Legal Question in Traffic Law in Louisiana

Good Morning. Location: Lafayette Louisiana, USA. I recently was involved in a wreck where I was on my way to work and had to take a section of road that I normally don't take as it was torrentially raining. I was driving in limited visibility and shortly after turning down said road I quickly found my car submerged in what I believe to be about a foot of floodwater (I drive a very small car). As I began backing down the road in limited visibility I collided with a car that was stopped behind me. His car was mostly fine but mine incurred significant damage which I did not have collision insurance for. I was also cited for careless operation of a motor vehicle, (which I really cant afford right now without pulling some crazy strings). I have flood maps that depict the area as being a major flood zone and historical data from the day proving that rain accumulation was roughly 3 inches in a couple hours. I feel as though the way I acted was rational in the sense that I feared for my safety and the safety of my property in an emergency situation. Do I have any legal recourse to debate this ticket and if I do would I ever have a chance in hell of having the fine reduced or exchange it for community service? Thanks.


Asked on 6/18/25, 5:45 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Adam Lambert The Law Office of Adam S. Lambert

What you have is good. You will also want a letter or email from your insurance adjuster stating that any property damage claim made by the other driver was paid by your insurer. If you can show that, they'll probably dismiss the ticket.

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Answered on 6/18/25, 8:34 am


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