Car Accident Lawyers in New Orleans (2025)

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in New Orleans, LA?

Injury lawyers in Louisiana generally charge a contingency fee. This fee allows the lawyer to start working on your case without any upfront charges. Instead, the lawyer is paid at the end of the case based on the outcome produced.

If the lawyer successfully recovers compensation, they will charge an agreed-upon percentage as their fee. The Louisiana State Bar Association does not survey its members to determine average fees. However, the American Bar Association estimates the average contingency fee in the U.S. is between 33.3% (or one-third) and 40%.

How to Hire a New Orleans, LA, Car Accident Attorney

Referrals are a good way to find a lawyer. Talk to friends and family members about lawyers they have used for their auto accidents. If you do not know anyone who has pursued an injury claim, contact a lawyer referral service like ConsumerShield.

Once you gather some names, schedule free consultations to interview the lawyers. Every attorney has unique strengths and weaknesses. You need one who fits your needs.

During the consultation, ask questions such as:

• What fees do you charge?
• Do you have experience with cases like mine?
• What outcomes have you obtained in similar cases in the past?
• Will you personally handle my case?

When you hire a car accident lawyer in New Orleans, you will sign a written contingency fee agreement as required by Louisiana’s ethical rules.

Average Car Accident Settlement in New Orleans, LA

The average car accident settlement you can expect will depend on your injuries. More serious injuries will justify larger settlements.

You can recover compensation for economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses include the costs of surgery, medication, therapy, and other medical treatments. This compensation also covers your lost wages due to missed work.

Non-economic losses cover your diminished quality of life after your injuries. Examples include:

• Pain
• Mental suffering and emotional distress
• Disability
• Dismemberment
• Disfigurement

The average settlement for car accident pain and suffering will be larger for permanent injuries than for temporary ones.

Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Louisiana

Your case will probably start with an insurance claim. The claim will describe what happened and why the insured driver is liable for your injuries. It will also include records of the losses you incurred.

Your car accident attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to try to settle your case without filing a lawsuit. If the insurer accepts your claim, the lawyer negotiates for a fair and just payout. If it denies your claim, the attorney can file a lawsuit to continue your claim.

Louisiana gives you two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. If you miss this deadline without fitting into one of the statutory exceptions, a judge will dismiss your case.

How Does a Car Accident Lawsuit Work in New Orleans?

A lawsuit begins with a complaint that explains your case and requests compensation. The at-fault driver responds with an answer. The bulk of the litigation will involve gathering evidence and determining what the parties can present at trial.

Your goal is to present evidence proving the other driver was negligent in causing the crash. This means the other driver failed to exercise reasonable care and, as a result, you suffered an injury. Negligence often involves a traffic law violation like speeding or tailgating. However, you can also prove negligence when the other driver did something unreasonably dangerous, even if it was legal.

The attorneys for both sides will continue to discuss settlement, and most often, the case will be settled before trial. However, if the parties do not resolve the case, the attorneys will present evidence to the jury to persuade jurors to find in their favor.

Types of Car Accident Cases in New Orleans, LA

You can categorize car accident cases in many ways, including the type of collision. For example, a pedestrian hit by car or truck drivers can raise different issues than a driver hit by another car. Similarly, bike accidents often involve different issues than vehicle collisions.

You can also categorize car accidents by the severity of the injury suffered. Car accidents that cause fatal injuries will trigger a wrongful death claim by the victim’s family members. Accidents that cause non-fatal injuries will trigger a personal injury claim by the injured victim.

Contact ConsumerShield for a Referral to a Car Accident Lawyer in New Orleans

A car accident lawyer has the knowledge and experience to help you recover necessary compensation after your crash. ConsumerShield can help you find the right lawyer for your case. Contact us for a free case evaluation and car accident attorney referral.