On this page
- Injured in an Accident in Benton?
- Car Accidents in Benton
- Rural Highway Accidents
- Head-On Collisions
- 18-Wheeler Accidents
- Who Can Be Responsible for a Truck Accident?
- Company Vehicle Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Medical Evidence
- Future Medical Care
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
- What Compensation May Be Available?
- Louisiana's 51% Comparative Fault Rule
- Louisiana's General Two-Year Filing Period
- Wrongful Death Claims
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact a Benton Personal Injury Lawyer
When a collision involves an 18-wheeler, commercial vehicle, or company driver, the investigation may extend beyond the person behind the wheel to one or more businesses.
If another person or company caused your injuries, Louisiana law may allow you to pursue compensation.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates represents accident victims in Benton, Bossier Parish, and throughout Louisiana.
Our personal injury practice includes:
- car accidents;
- commercial truck accidents;
- 18-wheeler wrecks;
- rural highway accidents;
- company-vehicle accidents;
- motorcycle accidents;
- pedestrian accidents;
- catastrophic injuries;
- wrongful death; and
- other serious personal injury claims.
Call (318) 746-5997.
Make ’Em Pay.
Injured in an Accident in Benton?
An accident claim may involve much more than determining who received a traffic citation.
Potential questions include:
- Which driver was negligent?
- Was a company vehicle involved?
- Was the driver working at the time?
- Is commercial insurance available?
- What evidence exists?
- What medical treatment will be needed?
- How will the injury affect future employment?
- Did more than one person or company contribute to the accident?
The answers can affect how a serious injury claim is investigated.
Car Accidents in Benton
Potential causes include:
- distracted driving;
- texting;
- speeding;
- following too closely;
- unsafe passing;
- failure to yield;
- unsafe turns;
- crossing the centerline;
- impaired driving; and
- failure to maintain control.
Potential evidence may include:
- police documentation;
- photographs;
- witness statements;
- vehicle damage;
- surveillance footage;
- dashcam video;
- cellphone information when legally obtainable; and
- electronic vehicle data.
Rural Highway Accidents
Roads around Benton and northern Bossier Parish can involve higher travel speeds and a mixture of local and commercial traffic.
Potential serious crashes include:
- head-on collisions;
- unsafe-passing accidents;
- rear-end wrecks;
- intersection collisions;
- motorcycle crashes; and
- commercial-vehicle accidents.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on accidents can cause catastrophic injuries.
Potential causes include:
- distraction;
- fatigue;
- impairment;
- unsafe passing;
- excessive speed; and
- loss of control.
Evidence such as roadway marks, debris, vehicle positions, photographs, electronic data, and witnesses may help determine how the crash occurred.
18-Wheeler Accidents
Commercial truck claims can involve specialized evidence, including:
- electronic logs;
- GPS;
- telematics;
- dashcam footage;
- driver-facing cameras;
- dispatch communications;
- driver qualification records;
- inspection reports;
- maintenance documents; and
- cargo information.
Who Can Be Responsible for a Truck Accident?
Potential defendants may include:
- truck driver;
- motor carrier;
- employer;
- tractor owner;
- trailer owner;
- maintenance contractor;
- cargo-loading business; and
- another negligent entity.
Each party's actual involvement must be established.
Company Vehicle Accidents
Commercial accidents may also involve:
- work pickups;
- delivery vehicles;
- contractor trucks;
- service vans;
- utility vehicles; and
- other business-owned vehicles.
The investigation may examine employment, vehicle ownership, purpose of the trip, company control, maintenance responsibilities, and insurance.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists can suffer devastating injuries when another driver:
- fails to yield;
- turns across their path;
- changes lanes unsafely;
- follows too closely; or
- drives distracted.
Catastrophic Injuries
Potential catastrophic injuries include:
- traumatic brain injury;
- spinal cord injury;
- paralysis;
- amputations;
- crush injuries;
- severe burns;
- multiple fractures;
- internal organ damage; and
- permanent neurological impairment.
Medical Evidence
Potential evidence can include:
- emergency treatment;
- diagnostic imaging;
- specialist evaluations;
- surgical records;
- physical therapy;
- treating physician opinions;
- medical restrictions; and
- relevant prior medical records.
Future Medical Care
Potential future needs may include:
- surgery;
- rehabilitation;
- therapy;
- medication;
- injections;
- medical equipment;
- prosthetics;
- attendant care; and
- home modifications.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
Potential evidence may include:
- payroll records;
- tax information;
- employment history;
- medical restrictions;
- vocational evidence; and
- economic analysis.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Depending on Louisiana law and the evidence, potential damages may include:
- past medical expenses;
- future medical expenses;
- 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
For claims governed by Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323 as amended effective January 1, 2026, a claimant found 51% or more negligent cannot recover damages.
When claimant negligence is below 51%, damages are reduced according to the assigned percentage.
Louisiana's General Two-Year Filing Period
Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.1 generally establishes a two-year prescriptive period for delictual actions beginning when injury or damage is sustained.
The legislation establishing the period became effective July 1, 2024.
Older accidents and specialized claims may involve different deadlines.
Wrongful Death Claims
Fatal car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and commercial-vehicle accidents may potentially create survival and wrongful-death actions under Louisiana law.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have after a Benton accident?
Louisiana's current general rule provides two years for delictual actions. Accident dates and specialized claims may affect the deadline.
What if an 18-wheeler caused my accident?
The investigation may involve the driver, motor carrier, electronic records, maintenance, vehicle ownership, cargo, commercial insurance, and potentially other companies.
What if the insurance company blames me?
The insurer's position does not determine legal fault. Photographs, witnesses, physical evidence, electronic data, and reconstruction may provide additional evidence.
Can I recover if I was partially responsible?
For claims governed by current Article 2323, claimant negligence below 51% may reduce damages without necessarily barring recovery.
What if I cannot return to work?
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity may potentially be part of a claim when supported by appropriate evidence.
Contact a Benton Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were seriously injured in Benton or elsewhere in Bossier Parish, contact:
Jacqueline Scott & Associates
(318) 746-5997
Make ’Em Pay.
Every case is different. Results depend on the specific 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.
