On this page
- Personal Injury Claims in Iberia Parish
- Car Accidents in New Iberia
- US-90 Accidents in Iberia Parish
- Highway Merging Accidents
- 18-Wheeler Accidents
- Who Can Be Responsible?
- Truck Driver Fatigue
- Truck Maintenance
- Oilfield and Industrial Vehicle Accidents
- Work Injuries and Third-Party Claims
- Industrial Accident Claims
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Catastrophic Injury Claims
- What Compensation May Be Available?
- Future Medical Needs
- Louisiana's 51% Comparative Fault Rule
- What If a Company Blames You?
- Louisiana's General Two-Year Filing Period
- Wrongful Death in Iberia Parish
- Where Are Iberia Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves Iberia Parish
When the injuries are severe, determining who caused the accident is only the beginning.
The investigation may also need to identify every responsible company, preserve electronic evidence, determine available insurance, and document the victim's future medical and financial losses.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates represents accident victims in New Iberia, Jeanerette, Loreauville, Delcambre-area communities within Iberia Parish, and throughout Louisiana.
Our personal injury practice includes:
- car accidents;
- US-90 accidents;
- 18-wheeler wrecks;
- commercial vehicle accidents;
- oilfield and industrial third-party accidents;
- motorcycle accidents;
- catastrophic injuries;
- wrongful death; and
- other serious personal injury claims.
Call (318) 746-5997.
Make ’Em Pay.
Personal Injury Claims in Iberia Parish
Iberia Parish contains a mixture of local, highway, commercial, agricultural, and industrial traffic.
U.S. Highway 90 is a major transportation corridor through Iberia Parish, with DOTD continuing to maintain and manage ramps and infrastructure along the route.
That means passenger vehicles can share the roadway with 18-wheelers, work trucks, equipment-hauling vehicles, and other commercial traffic.
Car Accidents in New Iberia
Car accidents may result from:
- distracted driving;
- speeding;
- following too closely;
- failure to yield;
- unsafe passing;
- unsafe lane changes;
- running traffic signals;
- impaired driving; and
- aggressive driving.
A serious accident should be evaluated using evidence rather than assumptions.
US-90 Accidents in Iberia Parish
Highway 90 is an important corridor through the New Iberia area.
Serious US-90 accidents can involve:
- rear-end collisions;
- 18-wheelers;
- merging vehicles;
- unsafe lane changes;
- commercial traffic;
- construction or maintenance activity;
- distracted driving;
- fatigue; and
- multi-vehicle crashes.
DOTD has continued to address traffic and safety conditions at US-90 ramps in Iberia Parish, illustrating the importance of changing roadway and interchange conditions.
Highway Merging Accidents
Merging accidents can involve disputes about:
- right of way;
- speed;
- signaling;
- lane position;
- available space; and
- driver attention.
Evidence may include dashcams, witnesses, vehicle damage, roadway markings, photographs, and electronic vehicle information.
18-Wheeler Accidents
Commercial-truck collisions can require immediate evidence preservation.
Potential trucking evidence includes:
- electronic logs;
- GPS;
- telematics;
- dashcams;
- driver-facing camera footage;
- dispatch communications;
- driver qualification records;
- maintenance documents;
- inspection records; and
- cargo information.
Who Can Be Responsible?
Depending on the facts, potential defendants may include:
- truck driver;
- motor carrier;
- employer;
- tractor owner;
- trailer owner;
- maintenance company;
- cargo-loading business;
- contractor; or
- another negligent entity.
Commercial transportation arrangements can be complicated.
The investigation should determine what each business actually did.
Truck Driver Fatigue
Covered commercial drivers are subject to federal hours-of-service rules.
When fatigue may have contributed to an accident, electronic logs can potentially be compared with other time-stamped information.
Truck Maintenance
Potential equipment problems include:
- brakes;
- tires;
- steering;
- lighting;
- suspension; and
- coupling systems.
When a mechanical failure is suspected, preservation of the truck can become particularly important.
Oilfield and Industrial Vehicle Accidents
Iberia Parish includes substantial commercial, industrial, and transportation activity.
