Fog isn’t just a misty inconvenience on a Louisiana morning. It can be a wolf in sheep’s clothing, especially when it thickens into the “super fog” we recently witnessed in late October. This smoke-infused natural phenomenon destroyed visibility on I-55 near New Orleans, turning a bustling highway into a deadly scene. Seven lives lost, 158 cars damaged, over 25 people injured.

What is Super Fog?

Super fog is a rare and dangerous weather phenomenon. Unlike regular fog, it forms when smoke particles from wildfires or controlled burns combine with high humidity and cool air. This potent mix creates an incredibly thick fog bank that can engulf entire roadways, causing near-zero visibility for drivers.

Where is Super Fog Found?

Super fog conditions are rare but do occur periodically in Southern states where marsh fires, calm winds and humidity can combine to create thick veils of fog. According to the National Weather Service, various types of fog occur in Louisiana with some degree of regularity, particularly between October and April.

Why Does Super Fog Cause Accidents?

• Aggressive or unsafe driving due to travel delays: The frustration and delay caused by road closures, accidents, and slow moving traffic can cause some drivers to speed or drive unsafely.
• Distracted driving: Drivers forced off of their planned route by road closures or bad weather frequently rely on navigation apps to get where they need to go, leading to distraction and a greater likelihood of getting in wreck.
• Poor driving conditions: Just because the road is open, doesn’t mean the driving conditions are safe. During super fog events, driving conditions in the surrounding areas will be poor, leading to increased accidents.
• Unfamiliar territory: Driving in an unfamiliar area can cause anxiety, especially in poor conditions. This, combined with a lack of local knowledge of the area, can spell disaster.
• Increased traffic density: As we saw during the October 2023 super fog event, the I-55 bridge closure forced drivers onto alternate routes that weren’t designed to handle the same amount of traffic as an interstate.

6 Driving Tips to Stay Safe in Super Fog

• Plan: Though the accuracy of the weather man is often the brunt of many jokes, weather forecasters are pretty accurate when it comes to predicting super fog. Pay attention to fog advisories. If “super fog” is anticipated, consider postponing your trip. If you can’t postpone, consider alternate routes that avoid areas prone to fog.
• See and be seen: Your headlights and fog lights are your allies. Turn them on, not out of courtesy, but out of self-preservation. And avoid using high beams – they’ll just reflect off the fog, worsening your visibility.
• Slow down and drive defensively: Your best offense against super fog is a good defense. Take it slow and stay far away from vehicles driving aggressively. Stopping distances increase drastically with speed.
• Do not stop: The weather service in New Orleans advised stopping during low-visibility actually increases the risk of an accident.
• The lines are your lifeline: If you find yourself struggling to see anything, look for the lines on the road. The road lines will stick out because glass beads are injected into the paint!
• Pull over, don’t be a hero: If the world outside your windshield looks like a bad special effect from a B-movie horror flick, find a parking lot or other safe spot to pull over. Fog can lift just as quickly as it rolls in and you’ll be back on the road in no time!

Why You May Need A Personal Injury Lawyer If Involved in an Accident in Super Fog

Accidents resulting from fog frequently result in pile-ups because other drivers are left with little time to react. Determining who is at fault is in a multi-car accident can be daunting. Louisiana is a comparative fault state, meaning that an injured party may only recover the percentage of damages attributable to each defendant.

Further, at-fault drivers may attempt to rely on the “sudden emergency doctrine” that relieves a person of liability as long as they can show they found themselves in imminent danger without sufficient time to consider and weigh the circumstances to come up with the objective best action. As long as the motorist exercised reasonable care, the accident will be found to be “inevitable” and no liability arises.

How Malvin Law Can Help

In a multi-car accident, there can be hundreds of crash points to investigate. Malvin Law works with accident reconstruction experts to determine what happened, who is at fault, and the best way for our clients to recover. In serious accidents, medical bills, lost wages, and transportation costs add up quick. Malvin Law has resources in place for it’s clients to alleviate as many of these headaches as possible.

If you’ve been the unfortunate victim of someone else’s recklessness in a fog, call us today. As your personal injury attorney, I’ll navigate the legal maze for you, fighting for the compensation you deserve. But let’s be clear – the best outcome is always the one where no one gets hurt. So, spread the word, share this article, and let’s keep our Louisiana roads safe!

Additional Resources

National Weather Service Fog Advisories

Causeway Bridge Alerts