Partner at Charbonnet Law Firm LLC
Practice Areas: Car Accident, Personal Injury
Driving in Louisiana comes with familiar risks. Heavy traffic, changing weather, and a mix of rural and urban roads make the state one of the most challenging places to drive in the country. Louisiana consistently ranks high in national fatality reports, and data from multiple agencies shows that many of these crashes happen on a few major roadways.
If you ever find yourself dealing with the aftereffects of a serious crash, speaking with a New Orleans car accident lawyer can help you understand your options. This guide covers the roadways, data, and factors every driver should know.
Louisiana’s roadways have a long record of high fatality rates, and several factors contribute to the trend. The state’s busiest roads connect major cities and serve as regional travel corridors, creating dense traffic throughout the year.
A large portion of crashes occur on state roads, which often have older designs, limited lighting, or narrow shoulders. Louisiana also hosts millions of visitors annually, and unfamiliar drivers add to roadway unpredictability.
Combined with ongoing issues like impaired driving, speeding, and distracted driving, these elements make certain routes more dangerous than others. Recognizing these patterns helps drivers navigate Louisiana’s roads with greater awareness.
Louisiana traffic data shows that fatal crashes remain a significant concern.
Reports from the LSU crash data system reveal:
The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission highlights that alcohol impairment, speeding, and lack of seat belt use remain among the top contributors to fatal collisions. Distracted driving continues to rise as well. Road maintenance challenges worsen the risks, especially on rural highways and older urban routes.
Alcohol-related crashes accounted for nearly 40 percent of roadway fatalities in Louisiana during 2017.
One of the most detailed statewide studies was conducted by Safer America. Their review of 2015 to 2017 fatality data identified the following as Louisiana’s deadliest roadways:
| Roadway | Fatalities |
Key Point |
| I-10 | 136 | Busiest statewide corridor |
| US-190 | 54 | Rural and urban mix |
| I-20 | 52 | Major east-west travel |
| US-90 | 52 | Lafayette to New Orleans |
| SR-1 | 48 | Narrow sections |
| US-61 | 38 | High congestion |
| I-49 | 37 | Heavy trucking |
| US-165 | 31 | Rural central route |
| I-12 | 26 | Fast commuter corridor |
| US-171 | 26 | Lake Charles to north |
The Safer America report identified I-10 as the deadliest Louisiana roadway, recording 136 fatalities in a three-year period.
These roads carry millions of passengers each year. I-10 alone connects Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans while also serving commuters, visitors, and commercial vehicles.
Some roads consistently appear in crash data because of their design, location, and traffic demands.
Several factors contribute:
Louisiana also receives more than 53 million annual visitors, with more than 18 million traveling to New Orleans. This significantly increases traffic density on popular routes.
Roadway type also plays a role:
According to LSU CARTS data, fatalities occur most often on state roads, which account for nearly 45 percent of all fatal crashes.
Fatal car accidents in Louisiana often involve multiple risk factors working together.
Some of the most common include:
CarInsuranceComparison.com once ranked Louisiana among the states with the worst drivers. While rankings vary year to year, the state consistently appears near the top for crash rates and alcohol involvement.
Another factor is Louisiana’s insurance minimums. State law requires:
These amounts often fall short when serious injuries or fatalities occur.
If a family is looking for clarity about what comes next after a severe crash, guidance from a New Orleans personal injury attorney can help them understand the general process and time limits involved.
Behind each statistic is a person whose loss affects parents, spouses, siblings, children, and entire communities. Beyond emotional pain, families may also face practical and financial challenges.
Wrongful death laws in Louisiana allow certain relatives to bring a claim within one year of the date of death. These claims require proof that another party’s actions contributed to the fatal crash.
Civil cases follow a different standard than criminal cases, so a driver can be held responsible even if they are not convicted criminally.
Louisiana’s wrongful death claims must be filed within one year under La. Civ. Code Art. 2315.2.
Drivers can reduce their own risks through simple habits and awareness. Most serious crashes involve preventable actions. Safe practices include consistent seat belt use, lowering speed in unfamiliar areas, avoiding phone use, and staying alert on long rural stretches.
State agencies continue investing in improvements to reduce crash numbers. Projects include better signage, resurfacing, expanded lighting, and traffic flow redesigns in high-risk corridors. Public safety campaigns also aim to reduce impaired and distracted driving.
Heavy traffic, commercial trucks, and long stretches between cities create higher crash numbers on I-10.
Impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding, and road conditions contribute heavily to statewide fatal collisions.
Rural roads often have higher fatality severity due to speed, low lighting, and longer emergency response times.
Large visitor numbers increase congestion and introduce drivers unfamiliar with local conditions.
Louisiana’s roadways remain among the most dangerous in the country, especially along high-traffic routes like I-10, US-190, and I-20. Understanding the patterns behind fatal crashes can help drivers stay aware and make safer choices. The factors that influence roadway danger range from driving behaviors to infrastructure challenges, and even the state’s high tourism traffic plays a role.
If you or your family ever face the effects of a serious crash, the legal system can feel overwhelming. The team at Charbonnet Law Firm, LLC can walk you through your options and help you understand the steps available.
Reach out for a free consultation to discuss your situation and get helpful guidance on what to do next.
With over 50 years of legal experience serving families in the New Orleans area and surrounding Louisiana communities, our firm takes pride in providing clients with personalized legal services tailored to individual needs.
