News & Resources — Pichon Law Firm
Your free legal resource center from New Orleans car accident lawyer Jeremy J. Pichon — Top-Rated Super Lawyer, Retired Army Major, and founder of Pichon Law Firm.
If you were injured in a car accident in New Orleans or anywhere in Louisiana, the information on this page could make the difference between a strong claim and a denied one. Read through our resources, bookmark this page, and call us any time at (504) 576-0440 for a free consultation.
Latest News & Legal Updates
Louisiana’s New 2026 Comparative Fault Law — What Every Car Accident Victim Must Know
Published by Pichon Law Firm | New Orleans, Louisiana
One of the most significant changes to Louisiana personal injury law in decades took effect on January 1, 2026. House Bill 431 replaced Louisiana’s pure comparative fault system with a modified comparative fault rule — and it directly affects every car accident victim in the state.
What changed:
Under the old system, you could recover compensation even if you were 99% at fault — your award was simply reduced by your percentage of fault. Under the new law:
- If you are found 50% or less at fault, you can still recover — but your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault
- If you are found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing
This is a critical change. Insurance companies and defense attorneys now have a powerful incentive to argue that you are more than half responsible for your own accident — even when you clearly were not. They will do this aggressively, starting from the moment of the crash.
What this means for you:
The single most important thing you can do after a car accident in New Orleans under the new 2026 law is call an attorney immediately. The faster your attorney begins documenting the facts, preserving evidence, and building your case, the harder it becomes for the insurance company to shift blame onto you.
Authority Sources:
- Louisiana Legislature — House Bill 431
- Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323 — Comparative Fault
- Louisiana State Bar Association
📞 Injured in a New Orleans car accident? Call Pichon Law Firm at (504) 576-0440 — Free consultation 24/7.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in New Orleans — A Step-by-Step Guide
Published by Pichon Law Firm | New Orleans, Louisiana
The steps you take in the minutes and hours after a car accident in New Orleans can have a dramatic impact on the value of your claim. Here is exactly what to do.
At the Scene
Step 1 — Call 911 Always call 911 after a car accident in New Orleans. Inside city limits, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) will respond and file an official police report. Outside city limits, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office handles the call. Do not leave the scene without a police report number — you will need it for your insurance claim and any lawsuit.
Step 2 — Seek Medical Attention Immediately Even if you feel fine, go to the emergency room or urgent care immediately after a crash. Adrenaline masks pain — injuries like whiplash, herniated discs, and traumatic brain injuries often do not show symptoms for 24 to 72 hours after the accident. If you wait too long to seek treatment, the insurance company will argue your injuries were not caused by the crash.
The closest trauma centers to New Orleans include:
- University Medical Center New Orleans — 2000 Canal Street
- Tulane Medical Center — 1415 Tulane Avenue
- Ochsner Medical Center — 1514 Jefferson Highway
Step 3 — Document Everything Use your phone to photograph:
- Both vehicles from multiple angles
- The road, intersection, or highway where the crash occurred
- Any skid marks, debris, or road defects
- Your injuries — bruises, cuts, swelling
- The other driver’s license, insurance card, and license plate
- Any nearby street signs, traffic signals, or surveillance cameras
Step 4 — Get Witness Information If anyone saw the accident, get their name and phone number before they leave the scene. Witness statements can be decisive in disputed fault cases — and witnesses are much harder to locate after the fact.
Step 5 — Do Not Admit Fault Do not say “I’m sorry,” “I didn’t see you,” or anything that could be interpreted as an admission of fault — even casually. Under Louisiana’s new 2026 comparative fault law, anything you say at the scene can be used to push your fault percentage above 51% and eliminate your right to recover.
Step 6 — Do Not Give a Recorded Statement The other driver’s insurance company will call you quickly — sometimes within hours of the crash. They will ask for a recorded statement. Do not give one without speaking to an attorney first. Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that minimize your claim. You are not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer.
Step 7 — Call Pichon Law Firm Call us at (504) 576-0440 before you talk to any insurance company. Your consultation is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
Authority Sources:
- NOPD — File a Police Report
- Louisiana DMV — Accident Reporting Requirements
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Crash Data
- Centers for Disease Control — Motor Vehicle Safety
How Much Is My New Orleans Car Accident Case Worth?
