New Orleans Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Hit while riding? You have the same rights as any driver on the road.

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BICYCLE ACCIDENTS —

Helping Injured Cyclists in New Orleans and Across Louisiana

New Orleans is a bike town. People ride to work, to school, to the Quarter and along the levee every day. But narrow streets, potholes, parked cars and distracted drivers make riding risky, and when a car hits a cyclist, the cyclist takes the worst of it.

If you were hurt while riding, Stephen J. Hecker can help you deal with the driver’s insurance company and pursue the compensation you need to recover.

Louisiana Law Protects Cyclists

Cyclists have the rights of drivers. Under Louisiana law, a person riding a bicycle on the road has the rights and duties of a vehicle driver, except where a rule can’t apply to a bicycle by its nature.
Three feet to pass. Drivers passing a cyclist going the same direction must leave at least three feet of space and keep that distance until they are safely past.
Drivers must watch for bikes. Turning across a cyclist’s path, opening a car door into a bike lane or pulling out without looking are all common, and preventable, causes of crashes.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Drivers passing too close
“Dooring” from parked cars
Right-hook and left-hook turns across a cyclist’s path
Drivers pulling out of driveways and side streets
Distracted and impaired drivers
Hit-and-run drivers
Dangerous road conditions, such as potholes, broken pavement and debris

Who Pays for a Bicycle Accident?

Usually the at-fault driver’s liability insurance. If the driver had no insurance, too little insurance or drove away, your own auto policy’s uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage may apply even though you were on a bike. In some cases, a city or parish may share responsibility for a dangerous road condition. Claims against public bodies have special rules, so call early.

Fault and Deadlines

Louisiana changed its fault rule on January 1, 2026. For accidents on or after that date, if you are found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. If you are less than 51% at fault, your recovery is reduced by your share. Insurance companies know this, so expect them to try to push more of the blame onto you.

In Louisiana, most injury claims from accidents on or after July 1, 2024 must be filed within two years. Injuries before that date generally had only one year. Evidence also disappears fast, so don’t wait.

What You May Be Able to Recover

Medical bills, past and future
Lost wages and lost earning ability
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life
Property damage and rental car costs
Scarring, disfigurement and permanent disability
Replacement of your bike and gear

Hit while riding? Call Hecker. Free consultation. (504) 446-1000.

FAQ —

Bicycle Accidents: Common Questions

Does my car insurance cover me if I'm hit on my bike?

It may. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy can apply when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough, even if you were on a bicycle at the time.

What if I wasn't in a bike lane?

Cyclists can legally ride on most roads in Louisiana. Not being in a bike lane doesn’t make the crash your fault.

The driver left the scene. What now?

Call the police, get medical care and call us. Your UM coverage may help, and we can look for video and witnesses to identify the driver.

How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim?

For most crashes on or after July 1, 2024, you have two years to file suit. Claims involving a public body can have extra procedural requirements, so call as soon as you can.

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