New Orleans Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Over $1 Billion Won for Injured Clients Across Louisiana

We represent pedestrians injured by negligent drivers, including those facing disputed liability or claims another firm declined. To date, our attorneys have secured over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements. That record includes Louisiana’s largest single-injury verdict: $117 million for a mother injured in an ambulance accident.

We build each case around the evidence, applicable Louisiana law, and the full effect of the injuries on our client’s life. Our goal is to secure compensation that not only accounts for your immediate needs but also your future. Pedestrian accidents are particularly devastating, and we understand just what such an incident means for you and your family, now and for years to come.

Call (225) 209-9943 to request a free consultation with our New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyers.

Taking on Pedestrian Claims With Disputed or Complicated Liability

A claim can become difficult when a driver denies fault, an insurer blames the injured person, or critical evidence is incomplete or lost. We have the experience, resources, and skill to manage these complications, including tough cases other law firms reject.

Our pedestrian accident attorneys come from varied legal and cultural backgrounds that reflect communities throughout Louisiana. These perspectives allow us to understand each client’s circumstances, communicate clearly with witnesses, and present the human impact of an injury with sensitivity.

Common liability issues we investigate include:

• Whether the pedestrian was in a marked or unmarked crosswalk
• Whether the driver failed to yield, was speeding, or was distracted
• Whether either party disregarded a traffic-control signal
• Whether poor visibility, road conditions, or traffic patterns contributed to the collision
• Whether phone records, surveillance footage, or witness accounts clarify what happened

Pedestrian Right-of-Way & Comparative Fault in Louisiana

Right-of-way can shape a claim, but it doesn’t automatically determine fault. Louisiana Revised Statutes 32:212 generally requires a driver to stop and yield when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk and traffic-control signals are absent or aren’t operating. The law also prohibits pedestrians from suddenly leaving a curb or place of safety when a vehicle is too close to yield.

Who had the right-of-way is often one of the most complicated and contested issues in pedestrian accident claims in New Orleans. At Clayton, Frugé & Ward, we know how to carefully evaluate the evidence to determine exactly what happened, who had the legal right-of-way, and who was at fault.

How Louisiana’s Fault Rules Affect Compensation

Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323 governs comparative fault, the process of assigning each party a percentage of responsibility. For accidents before January 1, 2026, Louisiana’s prior pure comparative fault system allows an injured person to recover reduced compensation even when their assigned share of fault exceeds 50%.

For accidents on or after January 1, 2026, the state’s modified comparative fault rule applies. A claimant found 51% or more at fault can’t recover damages. A person assigned 50% or less may recover compensation, reduced by their percentage of fault.

Deadlines for Filing a Louisiana Pedestrian Injury Lawsuit

A prescriptive period is Louisiana’s deadline for filing a lawsuit. Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.1, most personal injury claims arising on or after July 1, 2024, have a two-year prescriptive period. The prior one-year period generally applies to injuries that occurred before that date.

Missing the applicable deadline can result in dismissal, regardless of the strength of the evidence. Acting promptly also gives us more time to obtain surveillance footage and records, document scene conditions, and interview witnesses before vital information disappears.

How We Investigate New Orleans Pedestrian Accident Claims

We tailor our investigation to the actual collision, rather than relying on a standard checklist. Depending on the facts, we may examine the crash report, road conditions, traffic patterns, witness statements, camera footage, and phone records to determine whether the driver breached a duty of care.

We also identify available insurance coverage and document the losses caused by the injuries. The process commonly begins with an insurance demand. If the insurer disputes responsibility or doesn’t offer fair compensation, we may file a lawsuit. Cases arising in Orleans Parish may proceed in Orleans Parish Civil District Court.

Hit-and-Run & Uninsured Driver Claims

A hit-and-run pedestrian claim doesn’t necessarily end because the driver can’t be identified. Depending on the policy and circumstances, the injured person may have access to uninsured motorist coverage through their own automobile insurance. We review the relevant policies and facts to identify potential sources of compensation.

Compensation Available After a Pedestrian Accident

Potential compensation depends on the injuries, financial losses, available insurance, and allocation of fault. We document current losses, as well as future effects supported by medical, employment, and financial evidence.

A pedestrian injury claim may seek compensation for:

• Medical bills and anticipated treatment expenses
• Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
• Physical pain and emotional suffering
• In-home care costs associated with the injury

When a pedestrian is killed, eligible family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim under Louisiana law. These cases require careful analysis of who may file, which losses are recoverable, and when the filing deadline expires.

Discuss Your New Orleans Pedestrian Accident Case With Us

We bring substantial resources, a record of historic results, and a willingness to examine claims complicated by disputed liability to our practice. During a free consultation, we can discuss what happened, what evidence may be available to support your claim, possible insurance coverage, and how Louisiana’s fault rules and filing deadlines may apply to your case. We encourage you to reach out to our pedestrian accident lawyers in New Orleans as soon as possible to avoid missing deadlines that could bar recovery

Call (225) 209-9943 or contact us online to speak with Clayton, Frugé & Ward about your case.