On this page
- Car Accidents in Mansfield
- US-84 and US-171 Accidents
- Rural Highway Accidents
- Head-On Collisions
- 18-Wheeler Accidents
- Truck Driver Fatigue
- Truck Maintenance
- Company Vehicle Accidents
- Multiple Commercial Defendants
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Catastrophic Injury Claims
- 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
- Evidence Can Disappear Quickly
- Wrongful Death in Mansfield
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact a Mansfield Personal Injury Lawyer
Because DeSoto Parish includes rural highways and substantial commercial traffic, some accidents can involve multiple businesses, commercial insurance policies, and evidence that must be preserved quickly.
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 Mansfield, DeSoto Parish, and throughout Louisiana.
Our personal injury practice includes:
- car accidents;
- US-84 accidents;
- US-171 accidents;
- 18-wheeler wrecks;
- commercial vehicle accidents;
- company-vehicle accidents;
- rural highway crashes;
- motorcycle accidents;
- catastrophic injuries;
- wrongful death; and
- other serious personal injury claims.
Call (318) 746-5997.
Make ’Em Pay.
Car Accidents in Mansfield
Potential causes include:
- distracted driving;
- speeding;
- following too closely;
- unsafe passing;
- crossing the centerline;
- failure to yield;
- unsafe turns;
- impaired driving; and
- failure to maintain control.
US-84 and US-171 Accidents
Major highways serving the Mansfield area carry passenger and commercial traffic.
Potential serious accidents include:
- head-on collisions;
- rear-end wrecks;
- 18-wheeler accidents;
- unsafe-passing crashes;
- intersection collisions; and
- multi-vehicle wrecks.
Rural Highway Accidents
Rural crashes can involve:
- highway speeds;
- limited nighttime lighting;
- narrow shoulders;
- commercial vehicles;
- work trucks;
- driver fatigue; and
- fewer nearby cameras.
Physical evidence can become particularly important.
Head-On Collisions
A vehicle may cross the centerline because of:
- distraction;
- fatigue;
- impairment;
- unsafe passing;
- excessive speed; or
- loss of control.
Potential evidence can include roadway marks, debris, final vehicle positions, photographs, witnesses, and electronic vehicle information.
18-Wheeler Accidents
Commercial truck claims can involve specialized evidence.
Potential evidence includes:
- electronic logs;
- GPS;
- telematics;
- dashcam footage;
- driver-facing cameras;
- dispatch communications;
- driver qualification records;
- inspection reports;
- maintenance documents; and
- cargo information.
Truck Driver Fatigue
Covered commercial drivers are subject to federal hours-of-service requirements.
When fatigue is suspected, 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 truck may become important when equipment failure is suspected.
Company Vehicle Accidents
Commercial accidents may involve:
- contractor pickups;
- work trucks;
- delivery vehicles;
- service vans;
- equipment-hauling vehicles; and
- other business-owned vehicles.
Potential questions include:
- Who employed the driver?
- Who owned the vehicle?
- Was the driver performing work duties?
- Who controlled the trip?
- Who maintained the vehicle?
- What insurance applies?
Multiple Commercial Defendants
Potential defendants can include:
- driver;
- employer;
- motor carrier;
- vehicle owner;
- maintenance provider;
- equipment owner;
- cargo-loading business; and
- another negligent contractor.
Each party's actual role must be investigated.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists can suffer catastrophic 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
Potential evidence may include:
- emergency treatment;
- diagnostic imaging;
- specialist evaluations;
- surgery;
- therapy;
- physician opinions;
- medical restrictions; and
- relevant prior medical records.
Future Medical Care
Potential future needs may include:
- surgery;
- rehabilitation;
- medication;
- physical therapy;
- prosthetics;
- medical equipment;
- attendant care; and
- home modifications.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
Potential evidence can 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 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 period became effective July 1, 2024.
Older accidents and specialized claims can involve different deadlines.
Evidence Can Disappear Quickly
Potential evidence may include:
- dashcam footage;
- surveillance video;
- electronic trucking records;
- vehicle condition;
- roadway marks;
- photographs; and
- witness recollections.
Prompt preservation can be particularly important in commercial-vehicle cases.
Wrongful Death in Mansfield
Fatal car, commercial-truck, motorcycle, and company-vehicle accidents may potentially create survival and wrongful-death actions under Louisiana law.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have after a Mansfield 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, equipment ownership, cargo, commercial insurance, and other businesses.
What if a company-owned work truck caused the crash?
The driver's employment, purpose of the trip, vehicle ownership, maintenance, company control, and insurance may all become relevant.
What if the trucking company blames me?
The company's position does not determine legal fault. Physical evidence, witnesses, electronic information, commercial records, 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 my injuries permanently affect my career?
Diminished earning capacity may be part of a serious injury claim when supported by appropriate evidence.
Contact a Mansfield Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were seriously injured in Mansfield or elsewhere in DeSoto 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.
