On this page
- Personal Injury Accidents in Allen Parish
- Car Accidents in Allen Parish
- US-165 Accidents
- Head-On Collisions
- 18-Wheeler Accidents
- Who Can Be Responsible for a Truck Accident?
- Driver Fatigue
- Truck Maintenance
- Rural Road Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Catastrophic Injury Claims
- What Compensation May Be Available?
- Louisiana's 51% Comparative Fault Rule
- Louisiana's General Two-Year Filing Period
- Wrongful Death in Allen Parish
- Where Are Allen Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves Allen Parish
You may need emergency treatment or surgery. You may be unable to work. Your vehicle may be totaled. Meanwhile, an insurance company may already be investigating who caused the accident and how much it believes the claim is worth.
When another driver's, trucking company's, or business's negligence causes your injuries, Louisiana law may provide a right to seek compensation.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates represents people injured in Oakdale, Kinder, Oberlin, Elizabeth, Reeves, and communities throughout Allen Parish and Louisiana.
Our personal injury practice includes:
- car accidents;
- 18-wheeler wrecks;
- commercial vehicle accidents;
- motorcycle accidents;
- pedestrian accidents;
- catastrophic injuries;
- premises liability;
- wrongful death; and
- other serious injury cases.
Call (318) 746-5997.
Make ’Em Pay.
Personal Injury Accidents in Allen Parish
Allen Parish includes rural communities and major routes carrying both passenger and commercial traffic.
U.S. Highway 165 is an important north-south route through the parish, including the Oakdale and Kinder areas.
Other highways connect Allen Parish with surrounding portions of southwest and central Louisiana.
A serious highway accident can involve much more than two local drivers.
Commercial trucks, work vehicles, delivery vehicles, and travelers may also be involved.
Car Accidents in Allen Parish
Car wrecks may result from:
- distracted driving;
- speeding;
- following too closely;
- unsafe passing;
- crossing the centerline;
- failure to yield;
- impaired driving;
- unsafe turns; and
- failure to adjust to traffic or weather conditions.
When fault is disputed, the investigation should look beyond each driver's statement.
US-165 Accidents
Highway 165 carries vehicles through multiple Louisiana parishes, including Allen Parish.
Higher-speed traffic can make accidents particularly severe.
US-165 accidents may include:
- rear-end collisions;
- head-on crashes;
- intersection wrecks;
- unsafe-passing collisions;
- commercial vehicle accidents; and
- multi-vehicle crashes.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on accidents can result from:
- distraction;
- fatigue;
- intoxication;
- unsafe passing;
- crossing the centerline;
- excessive speed; or
- loss of vehicle control.
These crashes can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, internal injuries, amputations, and death.
18-Wheeler Accidents
Commercial trucking accidents require a different investigation from ordinary passenger-car crashes.
Potential evidence can include:
- electronic logging information;
- GPS;
- telematics;
- dashcam footage;
- dispatch communications;
- driver qualification records;
- inspection documents;
- maintenance records; and
- cargo information.
Not every truck generates the same electronic data.
The actual vehicle and operation should be investigated.
Who Can Be Responsible for a Truck Accident?
Depending on the evidence, potential defendants may include:
- truck driver;
- motor carrier;
- employer;
- tractor owner;
- trailer owner;
- maintenance provider;
- cargo-loading company; or
- another negligent business.
Each party's role must be established.
Driver Fatigue
Covered commercial drivers are subject to federal hours-of-service requirements.
When fatigue may have contributed to an accident, electronic logs can potentially be compared with GPS, dispatch, fuel, delivery, and other time-stamped records.
Truck Maintenance
Mechanical problems can contribute to catastrophic truck wrecks.
Potential issues include:
- brake failures;
- tire failures;
- steering problems;
- lighting defects;
- suspension problems; and
- coupling equipment.
Preserving the truck may be important when equipment failure is suspected.
Rural Road Accidents
Rural roads can involve:
- limited nighttime lighting;
- curves;
- narrow shoulders;
- commercial traffic;
- agricultural vehicles; and
- higher travel speeds.
Drivers must still operate reasonably under the circumstances.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists can suffer catastrophic injuries when another driver:
- fails to yield;
- changes lanes unsafely;
- turns across the motorcycle's path;
- follows too closely; or
- drives distracted.
Potential injuries include brain trauma, spinal injuries, fractures, internal injuries, severe road rash, and amputations.
Catastrophic Injury Claims
Potential catastrophic injuries include:
- traumatic brain injury;
- spinal cord injury;
- paralysis;
- amputation;
- severe burns;
- crush injuries;
- multiple fractures;
- organ damage; and
- permanent neurological impairment.
A serious claim should consider the future effects of the injury.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Depending on Louisiana law and the evidence, potential damages may include:
- past medical expenses;
- future medical care;
- rehabilitation;
- lost wages;
- diminished earning capacity;
- property damage;
- physical pain;
- mental anguish;
- disability;
- loss of enjoyment of life; and
- other legally recoverable damages.
Louisiana's 51% Comparative Fault Rule
Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323 changed effective January 1, 2026.
Under current law, a claimant found 51% or more negligent cannot recover damages.
When claimant negligence is below 51%, damages are reduced according to the percentage assigned.
Louisiana's General Two-Year Filing Period
Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.1 generally provides a two-year prescriptive period for delictual actions beginning when injury or damage is sustained.
The legislation establishing the new period became effective July 1, 2024.
Older accidents and specialized claims can involve different rules.
Wrongful Death in Allen Parish
Fatal highway and commercial-truck accidents may potentially create wrongful-death and survival actions under Louisiana law.
A fatal accident investigation may involve:
- reconstruction;
- medical evidence;
- commercial records;
- employment information;
- financial evidence;
- insurance; and
- qualifying beneficiary information.
Where Are Allen Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
Allen Parish is served by Louisiana's 33rd Judicial District Court.
The Allen Parish Courthouse is located in Oberlin.
The proper venue for an individual personal injury lawsuit depends on Louisiana's jurisdiction and venue laws and the facts of the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have after an Allen Parish accident?
Louisiana's current general rule provides two years for delictual actions, although the accident date and type of claim should be evaluated individually.
What if I was injured on US-165?
Highway accident claims can involve vehicle speed, commercial traffic, physical evidence, witnesses, and electronic vehicle information.
Can a trucking company be responsible?
Potentially. The motor carrier's relationship with the driver, its own conduct, equipment ownership, maintenance, and other factors may need to be investigated.
What if I was partially at fault?
For claims governed by current Article 2323, claimant negligence below 51% may reduce damages without necessarily barring recovery.
What if my injuries are permanent?
A serious claim may require evaluation of future medical treatment, diminished earning capacity, disability, and other long-term losses.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves Allen Parish
If you were seriously injured in Oakdale, Kinder, Oberlin, Elizabeth, Reeves, or elsewhere in Allen Parish, contact:
Jacqueline Scott & Associates
(318) 746-5997
Make ’Em Pay.
Every case is different. Results depend on the facts and circumstances of each individual matter. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. This article provides general educational information and is not legal advice.
This article is general information about Louisiana law and is not legal advice. Laws and deadlines can change, and every case depends on its own facts. Past results do not guarantee or predict future outcomes. Reading this page or contacting the firm does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship.
