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If you were hit while walking, crossing a street, standing in a parking lot or getting in or out of a vehicle, Louisiana law may allow you to recover compensation from the driver and any other party responsible. Jacqueline Scott & Associates represents injured pedestrians and their families from offices in Shreveport and Bossier City and throughout Louisiana.
Call (318) 746-5997.
Make ’Em Pay.
How Pedestrian Accidents Happen
- drivers failing to yield in crosswalks or at intersections;
- right turns on red without checking for people crossing;
- distracted driving, including phone use;
- speeding in neighborhoods, school zones and parking lots;
- backing out of driveways and parking spaces;
- impaired driving;
- poor lighting at night; and
- vehicles leaving the roadway.
Louisiana Rules That Protect Pedestrians
Louisiana’s traffic laws give pedestrians the right of way in many crosswalk situations (La. R.S. 32:212) and require every driver to exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian (La. R.S. 32:214). Pedestrians also have duties, such as not suddenly leaving a curb into the path of a vehicle that is too close to stop.
Who had the right of way, what the driver could see, and what each person did in the moments before the crash are often the central questions.
Who May Be Responsible?
- the driver and the driver’s insurer;
- the driver’s employer, if the driver was working;
- a rideshare or delivery company, depending on the circumstances;
- a property owner, for unsafe parking lots or lighting; or
- a government entity, in limited situations involving dangerous roadway conditions.
Your own auto policy’s uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage may also apply when the driver has no insurance or not enough insurance, even though you were on foot.
Evidence That Matters
- the crash report and the responding agency;
- photographs of the scene, crosswalk, signals, lighting and the vehicle;
- surveillance and doorbell camera video, which is often recorded over quickly;
- witness names and statements;
- vehicle data and damage;
- your clothing and shoes; and
- medical records from the first visit onward.
Common Injuries
- traumatic brain injuries;
- broken legs, hips, pelvis and arms;
- spinal cord and back injuries;
- internal injuries;
- road rash and scarring; and
- fatal injuries.
See our guide to traumatic brain injuries.
Potential Compensation
Depending on Louisiana law and the evidence, a pedestrian injury claim may include medical expenses, future care, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. When a pedestrian is killed, Louisiana law may provide survival and wrongful death claims to qualifying family members.
Louisiana Legal Considerations
- Comparative fault. Drivers and insurers often argue the pedestrian was at fault. Under Louisiana Civil Code article 2323 as amended effective January 1, 2026, a claimant found 51% or more at fault cannot recover, and a lower percentage reduces the recovery. See Louisiana’s 51% fault rule.
- Deadlines. Many Louisiana injury claims arising after July 1, 2024 must be filed within two years. See Louisiana’s two-year filing deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I wasn’t in a crosswalk?
You may still have a claim. Drivers must exercise due care toward pedestrians, and fault may be shared. The specific facts matter.
What if the driver left the scene?
Report it to police right away. Your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply to a hit-and-run.
Can my own car insurance help if I was walking?
Often, yes. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage may apply even when you were not in your car. Check your policy and talk with a lawyer.
Talk With a Louisiana Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
If you were hit by a vehicle while on foot, call Jacqueline Scott & Associates at (318) 746-5997 for a free consultation.
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. This page 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.
