New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer
New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer
Have a top car accident lawyer in New Orleans fight for you and your family!
A serious car accident can change everything in a matter of seconds. If you were hurt in a New Orleans car accident because another driver was careless, our team is ready to step in, protect your rights, deal with the insurance company, and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
At The Law Offices of Chip Forstall, we know what the days after a car accident can look like. You may be trying to get medical care, find transportation, miss work, replace a damaged car, and answer calls from an insurance adjuster while you are still dealing with pain and uncertainty. You should not have to manage all of that alone.
Our New Orleans car accident lawyers handle the legal pressure so you can focus on healing. We investigate the accident, preserve evidence, deal with the insurance company, document your injuries and medical treatment, calculate your losses, negotiate your claim, and prepare your case for court when necessary.
Free 24/7 consultation: Call 504-483-3400
For more than four decades, Chip Forstall has represented people injured in car accident cases throughout New Orleans and Louisiana. Today, our clients have the support of an entire legal team. Chip and Jonathan Forstall work alongside our other attorneys, paralegals, litigation professionals, legal assistants, and client-support staff to help people through every stage of a personal injury case.
The Forstalls takes care of it all.
Injured in a Car Accident in New Orleans? Here's What to Do First
The hours after a New Orleans car accident can be confusing. You may be shaken, unsure how serious your injuries are, and already hearing from an insurance company. The steps you take early can protect both your health and your car accident claim.
Get Medical Care and Document Your Injuries
Your health comes first after any accident. If you have severe pain, heavy bleeding, loss of consciousness, breathing problems, head trauma, numbness, weakness, or another emergency symptom, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Tell your medical provider what happened and describe your symptoms accurately. Follow the treatment plan and keep copies of medical bills, discharge paperwork, prescriptions, referrals, therapy records, work restrictions, and other documents connected to your injuries.
Your medical records can become important evidence in a car accident case because they document the treatment you need after the accident.
How to Get Your NOPD Crash Report
If the New Orleans Police Department responded to your car accident, the crash report can become an important part of your case.
Keep any item number, driver exchange form, incident information, or other paperwork you received at the accident scene. If you do not have the report yet, our team can help determine what information is needed and assist with obtaining the appropriate records.
A police report does not decide your entire case, but it can provide your accident lawyer with valuable information about what officers found when they arrived.
What Not to Say to the Insurance Adjuster
An insurance adjuster may contact you quickly after a car accident in NOLA. The conversation may sound friendly, but the adjuster is working for the insurance company.
Do not guess what happened. Do not estimate your speed if you are unsure. Do not minimize your injuries by saying you are “fine” when you are still being evaluated.
Be cautious about giving a recorded statement, signing a broad medical authorization, or accepting an early settlement before you understand what you are agreeing to.
Once a car accident case is settled and a release is signed, you may not be able to seek more compensation later if your medical condition turns out to be more serious than expected.
A car accident lawyer in New Orleans can handle those communications for you and keep the discussion focused on the facts.
Before you give the insurance company a recorded statement or sign a release,
call The Law Offices of Chip Forstall at 504-483-3400 for a free consultation.
How Our New Orleans Car Accident Lawyers Help
A strong car accident case requires more than filling out an insurance form. It requires a clear understanding of how the accident happened, who may be responsible, what insurance is available, how serious the injuries are, and what the car accident will cost you now and in the future.
Our New Orleans team handles those details from the beginning.
Investigation and Evidence Preservation
Every accident has evidence. Our job is to find it, preserve it, and use it effectively.
Depending on the car accident, evidence may include photographs, video, police records, witness statements, vehicle data, cellphone records, insurance policies, medical records, wage information, and expert analysis.
That is why contacting a New Orleans accident lawyer early can make a difference.
Dealing With the Insurance Company for You
Insurance companies handle accident claims every day. Most injured people do not.
Our lawyers communicate with the insurance carriers, so you do not have to spend your recovery arguing with adjusters. We review Louisiana insurance coverage, provide medical documentation, respond to requests, address disputes over fault, and push back when a company tries to undervalue a car accident claim.
We look at the full cost of the accident, including immediate and future medical treatment, lost income, property damage, permanent limitations, pain and suffering, and other losses related to your injuries.
Filing Suit in Orleans and Jefferson Parish Courts
Many New Orleans car accident cases resolve through negotiation. Some require litigation.
If an insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, our attorneys can file suit and move the case forward in the appropriate Louisiana court. Venue depends on the facts of the accident and the parties involved. A New Orleans car accident may belong in Orleans Parish, while a case connected to Jefferson Parish may be filed in Jefferson Parish.
Chip Forstall and Jonathan Forstall are both courtroom attorneys. They collaborate on legal strategy, work with the firm’s other lawyers and litigation professionals, and prepare cases with the understanding that an accident claim may need to be presented to a judge or jury.