Serious accidents can involve:
- company trucks;
- contractors;
- equipment-hauling vehicles;
- tractor-trailers;
- service vehicles; and
- other work-related traffic.
An accident involving a work vehicle may require investigation of both the driver and the companies connected to the work.
Work Injuries and Third-Party Claims
A person injured while performing a job may have workers' compensation rights.
But another company may also be responsible.
Potential third parties can include:
- commercial drivers;
- outside contractors;
- subcontractors;
- equipment manufacturers;
- maintenance providers; and
- property owners.
The interaction between workers' compensation and a third-party injury claim should be evaluated carefully.
Industrial Accident Claims
Not every serious injury in Iberia Parish occurs on the roadway.
Industrial accidents can potentially involve:
- falls;
- equipment failures;
- vehicle incidents;
- lifting operations;
- fires;
- explosions;
- pressure-related incidents; and
- hazardous conditions.
The applicable law can depend on where the accident happened, the victim's employment status, and the companies involved.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists can suffer catastrophic injuries when another driver fails to yield, turns across their path, changes lanes unsafely, or follows too closely.
Potential injuries include:
- traumatic brain injury;
- spinal injury;
- fractures;
- internal injuries;
- severe road rash;
- nerve damage; and
- amputations.
Catastrophic Injury Claims
Potential catastrophic injuries include:
- traumatic brain injury;
- spinal cord injury;
- paralysis;
- amputations;
- severe burns;
- crush injuries;
- multiple fractures;
- organ damage; and
- permanent neurological impairment.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Depending on applicable 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 losses.
Future Medical Needs
A catastrophic injury claim may require evidence concerning future:
- surgeries;
- therapy;
- rehabilitation;
- medication;
- medical equipment;
- prosthetics;
- mobility assistance;
- attendant care; and
- home modifications.
Louisiana's 51% Comparative Fault Rule
Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323 changed effective January 1, 2026.
Under current law, a claimant who is 51% or more negligent cannot recover damages.
When claimant negligence is below 51%, damages are reduced according to the assigned percentage.
What If a Company Blames You?
A trucking or industrial company's position is not automatically the final legal determination.
Evidence can include:
- video;
- witnesses;
- electronic records;
- vehicle damage;
- equipment condition;
- company documents;
- roadway evidence; and
- reconstruction.
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 may be governed differently.
Wrongful Death in Iberia Parish
Fatal highway, commercial, industrial, and work-related third-party accidents may potentially create survival and wrongful-death actions under Louisiana law.
A fatal accident investigation may include:
- reconstruction;
- company records;
- trucking evidence;
- medical evidence;
- employment records;
- financial information;
- insurance; and
- beneficiary information.
Where Are Iberia Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
Iberia, St. Martin, and St. Mary Parishes comprise Louisiana's 16th Judicial District.
For cases properly venued in Iberia Parish, proceedings may be handled through the district court in Iberia Parish.
The correct venue depends on Louisiana law, the defendants, accident location, and other circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have after an Iberia Parish accident?
Louisiana's current general rule provides two years for delictual actions. Accident dates and specialized claims can involve different rules.
What if I was injured on US-90?
The investigation may involve highway speed, merging traffic, commercial vehicles, electronic evidence, roadway conditions, and potentially multiple responsible parties.
Can I sue a trucking company?
Potentially. The driver's relationship with the motor carrier and the company's own conduct should be investigated.
What if I was working when the accident happened?
Workers' compensation may apply, but a separate third-party claim may also exist if another company or person caused the injury.
What if an oilfield or industrial vehicle caused the wreck?
The investigation may need to identify the driver, employer, contractor relationships, vehicle owner, maintenance responsibilities, and applicable insurance.
Can I recover if I was partly responsible?
For claims governed by current Article 2323, claimant negligence below 51% can reduce damages without necessarily barring recovery.
What if my injuries are permanent?
A catastrophic injury claim may require evaluation of future medical care, disability, diminished earning capacity, and other long-term consequences.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves Iberia Parish
If you were seriously injured in New Iberia, Jeanerette, Loreauville, or elsewhere in Iberia 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.
