New Orleans is a historical city rich in cultural references. It is also one of the most dangerous cities in the state of Louisiana for car drivers and their passengers. Every year, thousands of auto accidents occur on the streets of New Orleans, resulting in fatalities and people with severe injuries. In this article, we will go over some car accident statistics for Louisiana and New Orleans.
If you or a loved one were involved in a traffic accident caused by someone else’s negligence, a personal injury attorney at Wright & Gray law firm may be able to help.
We have the experience and dedication to help you file accident claims and negotiate them with the responsible party’s insurance company. If we cannot reach an acceptable agreement, we are ready to represent you in a personal injury lawsuit and ensure that you win fair financial compensation, including both economic and non-economic damages.
Traffic Accident Statistics for Louisiana and New Orleans
Before the COVID pandemic in 2018, New Orleans was included on a list of the most accident-prone cities in the US. In the meantime, the number of major car accidents and related motor vehicle crash deaths has decreased. However, both the state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans continue to register a high number of auto accident injury crashes.
Here are some data collected from the 2019 Louisiana Traffic Records Data Report prepared by the Louisiana State University and commissioned by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
Across the state of Louisiana in 2019, there were:
- 44,551 car crashes resulting in at least one injury victim
- 72,582 people who suffered bodily injury in car crashes
- 6,677 injured drivers
- 3,304 injured car passengers
- 426 injured pedestrians
This shows that a major accident can have severe negative impacts on everyone on the road, not only car drivers.
For the parish of Orleans (and the city of New Orleans), the LSU Data Reports indicate:
- 2,981 car accidents
- 4,860 injury victims.
Unfortunately, as a detailed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics report shows, in 2019, 44 people lost their lives in the Orleans Parish, a 7% increase from the previous year. At the state level, 727 people lost their lives in a fatal crash in Louisiana.
Common Causes of Non-Fatal and Fatal Motor Vehicle Crashes in New Orleans
The detailed LSU Data Reports also focus on the leading causes of car crashes in New Orleans. Below, we will present these causes in decreasing order:
Distracted Driving
Distracted drivers caused almost 14% of all major car accidents in 2019. The most common form of distracted driving is texting and driving. Many drivers use their mobile phones, although safety advocates and law enforcement agencies warn that any moment of distraction from driving can cause a tragedy.
Failure to Yield
Failure to yield is a frequent traffic violation caused by negligence or driver impairment. 8.88 percent of drivers involved in a major accident in Louisiana caused it due to failure to yield. In this situation, the accident victims can be pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycle riders, or other car drivers and their passengers.
Following Too Closely
Failure to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead can cause rear-end crashes. It is even more dangerous in bad weather conditions, such as wet or slippery roads, when the car takes a longer distance to come to a full stop.
Driving Under Influence
Drunk drivers believe they are in full control of the vehicle, but it is not true. A drunk driver has reduced reflexes and reduced ability to process information. Drunk driving is illegal in the state of Louisiana. Thus, an at-fault driver may be deemed to have acted with gross negligence. This means that the injury victim may be eligible to receive punitive damages.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving accidents are most likely to cause severe accidents with fatalities. Tailgating and speeding are two common examples of aggressive behavior of drivers in traffic accidents. In this case, the driver at fault may be found guilty of gross negligence, not only failure in their duty of care.
Types of Injuries Caused by Car Accidents
Over the years, our accident law firm has prepared many collision insurance claims for accident victims. Many of them were involved in a major car accident, resulting in severe injuries, such as:
- broken bones
- soft tissue injuries
- neck injuries
- spine injury
- traumatic brain injuries.
They usually require long and expensive medical treatments, and some would need ongoing physical therapy, life care, and assistive devices (wheelchairs, walking frames, etc.). However, even accident victims who suffered minor injuries spent time in hospital and accumulated bills for their medical treatment.
Do You Have A Case? Know What to Do After a Car Accident!
The Civil Code of Louisiana art. 2323 states that being partly at fault for your car accident does not make you ineligible to request damages from the fault party. However, the settlement amount you win shall be reduced by the percentage of responsibility you have for your accident.
Although the law is clear and simple, the reality after an actual car crash can be very complex. Many people do not manage to recover a fair amount of monetary compensation because they made some errors of judgment. Here is what you should do in order to maximize your chances to receive a fair settlement amount:
Call 9-1-1
You should call the police and ambulance. Unless you have a medical emergency, you should not leave the accident scene until the law enforcement authorities arrive to prepare the police report. Give a truthful account of what happened, but do not acknowledge guilt or offer apologies.
Collect Evidence at the Accident Scene
You should request contact and insurance details from all the parties involved in the accident. Also, take photographs of the accident scene and identify any eyewitnesses and ask for their contact details. In case of a hit-and-run accident, try to write down every detail you can remember about the other car. A few days later, you may forget an essential element that may help identify the fault driver.
Do Not Make a Statement to the Insurance Adjuster
The other party’s insurance company will send an adjuster while you are in hospital, attempting to get you to sign a settlement agreement. This is usually a very small amount, which will not cover all your financial losses. Do not sign anything and do not make statements to the insurance adjuster. They may be recorded and used against you later.
Stay Off the Social Media
While you are recovering, refrain from posting status updates, photos, or videos on your social media accounts. Insurance companies frequently monitor these accounts to find any piece of evidence proving that you are not as hurt as you claim.
Hire a Personal Injury Attorney to Negotiate Your Claim
A personal injury lawyer knows how to negotiate with big insurance companies. They prepare a solid case containing unshakeable evidence, such as:
- police reports
- traffic violations committed by the driver at fault
- cell phone records proving the fault driver was texting and driving
- your medical records
- expert witness testimonies
- photos and videos taken at the accident scene
Most insurance companies do not want to end up in court. But even if they do not accept a fair settlement amount, experienced car accident attorneys can win your personal injury lawsuit.
Hire a Personal Injury Law Firm that Fights for You!
At Wright & Gray, we know how devastating a car accident can be for the victims. They suffer physical pain and emotional distress. They are worried about the mounting hospital bills and the fact that their regular income has stopped coming in.
We will make sure that all your financial losses are accounted for and included in your claim, together with the compensation you deserve for pain and suffering. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to pay any upfront fees. Contact us now for a free case review: 888-912-4944.