New OrleansCar Accident Lawyer

Current Louisiana Governor, Jeff Landry, signed what his office has deemed “the largest tort reform effort in Louisiana history”, back in May of 2025. Which includes the biggest overhaul of its car accident laws in decades.

If you have been in a car accident since then, there are three major changes that have taken effect: a longer filing deadline, a new comparative fault bar, and a completely different standard for proving your injuries were actually caused by the crash.

The Voorhies Law Firm stays ahead of every one of those changes so that your case isn’t built on outdated assumptions.

What Is a Car Accident Claim?

A car accident claim seeks compensation from the driver, or drivers, whose negligence has caused your crash.

Louisiana is an at-fault state, which means that the driver responsible for the crash, not your own insurance, is typically responsible for the damages or injuries linked to the crash.

These can include:

  • Any medical expenses, including current and future
  • Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage to your vehicle
  • Wrongful death, occurring in fatal cases

A New Orleans car accident lawyer can help you understand your rights, and make sure your claim is evaluated based on the full impact of your injuries and losses.

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How Louisiana Law Applies

Louisiana passed sweeping changes to its car accident laws in 2024 and 2025, and much of what you’ll read online still reflects the old rules. Here is what actually governs your claim today.

Two Years to File (La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1)

For crashes occurring on or after July 1, 2024, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file suit, which is double the one-year deadline Louisiana followed before.

If your crash happened before July 1, 2024, the prior one-year rule may still apply, so confirming your exact crash date matters.

Modified Comparative Fault (La. Civ. Code art. 2323)

For crashes occurring on or after January 1, 2026, Louisiana moved from a pure comparative fault system to a modified one. If you are found 51% or more at fault for the crash, you are barred from recovering any compensation at all. Below that threshold, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. This change gives insurers a stronger incentive than ever to shift blame onto you, which is exactly why building a clear fault picture from the start matters.

A New Standard for Proving Causation

The 2025 tort reform package also changed how injured people must prove their injuries were caused by the crash. Louisiana now requires plaintiffs to affirmatively establish that the crash caused their injuries, rather than relying on the previous framework where causation was more easily presumed. This makes early, thorough medical documentation more important than it has ever been, and it’s one of the reasons having an attorney involved early in the process can change the outcome of a claim.

Types of Cases We Handle

Every car accident is different.

Our attorneys handle a wide range of car accident cases across Louisiana, including:

Rear-end collisions

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T-bone and broadside collisions

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Head-on collisions

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Hit-and-run accidents

Drunk and impaired driving accidents

Distracted driving accidents

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Multi-vehicle pile-ups

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Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims

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Rideshare passenger accidents
(Uber and Lyft)

If your accident involved a commercial truck or an 18-wheeler, that is treated as its own type of case with different rules and deadlines.

You can learn more on our truck accident page. You can also read more on our practice areas page, and see how other insurance claims have played out on our blog.

View Our Truck Accident Page

The Legal Process, Step by Step

STEP 1

Free consultation.

Tell us what happened and we’ll give you an honest, no-cost read on your options, including how the recent tort reform changes apply to your specific crash date.

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STEP 2

Investigation.

We gather police reports, witness statements, surveillance and dashcam footage, and any other evidence before it disappears or gets overwritten.

STEP 3

Medical documentation.

Given Louisiana’s new causation standard, connecting your injuries to the crash with a clear, consistent medical record is more important than ever. We make sure that connection is airtight.

STEP 4

Fault analysis.

With the 51% bar now in effect, we build the clearest possible picture of what the other driver did wrong from the very start, before the insurer has a chance to shift blame onto you.

STEP 5

Damage calculation.

We account for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and any future care your injuries may require.

STEP 6

Demand and negotiation.

We present your claim to the insurance company and push for a resolution that reflects the full impact of the crash on your life.

STEP 7

Filing suit, if needed.

If the insurer won’t offer a fair number, we file before your deadline and prepare your case for the courtroom.

STEP 8

Resolution.

Your case resolves, whether through a negotiated settlement or a verdict at trial.

Results

Behind every car accident case is a person whose life is changed in ways they cannot even imagine. That’s where we step in.

We’ve recovered over $100 million for our clients across the full range of cases that we handle.

Results may vary, and every car accident case depends on its own facts, including the severity of the injury.

We've recovered over $100 million for our clients across the full range of cases that we handle.

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What Our Clients Say

"It was an amazing experience from start to finish. Very professional, honest and knowledgeable regarding our case. They kept us informed every step of the way. We would highly recommend the Voorhies Law Firm for any and all legal matters."

– Pierre L.

"Having first tried one of the major firms you see on billboards and TV after my accident, I quickly got the feeling I became just a number. Voorhies was a totally different firm. My wellbeing was priority number one. They took charge, not just holding the other party accountable, but arranging the health appointments needed to help get me back to normal. They were always available and accessible. Heaven forbid I ever go through this again, I would put my trust in Voorhies again for myself and anyone else."

– Reyna M.

"I was involved in a serious injury crash almost four years ago. I called the Voorhies Law Firm. They helped pave the way for me to get the medical treatment and surgeries that put me on a road to recovery. The attorneys and staff are kind, friendly, professional and know how to get the job done. Throughout my own professional career, I have seen many law firms inside courtrooms, and I can honestly say: if you want the best of the best, call The Voorhies Law Firm!"

– Ritchie S.

"I was referred to The Voorhies Law Firm by a family member. Could not have used a better firm to help me through the trauma of the car crash. Their team was very helpful with doctors and rehab for my injuries. Kept me up to date with every situation. I would recommend this firm to anyone who wants people who really care about YOU!"

– Schulzie R.

"I would strongly recommend The Voorhies Law Firm to anyone dealing with legal issues who needs clear guidance and a team that truly puts their clients first. Brad Schwab walked me and my young daughter through every step of the process. He made sure we were taken care of and fought to ensure we received the compensation we deserved from the insurance company."

– Stacy B.

Why Choose The Voorhies Law Firm?

The Voorhies Law Firm is led by founding attorney Richard P. Voorhies III. Richard has built the firm’s reputation on taking difficult, complex cases seriously, and on treating every client with the honesty and care they deserve.

No two car accident cases are exactly alike, but our approach remains the same. We take the time to understand your situation, investigate the facts, and build a strategy based on your specific circumstances. Throughout the process, we keep you informed so you know what to expect at every stage.

Throughout your case, our team is available to answer your questions and guide you through the legal process.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Call 911, get medical attention, and document the scene if you are able to. Avoid discussing fault, and avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance company before speaking with an attorney.

There is no set number. Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, lost income, medical costs, and who is legally responsible. An attorney can give you a more informed sense of your case after reviewing the details.

If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy, you may be entitled to file a claim through your own insurer.

As of July 1st, 2024, most car accident injury claims must generally be filed within two years of the accident.

An early offer is often lower than what your claim may actually be worth, especially before the full extent of your injuries is known. It is worth having an attorney review any offer before you accept it.

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    1100 Poydras Street, Suite 2810, New Orleans, LA 70163
    504-875-2223

    The results obtained in any particular case depend upon the specific facts and circumstances of that case. Past verdicts and settlements do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in future cases.