Published by Pichon Law Firm | New Orleans, Louisiana
This is the question every car accident victim wants answered — and the honest answer is that it depends on several factors. Here is what determines the value of a car accident case in Louisiana.
Factor 1 — The Severity of Your Injuries The single biggest driver of case value is the severity of your injuries and the length of your recovery. A case involving a broken leg with a full recovery is worth significantly less than a case involving a traumatic brain injury with permanent cognitive impairment. Future medical needs — additional surgeries, long-term physical therapy, lifetime medication — are also factored into the calculation.
Factor 2 — Your Medical Bills Your total medical bills — past and anticipated future — form the foundation of your economic damages. Keep every bill, every receipt, and every explanation of benefits document you receive from your insurance company.
Factor 3 — Lost Wages and Earning Capacity If your injuries caused you to miss work, you are entitled to recover those lost wages. If your injuries are permanent and affect your ability to work at the same capacity in the future, you may also recover damages for reduced earning capacity — which can be one of the largest components of a serious injury settlement.
Factor 4 — Pain and Suffering Louisiana law allows car accident victims to recover non-economic damages for physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages do not have a fixed dollar value — they are determined by the severity and duration of your pain, the impact on your daily life, and the skill of your attorney in presenting your story.
Factor 5 — The Available Insurance Coverage The value of your case is also limited by the available insurance coverage. Louisiana requires drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident — some of the lowest minimums in the country. If the at-fault driver only carries minimum coverage and your damages exceed that amount, we will explore all other avenues including your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage under Louisiana R.S. 22:1295.
Factor 6 — Fault Under Louisiana’s 2026 modified comparative fault law, your percentage of fault directly reduces your recovery. If you are found 20% at fault for a $100,000 claim, you recover $80,000. If you are found 51% at fault, you recover nothing. This is why having an experienced attorney build your case from the beginning is so critical.
Authority Sources:
- Louisiana R.S. 32:900 — Minimum Insurance Requirements
- Louisiana R.S. 22:1295 — Uninsured Motorist Coverage
- Insurance Information Institute — Auto Insurance Facts
New Orleans Car Accident Statistics — What the Data Says About Driving in Orleans Parish
Published by Pichon Law Firm | New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is one of the most dangerous cities for drivers in Louisiana. Understanding where and why accidents happen can help you protect yourself — and know your rights if you are injured.
Key Statistics
According to NOPD traffic data and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development:
- New Orleans had over 4,800 suspected injury crashes in 2024 — more than any other parish in Louisiana
- Drunk driving accounts for a significant percentage of fatal crashes in Orleans Parish
- Distracted driving — primarily smartphone use — is the fastest-growing cause of car accidents in New Orleans
- Speeding on I-10 and I-610 contributes to a disproportionate share of serious injury crashes
- Uninsured drivers account for an estimated 20% of all drivers in Louisiana — one of the highest rates in the country
Most Dangerous Roads in New Orleans
Based on accident data, the most dangerous roads in New Orleans include:
- Interstate 10 — the highest volume of serious crashes, particularly at the Claiborne Avenue interchange and the high-rise bridge
- Chef Menteur Highway (US-90) — heavy commercial traffic and frequent rear-end collisions
- South Claiborne Avenue — one of the city’s most congested surface roads with high pedestrian risk
- Airline Highway — long stretches of high-speed traffic with dangerous cross-street intersections
- Canal Street — heavy tourist and rideshare activity creates constant hazards
- Gentilly Boulevard — neighborhood corridor with high crash frequency
- Magazine Street — tight lanes and heavy foot traffic throughout Uptown
If you were injured on any of these roads, call Pichon Law Firm at (504) 576-0440. We know these roads, we know these cases, and we know how to win.
Authority Sources:
- NOPD Transparency — Policing Data
- Louisiana DOTD Traffic Safety Statistics
- NHTSA — State Traffic Data
- CDC — Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths
- Insurance Information Institute — Uninsured Motorists
What to Do If an Uninsured Driver Hit You in New Orleans
Published by Pichon Law Firm | New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana has one of the highest rates of uninsured drivers in the United States. According to the Insurance Information Institute, approximately 11 to 13 percent of drivers nationally are uninsured — but in Louisiana, that figure is significantly higher.
If an uninsured driver caused your accident, here is what you need to know.
