Car Accident Attorney in New Orleans

Record-Setting Verdicts for Injured Drivers & Passengers

Our attorneys at Clayton, Frugé & Ward have secured over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for personal injury clients across Louisiana, including the state's largest single-injury verdict: $117 million on behalf of a mother injured in an ambulance accident. That record isn't a slogan. It's the result of decades of preparation, courtroom strategy, and a willingness to take cases other firms turn away. When insurance companies see our name on a claim, the negotiating dynamic can shift.

We represent car accident victims throughout New Orleans and greater Louisiana, and we take cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

If you've been hurt in a crash on New Orleans roads, call us for a free consultation at (225) 209-9943. Our team can evaluate your case today.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle

Car crashes take many forms, and each type presents distinct legal challenges. We handle the full range of motor vehicle accident claims in the New Orleans area, including the following.

Rear-End Collisions

Insurance companies routinely argue that injuries from rear-end crashes are pre-existing or too minor to warrant compensation. Establishing a clear connection between the impact and your injuries calls for medical documentation, accident reconstruction, and legal strategy that anticipates these defenses.

Intersection & T-Bone Crashes

Orleans Parish sees a disproportionate number of intersection collisions. Disputed fault is common, especially at intersections with poor signage or malfunctioning signals. Louisiana's modified comparative fault rule makes it critical to build a clear liability case before the other side assigns blame to you.

Drunk Driving Accidents

When an impaired driver causes a crash, Louisiana law may allow punitive damages on top of compensatory damages. These cases carry distinct evidentiary requirements, including toxicology results and prior offense history. We pursue every available avenue of recovery for victims of drunk driving collisions.

Rideshare Accidents

Uber and Lyft crashes involve layered insurance coverage that shifts depending on the driver's status at the time of the accident: logged off, waiting for a ride request, en route to a pickup, or carrying a passenger. Each stage triggers different policy limits and different insurers. Sorting out which coverage applies is where many claims stall without experienced counsel.

Hit-and-Run Crashes

When the at-fault driver flees the scene, victims aren't necessarily left without recourse. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own policy can provide compensation even if the other driver is never identified. We guide clients through these claims and work to maximize what their own coverage provides.

Truck & Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Trucking companies deploy their own lawyers and investigators within hours of a serious crash. Evidence like electronic driver logs and black box data can be overwritten or destroyed if it isn't preserved quickly. Immediate legal action is important in these cases.

Why New Orleans Accident Victims Choose Clayton, Frugé & Ward

Verdict History That Changes the Conversation
Our firm has secured multi-million dollar verdicts that include $411 million, $171 million, $117 million (Louisiana's largest single-injury verdict), and $75 million. With over $1 billion won for our clients, we bring a level of courtroom credibility that can lead insurers to take claims seriously from the start. Name partners Tony Clayton, Michael Frugé, and Rick Ward have built a practice around preparing every case as if it's going to trial.

Cases Other Firms Reject
We regularly accept cases that other law firms have turned down. Complex liability, disputed fault, and difficult injuries are often where our analytical approach and resources make the greatest difference. Our team identifies strategies to increase the odds of success even when the path forward isn't obvious.

A Firm for Everyone in Louisiana
Our attorneys come from diverse legal and cultural backgrounds, reflecting the communities we serve. We don't identify as one kind of firm. We're a firm for everyone. Deep-rooted connections within Louisiana's varied communities allow us to present cases with sensitivity to cultural nuances that can meaningfully impact outcomes.

Louisiana Car Accident Laws That Affect Your Claim

Louisiana is a fault-based state, meaning injured victims pursue claims against the at-fault driver's insurer. Louisiana's direct action statute (R.S. 22:1269) was significantly amended in 2024 and now limits when you can sue an insurer directly. A direct action against the insurer is permitted only when specific exceptions apply, such as the insured filing for bankruptcy, the insured being insolvent, or the insurer issuing a reservation of rights or coverage denial.

Key legal rules to understand:

• Modified comparative fault (effective January 1, 2026): If you're found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. At 50% or less, your damages are reduced by your share of fault.
• Statute of limitations: 2 years from the date of injury for accidents on or after July 1, 2024. For accidents before that date, the deadline is 1 year. Missing it typically forecloses your right to file.
• Minimum insurance limits: Louisiana requires only $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $25,000 for property damage. In serious crashes, these minimums are often insufficient, making UM/UIM coverage critical.
• Recoverable damages: Medical expenses (current and future), lost wages, reduced earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and in applicable cases, wrongful death damages.

Filing a Claim in New Orleans

Car accidents inside New Orleans city limits are reported to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD). The official accident report is a foundational piece of evidence in any claim. Personal injury lawsuits arising from crashes in the city are filed in Orleans Parish Civil District Court, where local procedural rules and judicial calendars can affect case timelines.

New Orleans also presents driving conditions that contribute to crash frequency: narrow historic streets, one-way road patterns, heavy tourist traffic, and elevated rates of impaired driving. These factors can complicate liability determinations, making thorough investigation important from the start.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Can I Recover Damages If I Was Partly at Fault?

Under Louisiana's modified comparative fault rule (effective January 1, 2026), you can still recover damages if you're found 50% or less at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

For accidents on or after July 1, 2024, the statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of injury. For accidents before that date, the deadline is 1 year. Acting quickly helps preserve both your legal rights and critical evidence.

Should I Speak With the Other Driver's Insurance Company?

Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts and may use your recorded statements against you later. Consulting an attorney before giving any statement can help protect your claim from early missteps.

Talk to Our New Orleans Car Accident Attorneys

A free consultation with our team can give you clarity on your legal options, the strength of your case, and what recovery may look like. There's no cost to speak with us and no obligation to move forward.

We represent accident victims on a contingency fee basis, so you won't pay a fee unless we recover compensation. Every community in Louisiana deserves access to attorneys who have the resources and record to go toe-to-toe with major insurers.

Call Clayton, Frugé & Ward at (225) 209-9943 to schedule your free consultation.