Metairie Car Accident Lawyer

Car accident lawyers with over 40 years of experience representing injured clients across Metairie and the surrounding area.

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Metairie, LA, you may have serious injuries that are costing you financially. Our Metairie, LA car accident lawyer has been handling these cases for over 40 years. At Kiefer & Kiefer, we represent injured people, not insurance companies, as we know how insurance companies may not prioritize what victims need to get better. Reach out to schedule a free consultation.

Car Accident Lawyer Metairie, LA

What does a car accident attorney do to help me with my situation? A car accident attorney is a licensed personal injury lawyer who represents people hurt in vehicle collisions. That representation covers everything from investigating the crash and gathering evidence to negotiating with insurers and, when necessary, taking a case to trial. Insurance companies evaluate early whether a lawyer is present, as they know they can’t use their typical strategies to undervalue a claimant. When they know a legal team is involved, they tend to negotiate differently.

Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle in Metairie

Our firm handles a wide range of motor vehicle accident cases throughout Metairie and the surrounding Jefferson Parish area. Whether the crash involved another passenger vehicle, a commercial truck, or a driver who should not have been behind the wheel, we have handled these similar situations before.

• 18-wheeler accidents. Crashes involving commercial trucks are legally and factually different from passenger vehicle accidents. Federal regulations apply, and there are additional liable parties, including drivers, carriers, and shippers. Our firm has secured many seven-figure results after 18-wheeler accidents.

• Motorcycle accidents. Riders face a level of exposure in a crash that no car occupant experiences. Insurers routinely try to shift blame to the motorcyclist. We know the specific traffic rules that apply to riders and have litigated those issues successfully on behalf of clients.

• Pedestrian accidents. When a car strikes a pedestrian, the physical consequences are often catastrophic. We pursue claims against drivers and, where applicable, against property owners, municipalities, or other responsible parties.

• Bicycle accidents. Cyclists are frequently injured by drivers who weren’t watching. Louisiana has specific rules of the road governing how drivers must treat cyclists, and we use those rules to establish fault.

• Rideshare accidents. Uber and Lyft crashes involve layered insurance coverage depending on what the driver was doing at the time of the collision. We have handled these cases and understand which policies apply and when.

• Drunk driver accidents. Louisiana law provides for heightened recovery when the at-fault driver was impaired. We document these circumstances carefully and pursue every avenue available under state law.

• Hit-and-run accidents. If the driver who hit you fled the scene, you may still have a path to compensation through uninsured motorist coverage. We’ve handled hit-and-run accidents and know exactly how to pursue these claims.

• Intersection and left-turn crashes. Disputed-liability accidents at intersections are common in Metairie, and insurance companies use the dispute as leverage. We reconstruct these dangerous intersection crashes thoroughly and fight back when needed.

Why Choose Kiefer & Kiefer as My Car Accident Lawyer in Metairie, LA?

Experience on Both Sides of These Cases

There are plenty of personal injury lawyers in Metairie who take on car accident cases. Our attorneys have previously represented insurance companies defending commercial vehicle and 18-wheeler accident claims. That background gives us an advantage, and directly informs how we build your case. We know what the defense is looking for, how adjusters are trained to approach claims, and where cases are typically won or lost.

This experience shows up in our results. Our car accident recoveries include $1.2 million following a crash that required neck surgery, $875,000 in a car accident settlement, $795,000 in a disputed-liability car accident requiring back surgery, and more. Across years of practice, we have recovered millions of dollars for car accident clients throughout Louisiana.

The Attorneys Behind Your Case

Megan Kiefer earned her J.D. from Tulane University Law School in 2009 and has been recognized by Super Lawyers in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and as a Rising Star from 2017 through 2020. She’s a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and has been recognized by New Orleans Magazine as a top personal injury lawyer. She also teaches trial advocacy as an adjunct instructor at Tulane University Law School.

Nat G. Kiefer, Jr. graduated from Tulane University Law School with honors in 1982, earning the Walter Sutton Award and membership in the Order of the Coif, which is a distinction reserved for the top graduates in each class. He has served as an adjunct instructor at Loyola University Law School and has been coaching youth basketball for decades.

Our personal injury lawyer in Metairie, LA works on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs, and we don’t get paid unless you do.

