On this page
- Personal Injury Claims in Lincoln Parish
- Car Accidents in Ruston and Lincoln Parish
- I-20 Accidents in Lincoln Parish
- Why Interstate Wrecks Can Be Severe
- 18-Wheeler Accidents Near Ruston
- Hours-of-Service Violations and Driver Fatigue
- Distracted Truck Driving
- Truck Maintenance Failures
- Multiple Defendants in a Truck Accident
- Commercial Insurance
- Motorcycle Accidents in Lincoln Parish
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Catastrophic Injury Claims
- What Compensation May Be Available?
- Louisiana's Comparative Fault Law Changed in 2026
- Example
- What If the Trucking Company Blames You?
- Louisiana's Two-Year Personal Injury Rule
- Don't Wait Two Years to Investigate an I-20 Truck Accident
- Wrongful Death in Lincoln Parish
- Where Are Lincoln Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves Lincoln Parish
Evidence can disappear.
Insurance companies can begin investigating.
Vehicles can be repaired.
Witnesses can become harder to locate.
And the full extent of an injury may not yet be known.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates represents accident victims in Ruston, Grambling, Choudrant, Dubach, Simsboro, and communities throughout Lincoln Parish and Louisiana.
Our personal injury practice includes:
- car accidents;
- I-20 accidents;
- 18-wheeler wrecks;
- commercial vehicle accidents;
- motorcycle accidents;
- pedestrian accidents;
- catastrophic injuries;
- wrongful death; and
- other serious injury claims.
Call (318) 746-5997.
Make ’Em Pay.
Personal Injury Claims in Lincoln Parish
Lincoln Parish includes Ruston, Grambling, Choudrant, Dubach, Simsboro, and other communities.
One of the parish's most important transportation features is Interstate 20.
I-20 places local motorists alongside interstate travelers and commercial freight traffic.
That creates the potential for serious high-speed collisions.
Car Accidents in Ruston and Lincoln Parish
Car wrecks can result from:
- distracted driving;
- speeding;
- following too closely;
- unsafe lane changes;
- failure to yield;
- unsafe turns;
- impaired driving;
- running traffic signals; and
- failure to respond appropriately to traffic or weather conditions.
A personal injury investigation should look beyond the insurance companies' initial conclusions.
I-20 Accidents in Lincoln Parish
Interstate 20 runs directly through Lincoln Parish and the Ruston area.
The interstate carries passenger vehicles, buses, delivery vehicles, and 18-wheelers.
Serious I-20 crashes may involve:
- rear-end collisions;
- unsafe lane changes;
- merging accidents;
- commercial trucks;
- driver fatigue;
- distraction;
- traffic congestion;
- construction;
- rain;
- poor visibility; and
- chain-reaction crashes.
Why Interstate Wrecks Can Be Severe
Speed changes everything.
A collision at interstate speed can create forces capable of causing:
- traumatic brain injuries;
- spinal injuries;
- fractures;
- internal injuries;
- crush injuries;
- amputations; and
- death.
Commercial trucks can further increase the severity because of their size and weight.
18-Wheeler Accidents Near Ruston
An 18-wheeler accident is not simply a larger version of a passenger-car wreck.
The investigation may involve federal safety regulations, corporate records, electronic data, commercial insurance, and multiple businesses.
Potential evidence can include:
- electronic logs;
- GPS;
- telematics;
- dashcams;
- dispatch communications;
- driver qualification records;
- maintenance records;
- inspection reports; and
- cargo documents.
Hours-of-Service Violations and Driver Fatigue
Covered commercial drivers are subject to federal hours-of-service requirements.
When fatigue is suspected, the driver's logs may be compared with other time-stamped evidence.
A driver's log should not necessarily be viewed in isolation.
Distracted Truck Driving
Commercial drivers can become distracted by:
- phones;
- messaging;
- dispatch systems;
- navigation devices;
- eating;
- reaching for objects; or
- other activities.
When distraction is a legitimate issue, legally obtainable electronic evidence may help determine what happened.
Truck Maintenance Failures
A motor carrier's responsibilities can include systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance as required by applicable federal regulations.
Potential equipment issues include:
- brakes;
- tires;
- steering;
- lights;
- suspension; and
- coupling systems.
If mechanical failure is suspected, preservation and inspection of the truck may become important.
Multiple Defendants in a Truck Accident
Depending on the facts, potential defendants can include:
- commercial driver;
- motor carrier;
- employer;
- tractor owner;
- trailer owner;
- maintenance provider;
- cargo-loading company; and
- another negligent party.
Each party's conduct must be analyzed separately.
Commercial Insurance
Commercial truck accidents can involve insurance arrangements that are more complicated than ordinary personal auto coverage.
