What to Do If You’re Hit by a Car While Walking in New Orleans
A New Orleans pedestrian accident lawyer who fights to hold negligent drivers accountable
Being hit by a car while walking in New Orleans can happen unexpectedly. One moment, you’re walking through the Marigny or crossing Canal Street on your way to work. The next, you’re sprawled on the pavement, your body aching, the sound of tires fading as the world tilts off balance.
A pedestrian accident is one of the most frightening experiences a person can endure. The sense of vulnerability that comes with it is immediate and overwhelming. You’re exposed, hurt, left trying to piece together what happened while your body and your mind are reeling.
What you do in the hours, days, and weeks that follow this kind of crash will have a major impact on your recovery and your ability to receive compensation. You’ll need to protect your health, safeguard your rights, and avoid the traps set by insurance companies. If you or a loved one was struck by a vehicle while walking in New Orleans, contact The Law Offices of John S. Williams and set up a free consultation with our legal team.
“Outstanding service! Very Professional. I Highly Recommend this Firm!” – B.E., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Step One: Call 911 and report the accident
The first thing you need to do is call 911. Even if you think your injuries are minor, even if the driver begs you not to involve the police, make the call. In Louisiana, reporting an accident that involves an injury is the law.
Why? Because a police report is one of the most important pieces of evidence in any pedestrian accident case. Officers from the New Orleans Police Department will come to the scene, take statements, collect information, and file a report that outlines what happened. That report becomes part of the foundation for any legal action you may take.
Step Two: Get medical help immediately
The human body does strange things in the aftermath of trauma. Adrenaline kicks in. Your pain might be dulled. You might be able to stand or even walk without realizing just how badly you’re hurt.
But pedestrian accidents often involve serious, hidden injuries. Concussions. Internal bleeding. Hairline fractures. Soft tissue injuries that don’t show up until later.
That’s why it’s so important to go to the hospital or an urgent care clinic right away. If you’re near downtown, you might end up at University Medical Center. If you’re uptown, you might go to Touro. The point is to get evaluated and begin building a medical record.
Your medical record will connect your injuries to the crash and help you prove how much harm was done.
Step Three: Do not discuss fault at the scene
It’s natural to feel confused and emotional after being hit. You might even feel tempted to apologize.
Do not say anything that sounds like an admission of guilt. Don’t say “I didn’t see you” or “It was my fault” or “I’m fine.” Those statements can and will be used against you by the insurance company later.
Louisiana uses a comparative fault system. If the insurance company can convince a judge or jury that you were even a little bit at fault, your compensation can be reduced.
Be polite. Answer the police officer’s questions. But avoid speculation and let the professionals do their job.
Step Four: Gather information at the scene
If you’re physically able to do so, start collecting information right away. This will make all the difference in your case:
- Get the driver’s name, phone number, and insurance details.
- Take a photo of the driver’s license and insurance card if possible.
- Write down the license plate number and a description of the vehicle.
- Look around for witnesses. Ask for their names and phone numbers.
- Use your phone to take photos of everything: your injuries, the car, the street, the crosswalk, the traffic signals, any signs or skid marks, and even the weather conditions.
New Orleans is full of foot traffic and busy intersections. If you were hit near Bourbon Street or Esplanade Avenue, there’s a good chance someone saw what happened. Be sure to get the contact information for any witnesses.
Step Five: Say no to the insurance company
Within a day or two of the crash, you’ll probably get a phone call from the driver’s insurance company. The adjuster may sound friendly. They may act like they want to help. Don’t trust them. Never give a recorded statement or accept any settlement offer without talking to a lawyer.
Insurance companies are in the business of saving money. They are not your friends. They will look for ways to downplay your injuries, shift the blame onto you, or get you to settle for a tiny fraction of what your case is really worth. Let Attorney John S. Williams do the talking.
Step Six: Keep seeing your doctor
One visit to the ER is not enough. Pedestrian injuries can take weeks or months to heal. Some never go away completely. Follow up with your primary care doctor. Go to specialists if needed. Get physical therapy, follow every recommendation, and keep detailed records.
Every appointment, every diagnosis, every prescription, and every scan creates a paper trail. That trail is what proves the seriousness of your injuries. It also protects you if the insurance company tries to claim that your injuries were “pre-existing” or not related to the crash.
Step Seven: If the driver flees, you still have options
Hit-and-run accidents are common in New Orleans, especially in areas with lots of nightlife or tourist traffic. If the driver who hit you speeds away, don’t assume you’re out of luck.
First, call the police immediately. File a report and give them every detail you can remember.
Next, check for nearby surveillance cameras. Businesses, ATMs, streetcars, and even neighbors may have caught the crash on video. Attorney John S. Williams can act fast to request that footage before it gets erased.
If you have auto insurance, there’s a good chance you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. In Louisiana, insurance companies are required to offer UM coverage unless you opt out in writing.
Even if you were walking when the crash happened, your UM policy may cover you. This could help pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
Finally, you may be eligible for assistance from the Louisiana Crime Victims Reparations Fund. This fund can help cover some out-of-pocket costs when the person responsible is never found or brought to justice.
Step Eight: Talk to an experienced New Orleans pedestrian accident attorney
There’s no substitute for skilled legal representation after a pedestrian crash. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters working to protect their interests. You deserve someone in your corner, too. Here’s how The Law Offices of John S. Williams can help you:
- We preserve evidence. That includes video footage, witness testimony, and accident reports.
- We protect you from insurance tactics. That means no more stressful phone calls or confusing paperwork.
- We’ll calculate the full value of your case. That includes pain and suffering, future medical care, reduced earning capacity, and other damages the insurance company will never voluntarily pay.
What compensation can I get for a pedestrian accident?
If you were hit by a car while walking, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Emergency medical care
- Surgery and hospitalization
- Follow-up treatment and physical therapy
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement or permanent disability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In tragic cases, families who have lost a loved one in a pedestrian crash may also be able to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Every case is unique. The only way to know what your case is worth is to speak with an experienced New Orleans pedestrian accident attorney who can evaluate your injuries, your losses, and the impact the crash has had on your life.
Hit by a car in New Orleans? You deserve justice
You didn’t choose to be in this situation. Being hit by a car in New Orleans can be life-disrupting, and the consequences can last far beyond the emergency room. Insurance companies may act like they’re on your side. But they’ll waste no time trying to pin the blame on you, even if you were following the rules. That’s because in Louisiana, even partial fault can mean less compensation.
Don’t let them twist the story. You need someone in your corner who knows how to push back. The Law Offices of John S. Williams fights for people who’ve been injured walking the streets of New Orleans. Whether you were in a crosswalk, on the sidewalk, or near a busy intersection, we’re ready to help. We’ll listen to your story, investigate the facts, and demand the accountability you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation. Since we work on a contingency fee structure, you don’t pay us anything unless we get compensation for you.