New Orleans Pedestrian Accident Lawyers
Protect Your Rights After a Pedestrian Accident in Louisiana
When you choose to walk instead of drive, you anticipate arriving at your destination safely. However, pedestrians in New Orleans are frequently exposed to serious risks posed by motor vehicles and careless drivers. Unfortunately, the statistics are sobering—thousands of people across the country are seriously injured or killed in pedestrian accidents each year. In Louisiana alone, 1,140 pedestrians sustained injuries and 130 lost their lives in traffic accidents in 2020. Statewide, the pedestrian death rate has increased annually, rising over 6.5% since 2019 and more than 20% since 2015, underscoring the ongoing dangers faced by those on foot.
If you or a loved one has been struck by a vehicle while walking in or around New Orleans, you know the immense burden these accidents impose—physically, emotionally, and financially. What many victims don't realize is that they could be entitled to financial compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, such as current and future medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. To learn more about pursuing a personal injury claim, please visit our personal injury page.
At The Womac Law Firm, we have advocated for injured pedestrians since 1983. As your dedicated pedestrian accident attorney in New Orleans, we understand the unique challenges faced by those harmed on city streets. Our pedestrian accident lawyers in New Orleans navigate the complexities of insurance claims and push back against efforts to deny, devalue, or dispute your recovery. We encourage you to reach out to us today to discover how we can help you rebuild after a life-altering pedestrian accident.
Understanding Louisiana Pedestrian Accident Laws
Louisiana's pedestrian laws are crucial for accident victims to understand because they define both driver obligations and the rights of individuals traveling on foot. Louisiana Revised Statute (RS) 32:212 requires motorists to yield to pedestrians in both marked and unmarked crosswalks throughout the state, including busy New Orleans intersections. Local enforcement—by agencies such as the New Orleans Police Department—often plays a key role in interpreting and applying these statutes following an accident. As an experienced pedestrian accident law firm serving New Orleans and the surrounding area, we leverage our understanding of these local and state laws to help position your claim for success.
Louisiana's comparative fault system means that a pedestrian's compensation may be adjusted if they are found partially at fault for the accident. However, the law generally favors those who are crossing with the light, utilizing designated walkways, or acting with reasonable care. At Womac Law Firm, our New Orleans pedestrian accident attorneys have handled claims across Orleans Parish and are skilled in demonstrating liability under both city and state law. If you have questions about your rights under Louisiana pedestrian law, we encourage you to contact our office for straightforward guidance based on decades of local experience.
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Call (504) 470-3935 or fill out and submit an online contact form to request your free, no-obligation consultation today.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
While there are many factors that can contribute to a pedestrian accident, negligence is most frequently the underlying cause. Negligence can take many forms, but most often involves a motorist behaving carelessly or recklessly—disregarding the safety of pedestrians sharing New Orleans’ roadways.
Some leading causes of pedestrian accidents in Louisiana and New Orleans include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Running red lights or ignoring traffic signs
- Neglecting to stop at crosswalks
- Fatigued driving
- Pedestrian intoxication
Although pedestrians are expected to follow certain rules—such as yielding to oncoming vehicles in specific situations—Louisiana law emphasizes a driver’s duty to avoid endangering others, especially those traveling on foot. The law generally holds drivers to a higher standard near crosswalks, intersections, or whenever pedestrians appear confused, impaired, or vulnerable. For more insights into your rights, visit our personal injury section.
Pedestrian accidents are especially common in high-traffic New Orleans corridors, such as Canal Street, St. Charles Avenue, and busy intersections throughout Orleans Parish. Local ordinances reinforce Louisiana’s laws, offering additional protections for pedestrians during events like Mardi Gras parades or French Quarter celebrations, when city streets are crowded. If you or someone you love has suffered a pedestrian accident anywhere in the New Orleans area, it is vital to understand both the state statutes and local risks to safeguard your path to compensation.
Common Injuries from Pedestrian Accidents in New Orleans
Victims of pedestrian accidents in New Orleans frequently sustain severe injuries due to the sheer force involved in a collision with a moving vehicle. Common injuries include fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal organ injuries, and significant cuts or abrasions. Even relatively low-speed accidents can result in lasting disabilities, such as impaired mobility, chronic pain, or cognitive complications. Local facilities like the University Medical Center in New Orleans often treat these types of catastrophic injuries—highlighting the seriousness with which such cases are handled by the medical community.
When you partner with Womac Law Firm, our pedestrian accident attorneys in New Orleans take every injury seriously, working to accurately account for all the long-term consequences of your injury. We consult with leading local healthcare providers to document your injuries—from the accident scene to rehabilitation—and to determine the impact on your work, daily life, and overall well-being. Our approach ensures that your pedestrian accident claim addresses not only immediate health care needs, but also future medical costs, lost earning potential, and diminished enjoyment of life. By building a comprehensive case, we position you for the compensation you need for a full recovery.
Call (504) 470-3935 or fill out and submit an online contact form to request your free, no-obligation consultation today.
Get the Compensation You Deserve With The Womac Law Firm
No matter how attentive and cautious we all strive to be, sometimes vigilance is not enough—someone else’s negligence can have life-changing consequences. If you have been injured by a negligent or reckless driver, you are legally entitled to seek compensation.
At The Womac Law Firm, our pedestrian accident attorneys in New Orleans are committed to recovering the full amount you deserve, including payment for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering. We thoroughly evaluate your case to ensure current and future injury-related costs are factored into your claim, helping ensure you have the financial resources you need to focus on your recovery.
Pursuing compensation for a pedestrian accident in New Orleans often means negotiating with insurance companies that are more interested in protecting their profits than your well-being. Our legal team has extensive experience representing pedestrian accident victims in New Orleans courts, including the Orleans Parish Civil District Court, and we know the strategies insurers use to delay, deny, or minimize valid claims. We investigate your accident in detail—often drawing upon crash reports and findings from the New Orleans Police Department and working with trusted local medical professionals. By building a fact-based, detailed case, we can present compelling evidence on your behalf.
Led by our founding attorney, Ed Womac, our team supports clients throughout every stage of their case. Ed has more than three decades of experience and has managed over 30,000 personal injury matters. We have observed first-hand how pedestrian accident victims in New Orleans struggle with mounting expenses, severe injuries, and emotional trauma. Whether your case involves a car, bus, truck, motorcycle, or any type of vehicle, Womac Law Firm will strive to hold all negligent parties fully accountable under Louisiana and New Orleans law.
Determining Fault & Liability in New Orleans Pedestrian Accidents
Establishing liability in a New Orleans pedestrian accident claim requires a detailed analysis of traffic patterns, accident circumstances, and the responsibilities of each party. Louisiana’s comparative fault system means that each claim is thoroughly evaluated, considering driver conduct—such as failing to yield, distracted driving, or ignoring traffic rules in busy intersections near the Superdome or Claiborne Avenue—as well as the pedestrian’s actions. Important evidence includes eyewitness accounts, police reports, and available video surveillance—a combination often necessary for building a strong liability case in local courts.
At Womac Law Firm, our New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyers work closely with experienced investigators and are attentive to factors unique to the city, including recent street construction, signage, lighting, and weather patterns. Leveraging our in-depth understanding of local ordinances and traffic patterns, we advocate for your legal right to compensation under New Orleans and Louisiana law. Throughout your case, we remain committed to transparent communication—keeping you informed of developments and empowering you to make informed decisions, whether negotiating a settlement or preparing for trial in Orleans Parish courts.
Call or email The Womac Law Firm today and let us "Put the Womac on 'Em.” Get started with a free consultation by calling (504) 470-3935.
