New Orleans is a walking city. The French Quarter, Magazine Street, and Frenchmen Street are built around people on foot. But the roads weren’t designed with pedestrians in mind. When a driver hits someone in this city, the injuries are serious — and the legal picture is almost never simple. Our New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyers handle cases shaped by this city’s specific roads, traffic patterns, and infrastructure.
What Louisiana Law Says About Pedestrian Rights
Drivers owe pedestrians a duty of care at crosswalks, intersections, and anywhere a person legally uses the roadway. That duty doesn’t disappear simply because someone was crossing outside a marked crosswalk. It changes the analysis, but it doesn’t eliminate liability.
Louisiana’s pure comparative fault rule applies here, too. So, if an insurer assigns you 20% of the fault for crossing mid-block, your recovery is reduced by that percentage. An attorney will work to keep that number as low as the facts actually support.
Who Can Be Liable After a Pedestrian Crash in New Orleans
The driver who hit you is the obvious starting point. However, it’s often not the only one.
The driver’s employer, if the driver was working at the time. If a rideshare driver was involved, read our post on Uber and Lyft accidents in New Orleans for how platform liability works.
- The City of New Orleans, if a defective crosswalk signal, missing signage, or dangerous road condition contributed.
A property owner, if a blocked sightline near a driveway or exit played a role. Our most dangerous roads in New Orleans page identifies corridors with documented hazards.
Identifying who is responsible — and what insurance is available — is therefore one of the most important early steps in these cases.
Why New Orleans Roads Are Especially Dangerous for Pedestrians
Bourbon Street, Canal Street, and Magazine Street all have documented pedestrian safety problems. Drivers treat them as throughways even during peak foot traffic hours.
The neighborhoods north of the Superdome and along Tulane Avenue have some of the highest pedestrian injury rates in Orleans Parish. According to NHTSA data, Louisiana consistently ranks among the most dangerous states for pedestrians. New Orleans road conditions — aging pavement, poor drainage, limited lighting — make that ranking worse.
What to Do After Being Hit by a Car in New Orleans
- Call 911. An official NOPD report establishes the location, time, and parties involved.
- Get medical attention the same day, even if you feel okay. Pedestrian crash injuries often appear hours later.
- Photograph the scene if you’re physically able: the vehicle, the crosswalk, the lighting, and any skid marks.
- Get the driver’s insurance, license plate, and contact information.
- Ask nearby witnesses for their contact information.
- Don’t give a recorded statement to any insurer before speaking with an attorney.
What Compensation Can You Recover
Pedestrian accident injuries tend to be among the most severe in any personal injury practice. When a vehicle hits a person, the outcomes are rarely minor.
Depending on the facts, you may be entitled to recover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our New Orleans personal injury page covers the full scope of damages available under Louisiana law.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the driver fled the scene?
Hit and run crashes happen in New Orleans. Your own uninsured motorist coverage can apply under Louisiana law. Our hit and run accident page explains how those claims work. Additionally, an attorney will investigate to try to identify the driver.
What if I was crossing outside a crosswalk?
This will likely be raised as a contributing factor. However, Louisiana’s comparative fault system allows recovery even when the injured person shares responsibility. The percentage attributed to you reduces — but doesn’t eliminate — your recovery.
How long do I have to file in Louisiana?
Usually, you have two years to file a personal injury claim in Louisiana. Even so, acting sooner is always in your best interest. Witness memories fade and evidence disappears quickly.
If you or someone you know was hurt by a driver in New Orleans, call us before you sign anything. The consultation is free.
