Car Accident Attorneys in New Orleans, Louisiana

1. Lavis Law Firm – Personal Injury & Accident Attorney

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, boating accidents, rideshare accidents (Uber/Lyft), golf cart accidents, wrongful death, workers’ compensation (Louisiana Workers’ Compensation, Longshore & Harbor Workers’ Compensation, Defense Base Act, Jones Act & Maritime Law), hurricane insurance claims, property damage claims.

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial truck accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, intersection accidents, highway accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, on-the-job injuries.

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, bodily injury claims, lost wage recovery, loss of earning capacity claims, pain and suffering claims, insurance dispute resolution, bad faith insurance claims, demand letter preparation.

Background: Charles E. Lavis Jr. has practiced personal injury law since 1995 (nearly 30 years). The firm is licensed to assist injured victims throughout Louisiana and has recovered millions of dollars for clients. The firm maintains a 4.9/5 rating across 89+ reviews on Google. Charles Lavis operates on an 11-Part Client Services Guarantee promising close personal attention, immediate access, and diligent representation.

Location: 643 Magazine Street, Suite 301D, New Orleans, LA 70130 (Main Office); additional offices in Harvey and Metairie

Contact: (866) 558-9151 | (504) 834-4000 | https://www.lavislaw.com

Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee basis: no recovery, no fee. The firm does not charge a retainer or deposit.

2. Alvendia, Kelly & Demarest, LLC (AKD Law)

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents (Uber/Lyft), industrial accidents, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, defective medical devices, hurricane property damage claims, environmental law (PFAS contamination).

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, inattentive driving cases, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries.

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, class action litigation, mass tort claims.

Background: The firm was founded in 2003. Roderick “Rico” Alvendia graduated with high honors from Loyola University New Orleans in 1994 and earned his J.D. from Loyola University Law School in 1998 on an academic scholarship. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves. J. Bart Kelly III has 23+ years of litigation experience including more than 30 jury trials and obtained a $17 million verdict in Schreiber v. JCC and a $3.25 million verdict in Hampton v. Nix. Barrett R. Stephens served as a federal law clerk to the Honorable Lance M. Africk in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (2007-2008) and is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. The attorneys are admitted to practice in Louisiana, U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and U.S. Eastern, Middle, and Western District Courts of Louisiana.

Location: 909 Poydras Street, Suite 1625, New Orleans, LA 70112

Contact: (504) 200-0000 | [email protected] | https://www.akdlawyers.com

Consultation: Free consultation available 24 hours a day. Contingency fee basis: no fee unless recovery is obtained.

3. Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, boat accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, medical malpractice, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, social security disability, defective products, defective drugs.

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial truck accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, rollover accidents, highway accidents, intersection collisions.

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery (past and future), lost income recovery, pain and suffering claims, emotional distress claims, loss of enjoyment of life claims, wrongful death claims.

Background: Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers has over 35 years of experience representing Louisiana injury victims and has recovered over $750 million for clients. The firm maintains a 4.8/5 average Google user review rating. The firm is the Official Injury Lawyers of the New Orleans Saints. The firm operates under a No Fee Guarantee, promising clients will receive more money than their lawyer and providing regular case updates. The firm has multiple offices throughout Louisiana including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette, Shreveport, Denham Springs, and Houma.

Location: 1100 Poydras Street, Suite 3900, New Orleans, LA 70163

Contact: (504) 433-3333 | (866) 897-8495 | https://www.dudleydebosier.com/new-orleans/

Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7. Contingency fee basis: no fee unless recovery is obtained. The firm advances all costs for investigators, experts, and filing fees.

4. The Womac Law Firm

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents (18-wheelers), motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, bus accidents, rideshare accidents, company vehicle accidents, dog bites, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries (burn injuries, brain injuries), construction accidents, negligent security.

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, burn injuries.

Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, property damage claims.

Background: Founding attorney Edward J. Womac Jr. has served the people of New Orleans for over 36 years. The firm has recovered millions of dollars for clients. Notable results include $625,000 for an 18-wheeler accident client who underwent back surgery, $540,000 for an 18-wheeler accident client who underwent neck surgery, and $390,000 for a 22-year-old female injured in a car accident who underwent back surgery. The firm maintains an in-house mock courtroom for case preparation. Edward Womac has been recognized as 10 Best Attorney (2025), Best of the Best Top 10 (2025), and Top 25 Motor Vehicles.

Location: 3501 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119 (Main Office); additional offices in Gretna (Westbank) and Mandeville

Contact: (504) 470-3935 | https://www.edwardwomac.com

Consultation: Free consultation offered. Contingency fee basis: no upfront fees, no out-of-pocket costs, no recovery means no fee.

