Saturday nights in Death Valley. Saints games at the Caesars Superdome. Tailgates that start at 9 a.m. and don’t stop until the final whistle. Louisiana takes its football seriously, and the culture around game day is part of what makes this state unlike anywhere else in the country.
It’s also what makes post-game traffic some of the most dangerous driving conditions of the year. Every football Saturday and Sunday from September through January, Louisiana’s
roads see a measurable uptick in drunk driving crashes. If you’ve been hit by a drunk driver
after a game — or if someone you love has been — here’s what you need to know.
The Post-Game Window Is When Most Drunk Driving Crashes Happen
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration consistently reports that alcohol-impaired driving fatalities spike on weekends, particularly in the hours immediately following large public events. The 90-minute window after a major game ends is when the roads around Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, the Superdome in New Orleans, and Cajun Field in Lafayette are at their most dangerous.
Most of these crashes don’t happen because someone planned to drive drunk. They happen because tailgating is a long event, rideshare demand surges after games and wait times stretch, and people make bad decisions under social pressure. The results are real: innocent drivers hit by impaired motorists, sometimes with catastrophic consequences.
Louisiana Law Treats Drunk Driving Crashes Differently — and That Matters for Your Claim
When a drunk driver causes a crash in Louisiana, the injured person’s legal position is
stronger than in a standard negligence case. Driving under the influence is not just negligence — it’s a statutory violation. That distinction matters when it comes to proving liability and, in some cases, pursuing additional damages.
Louisiana also has dram shop liability principles that, under certain circumstances, can extend responsibility to establishments that served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then caused a crash. Every case is different, and these claims are fact-specific — but they are worth exploring when the facts support it.
Usually you have two years from the date of the crash to bring a personal injury claim in Louisiana. But the evidence that makes a drunk driving case strong — the driver’s BAC at the time, police reports, surveillance footage, witness accounts — starts to disappear fast. Act quickly.
What to Do If You’re Hit by a Drunk Driver After a Game
In the chaos of a post-game crash, most people are in shock. Here’s what to do in the minutes that follow:
- Call 911 immediately — you want a police report with the responding officer’s assessment of the other driver’s condition on the record.
- Do not move your vehicle if it is safe to stay. The scene matters.
- Get the names and contact information of any witnesses before they leave.
- Take photos of everything — damage, positions of vehicles, any open containers visible in the other car.
- Seek medical attention even if you feel okay. Adrenaline masks pain. Delayed symptoms are common after crashes.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
Plan Your Game Day Exit Before the Final Whistle
The best outcome is one where no one gets hurt in the first place. If you’re heading to a game this season — LSU, Saints, UL Lafayette, Tulane, Grambling, Southern — here’s how to make sure you get home:
- Book your ride share pickup before the game ends. Post-game demand spikes and wait times double.
- Designate a driver before the tailgate starts — not after.
- If you’re staying in the area, book a hotel or crash with someone local. It’s cheaper than a DUI and a lot cheaper than a crash.
- If you see something, say something. A friend who is clearly impaired and reaching for their keys is a situation worth the awkward conversation.
Louisiana football is one of the best things about living here. Don’t let one bad decision by another driver ruin it — or worse. Injured in Louisiana? Talk to an attorney before you talk to the insurance company.
Mansfield Melancon Injury Lawyers handles car crashes, truck wrecks, boating accidents, motorcycle crashes, and more across Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win. Visit mmcdlaw.com/contact-us to get started.
About the Author: Scott Mansfield is a personal injury attorney at Mansfield Melancon Injury Lawyers, representing injured Louisianans across Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette. Learn more at mmcdlaw.com.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