Metairie Car Accident Infographic

Understanding Car Accident Cases in Metairie, LA

Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Car Accident Cases

Louisiana follows a pure comparative fault system, which means your ability to recover damages is not eliminated if you were partially at fault, it’s reduced in proportion to your share of fault. If you’re found 20% responsible for a crash, you can still recover 80% of your total damages. Insurers use this rule aggressively, so assigning you some degree of blame is a standard tactic. Damages in a Louisiana car accident claim generally fall into the following categories:

• Medical expenses: Past and future costs of treatment, including surgery, rehabilitation, and ongoing pain management.
• Lost wages: Income lost during recovery and, in serious cases, projected future earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, and the impact of the injury on your daily life.
• Property damage. Repair or replacement of your vehicle.
• Loss of consortium: Impacts on your relationship with a spouse or family members.
• Punitive damages: Available in limited circumstances, such as when the at-fault driver was intoxicated.

Important Aspects of a Car Accident Case

The evidence gathered immediately after a crash often determines how strong your case becomes. A few things that matter significantly:

• Medical treatment timing. Gaps in treatment give insurers grounds to argue that your injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident. Louisiana courts have recognized a presumption connecting injuries to accidents in appropriate circumstances, but that presumption can be challenged.
• The police report. The report taken by the officer isn’t always accurate. We have successfully challenged officer fault determinations, including in a bicycle case where the report was simply wrong about the applicable traffic law.
• Social media. Insurance companies monitor social media, so posts that contradict your claimed injuries can be used against you.
• Pre-existing conditions. These complicate claims but don’t eliminate them. Louisiana law allows recovery for aggravation of a prior condition, and we understand how to document and present that argument.
• Uninsured motorist coverage. Louisiana has a significant number of uninsured drivers. Your own UM policy may be the most important coverage in play, especially after a hit-and-run.
• Avoiding common mistakes. We can discuss how to avoid common pitfalls that can have a negative impact on your claim.

Car Accident Case Timeline

Every car accident case is different, so depending on the severity and factors involved there are certain steps to take. Here’s how the process generally unfolds:

• Immediately after the accident: Seek medical attention and preserve as much evidence as possible. Do not give recorded statements to the at-fault driver’s insurer without counsel.
• Investigation phase: Your attorney gathers police reports, medical records, witness statements, photographs, and any available surveillance or dashcam footage.
• Demand and negotiation: Once your medical condition has stabilized, we prepare a demand package and begin negotiating with the insurer.
• Filing suit: If negotiations don’t produce a fair result, we file suit. Louisiana’s one-year prescription period governs when lawsuits must be filed, so this timing matters.
• Discovery and litigation: Depositions, expert witnesses, and continued negotiations. Many cases settle during this period.
• Trial: If the insurer won’t pay what your case is worth, we try it. We have the experience and the track record to do so.

What to Bring to Your Car Accident Consultation

Come prepared to your consultation to give us a complete picture of what happened and how it has affected your life:

• The accident or police report number, if you have it.
• Photographs from the scene or of your injuries.
• Any communications you’ve received from insurance companies.
• Medical records or a list of providers you’ve seen since the accident.
• Information about your vehicle damage and any rental or transportation costs.

Louisiana Legal Resources for Car Accident Cases

Louisiana’s civil law framework governs car accident claims differently than most other states. The following resources are useful starting points for understanding the rules that apply:

• Louisiana Civil Code Art. 3493.1: Injured parties have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
• Louisiana Civil Code Art. 2323: Comparative fault governs how damages are divided. Fault is apportioned among all parties, including the victim. A plaintiff’s recovery is reduced in direct proportion to their percentage of fault.
• Louisiana Civil Code Art. 2315(B): Recoverable damages include loss of consortium, service, and society. Future medical treatment damages are only available when directly tied to a physical or mental injury or disease.

Reach Out to Kiefer & Kiefer to Schedule a Consultation

At Kiefer & Kiefer, we handle car accident cases throughout Metairie, Jefferson Parish, and the greater New Orleans area. If you’ve been seriously injured and are trying to figure out how to get compensation for your injuries, property damage, and other losses, we can help. Contact us to schedule your free consultation.

Car Accident Statistics in Metairie, LA

Statistics from state and federal agencies illustrate why collisions in and around Metairie carry serious consequences. Statewide, Louisiana crash data recorded 753 traffic deaths in 2024, along with more than 37,000 suspected injury crashes, an average of over 100 each day. Federal crash data reported 40,901 people killed on United States roads in 2023 among more than 6 million police-reported crashes. CDC injury data attributes roughly 3.4 million emergency room visits each year to motor vehicle crashes, with medical costs and lost productivity exceeding $75 billion. Jefferson Parish, which includes Metairie, consistently ranks among the more active areas of the state for injury collisions.

