On this page
- Personal Injury Accidents in New Orleans
- Car Accidents in New Orleans
- I-10 Accidents in New Orleans
- I-610 Accidents
- Multi-Vehicle Interstate Accidents
- 18-Wheeler Accidents
- Driver Fatigue
- Truck Maintenance
- Commercial and Delivery Vehicle Accidents
- Rideshare Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Premises Liability
- Catastrophic Injury Claims
- Future Medical Care
- Lost Earning Capacity
- What Compensation May Be Available?
- Louisiana's 51% Comparative Fault Rule
- Why Comparative Fault Matters in New Orleans
- Louisiana's General Two-Year Filing Period
- Claims Involving Government Vehicles or Property
- Wrongful Death in Orleans Parish
- Where Are Orleans Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves New Orleans and Orleans Parish
The city combines interstate traffic, commercial vehicles, buses, rideshare vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, tourists, delivery drivers, and dense urban streets.
When an accident causes catastrophic injuries, determining who is responsible may require video, electronic records, commercial documents, witnesses, medical evidence, and accident reconstruction.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates represents people injured in New Orleans and throughout Orleans Parish and Louisiana.
Our personal injury practice includes:
- car accidents;
- I-10 accidents;
- I-610 accidents;
- 18-wheeler wrecks;
- commercial vehicle accidents;
- rideshare accidents;
- pedestrian accidents;
- bicycle accidents;
- motorcycle accidents;
- premises liability;
- catastrophic injuries;
- wrongful death; and
- other serious personal injury claims.
Call (318) 746-5997.
Make ’Em Pay.
Personal Injury Accidents in New Orleans
New Orleans presents a unique mixture of interstate and dense urban traffic.
Major transportation corridors include Interstate 10 and Interstate 610, along with major U.S., state, and city roadways.
A serious accident can involve:
- local motorists;
- interstate travelers;
- 18-wheelers;
- delivery vehicles;
- buses;
- rideshare vehicles;
- taxis;
- motorcycles;
- bicycles; and
- pedestrians.
Car Accidents in New Orleans
Car wrecks may result from:
- distracted driving;
- speeding;
- following too closely;
- unsafe lane changes;
- failure to yield;
- running traffic signals;
- unsafe turns;
- impaired driving; and
- aggressive driving.
Urban accidents can also create substantial potential video evidence.
Nearby businesses, residences, vehicles, or public infrastructure may have recorded portions of an accident.
I-10 Accidents in New Orleans
I-10 carries substantial passenger and commercial traffic through the New Orleans area.
Serious I-10 crashes can involve:
- 18-wheelers;
- rear-end collisions;
- merging crashes;
- unsafe lane changes;
- sudden congestion;
- driver fatigue;
- distracted driving;
- construction;
- rain; and
- multi-vehicle accidents.
I-610 Accidents
I-610 provides another important interstate route through New Orleans.
Highway-speed collisions can cause severe injuries even when vehicles do not overturn or leave the roadway.
Multi-Vehicle Interstate Accidents
A chain-reaction crash can involve several drivers and insurers.
The investigation may need to determine:
- sequence of impacts;
- vehicle speeds;
- lane positions;
- following distances;
- braking;
- traffic conditions; and
- driver reactions.
Potential evidence includes:
- photographs;
- dashcams;
- surveillance footage;
- witnesses;
- vehicle damage;
- electronic information;
- trucking records; and
- reconstruction evidence.
18-Wheeler Accidents
Commercial-truck cases may involve specialized evidence.
Potential evidence includes:
- electronic logs;
- GPS;
- telematics;
- dashcams;
- driver-facing cameras;
- dispatch communications;
- driver qualification records;
- inspection reports;
- maintenance documents; and
- cargo information.
Driver Fatigue
Covered commercial drivers are subject to federal hours-of-service requirements.
When fatigue is suspected, investigators may compare electronic logs with GPS, dispatch, fuel, delivery, and other time-stamped information.
Truck Maintenance
Potential mechanical issues can include:
- brakes;
- tires;
- steering;
- lighting;
- suspension; and
- coupling systems.
When equipment failure is suspected, preserving the commercial vehicle can be critical.
Commercial and Delivery Vehicle Accidents
New Orleans streets can include substantial commercial delivery traffic.
Serious crashes can involve:
- box trucks;
- delivery vans;
- contractor pickups;
- utility vehicles;
- buses;
- tractor-trailers; and
- other company vehicles.
The driver's employment and purpose of the trip may become important.
Rideshare Accidents
A rideshare accident can involve additional insurance questions.
Potential issues include:
- who caused the crash;
- whether the rideshare driver had a passenger;
- whether the driver was logged into the platform;
- what policy applied; and
- whether another driver also bears responsibility.
Coverage should be determined from the actual facts and policies.
Pedestrian Accidents
New Orleans has substantial pedestrian activity.
Pedestrian accidents may occur near:
- intersections;
- crosswalks;
- hotels;
- restaurants;
- entertainment districts;
- residential neighborhoods; and
- commercial areas.
Potential evidence includes video, witnesses, vehicle data, lighting conditions, and roadway evidence.