Depending on the operation, there may be:
- primary liability coverage;
- excess coverage;
- umbrella coverage;
- self-insurance; or
- other applicable insurance arrangements.
The existence of a commercial truck does not guarantee any particular amount of available coverage.
Coverage must be investigated.
Motorcycle Accidents in Lincoln Parish
Motorcyclists can be injured when another driver:
- turns in front of them;
- changes lanes without seeing them;
- follows too closely;
- runs a traffic signal; or
- drives distracted.
Potential injuries include brain trauma, spinal injuries, fractures, internal injuries, road rash, and permanent disability.
Pedestrian Accidents
Ruston and Grambling include areas where pedestrians and vehicles may interact near businesses, schools, neighborhoods, and intersections.
A pedestrian accident investigation may examine:
- right of way;
- vehicle speed;
- lighting;
- visibility;
- crosswalks;
- driver distraction;
- impairment; and
- available video.
Catastrophic Injury Claims
A catastrophic injury case should evaluate how the injury will affect the person's entire future.
Potential consequences include:
- inability to return to work;
- loss of independence;
- permanent mobility limitations;
- cognitive impairment;
- chronic pain;
- future surgery;
- rehabilitation; and
- need for assistance.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Depending on the evidence and Louisiana law, damages may potentially include:
- past medical expenses;
- future medical expenses;
- lost wages;
- diminished earning capacity;
- property damage;
- physical pain;
- mental anguish;
- disability;
- loss of enjoyment of life; and
- other legally recoverable damages.
Louisiana's Comparative Fault Law Changed in 2026
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 less than 51%, damages are reduced according to the assigned percentage.
Example
Suppose legally recoverable damages total $400,000.
If the injured person is determined to be 10% negligent, the damages would generally be reduced according to that percentage.
If the claimant is found 51% negligent under current Article 2323, recovery is barred.
This is why disputed fault percentages matter.
What If the Trucking Company Blames You?
Commercial defendants may dispute liability.
That does not resolve the case.
Evidence may include:
- dashcams;
- electronic logs;
- GPS;
- vehicle damage;
- witnesses;
- roadway evidence;
- photographs;
- telematics; and
- accident reconstruction.
Louisiana's Two-Year Personal Injury Rule
Current 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 new period became effective July 1, 2024.
Older accidents and specialized claims may be governed differently.
Don't Wait Two Years to Investigate an I-20 Truck Accident
Commercial evidence may not remain available for the entire legal filing period.
Electronic information may be overwritten under routine systems.
Vehicles may be repaired.
Witnesses may relocate.
Video may disappear.
A serious truck wreck should therefore be investigated well before the lawsuit deadline approaches.
Wrongful Death in Lincoln Parish
A fatal I-20, car, or commercial-truck accident may potentially create wrongful-death and survival actions under Louisiana law.
These are separate claims.
Evidence may include:
- crash reconstruction;
- medical records;
- trucking information;
- employment records;
- financial evidence;
- insurance; and
- beneficiary information.
Where Are Lincoln Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
Lincoln Parish and Union Parish compose Louisiana's Third Judicial District.
The Lincoln Parish Clerk of Court is located at 100 West Texas Avenue in Ruston.
The appropriate venue for a particular personal injury lawsuit depends on Louisiana's jurisdiction and venue laws, the defendants, accident location, and other facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have after a Lincoln Parish accident?
Louisiana's current general rule provides a two-year prescriptive period for delictual actions. The accident date and nature of the claim should still be reviewed individually.
What if I was injured on I-20 near Ruston?
The claim may involve Louisiana negligence law and, when a commercial truck is involved, potentially relevant federal motor-carrier regulations and commercial evidence.
Can I sue the trucking company instead of only the driver?
Potentially. The motor carrier's relationship with the driver and its own conduct must be investigated. Other companies may also be involved depending on the evidence.
What if the insurance company says I was partially responsible?
For claims governed by current Article 2323, the precise percentage matters. An insurer's initial percentage is not automatically the final legal determination.
What if I need surgery?
Document the recommendation and obtain appropriate medical care. Medically supported past and future treatment can be important components of a serious injury claim.
How much is an 18-wheeler case worth?
There is no universal amount. Liability, injuries, medical treatment, permanent impairment, lost earning capacity, comparative fault, defendants, insurance, and other factors affect the analysis.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves Lincoln Parish
If you were seriously injured in Ruston, Grambling, Choudrant, Dubach, Simsboro, or elsewhere in Lincoln Parish, your case deserves a complete investigation.
That can include:
the accident.
the driver.
the trucking company.
the electronic evidence.
the insurance.
the medical injuries.
the future consequences.
Call Jacqueline Scott & Associates at (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 page 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.