Common Types of Injuries in a Metairie Car Accident Case

Collisions rarely produce identical injuries, and the description an insurance company assigns to a claim seldom reflects its full severity. The injuries our firm encounters in a Metairie car accident case range from temporary conditions to permanent impairments. The categories below appear most frequently.

• Soft tissue injuries. Whiplash, strains, and sprains occur often in rear-end and T-bone collisions. Because these injuries do not appear on an X-ray, insurance adjusters frequently attempt to minimize their significance. Certain soft tissue injuries also take several days to produce symptoms, which makes prompt medical evaluation important.
• Back and spinal injuries. Herniated discs, nerve damage, and fractures frequently require injections, radiofrequency ablation, or surgery. Louisiana law also permits recovery when a collision aggravates a preexisting condition, a factor insurers often cite in an effort to reduce their liability.
• Traumatic brain injuries. A direct impact to the head, or a sudden and forceful movement without any impact, can result in lasting cognitive difficulties. Our firm treats a traumatic brain injury as a serious matter and involves qualified medical professionals to document its extent.
• Broken bones and orthopedic trauma. The wrists, ribs, shoulders, and legs absorb considerable force during a collision. While some fractures heal without complication, others require surgical hardware, and a portion result in permanent limitations.
• Internal injuries. Organ damage and internal bleeding can be life-threatening and are not always apparent at the scene. A medical examination is therefore advisable even when an injured person has no immediate symptoms.
• Catastrophic and disabling injuries. Paralysis, amputation, and severe burns permanently alter a person’s life. When a collision produces catastrophic injuries, the value of the claim depends on establishing future medical needs and lost earning capacity rather than current expenses alone. When a collision proves fatal, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim.
• Emotional and psychological harm. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress can follow a serious collision. Louisiana law may allow recovery for these conditions as part of a personal injury claim when the medical record supports the diagnosis.

Documenting these accident injuries accurately is only part of the process. Connecting each injury directly to the collision, before an insurer attributes it to another cause, is equally important.

Metairie Car Accident Lawyer FAQs

How much does it cost to hire a Metairie car accident lawyer?

Our firm handles car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we are paid only if we recover compensation on your behalf. The initial consultation is provided at no charge, and our fee is drawn from the settlement or verdict at the conclusion of the case. If no recovery is obtained, you owe no attorney fee. This arrangement allows injured individuals to pursue a claim without advancing legal costs.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Louisiana?

For collisions occurring on or after July 1, 2024, an injured person generally has two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This deadline is known as the prescriptive period. Accidents before that date remain subject to the earlier one-year limitation, so the applicable deadline depends on when the collision occurred. Because evidence becomes more difficult to obtain over time, we recommend consulting a Metairie car accident attorney well before it approaches.

What is my car accident case worth?

The value of a claim depends on several factors, including the severity of the injuries, past and future medical costs, lost income, and the effect of the collision on daily life. A claim involving soft tissue injuries resolves differently from one involving surgery or permanent disability, and insurance coverage also affects the outcome. Rather than promise a figure we cannot support, our firm evaluates each factor carefully to substantiate the full extent of the losses.

Who pays my medical bills after a crash?

Before a claim resolves, treatment is typically covered by the injured person’s health insurance, medical payments coverage, or a provider’s lien. The at-fault driver’s insurer generally does not pay expenses as they are incurred; it pays once, when the claim resolves. This is one reason that gaps in treatment can weaken a case. When the responsible driver carries no insurance, uninsured motorist coverage under your own policy often becomes the primary source of recovery.

Should I speak with the insurance company?

You are required to report the collision to your own insurer under the terms of your policy. Communications with the at-fault driver’s insurer warrant greater caution. Adjusters frequently request a recorded statement before the full extent of an injury is known, and those statements are often used to limit the amount paid. You are not obligated to provide one. We recommend allowing a car accident lawyer in Metairie, LA to manage these communications on your behalf.

What if I was partly at fault for the accident?

