What Is Louisiana’s “No Pay, No Play” Law?
June 9, 2025 / Personal Injury
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Louisiana but were uninsured, your ability to recover damages could be limited. This is true even if the other driver was entirely at fault. Why? Louisiana’s “No Pay, No Play” law penalizes uninsured drivers by restricting their right to compensation after an accident.
What Is the “No Pay, No Play” Law?
Louisiana Revised Statutes § 32:866, commonly known as the No Pay, No Play law, prevents uninsured drivers from recovering the first $15,000 of bodily injury damages and the first $25,000 of property damage in an accident claim. This applies regardless of whether another driver was at fault for the accident.
This law is designed to incentivize all drivers to maintain at least the minimum liability insurance coverage. In Louisiana, this includes $15,000 for bodily injury per person and $30,000 for bodily injury per accident. Additionally, drivers must maintain $25,000 for property damage.
Exceptions to the Rule
There are several important exceptions to Louisiana’s No Pay, No Play law:
- Drunk or impaired drivers: When the at-fault driver was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the crash, the injured party may recover the full amount of damages. This is true even without insurance.
- Intentional harm: When the other driver intentionally caused the accident, the restrictions do not apply.
- Hit-and-run accidents: When the at-fault driver flees the scene, an uninsured victim may still pursue full compensation once authorities identify them. Felony offenses: When the at-fault driver was committing a felony at the time of the accident, the law’s limitations may not apply.
- Legally parked vehicles: When your uninsured vehicle was legally parked and not in operation at the time of the collision, the recovery cap does not apply to you.
- Vehicle passengers: Passengers who sustain injuries while riding in an uninsured vehicle may still pursue full compensation from the at-fault party.
- Out-of-state drivers: Drivers from other states may qualify for an exemption if their home state’s requirements legally covered them at the time of the accident.
What To Do After a Car Accident in Louisiana if You Are Uninsured
Here’s what you should do after a car accident:
- Check for injuries and move to safety: Check yourself and others for injuries. Call 911 if anyone is hurt.
- Report the accident: You should always report the accident to law enforcement, even if you are uninsured.
- Exchange contact and insurance information: Get names, contact info, driver’s license numbers, insurance details, and license plates from all involved parties.
- Document the scene: Take photos or video of the vehicles, road conditions, injuries, and any other relevant details.
- Seek immediate medical attention: Seek prompt medical care, even if your injuries aren’t immediately apparent.
- Avoid admitting fault: Stick to the facts when speaking with the police or the other driver.
Contact a Baton Rouge Car Accident Attorney at Mansfield Melancon Injury Lawyers for Help
For more information, please contact Mansfield Melancon Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a car accident lawyer in Baton Rouge, LA, today. We have four convenient locations in Louisiana. These include Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette.
