Destrehan Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Destrehan, LA

If you were struck by a vehicle in Destrehan, you already know how serious these injuries can be. Pedestrians have no protection when a vehicle hits them, and the recovery process is often long, painful, and expensive.

Our Destrehan, LA pedestrian accident lawyer at Kiefer & Kiefer has been representing injured victims across Louisiana for over 40 years. We know how insurers fight these claims, and we know how to fight back. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Why Choose Kiefer & Kiefer for Pedestrian Accidents in Destrehan, LA?

Louisiana Knowledge and Courtroom Experience

Pedestrian accident cases involve more legal complexity than most people expect. Liability isn’t always straightforward. Drivers claim the pedestrian came out of nowhere. Insurance companies argue comparative fault to reduce what they owe. Police reports sometimes get it wrong. When you need a personal injury lawyer in Destrehan, LA, you can rely on Kiefer & Kiefer. We have handled these disputes for decades and understand exactly where the pressure points are in a pedestrian injury claim.

Megan Kiefer is a partner at the firm and a multiple-year Super Lawyers honoree, recognized in 2022, 2023, and 2024. She is a Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum inductee and a two-time recipient of the New Orleans City Business Leadership in Law award. She earned her J.D. from Tulane University Law School in 2009 and holds additional training in mediation and negotiation from Humboldt University of Berlin. She has been named a top personal injury lawyer by New Orleans Magazine and has been featured on Fox, WWLTV, WDSU, and CBS.

Nat Kiefer Jr. has been practicing Louisiana personal injury law since earning his J.D. from Tulane Law School in 1982, graduating with honors. He was a member of the Order of the Coif, a Walter Sutton Award recipient, and served on the Moot Court Board. He has served as an adjunct instructor at Loyola University Law School and has spent decades as a volunteer basketball coach in the community. Over 40 years of litigation experience shapes how he approaches every case.

Chris Short is a partner who graduated from Tulane University Law School magna cum laude. He is licensed in both Louisiana and Florida and was named a partner at Kiefer & Kiefer after demonstrating a consistent record of results for seriously injured clients. His approach to client communication is something clients notice immediately.

All three are recognized by Super Lawyers, and the firm’s attorneys have been educated at Tulane University Law School, one of the country’s leading law programs.

Results That Reflect the Work

Kiefer & Kiefer has secured results for pedestrian accident victims and serious injury clients across Louisiana totaling well over $100 million in recoveries. In 2023 alone, we recovered $400,000 for a pedestrian struck in a parking lot and $245,000 for a client struck by a vehicle while walking. Beyond pedestrian cases, our results include a $4.2 million recovery for catastrophic injuries, a $5 million premises liability result, and a $4.5 million settlement for a client struck by a commercial vehicle.

Those results come from preparation. We investigate accidents thoroughly, gather surveillance footage before it’s overwritten, obtain witness statements, and retain accident reconstruction specialists when the facts of a crash are disputed. We don’t settle cases for less than they’re worth because we aren’t willing to do the work.

We Know How Insurance Companies Defend These Claims

Our attorneys spent time working on the defense side of injury cases before representing plaintiffs. That experience is not incidental. It means we understand the exact arguments an insurance company’s lawyer will make, the evidence they’ll look for, and the tactics adjusters use to move cases toward low settlements. We use that knowledge every day on behalf of our clients.

Contingency Fees: No Upfront Costs

We work on a contingency fee basis for every pedestrian accident case we take. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Everyone here is friendly and easy to work with. Thank you Megan. I would absolutely use again” — Alan S.

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Pedestrian Accident Cases We Handle in Destrehan

Pedestrian accidents happen in many different ways and in many different settings. The circumstances of your accident determine who is liable and how a claim is built. We handle pedestrian injury cases across Destrehan and throughout St. Charles Parish.

