Pedestrian Accidents in New Orleans
In a city like New Orleans, known for its walkable neighborhoods, vibrant streets, and bustling tourism, pedestrians are almost literally everywhere. People cross streets to visit shops in the French Quarter, stroll along Magazine Street, or walk to work in the Central Business District.
But all it takes is one moment of driver negligence to turn an ordinary walk in New Orleans into a life-altering tragedy.
Pedestrian accidents are particularly harmful. When a vehicle weighing thousands of pounds strikes an unprotected person, the injuries are often catastrophic. The physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial burden can feel overwhelming.
At Douglas & London, we’ve helped many pedestrian accident victims throughout New Orleans rebuild their lives after serious injuries. We understand what you’re going through, and we’re here to help you navigate the challenging road to recovery.
Pedestrian Dangers in New Orleans
New Orleans presents many unique risks for pedestrians. Our historic neighborhoods were designed long before automobiles, with narrow streets and limited sidewalk space. Add in the following factors, and you have a city where pedestrian safety is constantly at risk:
- Heavy tourism with distracted visitors unfamiliar with local traffic patterns
- Festivals and events that create unusual pedestrian and vehicle interactions
- Alcohol consumption that can impair both drivers and pedestrians
- Inadequate pedestrian infrastructure in many areas
- Streetcar routes that complicate pedestrian crossings
- Streets in poor repair with uneven surfaces and unexpected hazards
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents
As you can see, many factors contribute to pedestrian accidents and injuries in New Orleans. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Distracted Driving: Drivers who are texting, eating, looking in the mirror, using navigation systems, or simply not focusing on the road often fail to notice pedestrians until it’s too late.
- Failure to Yield: Many drivers ignore pedestrian right-of-way at crosswalks, turning into the path of people legally crossing the street.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s reaction time and dramatically increases the severity of injuries when a pedestrian is struck.
- Impaired Driving: Alcohol and drugs can impair judgment, reaction time, and vision—a dangerous combination when pedestrians are present.
- Left Turns at Intersections: Drivers making left turns often focus on oncoming traffic and fail to check for pedestrians crossing the street they’re turning onto.
- Poor Visibility: Inadequate street lighting, bad weather, or obstructed sightlines can prevent drivers from seeing pedestrians.
- Dangerous Infrastructure: A lack of sidewalks, poorly designed crosswalks, and malfunctioning signals create hazardous conditions for pedestrians.
Injuries That Change Lives
When vehicles strike pedestrians, the injuries are often severe and, in some cases, life-changing:
Traumatic Brain Injuries: Even “minor” concussions can cause lasting cognitive problems, while severe TBIs may permanently alter personality, thinking, and motor function.
Spinal Cord Damage: Injuries to the spine can cause partial or complete paralysis, chronic pain, and permanent disability.
Multiple Fractures: Broken bones, especially in the legs, pelvis, and ribs, often require surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
Internal Injuries: The force of impact can damage vital organs, causing internal bleeding and life-threatening complications.
Soft Tissue Damage: Serious tears to muscles, ligaments, and tendons can cause chronic pain and limited mobility.
Psychological Trauma: Many victims develop PTSD, anxiety, depression, or phobias about walking near traffic after an accident.
These injuries don’t just cause physical pain. They can destroy careers, strain relationships, and prevent enjoyment of life’s simple pleasures. Recovery can take months or years, and some people never fully regain their pre-accident health and abilities.
Your Rights as a Pedestrian in Louisiana
Many pedestrian accident victims don’t fully understand their legal rights:
Right of Way in Crosswalks
Drivers must yield to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. Many drivers ignore this responsibility, but the law is clear.
Comparative Fault Considerations
Even if you were partially at fault (perhaps by crossing outside a crosswalk), you may still be entitled to compensation under Louisiana’s comparative fault system.
Recovery Against Multiple Parties
In some cases, multiple parties may share responsibility—the driver, the municipality responsible for road design, or others who contributed to dangerous conditions.
Compensation Beyond Insurance Minimums
When injuries are severe, basic insurance policies may not cover your needs. We explore all avenues for full compensation.
How Douglas & London Fights for Injured Pedestrians
Pedestrian accident cases require experienced, dedicated legal representation. At Douglas & London, we provide comprehensive support:
Thorough Investigation: We examine the accident scene, review police reports, interview witnesses, analyze traffic patterns, and often work with accident reconstruction experts to establish exactly what happened and who was at fault.
Medical Documentation: We work with healthcare providers to ensure all your injuries are properly diagnosed, treated, and documented, including potential long-term complications.
Full Damage Assessment: We calculate the complete impact of your injuries—not just current medical bills, but future needs, lost earning capacity, and the human costs of pain and suffering.
Negotiation: We handle all communication with insurance companies, presenting strong evidence of their client’s liability and your damages to secure fair compensation.
Trial Preparation: While most cases settle, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This thorough approach strengthens our negotiating position and ensures we’re ready if court becomes necessary.
Compensation for Pedestrian Accident Victims
A successful pedestrian accident claim can provide compensation for:
- Emergency and ongoing medical treatment
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Why Choose Douglas & London for Your Pedestrian Accident Case
Our personal injury lawyers offer:
- Local knowledge of New Orleans streets, intersection dangers, and pedestrian patterns
- Legal experience handling complex pedestrian injury claims
- Resources to investigate thoroughly and build the strongest possible case
- Compassionate support throughout your recovery journey
- Proven results for injured pedestrians throughout Louisiana
We handle cases on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win compensation for you.
Contact Douglas & London Today
If you or someone you love has been injured as a pedestrian in New Orleans, reach out to our team of personal injury lawyers so you don’t face this challenge alone. Having a strong advocate in your corner can make a massive difference, not only for your case, but also for your overall health and recovery.
Contact Douglas & London for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and understand your options.
