New Orleans Car Accident Statistics

By Peirce A. Hammond II

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Car Accidents

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Last Modified on Sep 29, 2025

New Orleans is notorious for having a large party scene. Combined with tourists, it can lead to many car accidents due to a variety of reasons. Learning more about New Orleans car accident statistics can help you stay prepared on challenging roads.

Experienced Car Accident Attorneys in New Orleans

Hammond Law Firm, LLC, has over 15 years of experience in getting compensation for car accident victims. We’re located in New Orleans and do all we can to support our clients’ claims. Our location means that we have frequently worked with the legal system and insurance companies in the area.

Main Causes of Car Accidents

In Orleans Parish, there were 4,850 car accidents with suspected injuries in 2024. Some of the common causes of these accidents include:

• Distractions. New Orleans is a large city and features many distractions while on the road. Any activity that prevents you from looking at the road is considered distracting. Even a short glance can lead to a diminished reaction time.
• Driving while intoxicated. New Orleans has a large drinking culture, especially in tourist areas like Bourbon Street. If drunk people decide to drive, they are at much greater risk of causing a car accident.
• Weather issues. Louisiana has very temperamental weather. It could be sunny at the time of departure, but it can quickly spiral into a dangerous storm. If tourists are unfamiliar with the rapidly changing weather, it can make them more prone to causing an accident while driving.
• Ignoring traffic rules. Many people are careless on the road. Blowing through stop signs or red lights is very dangerous for the other cars in the intersection. If they don’t notice, it’s possible for them to collide with the negligent driver. It’s common for them to be going quickly, which can lead to greater injuries.
• Infrastructure issues. New Orleans has had many infrastructure issues over the years, especially after Hurricane Katrina. Some roads have significant damage that can add to the danger of the environment. A sudden pothole or crack can lead to a vehicle skidding out of control and hitting others.

Driving on I-10 can be dangerous for those who don’t know what they’re doing. It’s important to be prepared before driving to prevent dangerous collisions.

New Orleans Car Accident Statistics

There are many car accidents in some of the more populated parishes, and Orleans Parish is no exception. There were 8,181 injuries related to vehicle crashes in 2024. While most of these injuries were suffered by drivers (5,340), 2,245 were sustained by their passengers.

New Orleans has a variety of large highways and interstates. The most common are I-10, I-510, and I-510. In general, the majority of vehicle crashes happen in urban areas. In 2024, there were 4,823 urban car accidents in Orleans Parish, compared to 83 rural accidents.

Why Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

A New Orleans car accident attorney can gather evidence for your claim. Photos that document environmental factors, like poor road conditions, can bolster your argument. They can even present your case in front of an insurance company or court. An attorney is an important part of a good personal injury case.

Many types of damages can apply to car accident cases. If you must go to the hospital, their care can be expensive. Any treatments after the initial procedures can also be counted as medical expenses for a personal injury claim.

If you are employed, you might miss work due to your injuries after a car accident. This might require compensation for lost wages as part of a car accident settlement. If your injuries leave you with a disability that prevents you from working in the same role, the claim can also cover future loss of income.

The physical pain of a car accident should not be understated. This is a form of damage called pain and suffering, which can also be recovered. Without an attorney, however, it can be difficult to determine the value you should assign to these damages under Louisiana’s car accident laws.

Why Choose Us?

Some car accidents in New Orleans cause life-changing damage. At Hammond Law Firm, LLC, we recovered $700,000 for a victim of an 18-wheeler accident. We know that money doesn’t completely fix everything, but it can certainly help advance your recovery.