Is Louisiana a No-Fault State For Car Accidents?

Understanding the fault rules of a state becomes very important when you are involved in an accident and need to recover the costs of your property damage, injuries, and other losses. Some states are no-fault states for car insurance, while others are fault-based states. So, is Louisiana a no-fault state for car accidents?

Louisiana is not a no-fault state. Instead, vehicle accidents operate on a fault-based system when multiple vehicles are involved in an accident. When another driver is to blame for your vehicle collision, you can file an insurance claim with their insurance company to financially recover after the crash.

How Is a Fault System Different From a No-Fault System for Vehicle Accidents?

The difference between a fault system and a no-fault system is where you file your insurance claim after an accident. The majority of states operate under fault laws, where the driver or other party to blame for the crash is liable for the resulting damages. Claims are filed with this party’s insurer. This is different from a no-fault system, where all involved parties file with their own insurance coverage to recover financial and personal losses, regardless of who caused the crash.

Vehicle Accidents in Louisiana

In 2024 in Louisiana, there were approximately 108,090 property-damage-only accidents and 37,387 suspected injury accidents. These injury accidents led to 58,981 suspected injuries. Sadly, there were also 706 fatal car accidents, resulting in 753 fatalities in the state.

The greatest number of vehicle crashes occurred in East Baton Rouge Parish, followed by New Orleans and Orleans Parish. East Baton Rouge Parish also had the greatest number of fatal, suspected minor injury, possible injury, and property damage-only accidents, but New Orleans had the greatest number of suspected serious injury accidents.

How Fault Laws Impact Vehicle Accident Victims

Everyone in Louisiana is required to have car insurance coverage that covers a minimum amount of injuries and property damage to others in an accident. Because of this, you have to prove who was at fault for the accident after you are involved in one.

The insurance companies of all drivers involved in the accident will conduct their own investigations into the collision to determine fault. These insurance companies are not looking out for your interests, but for their own bottom line. In order to protect your own interests, you need to hire a skilled car accident lawyer. They can help investigate the accident, collect evidence, and prove who is liable.

In order to prove another party liable for your injuries in an accident, you have to prove:

• They owed you a duty of care. All drivers on the road owe each other an implied duty of care to behave reasonably, follow road laws, and take reasonable care to avoid causing injury.
• They breached the duty of care. This is generally due to a negligent action or inaction.
• Their breach of care caused the accident. If the accident was caused entirely by something other than the negligent action, that party is not liable.
• The accident caused damage. You must show proof of your recognizable damages, like your injuries.

Drivers are often liable for negligent behaviors like speeding, ignoring the right-of-way, driving distracted, being impaired, or driving aggressively.

Comparative Negligence in Louisiana

Fault-based systems are further complicated by the existence of comparative negligence laws. When multiple people are partially to blame for an accident, they can each be held liable for their percentage of the fault.

If you were injured in a car accident and you were partially to blame, you can still recover financial compensation as long as your percentage of fault is less than 51%. This enables you to cover some of your losses, but it does limit the compensation you receive. For example, if the court determines you are 20% at fault for the crash, you will only receive 80% of your total calculated damages.

Comparative negligence also allows you to recover damages from multiple insurance companies if numerous other drivers were to blame.

FAQs

How Is Fault Determined in a Car Accident in Louisiana?

Fault in a car accident in Louisiana is determined through a thorough investigation, using evidence such as CCTV footage, cell phone records, and the accident report. This evidence must prove the following to prove fault:

1. The driver owed you a duty of care.
2. The driver breached that duty of care, usually due to negligent behavior.
3. Their breach caused the accident, or was a significant factor in causing it.
4. The accident caused your injuries and other damages.

Who Pays for Vehicle Damage in a Fault State?

The at-fault driver pays for vehicle damage in an at-fault state, as well as other damages caused by the accident, like the cost of your injuries. If your injuries or vehicle damages exceed the insurance coverage limits of the at-fault party, you may need to recover additional damages through your own coverage policy. An attorney can help you review your unique situation and your options for compensation.

Does Louisiana Have No-Fault Car Insurance?

No, Louisiana does not have a no-fault car insurance system. Instead, claims are filed with the insurance company of the driver who is to blame for the accident. These claims can recover any of the economic and non-economic damages you sustained in the accident. If you and the at-fault insurer can’t reach a fair settlement, then you may be able to bring the case to court to recover your damages. An attorney can help you navigate these cases.

Who Is At Fault in a Rear-End Collision in Louisiana?

Every rear-end collision in Louisiana is different, so there is no way to know for certain who is at fault for the crash. Often, the driver who rear-ended the other driver is the at-fault party, but this is not always true. The driver in front may have acted negligently by brake-checking or not paying attention to changes on the road. The driver in the rear may have been negligent because they were driving distracted.

Recovering Compensation in a Fault-Based System

When you are hurt in a car accident, you can file an insurance claim. If the insurance company won’t give you a fair settlement, you can take the case to court and file a personal injury claim. Recovering the compensation you are owed is much easier with an attorney, whether you are negotiating a settlement or advocating for a verdict.

At Murphy Law Firm, we can help you along each step of the way, from investigating fault to assessing the value of your losses. Contact our firm today.

About The Author

Peyton Murphy

Peyton Murphy, is the founder of Murphy Law Firm, LLC, based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, specializing in personal injury law. Peyton obtained his law degree from the prestigious Tulane School of Law in 1991 and has been licensed to practice law in Louisiana since 1993. With over 28 years of experience, Peyton is dedicated to representing injured victims and actively contributing to his community. Education: Obtained his law degree from Tulane School of Law in 1991. Professional Associations: Member of the Louisiana State Bar and active in the Baton Rouge Bar Association and the Louisiana Association for Justice. Experience: Founder of Murphy Law Firm, LLC, with extensive experience in personal injury law and licensed in multiple federal courts and the U.S. Supreme Court.

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