That is part of what we mean when we say:
The Forstalls takes care of it all.
If the insurance company is delaying, blaming you, or offering less than your case deserves, call 504-483-3400 and speak with a New Orleans accident lawyer.
How Our New Orleans Car Accident Lawyers Help
One of the first questions after a serious car accident is often, “What is my case worth?”
A car accident attorney New Orleans families trust should consider the entire effect of the accident before recommending a settlement.
Medical Bills, Lost Wages, and Future Care
Medical expenses can become one of the largest parts of a car accident claim, from emergency care and imaging to surgery, therapy, rehabilitation, prescriptions, and follow-up medical treatment.
Our job is to document those losses and make sure the case reflects more than the bills sitting on your kitchen table today.
Lost wages matter too. If your injuries prevent you from working or make it difficult to return to your previous job, those financial losses may become part of your case.
Long-term medical needs also matter. Serious injuries can require future treatment, rehabilitation, medication, surgery, or other forms of care long after the accident.
Pain and Suffering in Louisiana
Not every loss comes with a receipt.
A Louisiana car accident can cause physical pain, emotional distress, inconvenience, sleep problems, anxiety, limitations on normal activities, and loss of independence. Depending on the facts, Louisiana law may allow compensation for those non-economic damages.
A Orlean Parish accident lawyer can help document those effects, so the insurance company sees the person behind the paperwork.
Why Early Settlement Offers Are Almost Always Too Low
An early offer can feel tempting when medical bills are arriving and you need money. But the timing often benefits the insurance company.
Once you sign a release, the car accident claim may be over.
That is why we look at the complete case before recommending a settlement. A quick check should never matter more than your long-term recovery.
Louisiana Car Accident Law You Need to Know
Louisiana law can directly affect a New Orleans car accident claim. Filing deadlines, shared fault, and insurance coverage can all change what options are available.
The date of the accident matters because Louisiana has changed several important rules in recent years.
Deadline to File: 2 Years for Crashes on or After July 1, 2024; 1 Year for Earlier Crashes
For many Louisiana car accident cases arising on or after July 1, 2024, the general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date the injury or damage occurred. Many accident claims arising before July 1, 2024 remain subject to the former one-year period.
There can be exceptions and special circumstances, so you should not rely on a general website statement to calculate your specific Louisiana deadline.
A New Orleans accident lawyer can review the accident date and take steps to preserve the case while evidence is still available.
Comparative Fault — You Can Still Recover if You Were Partly at Fault
Fault matters in Louisiana.
For accidents governed by Louisiana law effective January 1, 2026, a person who is less than 51% at fault may still recover compensation, although the recovery is reduced by that person’s percentage of fault. A person found 51% or more at fault may be barred from recovery under the current rule. Earlier accidents may be governed by prior Louisiana law.
Insurance companies may try to shift part of the blame to you after a NOLA car accident. They may argue that you were speeding, distracted, following too closely, or could have avoided the accident.
Our lawyers examine the evidence and challenge fault allegations that are not supported by the facts.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist and Med-Pay Coverage
Not every driver who causes a car accident has enough insurance. Some have no insurance at all.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, often called UM/UIM, may provide an additional source of compensation depending on the Louisiana policy involved and the coverage selected.
Medical-payments coverage may also help pay qualifying medical expenses, depending on the policy terms.
An auto accident attorney New Orleans residents hire should review every potentially available Louisiana insurance policy, not just the at-fault driver’s coverage.
Questions about Louisiana insurance coverage after a New Orleans car accident?
Call 504-483-3400 and let our team review your options.
Louisiana Car Accident Law You Need to Know
New Orleans traffic produces many different accident scenarios, and each one can raise different legal and insurance issues.
Rideshare Accidents
A car accident involving Uber, Lyft, or another rideshare service may require a close look at the driver’s status in the app, the insurance coverage in effect, and the injuries caused by the accident.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
When a driver leaves an accident scene, the case may depend on witness information, surveillance video, police work, vehicle descriptions, Louisiana UM coverage, and documentation of your injuries.
Uninsured Driver Accidents
If the responsible driver has no liability insurance, our lawyers can examine whether your own Louisiana UM coverage or another policy may apply to the injuries and losses from the crash.
Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end accidents can cause serious neck injuries, back injuries, head injuries, and other trauma. Vehicle damage, stopping distance, witness accounts, and medical documentation may all become important.
Drunk Driver Accidents
A drunk-driving car accident can involve both criminal proceedings and a separate civil case for the injured person, especially when the injuries require extensive treatment.
18-Wheeler Accidents
An 18-wheeler accident is different from an ordinary car accident. The case can involve trucking companies, commercial insurance, driver logs, maintenance records, cargo issues, and federal safety regulations.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians have little protection from the force of a vehicle, which means these accidents can cause devastating injuries even at lower speeds.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries, and riders may face unfair assumptions about fault. Evidence can show what actually happened.