5. Allan Berger & Associates

Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, premises liability, construction accidents, workplace accidents, offshore accidents, wrongful death, product liability, pharmaceutical litigation, class action lawsuits, insurance recovery.

Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, multi-vehicle accidents, commercial truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, bus accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, explosions, burn injuries.

Background: Allan Berger founded the firm in January 1975 (nearly 50 years of operation). For more than 35 years, Allan Berger has concentrated on representing injured victims against insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, and large corporations. Attorney Andrew Geiger has successfully represented hundreds of clients and was named a Super Lawyer in 2017. The firm achieved an AV Preeminent rating by LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell (the highest level of professional excellence). Allan Berger is a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys, member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and has been recognized by Louisiana Super Lawyers since 2010. Notable results include $3.25 million (car accident), $7 million (medical malpractice), and $9.15 million (offshore drilling explosion).

Location: 4173 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119

Contact: (504) 526-2222 | https://bergerlawnola.com

Consultation: Free consultation offered 24/7. Contingency fee basis.

Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Louisiana

Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Personal Injury Claims: Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.11, enacted by Act No. 423 (HB 315), provides a two-year prescriptive period (statute of limitations) for personal injury claims arising from car accidents that occurred on or after July 1, 2024. For accidents that occurred before July 1, 2024, the previous one-year prescriptive period under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3492 still applies. The prescriptive period begins on the date the injury or damage is sustained. Failing to file within the prescriptive period results in the claim being time-barred.

Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.12, also enacted by Act No. 423, provides a two-year prescriptive period for property damage claims arising from accidents that occurred on or after July 1, 2024. For accidents before that date, the one-year prescriptive period applies.

Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance State Status: Louisiana is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver determined to be responsible for causing the accident is liable for compensating the injured party. Victims may file a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance, file a claim with their own insurance company (which may then pursue subrogation), or file a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver. Louisiana does not have a no-fault Personal Injury Protection (PIP) system.

Comparative Negligence Rules: Louisiana follows a pure comparative fault system under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323. An injured party can recover damages even if they were partially responsible for the accident, and there is no threshold at which recovery is barred. However, the damages award is reduced by the claimant’s percentage of fault. For example, if awarded $100,000 but found 30% at fault, recovery is reduced to $70,000. Even a party found 99% at fault can recover 1% of their damages. Effective August 1, 2025, Louisiana law was amended to a modified comparative fault system where claimants who are 51% or more at fault cannot recover damages.

Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Under Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 32:900(B), drivers must maintain minimum liability coverage of 15/30/25: $15,000 for bodily injury per person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident (when multiple persons are injured), and $25,000 for property damage per accident.

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Requirements: Louisiana does not require Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage. Louisiana is an at-fault state, and medical payments coverage (MedPay) is optional.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Regulations: Louisiana law mandates that all auto insurance policies include uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This coverage protects policyholders when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient coverage. Policyholders may reject UM/UIM coverage in writing. UM/UIM coverage also applies in hit-and-run accidents.

“No Pay, No Play” Law: Under Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 32:866, uninsured drivers who are injured in accidents caused by insured drivers cannot recover the first $15,000 in bodily injury damages and the first $25,000 in property damage, regardless of fault. Exceptions may apply for hit-and-run accidents, DUI accidents, or intentionally caused accidents.

Direct Action Statute: Under Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 22 Section 1269, Louisiana is a “direct action” state, meaning injured parties can file lawsuits directly against the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier rather than solely against the individual driver. This allows juries to know an insurance company will pay any damages awarded.

Damage Caps: Louisiana does not cap economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages, property damage) or non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in most personal injury cases, including car accidents. However, claims against government agencies are limited to $500,000 under Louisiana Revised Statute Section 13:5106.

Dram Shop Liability Laws: Louisiana has limited dram shop liability. Generally, establishments that serve alcohol are not liable for injuries caused by intoxicated patrons. However, liability may attach if alcohol is sold to a visibly intoxicated minor.

Vicarious Liability Rules for Vehicle Owners: Louisiana follows the “owner consent” doctrine. Vehicle owners are not automatically liable for accidents caused by others driving their vehicle with permission unless negligent entrustment can be proven.

Rental Car and Rideshare Accident Liability Rules: Rental car companies are generally protected from vicarious liability under the federal Graves Amendment (49 U.S.C. Section 30106). Rideshare companies (Uber, Lyft) maintain commercial insurance policies: limited coverage when the app is active but no ride is accepted; $1 million in liability coverage once a ride is accepted and during the trip.

