Partner at Charbonnet Law Firm LLC
Practice Areas: Life Insurance Disputes
According to the Louisiana State University’s Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation, more than 1,400 people in Louisiana suffer pedestrian accident injuries each year; over 100 suffer fatal injuries. About one-third of these fatalities and several hundred injuries occur in Orleans Parish. New Orleans is famous for its rich culture, music, and food that promote residents and visitors alike to eat, drink, and be merry. Unfortunately, enjoying all New Orleans offers comes with danger for those who traverse the Crescent City on foot.
Pedestrians face more risk for accident injuries than motorists or those on bicycles. Without protection from a car or bike, injuries are more severe and more likely to lead to death. Severe injuries are costly, sometimes leaving accident victims and their families with financial hardship. Fortunately, Louisiana law permits pedestrian accident victims to seek compensation for damages from the party who allegedly hurt them.
If you have suffered pedestrian accident injuries in New Orleans, an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can help you take legal action. At Charbonnet Law Firm, we have the experience and resources to help you seek justice. Contact us today to discuss the details of your pedestrian accident and injuries and learn the best path forward for your circumstances.
Pedestrians face severe injuries when a car, truck, or another motor vehicle strikes them. Injuries commonly associated with pedestrian accidents include:
Pedestrians face multiple broken bones when a vehicle strikes them. Some fractures heal, but crushed bones and multiple breaks often need corrective surgery. Some victims struggle for life with pain or discomfort even after surgery and never get their full range of movement back. Later in life, some victims with broken bones develop painful arthritis in the affected area of their body. Pedestrians who suffer broken ribs risk internal organ damage and other life-threatening injuries.
Sprains and strains are the most common soft tissue injuries. Yet, depending on the situation, a pedestrian might also suffer from a torn muscle, tendon, or ligament. Sprains and strains heal with rest, but more severe soft tissue injuries that include tears typically require reconstruction. Victims sometimes face challenges with movements, pain, and discomfort for life.
If a pedestrian’s head hits the ground during an accident, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is likely. Even the mildest of TBIs can lead to long-term complications with memory, cognition, and behavior. Some victims also struggle with anxiety, depression, and personality changes. Children who suffer TBIs are especially vulnerable to developmental struggles because the human brain does not fully develop until after age 20. TBIs can also cause residual headaches and migraines that last for life.
Depending on the exact impact of a pedestrian accident, victims face a wide range of potential neck and back injuries. In addition to soft tissue injuries, pedestrian accident victims sometimes suffer from fractured vertebrae, slipped discs, and bulged discs. Those who suffer severe injuries often need to undergo surgery but still suffer some pain or discomfort for life. Pain management is also a big part of life for those with severe neck and back injuries.
Spinal cord injuries are also neck and back injuries, but they deserve special treatment because of their severity. Although accident victims sometimes recover from minor spinal cord damage, permanent damage is more likely. Spinal cord cells do not naturally regenerate like other cells, so victims face permanent loss of function. The exact area of loss corresponds with the area on the spinal column where the injury occurred. Those injuries closest to the brain typically result in the most functional loss, typically referred to as tetraplegia, which is paralysis from the neck down.
Pedestrian accidents can cause joint dislocations in the hips and shoulders. Soft tissue injuries often accompany dislocations, which occur when the ball and socket joints hold the hips and shoulders separate. Doctors can put the ball back in the socket, but torn ligaments or muscles often require surgery. Dislocations are among the most painful of injuries, and victims often cope with chronic issues.
Some pedestrian accident victims suffer crushed bones if their body gets pinned under a vehicle. Crushed limbs lose blood flow and initiate the death of a limb. If doctors cannot restore blood flow to a crushed limb, they must amputate to save a victim from dying from an infection. Amputees must cope with stump pain, phantom limb pain, and learning how to use a prosthetic device.
Under Louisiana law, you can take legal action against a driver who hits you while you’re walking if they intentionally harmed you or their negligence led to the accident. Some common negligent driving behaviors that lead to severe, sometimes fatal pedestrian accidents include:
Louisiana law permits you to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who allegedly caused you injured in a New Orleans pedestrian accident. If you reach a settlement agreement with the insurance company or the court rules in your favor, you could receive compensation for the following damages:
If you have suffered injuries from a pedestrian accident in New Orleans, an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can handle the details of your case so you can focus on healing. Some ways an attorney can help include:
At Charbonnet Law Firm, we understand the challenges you face in the wake of suffering serious injuries in a pedestrian accident. In addition to physical pain, you are likely dealing with emotional stress and financial hardship. We are here to provide you with guidance and legal advice on the best path forward for your claim. Contact us today online or at (504) 294-5075 for a free case evaluation to discuss your accident, your injuries, and the impact they have had on your life.
With over 50 years of legal experience serving families in the New Orleans area and surrounding Louisiana communities, our firm takes pride in providing clients with personalized legal services tailored to individual needs.