Louisiana Car Accident Law You Need to Know
Local knowledge matters in a car accident case.
Our Mid-City office puts The Law Offices of Chip Forstall in the community we serve.
I-10 and Claiborne Avenue
I-10 and the Claiborne Avenue corridor see heavy New Orleans traffic, merging vehicles, congestion, and changing speeds. A car accident here can involve multiple vehicles and serious injuries.
Pontchartrain Expressway
The Pontchartrain Expressway connects major parts of the New Orleans metro area. Higher speeds, lane changes, and congestion can make a car accident especially dangerous.
Canal Street and Tulane Avenue
Canal Street and Tulane Avenue carry New Orleans residents, commuters, tourists, public transportation, pedestrians, and commercial traffic.
A car accident in these areas may involve witnesses, nearby businesses, surveillance cameras, and complicated traffic patterns.
Carrollton Avenue
Our office is located at:
320 North Carrollton Avenue, Suite 200
New Orleans, LA 70119
Carrollton Avenue runs through busy residential and commercial areas, intersections, and connections to major New Orleans roadways. For someone searching for a car accident lawyer near me after a Mid-City accident, having a local office means the legal team is close to the community it serves.
Westbank Expressway
The Westbank Expressway carries traffic through areas of Jefferson Parish that are closely connected to the New Orleans metro. A car accident there may involve different courts or law-enforcement agencies than an accident inside Orleans Parish.
Nearby Emergency Care After a New Orleans Car Accident
People injured in a New Orleans car accident may receive medical care at University Medical Center New Orleans, Ochsner Baptist, Ochsner Medical Center, or another area hospital or clinic.
If your injuries make it difficult to come to our Mid City office, call us. We can discuss options for getting your case started.
If you were hurt anywhere in the New Orleans metro area,
Call 504-483-3400 for a free car accident case review.
Frequently Asked Questions
A serious accident raises immediate questions, and families deserve plain answers.
How Much Does a New Orleans Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
We handle personal injury cases on a contingency-fee basis. That means you do not pay an attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Do I Need an Accident Lawyer for a Minor Car Accident?
It may be smart to speak with an accident lawyer if you needed medical treatment, missed work, have ongoing pain, are being blamed for the accident, or received a settlement offer you are not sure about.
How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Louisiana?
For many Louisiana accidents occurring on or after July 1, 2024, the general filing period is two years. Many accidents before that date remain subject to the former one-year deadline.
Exceptions can apply. Let a lawyer review your actual accident date rather than assuming which Louisiana deadline controls.
What If I Was Partly Responsible for the Accident?
You may still have a case.
For accidents governed by current Louisiana law, a person who is less than 51% at fault may still recover, with compensation reduced by that person’s share of fault. Accidents arising under earlier Louisiana law may be treated differently.
What If the Driver Who Hit Me Is Uninsured?
Do not assume there is no claim. Your own Louisiana UM/UIM coverage or another available policy may provide compensation. Our lawyers can review the policies and explain your options.
Should I Accept the Insurance Company's First Settlement Offer?
Not until you understand your injuries, medical treatment, lost wages, future needs, and the full value of the car accident claim.
What Makes The Law Offices of Chip Forstall Different?
We are a New Orleans law firm with deep Louisiana roots and more than four decades of experience helping injured people. We live and work here.
Chip Forstall and Jonathan Forstall both represent clients and go to court when a case requires litigation. Jonathan Forstall also works closely with the rest of our legal team throughout the life of a case.
They collaborate with each other and with our other attorneys, paralegals, litigation professionals, legal assistants, and support staff.
When you hire us, you are not relying on one lawyer to manage every detail alone. You have an entire New Orleans team working together to move your car accident case forward.
The Forstalls takes care of it all.
Louisiana Car Accident Law You Need to Know
After a car accident, everything can seem to happen at once.
You may have injuries that need medical treatment. You may be missing work. Your car may be damaged or totaled. Medical bills may be arriving before you have even had time to understand what happened. And while you are trying to recover, an insurance company may already be working on its side of the accident claim.
Let us work on yours.
At The Law Offices of Chip Forstall, we believe people injured in a New Orleans car accident deserve personal attention, clear answers, and a team that knows how to move a Louisiana case forward.
Chip Forstall, Jonathan Forstall, and the rest of our New Orleans team work together from the beginning. We handle the insurance calls, gather evidence, organize medical records, document injuries, calculate losses, negotiate the claim, and prepare for court when necessary.
You focus on getting your life back.
We focus on your case.
Over 40 Years of Fighting for New Orleans Families
No Fee Unless We Win Free 24/7 Consultation Call 504-483-3400
Chip and Jonathan Forstall take care of it all.
Ready to get started? Call 504-483-3400 or complete the form below to speak with a New Orleans car accident lawyer about your accident, injuries, and next steps.