What are the risks for pedestrians in Louisiana?

Public transport is used by workers and other Louisianans who either cannot afford a car, or want to avoid the hassle and cost of being stuck in traffic and searching for a parking place. It is estimated that 14 percent of the workforce are transit users in New Orleans, and that the proportion is about the same in Baton Rouge, Monroe, Shreveport, Alexandria and Lafayette.

All these transit users start and end their trip as pedestrians. They are joined by countless schoolchildren, retirees and shoppers to form the most vulnerable group exposed to road accidents.

A recent 3-year study in New Orleans has found that 4,133 people were victims of pedestrian crashes, of which 2,671 (65 percent) were on local streets and 1,462 (35 percent) on state highways.

On state highways, accidents resulting in more severe injuries or death represented 24 percent of the total, while on local streets the proportion was 9 percent. This is obviously explained by the higher speed of vehicles on highways.

How do pedestrian accidents happen?

Most of the time (30 percent) pedestrians are hit by a vehicle while crossing the street or highway. In 15 percent of the crashes, pedestrians are walking or standing alongside the road. In other cases, pedestrians are hurt in parking lots or on sidewalks.

Whatever the causes, pedestrian accidents can have terrible consequences: broken bones, traumatic head injury, spinal cord damage and wrongful death. Even outside a crosswalk, motorists are expected to respect the speed limits and exercise due caution in areas crowded with pedestrians. Driving without a license or under the influence might seriously weaken the motorist's defense and strengthen your claim for compensation.

If you have been hurt in a New Orleans pedestrian crash, contact the attorneys of the Young Firm in New Orleans immediately for a FREE consultation on your case at (504) 680-4100 (local) or (866) 660-7220 (toll free) or by sending us an e-mail.