NEW ORLEANS, LA — Attorneys Lamont Hills and David Daniels, partners at Hills Daniels & Associates and both graduates of Southern University Law, are sharing crucial advice for New Orleans residents navigating the city’s unique legal landscape and high accident rates.
The New Orleans-based personal injury firm, now in its fifth year, has built a reputation for taking on cases other attorneys won’t touch, including those involving children and clients with minimal insurance coverage.
What Most People Get Wrong About Personal Injury Claims
“A lot of people think that the work we do is really easy,” Daniels said. “What they fail to realize is this: The people we’re going against, they’re businesses that are in business to make money. No one wants to give their money away.”
The attorneys identify several critical misconceptions that prevent accident victims from getting the help they need:
Free Consultations Are Standard
Unlike criminal or family law cases that require upfront retainers, personal injury attorneys work on contingency. “There’s no fee to call us. And there’s also no fee unless we win,” Hills explained. “That levels the playing field because when people are coming to us, it’s usually on their worst day.”
Not Every Case Is a Million-Dollar Case, But Every Case Deserves Attention
The firm stresses that policy limits, insurance coverage, and treatment compliance all affect case value, but that doesn’t mean small impacts can’t result in significant settlements.
“We’ve had cases that were small, minor fender benders that have blown up to six-figure cases,” Daniels said. “So it’s all possible, depending on the policy limits.”
Don’t Wait to Call
The attorneys urge people to contact a lawyer immediately after an accident, regardless of how minor the property damage appears. “We’ll get some people who will call like a month later and say, ‘I wasn’t even worried about it because the property damage is so little. I only had a little dent, but my back still bothered me,'” Hills said.
Louisiana’s Unique Legal and Safety Challenges
Both attorneys emphasize the particular risks facing Louisiana drivers and accident victims.
Uninsured Drivers Are Everywhere
“Most people in Louisiana don’t have insurance,” Daniels said. “And most people who have insurance don’t get uninsured motorist coverage, which means that if somebody hits you and they don’t have insurance, at least you have some coverage.”
Louisiana’s minimum coverage is just $15,000 per person. The attorneys strongly recommend purchasing uninsured motorist coverage to protect yourself when others don’t carry adequate insurance.
One client followed this advice and benefited significantly. After settling a $15,000 claim, the attorneys advised him to purchase higher uninsured motorist coverage. When he was hit again by an underinsured driver, he had secured $100,000 in coverage, turning what would have been another minimal payout into full compensation for his injuries.
Louisiana Operates Under Different Laws
“We’re the only state that is based on the civil code,” Hills explained. “We have our own special code of laws, which are unique.” Louisiana’s comparative fault law also means that even if you’re partially at fault for an accident, your claim can still be reduced rather than eliminated.
The State’s Accident Crisis
Louisiana has one of the highest accident rates per capita in the country. Contributing factors include the state’s permissive alcohol sales laws, frequent festivals, challenging weather, and heavy commercial traffic through the New Orleans corridor.
Safety Advice for Mardi Gras and Beyond
With Mardi Gras season underway, the attorneys offered specific safety guidance:
Avoid Arrest at All Costs
“Don’t do anything to get arrested during Mardi Gras time,” Daniels warned. “If you get arrested, you’re gonna sit yourself down for a couple of days because most judges are off during that time. If you get arrested the Friday before Mardi Gras, you probably ain’t gonna see a judge until Wednesday or Thursday.”
Watch Out for Parade Floats
Parade floats can weigh 3,000 pounds and drivers often have limited visibility. “We have people that are trying to get these different beads and trinkets being thrown. They forget that we have this float that’s 3,000 pounds. Sometimes they get hit by those things. People have lost their lives because they’ve been run over by floats,” Daniels said.
Put Down Your Phone
“Technology is never 100%,” Hills said, referencing both distracted driving and over-reliance on vehicle safety features like lane assist and automatic braking. “You’re ultimately responsible when you decide to put the keys in that car and start that vehicle up.”
The attorneys also caution against texting while driving, noting that Louisiana drivers frequently misjudge stopping distances, especially in rain.
Treatment Compliance Can Make or Break Your Case
Both attorneys stressed that insurance companies scrutinize whether accident victims follow through on medical treatment.
The firm has seen strong cases with adequate insurance coverage fall apart simply because clients stopped attending medical appointments.
How to Reach Hills Daniels & Associates
The firm accepts cases through multiple channels: phone calls, website submissions, Instagram DMs, and walk-ins to their office. They recommend scheduling appointments to ensure an attorney is available, as the partners are often in court, mediation, or depositions.
Hills and Daniels are both Southern University Law Center graduates who credit their HBCU education with shaping their collaborative, community-focused approach to law. After working separately—Daniels at a major insurance company and then in solo practice, Hills clerking for family—the two partnered five years ago to build Hills Daniels & Associates.
Hills Daniels & Associates is the official legal sponsor of Newtral Groundz.
📞 Call: (504) 641-0016
🌐 Visit: HDInjuryAttorneys.com
📱 Follow: @HillsDanielsLaw on Instagram
About Hills Daniels & Associates
Hills Daniels & Associates is a New Orleans-based personal injury law firm specializing in car accidents, commercial vehicle crashes, and cases involving uninsured or underinsured motorists. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis, offering free consultations with no fees unless they win. Both founding partners are graduates of Southern University Law Center.