Your Own UM/UIM Coverage Under Louisiana R.S. 22:1295, Louisiana requires insurance companies to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage to every policyholder. If you have UM/UIM coverage, your own insurance company steps in to cover your damages when the at-fault driver has no insurance or insufficient insurance.
Many Louisiana drivers do not realize they have this coverage — or they have unknowingly waived it. Call Pichon Law Firm and we will review your policy for free to determine exactly what coverage is available to you.
Other Sources of Recovery Even when the at-fault driver is uninsured, there may be other parties who share responsibility for your accident:
- A government entity if a road defect contributed to the crash
- A bar or restaurant under Louisiana’s dram shop laws if alcohol was involved
- An employer if the at-fault driver was on the job at the time
- A vehicle manufacturer if a defect contributed to the crash
We identify every available source of recovery and pursue them all.
Authority Sources:
- Louisiana R.S. 22:1295 — UM/UIM Coverage
- Louisiana Department of Insurance
- Insurance Information Institute — Uninsured Motorists
Understanding Louisiana’s Car Insurance Requirements
Published by Pichon Law Firm | New Orleans, Louisiana
Every driver in Louisiana is required by law to carry minimum liability insurance. Here is what you need to know.
Louisiana Minimum Coverage Requirements
Under Louisiana R.S. 32:900, all drivers must carry:
- $15,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $30,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $25,000 property damage liability per accident
These are among the lowest minimum requirements in the country. In a serious accident, these limits are often exhausted quickly — which is why having your own UM/UIM coverage and an experienced attorney who can identify all liable parties is so important.
What Insurance Companies Do After a Crash The Louisiana Department of Insurance oversees insurance companies operating in the state — but oversight does not mean insurance companies always act in good faith. After a crash, insurers typically:
- Dispatch an adjuster immediately to investigate and build a defense
- Attempt to get a recorded statement from you before you speak to an attorney
- Make a quick lowball settlement offer hoping you will accept before understanding the full value of your claim
- Argue comparative fault to reduce your recovery
Knowing these tactics is the first step to defeating them. Having Pichon Law Firm in your corner is the second.
Authority Sources:
- Louisiana R.S. 32:900 — Insurance Requirements
- Louisiana Department of Insurance — Consumer Resources
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners
18-Wheeler Accidents in Louisiana — What Makes Them Different
Published by Pichon Law Firm | New Orleans, Louisiana
Commercial truck accidents are fundamentally different from standard car accidents — and far more dangerous. Here is what every Louisiana driver needs to know.
The Size Difference A fully loaded commercial 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. The average passenger car weighs approximately 4,000 pounds. That twenty-to-one weight ratio means that when a big rig collides with a passenger vehicle, the results are almost always catastrophic.
Federal Regulations Commercial truck drivers and trucking companies are governed by strict federal regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations include:
- Hours of service limits — drivers may not exceed 11 hours of driving time in a 14-hour window
- Drug and alcohol testing requirements
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements
- Electronic logging device (ELD) mandates — replacing paper logbooks
When trucking companies violate these regulations — and they frequently do — it creates liability. We know how to find those violations and use them.
The Black Box Every commercial truck is equipped with an Electronic Control Module (ECM) — commonly called the black box — that records speed, braking, engine activity, and other data at the time of a crash. This data is critical evidence. Trucking companies can legally destroy it as part of their regular course of business unless they receive a spoliation letter requiring its preservation. We send that letter immediately.
Authority Sources:
- FMCSA — Hours of Service Regulations
- FMCSA — Large Truck Crash Facts
- FMCSA — Carrier Safety Lookup (SAFER)
- NHTSA — Large Truck Safety
Legal Resources for New Orleans Accident Victims
The following are free government and legal resources that may help you after a car accident in New Orleans or anywhere in Louisiana.
