A car wreck can upend your life in seconds — the medical bills, the missed work, the insurance adjuster calling before you've even seen a doctor. In Metairie and across the New Orleans area, where I-10, the Causeway, Veterans, and the interstates stay packed, serious crashes happen every day.

At Bono Law Firm, we've helped injured people across Louisiana since 1980. If you've been hurt in a car accident, you talk directly with an attorney named Bono — John or Michael — not a case manager or a call center, and you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.

What to do after a car accident

The first hours and days matter more than most people realize:

• See a doctor, even if you feel "okay." Neck, back, and head injuries often don't show up until days later — and a gap in treatment is the first thing an insurer uses to question your claim.

• Photograph everything: the vehicles, the scene, the damage, your injuries, and any hazards.

• Get the other driver's insurance information and the names of any witnesses.

• Report the accident. Louisiana requires reporting crashes involving injury, death, or significant property damage.

• Don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company before talking to a lawyer — those calls are designed to get you to say something that reduces your claim.

• Call us for a free consultation.

How Louisiana car accident law works — and why it's changed

Louisiana is a fault-based state, meaning the driver who caused the crash (and their insurer) is responsible for the damages. But the law has changed in important ways recently, and getting it right matters:

The deadline to file is longer than it used to be — but still strict. For accidents on or after July 1, 2024, Louisiana generally allows two years to file an injury claim, up from the old one-year rule. Older accidents may still fall under the shorter deadline, and certain situations can shorten or complicate it. The safest course is simple: don't wait. Evidence and witnesses fade quickly.

Fault-sharing rules changed in 2026. Louisiana uses a comparative fault system — your compensation is reduced by your share of the blame. As of recent changes, being found mostly at fault can bar recovery entirely. Insurance companies know this and routinely try to shift as much blame onto you as possible. Having a lawyer who pushes back on that is often the difference in what you recover.

"No pay, no play." If you were driving without insurance, Louisiana law can limit what you're able to recover — even if the other driver caused the crash. If this applies to you, it's worth a conversation about your options.

Minimum coverage is often not enough. Louisiana's required insurance minimums are low, and in a serious crash they're frequently exhausted fast — which is why uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage matters so much here, and why we handle so many UM claims.

What your claim may include

Depending on your case, you may be able to recover for medical expenses, lost wages and lost earning capacity, future medical care, property damage, and pain and suffering. Every case is different, and the value depends on the specific facts.

Why Bono Law Firm

We're a family-owned firm based in Metairie, serving New Orleans, the Westbank, the Northshore, and the surrounding parishes since 1980. We keep our caseload manageable on purpose, so every client gets prompt answers and personal attention — and your questions are answered by John or Michael, not a call center. When an insurance company won't be fair, we're ready to go to trial. There's no fee unless we recover money for you, and we'll come to you at home or in the hospital.