Recovery may still be available. For collisions occurring on or after January 1, 2026, Louisiana applies a modified comparative fault standard, under which compensation is reduced in proportion to the injured person’s share of fault, and recovery is barred only when that share reaches 51% or more. Collisions before that date remain governed by the prior pure comparative fault system. Because insurers frequently attribute fault to the injured party to reduce their exposure, this allocation merits close attention.

How does a drunk driving crash affect my claim?

Impaired driving remains a leading cause of serious collisions. Nationally, it accounts for approximately one-third of all traffic fatalities, according to impaired driving deaths reported by federal health authorities. Louisiana law permits enhanced recovery when the at-fault driver was intoxicated, including the potential for exemplary damages in appropriate cases. Our firm documents these circumstances thoroughly so that the driver’s conduct is fully reflected in the claim.

Do I need a police report?

A police report is valuable to a claim. The police report documents the scene, identifies the parties, and records the responding officer’s initial assessment. It is not, however, conclusive. Officers occasionally misassign fault, and our firm has successfully challenged such determinations. If law enforcement responded to your Metairie crash, request the report number. Where no report exists, a claim remains possible, though additional evidence will be needed to establish the facts.

Will my car accident case go to trial?

Most claims are resolved through settlement once the evidence has been developed and medical treatment is complete. Even so, insurers tend to offer fair value more readily when they recognize that a firm is prepared to proceed to trial. Our attorneys have taken cases to verdict when an insurer declined to negotiate reasonably. Preparing every file as though it may reach the courtroom is what positions our clients favorably during settlement discussions.

Are car accident settlements taxable?

Compensation for a physical injury is generally not taxable. Amounts recovered for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and related losses are typically excluded from taxable income, while portions attributable to lost wages or interest may be treated differently. Because taxes on a settlement can affect the net amount you retain, we recommend consulting a tax professional once the claim concludes.

Local Information for Metairie, LA Car Accident Cases

Most Dangerous Roads and Intersections for Metairie Car Accidents

Certain corridors in Metairie experience a higher volume of collisions than others, generally in locations where heavy traffic coincides with complex turning movements. Veterans Memorial Boulevard carries dense east-west traffic and a continuous mix of turning and merging vehicles. Its intersections with Causeway Boulevard and Clearview Parkway are recurring sites of collisions, as are the Interstate 10 service roads that direct commuters on and off the highway. The area surrounding Lakeside Shopping Center draws additional congestion on weekends and holidays. High traffic volume, multiple turn lanes, and distracted driving contribute to the collision rates along these routes. Speeding was a factor in approximately 30% of Louisiana traffic fatalities in 2023, according to state crash reports.

What Are Important Local Resources for Metairie Car Accident Cases?

The resources below may assist individuals managing the aftermath of a collision in Metairie. They are provided for general information only.

• East Jefferson General Hospital, 4200 Houma Blvd., Metairie, LA 70006. Phone: (504) 503-4000. A full-service hospital with an emergency department serving the east bank of Jefferson Parish.
• Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, administrative line: (504) 363-5500. Because Metairie is unincorporated, the Sheriff’s Office is the agency that responds to and documents most collisions in the area.
• Classic Collision Metairie, 4728 Rye St., Metairie, LA 70006. Phone: (504) 888-1772. One of several collision repair facilities in the area.

Kiefer & Kiefer is not affiliated with these organizations and does not endorse them. They are listed solely as general information for individuals dealing with a collision in the Metairie area.

About Kiefer & Kiefer

Kiefer & Kiefer represents injured individuals throughout Jefferson Parish, including the Metairie community. Partner Chris Short earned his law degree magna cum laude from Tulane University and is admitted to practice in both Louisiana and Florida. Among our recent car accident results is a $1 million recovery obtained for a client who required back and shoulder surgery following an intersection collision.

What Our Kiefer & Kiefer Clients Say

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“If you are looking for a law firm that truly stands by its clients from start to finish, I cannot recommend this firm enough. From the very first intake call through litigation, they were professional, responsive, compassionate, and incredibly knowledgeable. They genuinely hold your hand through the entire process and make sure you understand what is happening every step of the way…” – Katie R.

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Contact Kiefer & Kiefer

If you were injured in a collision, an early review of your case allows us to take the steps necessary to protect it. Our Metairie car accident attorneys will examine the circumstances, explain your options in clear terms, and provide an honest assessment of whether you have a claim worth pursuing. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, so there is no charge for a consultation and no fee unless we obtain a recovery on your behalf. We welcome your questions whenever you are ready to proceed. Contact us to begin.