shower curtains fall and cause injuries, or faulty furniture can result in back and neck injuries. When you are injured in a hotel, it is always a good idea to talk to an attorney who has experience handling premises liability cases to see if you may be able to recover financial damages for your injuries.
• Parade injuries — whether you are a bystander and are struck by objects which are thrown from floats, or you are a float participant and have objects thrown at floats, you run the risk of injury. Victims may suffer facial or eye injuries, head injuries, and in some cases may also suffer broken bones or other injuries due to pushing and shoving, items being thrown, or fights which break out during a parade.

Mardi Gras is supposed to be a time of celebration and merriment. When you suffer an injury during this time, whether you live in New Orleans or you are visiting, you may not know where to turn for help. Your first concern should be to make sure you seek immediate medical attention for any injury you sustain, regardless of the circumstances.

Medical bills can often be a problem when you are seen on an emergency basis in New Orleans, especially if you do not live in the area. Many insurance plans have very high deductibles or refuse to pay for injuries suffered out of state. This can be problematic if you suffer a serious injury during Mardi Gras because you could be facing high medical bills which may continue to add up if your injury requires you to receive additional treatment when you arrive back home.

Contact a New Orleans Personal Injury Attorney

When you suffer an injury in a hotel, during a parade, as a result of an assault, or because of a drunk or distracted driver during Mardi Gras celebrations you should seek legal advice. Whether you live in Louisiana or you are merely visiting to enjoy the festivities, you want to make sure you know what rights and options you have.

AKD Law has a proven track record of helping those who are injured as a result of poor decisions made by others. Our practice focuses on all areas of personal injury including product liability, premises liability car accidents, and pedestrian accidents to name a few. If you are uncertain whether you have the basis for filing a personal injury lawsuit, you should contact us for a free consultation. One of our personal injury lawyers will discuss the specifics of your injuries, how your injuries were sustained, and help you understand what options are available to you.

Once we know your options, we can work with you to work out a settlement with the insurance company of the responsible party. If the insurance company refuses to negotiate, or offer a settlement which fully compensates you for your financial losses, we will stand by you in court and make your case for why you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. You have nothing to lose — you should not have to pay high medical bills because someone else acted poorly during a time of celebration. Contact the offices of AKD Law today and let us review your case at no charge, and with no obligation.