Report Your Accident
| Resource | Link | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| File NOPD Police Report | nola.gov/nopd | File or obtain a copy of your accident report |
| Louisiana State Police | lsp.org | For accidents on state highways outside city limits |
| Orleans Parish Sheriff | opcso.org | For accidents in Orleans Parish outside NOPD jurisdiction |
Insurance and Claims
| Resource | Link | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Department of Insurance | ldi.la.gov | File a complaint against an insurance company |
| LDI Consumer Complaint Form | ldi.la.gov/complaint | Submit a complaint online |
| Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance | lacitizens.com | State insurer of last resort for property claims |
| FEMA Flood Insurance | fema.gov/flood-insurance | National flood insurance information |
Check for Recalls and Defects
| Resource | Link | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA Vehicle Recall Database | nhtsa.gov/recalls | Check if your vehicle has open recalls |
| CPSC Product Recalls | cpsc.gov/recalls | Check if a product involved in your accident was recalled |
| FMCSA Carrier Safety Lookup | safer.fmcsa.dot.gov | Look up the safety record of a trucking company |
Louisiana Law
| Resource | Link | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Legislature | legis.la.gov | Full text of all Louisiana laws |
| LA Civil Code Art. 3492 — Statute of Limitations | legis.la.gov | The law governing your filing deadline |
| LA R.S. 22:1295 — UM/UIM Coverage | legis.la.gov | Uninsured motorist coverage requirements |
| LA R.S. 32:900 — Insurance Minimums | legis.la.gov | Louisiana minimum insurance requirements |
| LA R.S. 22:1892 — Bad Faith Insurance | legis.la.gov | Protects policyholders from bad faith delays |
Find Legal Help
| Resource | Link | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana State Bar Association | lsba.org | Verify attorney credentials and find legal help |
| LSBA Lawyer Referral Service | lsba.org/referral | Free lawyer referral service |
| Super Lawyers — Jeremy Pichon | superlawyers.com | View Jeremy Pichon’s verified Super Lawyers profile |
| National Trial Lawyers Association | thenationaltriallawyers.org | Top 100 personal injury attorneys |
Medical Resources
| Resource | Link | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| University Medical Center New Orleans | umcno.org | Level 1 trauma center — 2000 Canal Street |
| Ochsner Health | ochsner.org | Largest healthcare system in Louisiana |
| Tulane Medical Center | tulanehealthcare.com | Downtown New Orleans hospital |
| CDC Motor Vehicle Safety | cdc.gov | National injury and accident data |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Louisiana? Under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3492, you generally have one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the country. Do not wait — call Pichon Law Firm at (504) 576-0440 today.
What is Louisiana’s comparative fault law and how does it affect my case? Under the 2026 modified comparative fault rule (House Bill 431), if you are found 51% or more at fault you recover nothing. Insurance companies will aggressively argue fault to deny your claim. Having an attorney document the facts immediately is critical.
Do I need a lawyer for a minor car accident in New Orleans? Not every accident requires an attorney. But if you sought any medical treatment, missed any work, or are experiencing any ongoing pain, a free consultation with Pichon Law Firm costs you nothing and could make a significant difference in what you recover. Call us at (504) 576-0440 — we will give you an honest assessment.
What if the other driver does not have insurance? Under Louisiana R.S. 22:1295, you may be able to recover through your own UM/UIM coverage. We also explore all other liable parties. Call us immediately.
How much does a New Orleans car accident lawyer cost? At Pichon Law Firm, we work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing upfront and owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Your consultation is always free.
What should I bring to my free consultation with Pichon Law Firm? Bring whatever you have — the police report number, photos from the scene, your insurance information, medical records if you have them, and any correspondence from the other driver’s insurer. If you do not have any of these things yet, that is fine — we can help you obtain everything you need.
About Pichon Law Firm
Pichon Law Firm is a top-rated personal injury law firm located at 365 Canal Street, Suite 1490, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130. Founded by attorney Jeremy J. Pichon — a Top-Rated Super Lawyer and Retired Army Major with 25 years of distinguished service — the firm has recovered over $100 million for car accident victims, truck crash survivors, wrongful death families, and hurricane insurance claimants across Louisiana.
We are selective. We are prepared. We win.
Practice Areas:
- New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer
- New Orleans 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer
- New Orleans Wrongful Death Lawyer
- Hurricane Insurance Claims Lawyer
- New Orleans Burn Injury Lawyer
- New Orleans Defective Products Lawyer
Contact Pichon Law Firm
If you were injured in a car accident in New Orleans or anywhere in Louisiana, call us now. Your consultation is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
📞 Call 24/7: (504) 576-0440 💬 Text 24/7: (504) 291-7000 ✉ Email: jeremy@pichonlawfirm.com 📍 Office: 365 Canal Street, Suite 1490, New Orleans, LA 70130
The law firm you choose will determine the result you get. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.