On this page
- Car Accidents in Pineville
- Commercial Truck Accidents
- Company Vehicle Accidents
- Multiple Responsible Parties
- Head-On Collisions
- Rear-End Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Catastrophic Injuries
- Medical Evidence Matters
- What If You Had a Preexisting Condition?
- 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 Pineville Personal Injury Lawyer
When the collision involves a commercial truck, work vehicle, or company driver, determining responsibility may require investigating the business behind the vehicle as well as the individual driver.
If another person or company caused your injuries, Louisiana law may allow you to seek compensation.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates represents accident victims in Pineville, Rapides Parish, and throughout Louisiana.
Our personal injury practice includes:
- car accidents;
- commercial truck accidents;
- 18-wheeler wrecks;
- company-vehicle accidents;
- motorcycle accidents;
- pedestrian accidents;
- catastrophic injuries;
- wrongful death; and
- other serious personal injury claims.
Call (318) 746-5997.
Make ’Em Pay.
Car Accidents in Pineville
Potential causes include:
- distracted driving;
- texting;
- speeding;
- following too closely;
- failure to yield;
- unsafe lane changes;
- improper turns;
- impaired driving;
- aggressive driving; and
- failure to maintain control.
Commercial Truck Accidents
Commercial vehicle claims can involve specialized evidence.
Potential evidence may include:
- GPS information;
- telematics;
- dashcam footage;
- electronic logs when applicable;
- dispatch communications;
- driver records;
- maintenance documents;
- inspection records; and
- cargo information.
Company Vehicle Accidents
Not every commercial accident involves an 18-wheeler.
Serious crashes may involve:
- delivery trucks;
- work pickups;
- contractor vehicles;
- utility trucks;
- service vans; 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 Responsible Parties
Potential defendants may include:
- driver;
- employer;
- vehicle owner;
- motor carrier;
- maintenance provider;
- contractor; and
- another negligent business.
Each party's actual role must be established from evidence.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes can result in catastrophic injuries.
Potential causes include:
- distraction;
- fatigue;
- impairment;
- unsafe passing;
- excessive speed; and
- loss of control.
Potential evidence may include roadway marks, debris, photographs, witnesses, vehicle positions, vehicle damage, and electronic information.
Rear-End Accidents
A rear-end collision can result from:
- following too closely;
- distracted driving;
- speeding;
- fatigue;
- failure to observe stopped traffic; or
- unsafe driving in weather or traffic conditions.
The seriousness of an injury is determined by medical evidence rather than the appearance of vehicle damage alone.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists can suffer severe injuries when another motorist fails to yield, turns across their path, changes lanes unsafely, follows too closely, or drives distracted.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians have little physical protection from a moving vehicle.
Potential cases can involve:
- intersections;
- crosswalks;
- parking lots;
- commercial properties;
- residential streets; and
- roadside areas.
Catastrophic Injuries
Potential catastrophic injuries include:
- traumatic brain injury;
- spinal cord injury;
- paralysis;
- amputations;
- severe burns;
- crush injuries;
- multiple fractures;
- organ damage; and
- permanent neurological impairment.
Medical Evidence Matters
Potential evidence can include:
- emergency records;
- diagnostic imaging;
- specialist evaluations;
- surgery;
- therapy;
- physician opinions;
- medical restrictions; and
- relevant prior medical records.
What If You Had a Preexisting Condition?
A prior condition does not automatically determine whether a new accident caused additional injury or aggravation.
Medical causation may require evaluation of:
- prior symptoms;
- prior treatment;
- pre-accident records;
- post-accident symptoms;
- diagnostic imaging;
- physician opinions; and
- changes in physical function.
Future Medical Care
Potential future needs can include:
- surgery;
- rehabilitation;
- physical therapy;
- medication;
- injections;
- medical equipment;
- prosthetics;
- attendant care; and
- home modifications.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
Potential evidence can include:
- payroll information;
- tax documents;
- 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;
- lost wages;
- diminished earning capacity;
- rehabilitation;
- 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.
If 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 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 may involve different deadlines.
Wrongful Death Claims
Fatal car, commercial-vehicle, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents may potentially create survival and wrongful-death actions under Louisiana law.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have after a Pineville accident?
Louisiana's current general rule provides two years for delictual actions. Accident dates and specialized claims may affect the deadline.
What if a company vehicle caused my accident?
The driver's employment, purpose of the trip, vehicle ownership, company control, maintenance responsibilities, and insurance may become relevant.
What if the insurance company says my injuries are preexisting?
Prior records, post-accident treatment, imaging, physician opinions, and changes in symptoms or physical function may become important.
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 need future medical treatment?
Reasonably supported future medical care may potentially be part of a serious injury claim.
What if I cannot return to work?
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity may potentially be recoverable when supported by appropriate evidence.
Contact a Pineville Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were seriously injured in Pineville or elsewhere in Rapides 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.
