{"id":373623,"date":"2016-09-28T18:43:20","date_gmt":"2016-09-28T23:43:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/louisiana-law\/louisiana-car-accident-compensation-laws.html"},"modified":"2025-07-23T09:25:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T14:25:15","slug":"louisiana-car-accident-compensation-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/louisiana-law\/louisiana-car-accident-compensation-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Louisiana Car Accident Compensation Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Louisiana Car Accident Compensation Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Being involved in a car accident in Louisiana can be overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with injuries and property damage. Louisiana has unique laws that can significantly impact your ability to recover compensation, such as the "No Pay, No Play" rule for uninsured drivers. There have also been recent changes in their state law related to filing deadlines and fault-based recovery rules.<\/p>\r\n

If you find yourself in a fender bender in Louisiana, take solace that it happened in a state where insured drivers are likely to be able to recover damages. Dealing with an insurance company is never easy, but knowing what to expect can help.<\/p>\r\n

Those who are uninsured or in an accident that results in serious damages need to be familiar with Louisiana car accident compensation laws. It’s a good idea to consider speaking with a car accident attorney<\/a> who can provide invaluable legal advice and help you understand your rights.<\/p>\r\n

The chart below explains the important aspects of Louisiana’s car accident compensation laws, along with detailed explanations of key elements.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Louisiana Car Accident Statute of Limitations<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Two years (Louisiana Civil Code \u00a73493.1<\/a>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Louisiana Car Accident Limits on Damages<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

The Compulsory Coverage Rule<\/a> requires uninsured parties’ damages to first exceed specific minimums.<\/p>\r\n

Louisiana state law limits damages<\/a> to $500,000 for claims against a government agency.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Other Limits for Louisiana Car Accident Compensation<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

Louisiana statutes<\/a> cap medical malpractice damages at $500,000.<\/p>\r\n

Other accident claims are subject to Louisiana’s Comparative Fault System<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n

How Louisiana Auto Insurance Laws Work<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Louisiana state laws operate under a fault-based system. This means that the at-fault driver is liable for all the resulting damages. While the compulsory coverage rule may seem harsh to injured parties, the pure comparative fault<\/a> system Louisiana uses is quite generous. Under the pure comparative fault rule, as long as a driver is less than 100% at fault, that driver may recover a portion of that driver’s damages.<\/p>\r\n

For example, if a driver is found to be 99% at fault and suffers $10,000 in damages, that driver may still recover $100 in damages. This is a stark contrast to certain other states where a driver who is more than 50% at fault can recover nothing. However, the clock is ticking on this system.<\/p>\r\n

The Louisiana Revised Statutes<\/a> outline specific rules related to liability insurance policies. Louisiana car accident laws require all drivers to carry minimum liability coverage of:<\/p>\r\n