Louisiana Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
Pedestrian Accident Attorney in Louisiana, LA
Accidents that impact pedestrians can be very serious, even at slower speeds. These accidents often happen because drivers are careless and fail to check mirrors when backing up or going through crosswalks before turning. If a negligent driver hurts you, a skilled Louisiana pedestrian accident lawyer can help you recover financially in an insurance claim. This claim can address your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other financial and personal losses.
Hire the Right Louisiana Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Murphy Law Firm has spent over 30 years working for the interests of individuals in Louisiana, and our attorneys have more than 150 years of combined legal experience. We have substantial experience with cases like pedestrian accidents, and know the physical toll these collisions can have on unprotected individuals and their families. We help you recover the compensation needed to address your injuries and other losses.
Over the years, our firm has obtained over $250 million in compensation for our clients. Whether you are working with an experienced Louisiana personal injury lawyer for a minor injury or a specialist for a life-altering event, we work diligently for you. Our goal is to help you protect your financial future.
What Are Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Louisiana?
Unfortunately, Louisiana frequently sees pedestrian accidents. Louisiana had the fifth-highest pedestrian fatality rate in the nation in 2024. From 2023 to 2024, pedestrian fatalities increased by 9.5%.
As of early 2026, there were 744 fatalities in car accidents in 2025 in Louisiana, and 153 of those were pedestrian deaths. Of the nearly 55,000 suspected injuries, 1,213 were pedestrians. While pedestrians made up 2.2% of suspected injuries, they made up nearly 21% of fatalities.
There are many reasons that pedestrian accidents happen and are common in the state. This can include:
- Increased pedestrian traffic in cities, especially tourist cities like New Orleans, where large pedestrian crowds walk the French Quarter, and Baton Rouge, where people flock to the Riverfront Plaza and City Dock
- Drivers failing to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians
- Drunk driving or impaired pedestrians
- Speeding drivers
- Careless pedestrians
- Driving while distracted or fatigued
- Improper lighting at crosswalks and intersections
- Poorly marked pedestrian crosswalks
- Failure to have traffic signals for pedestrians
- Poor road conditions
Being aware of the causes of pedestrian accidents can help both drivers and pedestrians remain more cautious, but it’s also important after an accident has occurred. The cause of the crash is an important part of determining liability and recovering financially. A driver is often at fault for a crash, but a pedestrian can also share liability. In rare cases, a governmental agency can be liable for failing to ensure safe crosswalks or roads.
What Are the Important Laws Impacting Pedestrian Accidents in Louisiana?
Pedestrian accidents can be affected by several relevant state laws, although these laws can differ depending on the parish and other jurisdictions. Consider laws like:
- Comparative fault. For accidents in or after 2026, you can be barred from recovering compensation if you are found more than half liable for an accident. If you are less than half liable, your compensation can be reduced.
- Right-of-way requirements. Louisiana law states when pedestrians have the right-of-way and when they must yield to vehicles. It also lists where pedestrians are prohibited from being. Violations of these laws by either party can influence fault determinations.
- Local traffic safety. There may be local regulations and requirements for drivers and pedestrians depending on the jurisdiction, further affecting the responsibility of each party in an accident.
- Car insurance requirements. Louisiana drivers must have car insurance coverage that meets certain limits and applies to pedestrians. However, pedestrian injuries are often severe in car accidents and may exceed the insurance coverage limits.
It is hard to deal with these legal and insurance specifics after suffering a serious injury. This is why you want the support of a dedicated Louisiana pedestrian collision lawyer. They can assess liability based on the cause and other specifics of the accidents, and hold that party or parties accountable for your injuries.
Meet Our Attorney
Peyton Murphy
Peyton Murphy, a Louisiana lawyer with 30+ years of experience, specializes in personal injury cases. He founded Murphy Law Firm in Baton Rouge in 1993 and fights for his clients’ compensation.
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FAQs
When Do Pedestrians Have the Right-of-Way in Louisiana?
Pedestrians have the right-of-way in Louisiana when a pedestrian intersection crossing sign allows it, and in crosswalks without intersection signs. However, there are limitations to this right-of-way. It is prohibited for a pedestrian to suddenly leave the curb without giving a vehicle enough time to yield. Pedestrians also do not have the right-of-way at an intersection without crossing signs if there is a pedestrian overhead walkway or tunnel.
Who Is at Fault if a Pedestrian Is Hit by a Car?
Who is at fault if a pedestrian is hit by a car depends entirely on the specific circumstances of the crash. Determining fault is important in order to secure compensation when you are an injured party. Often, one of the drivers involved in the crash is to blame, but this isn’t always the case. In Louisiana, multiple parties could be partially liable for an accident, and each party would be liable for their portion of fault in the accident.
Do Pedestrians Always Legally Have the Right-of-Way?
No, pedestrians do not always legally have the right-of-way. In Louisiana, pedestrians have the right-of-way in certain situations, such as at crosswalks and intersections, as long as they behave carefully and do not suddenly enter the road in a way that a driver cannot yield in time. Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way on areas of the road that do not have crosswalks or implied crosswalks at intersections. Pedestrians are prohibited on highways.
Do You Need to Hire a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer in Louisiana?
While you aren’t required to, it is very helpful to hire a pedestrian accident lawyer after a collision with a vehicle as a pedestrian. You likely suffered much more severe injuries, and it is hard to navigate complex insurance and legal claims while you are trying to recover. An attorney helps you assess for a valid claim and file promptly and properly. If the insurance company refuses to provide a fair settlement, your attorney can take the case to court.
Navigate Your Pedestrian Accident Case With Murphy Law Firm
Pedestrian accident cases can be complex, especially when they are caused by a multi-vehicle collision. If you’ve been hit by a vehicle, you might be able to recover the full value of your damages. Reach out to Murphy Law Firm today and learn how we can help you financially recover throughout Louisiana.
*All figures cited are correct as of early 2026, but are still subject to changes.
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