Medical Payment Coverage Requirements: Medical payments coverage (MedPay) is optional in Louisiana. It covers medical expenses for the policyholder and passengers regardless of fault.

Accident Reporting Requirements: Under Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 32:398, drivers must report accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500 to law enforcement. The report must be made immediately to the local police department (if within an incorporated city or town) or the nearest sheriff’s office or state police station (if outside an incorporated area). A 72-hour exception allows filing within 72 hours if police did not respond to the scene initially.

Bad Faith Insurance Claim Laws: Under Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 22 Section 1892, insurance companies must pay claims within 30 days after receiving satisfactory proof of loss. Insurers who fail to pay timely may be liable for penalties of up to 50% of the amount owed plus reasonable attorney’s fees. Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 22 Section 1973 provides additional remedies for arbitrary and capricious denial of claims.

Wrongful Death Statute of Limitations and Eligible Claimants: Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the decedent’s death (not the date of the accident) under Louisiana Civil Code Article 2315.2. Eligible claimants include the surviving spouse and children, or if none, the surviving parents, or if none, the surviving siblings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline for filing a car accident injury claim in Louisiana?

For car accidents that occurred on or after July 1, 2024, Louisiana law provides a two-year prescriptive period (statute of limitations) under Civil Code Article 3493.11. For accidents that occurred before July 1, 2024, the previous one-year prescriptive period still applies. This deadline begins on the date the accident occurred. If a lawsuit is not filed before the prescriptive period expires, Louisiana courts will dismiss the case as time-barred, and the injured party loses the right to seek compensation through the legal system. Certain exceptions may apply for minors, persons with mental incapacity, or when injuries were not immediately discoverable. Insurance claims should be filed promptly, often within days or weeks of the accident, as insurance policies have separate reporting requirements.

How does Louisiana’s comparative fault rule affect my compensation?

Louisiana uses a pure comparative fault system under Civil Code Article 2323, meaning you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your damages award is simply reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if your total damages are $100,000 and you are found 40% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $60,000. Unlike modified comparative fault states, Louisiana does not bar recovery at any fault threshold, so even someone found 99% at fault can recover 1% of their damages. However, effective August 1, 2025, Louisiana amended its law to a modified comparative fault system where parties 51% or more at fault cannot recover. Insurance adjusters and opposing counsel may attempt to increase your fault percentage to reduce your recovery, making accurate documentation and legal representation important.

What is Louisiana’s “No Pay, No Play” law and how does it affect uninsured drivers?

Louisiana’s “No Pay, No Play” law (Louisiana Revised Statutes Section 32:866) significantly limits the ability of uninsured drivers to recover compensation after accidents. If you are driving without insurance and are injured in an accident caused by another driver, you cannot recover the first $15,000 in bodily injury damages and the first $25,000 in property damage, regardless of who was at fault. This means even if the other driver was 100% responsible, an uninsured victim’s compensation is reduced by those amounts. Exceptions to this rule may apply if the at-fault driver was intoxicated, fled the scene (hit-and-run), or intentionally caused the accident. This law serves as a strong incentive for Louisiana drivers to maintain at least the state-required minimum insurance coverage.

Can I sue the at-fault driver’s insurance company directly in Louisiana?

Yes. Louisiana is one of the few states with a “Direct Action Statute” (Louisiana Revised Statutes Title 22 Section 1269) that allows injured parties to file lawsuits directly against the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. In most other states, you must sue the individual driver, and the insurance company is not named as a defendant. The Direct Action Statute benefits plaintiffs because judges and juries know that an insurance company, rather than an individual defendant, will pay any damages awarded. This often results in higher damage awards, as juries tend to be more sympathetic to individual defendants than to insurance corporations. The statute also simplifies the legal process by allowing direct claims against the party that will ultimately pay the judgment.

How do I file a claim against a government vehicle or entity if I was hit by a city or state vehicle in Louisiana?

Claims against government entities in Louisiana are governed by the Louisiana Governmental Claims Act and related sovereign immunity statutes. While Louisiana has partially waived sovereign immunity for motor vehicle accidents caused by government employees acting within the scope of employment, there are important limitations. Damage awards against governmental entities are capped at $500,000 per occurrence under Louisiana Revised Statute Section 13:5106. You must provide written notice of your claim to the appropriate governmental entity, and strict procedural requirements apply. Claims against state agencies may need to be filed with the Division of Administration. Municipal claims may have additional notice requirements specific to the parish or city. Given the complexity of these claims and the strict procedural requirements, consulting with an attorney promptly is essential to preserve your rights.