On this page
- Personal Injury Accidents in LaSalle Parish
- US-84 and US-165 Accidents
- Car Accidents in Jena and LaSalle Parish
- Rural Highway Accidents
- Head-On Collisions
- 18-Wheeler and Commercial Truck Accidents
- Truck Driver Fatigue
- Truck Maintenance
- Logging and Work-Truck Accidents
- Company Vehicle Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Catastrophic Injury Claims
- Medical Evidence and Causation
- What Compensation May Be Available?
- Louisiana's 51% Comparative Fault Rule
- Louisiana's General Two-Year Filing Period
- Preserve Evidence Early
- Wrongful Death in LaSalle Parish
- Where Are LaSalle Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves LaSalle Parish
When a crash involves an 18-wheeler, company vehicle, work truck, or multiple vehicles, determining responsibility may require evidence beyond the police report.
If another driver, trucking company, employer, contractor, or business caused your injuries, Louisiana law may allow you to pursue compensation.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates represents accident victims in Jena, Olla, Tullos, Urania, and communities throughout LaSalle Parish and Louisiana.
Our personal injury practice includes:
- car accidents;
- US-84 accidents;
- US-165 accidents;
- 18-wheeler wrecks;
- commercial vehicle accidents;
- company-vehicle accidents;
- motorcycle accidents;
- catastrophic injuries;
- wrongful death; and
- other serious personal injury matters.
Call (318) 746-5997.
Make ’Em Pay.
Personal Injury Accidents in LaSalle Parish
LaSalle Parish includes rural communities and highways used by both passenger and commercial traffic.
Drivers may share roadways with:
- 18-wheelers;
- logging or work trucks;
- contractor vehicles;
- delivery trucks;
- agricultural vehicles;
- motorcycles; and
- passenger cars.
US-84 and US-165 Accidents
U.S. highways serving the parish can carry local and through traffic.
Serious highway accidents may include:
- head-on collisions;
- rear-end wrecks;
- commercial truck crashes;
- unsafe-passing accidents;
- intersection collisions; and
- multi-vehicle wrecks.
Car Accidents in Jena and LaSalle Parish
Potential causes include:
- distracted driving;
- speeding;
- following too closely;
- unsafe passing;
- crossing the centerline;
- failure to yield;
- unsafe turns;
- impaired driving; and
- failure to adjust to road or weather conditions.
Rural Highway Accidents
Rural crashes can be particularly dangerous because of:
- highway travel speeds;
- limited nighttime lighting;
- curves;
- narrow shoulders;
- commercial traffic; and
- fewer nearby surveillance cameras.
Physical evidence may become particularly important when there are no independent witnesses.
Head-On Collisions
A driver may cross the centerline because of:
- distraction;
- fatigue;
- impairment;
- unsafe passing;
- excessive speed; or
- loss of control.
Potential evidence can include:
- tire or skid marks;
- debris;
- final vehicle positions;
- photographs;
- witnesses;
- vehicle damage; and
- electronic vehicle information.
18-Wheeler and Commercial Truck Accidents
Commercial trucking cases can involve specialized evidence.
Potential evidence includes:
- electronic logs;
- GPS;
- telematics;
- dashcam footage;
- driver-facing camera footage;
- dispatch communications;
- driver qualification records;
- inspection documents;
- maintenance records; and
- cargo information.
Truck Driver Fatigue
Covered commercial drivers are subject to federal hours-of-service requirements.
When fatigue may have contributed to a crash, investigators may compare electronic logs with GPS, dispatch, fuel, delivery, and other time-stamped records.
Truck Maintenance
Potential mechanical issues include:
- brakes;
- tires;
- steering;
- lighting;
- suspension; and
- coupling equipment.
Preservation of the commercial vehicle can become important when equipment failure is suspected.
Logging and Work-Truck Accidents
Commercial traffic in rural Louisiana can include trucks transporting equipment or materials.
Potential issues may include:
- vehicle weight;
- load securement;
- visibility;
- maintenance;
- driver qualifications;
- stopping distance; and
- company safety practices.
The evidence must establish what actually caused the accident.
Company Vehicle Accidents
Serious crashes may involve:
- contractor pickups;
- delivery vehicles;
- work vans;
- service trucks;
- equipment-hauling vehicles; and
- other business-owned vehicles.
Potential questions include:
- Who employed the driver?
- Who owned the vehicle?
- Was the driver working?
- Who maintained the vehicle?
- What company controlled the trip?
- What insurance applies?
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 Injury Claims
Potential catastrophic injuries include:
- traumatic brain injury;
- spinal cord damage;
- paralysis;
- amputations;
- severe burns;
- crush injuries;
- multiple fractures;
- internal organ injuries; and
- permanent neurological impairment.
Medical Evidence and Causation
Potential medical evidence can include:
- emergency treatment;
- diagnostic imaging;
- specialist evaluations;
- surgical records;
- therapy records;
- treating physician opinions;
- medical restrictions; and
- relevant prior medical records.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Depending on Louisiana law and the evidence, potential damages may include:
- past medical expenses;
- future medical treatment;
- 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.
Preserve Evidence Early
Potential evidence can disappear long before a lawsuit deadline.
Important evidence may include:
- dashcam footage;
- electronic trucking records;
- surveillance video;
- vehicle condition;
- roadway evidence;
- photographs; and
- witness recollections.
Wrongful Death in LaSalle Parish
Fatal car, commercial-truck, motorcycle, and company-vehicle accidents may potentially create survival and wrongful-death actions under Louisiana law.
Where Are LaSalle Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
LaSalle, Catahoula, and Concordia Parishes comprise Louisiana's 7th Judicial District.
The proper venue for a particular lawsuit depends on Louisiana law and the circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have after a LaSalle Parish accident?
Louisiana's current general rule provides two years for delictual actions. The accident date and type of claim may affect the applicable deadline.
What if an 18-wheeler caused my accident?
The investigation may involve the driver, motor carrier, electronic records, maintenance, vehicle ownership, cargo, and commercial insurance.
What if there were no witnesses?
Physical evidence, photographs, vehicle damage, electronic information, and accident reconstruction may help establish what happened.
What if a work truck caused the collision?
The driver's employer, vehicle owner, maintenance responsibilities, purpose of the trip, and commercial insurance may need to be investigated.
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 my previous job?
A serious injury claim may include diminished earning capacity when supported by appropriate evidence.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves LaSalle Parish
If you were seriously injured in Jena, Olla, Tullos, Urania, or elsewhere in LaSalle 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.
