Shreveport Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Pedestrian Accidents in Louisiana

According to a recent report from U.S. News & World Report, Louisiana is one of the top 10 most dangerous states for pedestrians. Data from the Center for Analytics & Research in Transportation Safety (CARTS) show that, in 2021, pedestrian injuries rose by 2.4 percent and pedestrian fatalities increased by a whopping 13.7 percent from the previous year. In total, 1,151 pedestrians were injured and 166 died in pedestrian-vehicle collisions in Louisiana in 2021.

Motorists have a responsibility to drive cautiously and do everything possible to avoid collisions with people on foot. If you or someone you love was involved in a pedestrian accident, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your resulting damages—and The Hall Law Firm can help.

Since 1975, we have been standing up for the rights of injured individuals and the families of those wrongfully killed throughout Louisiana. Our Shreveport pedestrian accident attorneys can provide the information and representation you need to move forward with your life after a serious accident.

It’s something many drivers are taught: pedestrians have the right of way. While there is some truth to this—namely that motorists should yield to pedestrians whenever possible and avoid causing an accident—there are some instances in which pedestrians must yield to oncoming vehicles.

Louisiana pedestrian laws require motorists to yield to pedestrians when:

• Pedestrians are crossing a roadway in a marked or unmarked crosswalk
• Pedestrians are crossing in marked crosswalks where there are no traffic lights or stop signs or where traffic control devices are not working

Motorists must also exercise extra caution when driving near blind individuals using white canes or guide dogs, regardless of where the individual is crossing the roadway or whether there are traffic control devices in operation, as well as children and anyone who appears confused, disoriented, impaired, or intoxicated.

Additionally, pedestrians have the following responsibilities under Louisiana pedestrian laws:

When crossing a roadway outside of a marked or unmarked crosswalk, pedestrians must yield to vehicles

Pedestrians should always use sidewalks and designated pedestrian crossings, such as bridges and tunnels, when they are present and available

Pedestrians must avoid suddenly leaving a sidewalk or another place of safety and entering a roadway when vehicles may be unable to reasonably yield

Unless it is an emergency, pedestrians are prohibited from crossing or walking on interstate highways at any time

If a pedestrian must walk along a roadway (e.g., if there is no sidewalk), they should walk as far over in the shoulder as possible facing oncoming traffic

• Pedestrians must obey all traffic control devices, such as traffic signals and stop signs, and may not cross a roadway when not permitted by such devices

Most catastrophic injuries result from severe accidents and traumatic events, including but not limited to:

• Vehicle accidents, including car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
• Falls, including slip and fall accidents and falls from heights
• Sports and recreation accidents, including boating, diving, and ATV accidents
• Assault, battery, and other violent/criminal conduct
• Fires and explosions
• Workplace accidents and work-related incidents
• Medical malpractice, negligence, and errors, including birth injuries
• Defective products, including household items, auto parts, and industrial equipment

These laws are meant to keep both pedestrians and motorists safe. When a collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian does occur, the insurance adjuster and the court will evaluate whether either party broke the law or acted negligently. As such, these cases are governed by the rule of comparative fault.

Louisiana is one of several states to follow a rule of “comparative fault” when it comes to negligence-based personal injury and wrongful death claims. Under this rule, an injured party may file a claim for damages if they are found to be partly at fault for the accident that caused their injuries. However, the amount they can recover in damages will be directly reduced according to their at-fault percentage.

For example, if the insurance adjuster and/or court finds that an individual was crossing a roadway against a red light when they were hit by an oncoming motorist who was texting and driving at the time of the accident, the pedestrian may be considered 40 percent at fault.

If the pedestrian sustained $100,000 in damages, they would only be able to recover up to 60 percent of that amount, or $60,000.

At The Hall Law Firm, our Shreveport pedestrian accident lawyers recognize that the degree of fault you are assigned (if any) can make a huge difference in your recovery. We also know that many insurance adjusters will unfairly assign blame in an attempt to limit payouts.

Our attorneys are prepared to aggressively advocate for you and the full, fair recovery you deserve. If necessary, we are even ready to represent you at trial.

Pedestrians are simply no match for large, multi-ton vehicles. When they are hit, they often sustain severe, catastrophic injuries. Sadly, many pedestrian accidents are fatal.

For victims and their loved ones, the aftermath of a pedestrian accident can be devastating. Families may suddenly find themselves on the hook for exorbitant medical bills even as victims are unable to return to work for weeks, months, or even years.

If you or someone you love was injured in a pedestrian accident resulting from the careless or reckless conduct of another, you shouldn’t have to suffer these consequences on your own.

At The Hall Law Firm, we help our clients fight for maximum recovery for their damages, including but not limited to:

• Emergency medical care
• Ambulance and hospital fees
• Surgeries and other treatments
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Medications
• Medical devices and equipment
• Ongoing and future medical expenses
• Lost income, wages, and benefits
• Loss of future earnings
• Lost earning ability
• Pain and suffering
• Future pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Disfigurement

If your loved one tragically passed away due to a pedestrian accident, we can help you seek wrongful death damages, such as medical expenses, funeral costs, lost financial support, and loss of love, comfort, care, and guidance.

We know that no amount of financial compensation can negate the devastating experience you have been through. However, a fair settlement or verdict can provide much-needed monetary resources, allowing you and your family to heal. A successful case can also help you secure the justice you need to move forward.

Like most other personal injury cases, pedestrian accident cases in Louisiana are subject to a one-year statute of limitations. This means that you typically have only one year from the date of the accident to file your pedestrian accident lawsuit. In cases involving wrongful death, the time limit extends from the date of death, regardless of whether this is the same date as the date of the actual accident.

In any case, it is important that you consult an experienced attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you reach out to our team, the sooner we can begin investigating your claim, gathering evidence, and putting together a powerful case on your behalf.

Our Shreveport pedestrian accident lawyers are happy to answer any questions you may have during a completely free and confidential consultation.