What Happens If You’re Hit by a Tourist Driver in New Orleans?

New Orleans is a popular tourist destination for both US citizens and international travelers. However, if they choose to drive within the city on roads in the French Quarter or Bourbon Street, it can be difficult for them to understand the local road rules. If this leads to an accident, it is a good idea to know what happens if you’re hit by a tourist driver in New Orleans.

Experienced Car Accident Attorneys in New Orleans

At Blake Jones Law Firm, we aim to make the process of filing a personal injury claim as easy as possible. We know many of our clients are suffering serious injuries, so we often do the legwork for them by filing paperwork and gathering evidence.

What Happens if You’re Hit by a Tourist Driver in New Orleans?

According to the Louisiana Office of Tourism, 44.5 million people visited the state in 2024. This can lead to a variety of accidents with tourists of many kinds, including:

• Drivers from other states. Even if the other driver is from the United States, each state has its own unique laws regarding car insurance and accident law. What might be legal in one state might be illegal in another. The way accidents are evaluated and compensated for also varies from state to state.
• International drivers. Driving laws in other countries are often completely different from those in the United States. In addition, there could be a language barrier that prevents you from effectively communicating with the other drivers in the accident. In these situations, you should contact a legal professional who understands how to handle international car accident claims.
• Rental car accidents. Many tourists rent a car to explore the city. In these situations, insurance and legal matters must be handled through the rental company. Each company is different, but many car accident victims experience frustration when attempting to work through their claim with such a large company.
• Rideshare accidents. Rideshare apps usually provide significant insurance coverage for their drivers, but this only applies when a driver is picking up a passenger or when a passenger is in the vehicle during a ride. Coverage amounts vary by rideshare app and the details of the accident.
• Driving under the influence. During large events like Mardi Gras, it is important to be alert while driving. This is because many travelers indulge during these events and then choose to endanger others by driving while intoxicated. The intoxicated drivers may also face criminal charges in addition to the costs associated with the accident.

Car accidents can cause serious injuries and monetary damages. Accidents with serious injuries cost an average of $176,323 per person in Louisiana. If these kinds of damages happen to you, it is important that you work with legal representatives who can recoup some of these losses.

Hire a Car Accident Lawyer

If you get into a car accident with a tourist in New Orleans, there will most likely be issues because they reside outside the state and sometimes out of the country. Working through both sets of laws can be challenging, especially for an accident victim.

An attorney can research the laws in the area in which the other driver resides and can help you receive compensation across geographical boundaries. If the other driver speaks a different language, an interpreter can facilitate communication between the parties.

While most simple cases do not need to be tried in court, some car accidents involving tourists may require a court trial due to differences in local laws. If this is needed, an attorney is an excellent resource for your case.

Why Choose Us?

At Blake Jones Law Firm, we are New Orleans locals. Some of us have lived here our entire lives. This gives us the familiarity needed to interpret local laws in a way that benefits our clients. We know what local victims need and work to provide a better future for them through a personal injury claim.

FAQs

Can You Get in Trouble for Not Reporting a Fender Bender?

You can get in trouble for not reporting a fender bender, depending on how bad the accident was. In Louisiana, you are required to report an accident if it results in injury, death, or more than $500 worth of property damage. Failure to report an accident that meets this criterion can lead to criminal consequences.

What Happens if the Person Not at Fault in an Accident Has No Insurance in Louisiana?

If the person not at fault in an accident has no insurance in Louisiana, then this affects their ability to receive compensation from an insurance company. This is called the No Pay, No Play law. It does not allow a victim to recover the first $100,000 in damages in a car accident if they do not have car insurance.

How Long After a Hit-and-Run Accident Can You Be Charged in Louisiana?

How long after a hit-and-run accident you can be charged in Louisiana varies based on the severity of the accident. If someone was seriously hurt or killed, then the charges are more likely to be felony charges. These charges have a longer statute of limitations than misdemeanors. Depending on the type of charge, the statute of limitations ranges from 6 months to 6 years.

How Long After an Accident Can You Still Make a Claim?

The time after an accident in which you can make a claim is two years from the day the accident took place. This is called the statute of limitations. To receive compensation, you must file a claim within this time period. If you are filing on behalf of someone who is deceased in a wrongful death claim, you usually only have one year.

Receive Assistance With Complicated Cases

According to a University of New Orleans report, the New Orleans metro area received $6.7 billion in tourism dollars in 2021. While there are benefits to the influx of tourists, it also increases the risk of accidents. If you are involved in an accident with a tourist driver in New Orleans, schedule a consultation with Blake Jones Law Firm today.