• Crosswalk and intersection accidents. Drivers who run red lights, fail to yield, or make turns without checking for pedestrians cause some of the most serious crashes we see. Louisiana law gives pedestrians the right of way in marked crosswalks, but that doesn’t stop insurance companies from arguing otherwise. Understanding crosswalk laws and how they apply to your specific situation matters enormously.
• Parking lot accidents. These happen more often than people expect. Drivers moving through parking lots at low speeds can still cause serious injuries to pedestrians, and the question of who bears liability in a private parking lot involves a different legal analysis than accidents on public roads. We secured $400,000 for a pedestrian struck in a parking lot in 2023.
• Truck and commercial vehicle accidents. Large trucks, delivery vehicles, and commercial vans pose an elevated danger to pedestrians. Blind spots, wide turns, and driver inattention are all common factors. When a commercial vehicle is involved, liability may extend beyond the driver to the company that owns and operates the vehicle.
• Delivery vehicle accidents. Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and other delivery drivers are under enormous time pressure, which increases the risk they pose to pedestrians. These cases involve both driver negligence and potential corporate liability.
• Hit-and-run accidents. When a driver flees after striking a pedestrian, victims feel like they have no recourse. In many cases, uninsured motorist coverage applies, and we help clients understand exactly what insurance is available to them.
• Bicycle and pedestrian collisions. Pedestrians struck by cyclists, particularly in shared-use paths or areas without clear right-of-way markings, can sustain serious injuries. These cases involve a different liability framework than vehicle accidents.
• Fatal pedestrian accidents. When a pedestrian is killed, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver and potentially other parties. We handle these cases with the thoroughness and sensitivity they require.

Louisiana Legal Requirements for Pedestrian Accident Cases

Louisiana law addresses pedestrian rights and driver obligations in several places, and understanding these rules is essential to building a strong claim.

Under La. R.S. § 32:212, drivers are required to yield the right of way to pedestrians in marked crosswalks. They are also required to exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian on a roadway, regardless of whether a marked crosswalk exists. That last point matters. Even when a pedestrian is crossing outside a designated crosswalk, drivers still have a legal obligation to avoid striking them.

Louisiana’s comparative fault rules, codified at La. C.C. Art. 2323, allow an injured pedestrian to recover damages even if they are found partially at fault for the accident. If a jury finds a pedestrian 20% at fault and a driver 80% at fault, the pedestrian recovers 80% of their total damages. Insurance companies routinely try to inflate the pedestrian’s percentage of fault to reduce the payout. Knowing how to counter that argument is a significant part of what we do.

The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Louisiana is one year from the date of the accident under La. C.C. Art. 3492. One year. It is one of the shortest deadlines in the country, and missing it almost certainly ends any chance of recovery. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development also maintains data and resources related to pedestrian safety and road conditions that can be relevant when road design or signage contributed to an accident.

What Damages Are Recoverable in a Destrehan Pedestrian Accident?

Pedestrian injuries are frequently catastrophic. Without any structural protection, a person struck by a vehicle can sustain fractures, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal bleeding, and injuries requiring multiple surgeries. The damages available in these cases reflect that reality.

Economic damages cover the direct financial impact of your injuries. Past and future medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment. Lost wages from time away from work. Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work going forward. In serious cases, we work with life care planners and forensic economists to calculate future medical costs and lost income with precision, so that nothing is left on the table.

Non-economic damages are just as real, even if they don’t come with a bill. Pain and suffering. Emotional distress. Loss of enjoyment of the activities and relationships that defined your life before the accident. Permanent scarring or disfigurement. Under Louisiana law, juries assess the full nature and permanency of your injuries when evaluating these losses, and in serious pedestrian cases they can be substantial. The Louisiana Civil Code allows for recovery of the full human cost of your injuries, not just the financial ones.

Punitive damages are not commonly available in Louisiana personal injury cases, but Louisiana law does allow enhanced recovery when the at-fault driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash. Under La. R.S. § 32:1502, additional damages may be pursued in those circumstances, and we evaluate that possibility in every case involving an impaired driver.

Contact Kiefer & Kiefer

If you or a family member was struck by a vehicle in Destrehan, contact us before speaking with any insurance adjuster. Evidence in pedestrian accident cases moves fast — surveillance footage gets deleted, skid marks fade, witnesses become difficult to locate. The sooner we can get involved, the stronger your case will be.

We offer free consultations and handle every pedestrian accident case on a contingency basis. No fees unless we win. Contact us today to tell us what happened.