Bicycle Accidents
Bicyclists can suffer serious injuries when a driver:
- fails to yield;
- turns across a bicycle's path;
- opens a vehicle door into the rider's path;
- passes unsafely;
- drives distracted; or
- violates another applicable traffic rule.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents can result in:
- traumatic brain injuries;
- spinal injuries;
- fractures;
- internal injuries;
- road rash;
- nerve damage; and
- amputations.
Fault should be determined from evidence rather than assumptions about the rider.
Premises Liability
Injuries can also occur at hotels, stores, restaurants, apartments, entertainment venues, and other properties.
Potential premises cases can involve:
- unsafe walking surfaces;
- hazardous conditions;
- inadequate maintenance; and
- other dangerous property conditions.
The applicable legal requirements depend on the type of property and circumstances.
Catastrophic Injury Claims
Potential catastrophic injuries include:
- traumatic brain injury;
- spinal cord injury;
- paralysis;
- amputations;
- severe burns;
- crush injuries;
- multiple fractures;
- organ damage; and
- permanent neurological impairment.
Future Medical Care
Potential future needs may include:
- surgery;
- rehabilitation;
- physical therapy;
- medication;
- prosthetics;
- medical equipment;
- attendant care; and
- home modifications.
Lost Earning Capacity
Permanent injuries can affect a person's ability to return to a previous career.
Potential evidence can include:
- employment history;
- wage records;
- medical restrictions;
- vocational evidence; and
- economic analysis.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Depending on Louisiana law and the evidence, potential damages may include:
- past medical expenses;
- future medical care;
- lost wages;
- diminished earning capacity;
- rehabilitation;
- property damage;
- physical pain;
- mental anguish;
- disability;
- loss of enjoyment of life; and
- other legally recoverable losses.
Louisiana's 51% Comparative Fault Rule
Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323 changed effective January 1, 2026.
For claims governed by current law, a claimant found 51% or more negligent cannot recover damages.
When claimant negligence is below 51%, damages are reduced according to the assigned percentage.
Why Comparative Fault Matters in New Orleans
Urban accidents can involve several simultaneous actions.
For example:
- a driver may make an unsafe turn;
- another vehicle may be speeding;
- a pedestrian or bicyclist's actions may also be disputed.
The evidence must determine each party's negligence.
The percentage assigned to a claimant can have major consequences under current Louisiana law.
Louisiana's General Two-Year Filing Period
Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.1 generally provides a two-year prescriptive period for delictual actions beginning when injury or damage is sustained.
The legislation establishing that period became effective July 1, 2024.
Older accidents and specialized claims can involve different rules.
Claims Involving Government Vehicles or Property
Some New Orleans accidents may involve a public entity, public employee, government vehicle, or allegedly defective public property.
Claims against Louisiana public entities can involve additional procedural, service, immunity, notice, or damages issues.
They should be evaluated separately from an ordinary private-party accident claim.
Wrongful Death in Orleans Parish
Fatal car, truck, pedestrian, bicycle, motorcycle, and commercial-vehicle accidents may potentially create survival and wrongful-death actions.
A fatal accident investigation may include:
- reconstruction;
- video;
- commercial records;
- medical evidence;
- employment information;
- financial evidence;
- insurance; and
- beneficiary information.
Where Are Orleans Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
Louisiana's Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans handles civil matters within its jurisdiction in Orleans Parish.
The appropriate court and venue for a particular claim depend on Louisiana law, the defendants, and the circumstances.
Federal or specialized claims may proceed elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have after a New Orleans accident?
Louisiana's current general rule provides two years for delictual actions. Accident dates and specialized claims can affect the deadline.
What if an 18-wheeler hit me on I-10?
The investigation may involve the driver, motor carrier, electronic records, GPS, maintenance, equipment ownership, cargo, commercial insurance, and potentially several companies.
What if I was hit while walking?
A pedestrian claim may involve right of way, speed, lighting, visibility, distraction, video, and other evidence.
What if I was injured in a rideshare vehicle?
Potential claims and insurance coverage depend on who caused the crash and the rideshare driver's status at the time.
What if a city vehicle was involved?
Public-entity claims can involve additional Louisiana procedural and liability rules and should be evaluated separately.
Can I recover if I was partially responsible?
For claims governed by current Article 2323, claimant negligence below 51% can reduce damages without necessarily barring recovery.
What if my injuries are permanent?
A catastrophic injury claim may require evaluation of future medical treatment, rehabilitation, disability, diminished earning capacity, and other long-term losses.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves New Orleans and Orleans Parish
If you were seriously injured in New Orleans or elsewhere in Orleans Parish, contact:
Jacqueline Scott & Associates
(318) 746-5997
Make ’Em Pay.
Every case is different. Results depend on the specific facts and circumstances of each individual matter. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Public-entity, federal, and specialized claims can involve different procedures and deadlines. This article provides general educational information and is not legal advice.
This article is general information about Louisiana law and is not legal advice. Laws and deadlines can change, and every case depends on its own facts. Past results do not guarantee or predict future outcomes. Reading this page or contacting the firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship.
