Even with adequate safety gear, like a helmet, a bicyclist is simply no match for a motor vehicle. The law recognizes this, which is why it places so much emphasis on motorist safety. By law, drivers are required to exercise extreme caution when sharing the road with bicyclists. When they fail to do so, and someone is hurt, they can be held responsible.
At Frischhertz & Impastato, we help injured people and families seek justice and accountability when their lives are forever changed by the negligent conduct of others. If you or someone you love was hit by a distracted or drunk driver, injured by unsafe road conditions, or involved in a multi-cyclist crash, our New Orleans bicycle accident attorneys can help.
Contact us today at (504) 276-6962 or reach us online. Your initial consultation is free, and you don’t pay anything unless we win.
Most cyclists know the importance of sharing the road, keeping a lookout for cars and other vehicles, obeying traffic laws, and biking defensively to avoid accidents. When they’re involved in collisions, it’s usually not because of something they did but, rather, the negligent or careless actions of the driver.
Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:
Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs
Distracted driving, including texting or using a cell phone
Failing to maintain space between a vehicle and bicyclist
Making unsafe or illegal turns or lane changes
Aggressive driving, including road rage
Unsafe or poorly maintained roadways
Defective road conditions
It’s no surprise to anyone who bikes in New Orleans, whether for fun or for regular transportation, that our city presents its own set of unique hazards. Potholes and crumbling pavement are common throughout many neighborhoods, and these poor road conditions can put cyclists in real danger. Plus, ongoing road construction and drainage projects, a frequent sight across the city, narrow travel lanes and force cyclists closer to passing vehicles. Add in heavy tourist traffic, congested streets near the French Quarter and Central Business District, and streetcar tracks that can trap a bike tire in an instant, and it's easy to see why New Orleans cyclists face daily challenges that drivers in a car may never even notice.
Determining liability in a bicycle accident often comes down to who failed to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. In most cases, that means examining whether a driver violated a traffic law, ignored a cyclist's right of way, or failed to keep a proper lookout. Louisiana law does allow for shared fault between multiple parties, so insurance companies will often try to argue that the cyclist contributed to the crash in some way. Building a strong case means gathering evidence early to show how the accident actually happened and where responsibility truly lies.
Bicycle Accidents Are a Growing Concern in New Orleans
New Orleans has become an increasingly popular city for cyclists, and with that popularity comes greater risk. From commuters riding along St. Charles Avenue and the Lafitte Greenway to visitors pedaling through the French Quarter and along the Mississippi River levee trails, bicyclists share the road with heavy traffic, streetcars, and tourists nearly every day of the year.
Certain areas of the city present unique hazards for cyclists. Streetcar tracks along St. Charles and Canal Street can catch a bike tire and cause a rider to lose control. Potholes and uneven pavement, common throughout many New Orleans neighborhoods, can send a cyclist into oncoming traffic without warning. Large public events like Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and second lines bring crowded streets, distracted drivers, and pedestrians who may not expect to encounter a bicycle. Even popular recreational routes near City Park, Bayou St. John, and the Lakefront can turn dangerous when drivers fail to yield or misjudge a cyclist's speed.
Because New Orleans traffic patterns are so varied, from narrow historic streets to busy multi-lane corridors like Claiborne Avenue, determining fault after a bicycle accident often requires a careful review of the specific roadway, traffic signals, and local ordinances involved.
Louisiana Bicycle Laws Every Cyclist & Every Driver Should Know
Louisiana law treats bicycles as vehicles, which means cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists, along with certain protections designed specifically for their safety.
Some of the key laws that often come into play in bicycle accident cases include:
Safe Passing Distance: Louisiana requires drivers to leave at least three feet of space when passing a bicyclist, but that minimum space can extend if conditions call for it.
Right-of-Way Rules: Cyclists are generally required to ride with the flow of traffic, obey traffic signals, and use bike lanes where they're provided.
Duty to Yield: Motorists turning across a bike lane or making a right turn must yield to any cyclist already in or approaching that lane.
Lighting and Visibility Requirements: Bicycles ridden at night must be equipped with a front light and rear reflector, which can become a factor in accidents that occur after dark.
When a driver violates one of these laws and causes a collision, that violation can serve as strong evidence of negligence in a personal injury claim.
Fault, Liability & Comparative Negligence in Louisiana
As of January 1, 2026, Louisiana follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar. This rule acknowledges that more than one party can share fault for an accident, and an injured person can still recover compensation as long as they were less than 51% at fault. Under this rule, any compensation awarded is reduced by the injured person's percentage of fault. For example, if a cyclist is found to be 20% at fault for an accident, their recovery would be reduced by that same percentage.
This system makes it especially important to build a strong case early on. Insurance companies representing at-fault drivers often try to shift blame onto the cyclist, arguing that the rider was speeding, failed to signal, or wasn't visible enough. Our New Orleans bike accident attorneys work to gather police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and physical evidence from the scene to help establish an accurate picture of how the accident happened and who was truly responsible.
Compensation After a New Orleans Bicycle Accident
Bicycle accidents often result in serious or even catastrophic injuries, since cyclists have little protection against the force of a vehicle collision.
Depending on the circumstances, injured riders may be entitled to compensation for:
Medical bills and future medical care
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
Pain and suffering, including emotional trauma
Property damage, including the bicycle itself
Long-term rehabilitation or disability-related costs
At Frischhertz & Impastato, we fight for maximum compensation for injured cyclists and their families. We know how important justice is, and we’re ready to fight for you.
Why New Orleans Bicycle Accident Victims Turn to Our Team
Our attorneys bring more than 85 years of combined experience to personal injury cases across New Orleans. We focus exclusively on representing injured people, never insurance companies or corporations. When you hire our firm, you don't get just one attorney working on your case. You get a full team of professionals with diverse backgrounds, all working collaboratively to build the strongest case possible on your behalf.
We've stood up to large insurance companies, powerful employers, and big corporations on behalf of injured clients throughout the New Orleans area, and we prepare every case as though it's headed to court, because that preparation often makes the difference in the outcome of a claim. Our attorneys have been recognized by respected legal organizations, including Super Lawyers, Lead Counsel, and Martindale-Hubbell®, and we have recovered over $700 million in compensation.
If you were injured in a bicycle accident anywhere in New Orleans, from the French Quarter to Uptown to the Lakefront, we're ready to talk with you about what happened and what your options may be. Consultations are free, and our firm works on a contingency fee basis, so you don't pay any attorney's fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
A compilation of the Frischhertz & Impastato attorneys and staff at work and interacting with clients.
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