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Last Modified on Nov 12, 2025
Being a good driver isn’t enough to keep you safe on the road. You also have to trust every other driver you pass on the road. That means it’s possible to be involved in an accident even if you do everything right. You can take a look at recent Louisiana car accident statistics and see what it’s like on Louisiana roads for yourself.
Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself. For instance, you can file a car accident claim to recover damages for your losses in a crash as long as you can prove the other party is at fault. By understanding a bit more about Louisiana car accident statistics, you can better prepare yourself for the realities of the road.
Louisiana Car Accident Statistics
It’s no secret that there’s a lot of room for improvement when it comes to road safety in Louisiana. In a single year, motor vehicle accidents cost Louisiana citizens approximately $10.65 billion. Louisiana’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) in 2022 was supposed to reinforce Louisiana’s primary goal of reducing motor vehicle accident injuries and deaths on its roadways.
It did not meet its targets that year, so a new Highway Safety Improvement Plan (HSIP) was drafted to gain federal funding to help improve roadways.
That plan has been accepted, so it’ll be interesting to see what comes of the roadway reports over the next few years. As for 2023, there were a total of 811 fatalities and 3,624 serious injuries reported across the state. While fatalities were down from 905, injuries increased from 2,566. It’s important to know what steps to take to file a car accident claim if you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident in Louisiana.
Some of the main contributing factors to traffic collisions in the state include:
- Aggressive driving
- Alcohol use
- Distracted driving
- Lack of a seatbelt
- Speeding
Most notably, rural roads in Louisiana were a hot spot for accidents ranging from minor to fatal. This is partially because alcohol tends to be a more common factor in crashes in rural areas. In recent years, alcohol was involved in 66.8 percent of rural fatal car accidents and 33.2 percent of urban crashes.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the number of miles driven annually has been on the rise for the past few years. Moreover, the number of motor vehicle deaths has been decreasing year over year.
While this is promising for road safety going forward, it’s important to note that motor vehicle accidents took the lives of 4,091 people in the United States in 2023 and another 4,010 in 2024. It’s true that the projected number of traffic fatalities in 2025 is lower, but it is still accounting for approximately 3,750 people. It’s important to stay vigilant on the road and do your part to keep yourself and others safe.
Louisiana Car Accident Laws
Historically, Louisiana has followed a comparative fault system for personal injury cases. This allows victims to recover damages even if they’re partially or majority at fault for the incident, reducing the total settlement awarded according to their percentage of fault.
Starting at the beginning of 2026, however, the state is moving to a modified comparative fault state, which allows victims to recover damages so long as they are 50 percent or less at fault for the incident that led to their injuries. A Louisiana car accident attorney can help you secure the compensation you deserve.
FAQs
Do I Have to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer to File Claim in Louisiana?
You don’t have to hire a car accident lawyer to file a claim in Louisiana, but it’s highly recommended that you do. A car accident attorney can help you use Louisiana car accident laws to your advantage to hold the right parties accountable and maximize your settlement.
Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, cares about helping you recover from this incident in every way that matters. The goal is to negotiate a fair settlement or secure it through aggressive representation in court.
What Is the Leading Cause of Traffic Collisions in Louisiana?
There are many factors that lead to motor vehicle accidents in Louisiana and across the rest of the country, including alcohol use, distracted driving, and speeding. That said, driver behavior is not the sole cause of motor vehicle accidents.
The weather can have a huge impact on accidents across the state, especially in the wintertime or during the rainy season. Poor road conditions are also often reported as the cause of an accident, especially when paired with bad weather.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Louisiana?
The cost of working with a car accident lawyer in Louisiana is ultimately going to depend on the amount you recover from your claim. Most car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything up front and only have to cover their fees if you secure a settlement.
You can schedule a call with Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, to learn more before you make a final decision about legal representation.
How Much Can I Recover From a Car Accident Claim in Louisiana?
Your total car accident settlement is ultimately going to depend on the extent of your injuries and the strength of your claim. A strong claim requires solid proof of fault on behalf of the other driver. Starting in 2026, Louisiana will follow a modified comparative fault law. You can expect your settlement to be reduced by any percentage of fault you’re found to have in an incident up to 50 percent. Beyond that, you can’t even file a claim.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Louisiana to File a Claim Today
Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, has over three decades of experience navigating complex car accident claims in Louisiana, and he’s got a great track record to prove it. Since 1994, he has had:
- 4,000+ client consultations
- 95 percent success rate
- $60+ million recovered for our clients
- 20+ 5-star reviews
Reach out to set up an appointment with a lawyer you can trust today.
