New Orleans Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Walking in New Orleans should be safe. Whether you’re crossing Canal Street on your way to the French Quarter, navigating Claiborne Avenue, or commuting through busy intersections like Canal Street & Rampart Street or Esplanade Avenue & North Broad Street, you shouldn’t have to worry about negligent and dangerous drivers. Unfortunately, these and other high-traffic areas are among the most dangerous for pedestrians.

According to Louisiana Highway Safety Commission data, pedestrian fatalities have risen sharply in recent years, with Louisiana consistently ranking among the states with the highest pedestrian fatality rates. In 2023, 147 pedestrians were killed statewide and another 1,234 were injured. These statistics highlight the need for stronger pedestrian protections—and legal advocacy when drivers’ negligence causes them harm.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident in New Orleans, Douglas & London is ready to fight for your rights. We understand the devastating toll these accidents take, and we are committed to helping victims and families recover the compensation they deserve.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in New Orleans

Many pedestrian accidents occur because drivers fail to uphold their duty to share the road responsibly. Common causes include:

Distracted Driving: Cell phone use, GPS adjustments, or other distractions take drivers’ eyes off the road.
Failure to Yield: Drivers often ignore or fail to see pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections.
Speeding: High speeds reduce reaction time and increase the severity of collisions.
Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drug use remain leading causes of pedestrian fatalities.
Unsafe Turns: Left-hand and right-hand turns at busy intersections frequently result in collisions.

Drivers are required by law to watch for pedestrians, but too often their negligence leads to catastrophic injuries.

Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accidents

Because pedestrians have no protection against a vehicle’s impact, injuries are often severe and life-altering. These may include:

Broken Bones and Fractures: The impact of a vehicle can cause fractures in the legs, arms, ribs, pelvis, or skull. These injuries often require surgery, casting, and extensive physical therapy, and in some cases may lead to permanent disability or limited mobility.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): A pedestrian may strike their head on the vehicle, pavement, or other objects during the collision. TBIs can range from concussions to severe brain damage, potentially causing memory loss, cognitive impairment, headaches, mood changes, or long-term loss of motor skills.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis: When the spinal cord is damaged, victims may experience partial or complete paralysis, chronic pain, or loss of bodily function. These injuries are life-altering, requiring lifelong medical care, rehabilitation, and adaptive equipment.
Internal Injuries: The force of impact can cause internal bleeding and damage to organs such as the liver, kidneys, or lungs. These injuries are not always immediately visible but can be fatal if left untreated, making prompt medical attention critical.
Soft Tissue Injuries, Cuts, and Lacerations: Even when bones and organs are spared, pedestrians often suffer painful sprains, torn ligaments, severe bruising, and deep cuts. These injuries can result in scarring, infection, and long-term pain that interferes with daily life.

These injuries can require months or even years of medical treatment and rehabilitation, and many victims never fully recover.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident

The aftermath of a pedestrian accident can be chaotic. Taking the right steps can protect both your health and your legal rights:

Get to safety and call 911. Seek immediate emergency assistance and make sure police document the scene.
Seek medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor, see a doctor. Internal or delayed-onset injuries are common.
Gather information. Collect the driver’s license, insurance details, and contact information, along with witness names if possible.
Document the scene. Take photos of the accident site, crosswalks, traffic signals, vehicle damage, and visible injuries.
Avoid speaking to insurers first. Insurance companies may try to minimize your claim. Speak with an attorney at Douglas & London before giving statements.

After the accident scene has been cleared and you’ve gone home or to the hospital, it’s also important to request a copy of the City of New Orleans accident report. This can serve as valuable evidence when it’s time to build your claim.

Local Hospitals for Pedestrian Accident Treatment

If you are injured in a pedestrian accident in New Orleans, you may be treated at one of the city’s leading hospitals, including:

University Medical Center New Orleans: A Level I Trauma Center with comprehensive emergency services
Ochsner Medical Center: One of the state’s premier hospitals with advanced trauma and rehabilitation care
East Jefferson General Hospital: A downtown hospital providing immediate emergency and specialty treatment
Touro LCMC Health: A trusted community hospital with extensive inpatient and outpatient services

Getting prompt medical attention is critical both for your recovery and for building a strong legal case.

Compensation for Pedestrian Accidents

Victims of pedestrian accidents in New Orleans may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical bills and rehabilitation costs
Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress

Douglas & London’s attorneys work tirelessly to calculate the full scope of your losses and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

Why Hire Douglas & London?

Navigating the aftermath of a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming, especially when insurance companies try to blame the victim or minimize payouts. At Douglas & London, we:

Investigate the crash thoroughly and gather critical evidence.
Consult with medical and accident reconstruction experts when needed.
Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies.
Prepare every case for trial to maximize leverage.

Our attorneys have decades of experience fighting for New Orleanians and have recovered millions on behalf of injury victims.

Contact Our New Orleans Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one has been struck by a negligent driver, don’t face the recovery process alone. At Douglas & London, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis—which means you pay nothing unless we win for you.