On this page
- Personal Injury Accidents in St. Bernard Parish
- Car Accidents in Chalmette and St. Bernard Parish
- Highway and Commercial Traffic Accidents
- 18-Wheeler Accidents
- Who Can Be Responsible for a Commercial Truck Accident?
- Truck Driver Fatigue
- Truck Maintenance
- Company Vehicle Accidents
- Industrial Third-Party Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Catastrophic Injury Claims
- What Compensation May Be Available?
- Louisiana's 51% Comparative Fault Rule
- Louisiana's General Two-Year Filing Period
- Wrongful Death in St. Bernard Parish
- Where Are St. Bernard Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves St. Bernard Parish
When an accident involves a commercial truck, company vehicle, contractor, or industrial operation, identifying every responsible party can become especially important.
If another person or company caused your injuries, Louisiana law may allow you to seek compensation.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates represents accident victims in Chalmette, Arabi, Meraux, Violet, Poydras, and communities throughout St. Bernard Parish and Louisiana.
Our personal injury practice includes:
- car accidents;
- commercial truck accidents;
- 18-wheeler wrecks;
- company-vehicle accidents;
- motorcycle accidents;
- pedestrian accidents;
- industrial third-party accidents;
- catastrophic injuries;
- wrongful death; and
- other serious personal injury matters.
Call (318) 746-5997.
Make ’Em Pay.
Personal Injury Accidents in St. Bernard Parish
St. Bernard Parish is directly connected to the New Orleans metropolitan area but has its own combination of residential, commercial, industrial, and river-related traffic.
Roadways serving Chalmette and surrounding communities can carry:
- passenger vehicles;
- commercial trucks;
- contractor vehicles;
- delivery trucks;
- work vehicles;
- motorcycles; and
- pedestrians.
A serious accident can therefore involve more than an ordinary passenger-car insurance claim.
Car Accidents in Chalmette and St. Bernard Parish
Car wrecks may result from:
- distracted driving;
- speeding;
- following too closely;
- unsafe lane changes;
- failure to yield;
- running traffic signals;
- unsafe turns;
- impaired driving; and
- aggressive driving.
When fault is disputed, objective evidence can become critical.
Highway and Commercial Traffic Accidents
Louisiana Highway 46 serves communities within St. Bernard Parish and connects local traffic with the broader New Orleans-area roadway network.
Serious highway accidents may involve:
- rear-end collisions;
- commercial vehicles;
- unsafe passing;
- intersection wrecks;
- distracted drivers; and
- multi-vehicle crashes.
18-Wheeler Accidents
Commercial truck accidents can involve specialized evidence.
Potential evidence may include:
- electronic logs;
- GPS;
- telematics;
- dashcam footage;
- driver-facing cameras;
- dispatch communications;
- driver qualification records;
- inspection documents;
- maintenance records; and
- cargo information.
Who Can Be Responsible for a Commercial Truck Accident?
Depending on the evidence, potential defendants may include:
- truck driver;
- motor carrier;
- employer;
- tractor owner;
- trailer owner;
- maintenance provider;
- cargo-loading business; and
- another negligent entity.
The actual role of each business must be investigated.
Truck Driver Fatigue
Covered commercial drivers are subject to federal hours-of-service regulations.
When fatigue may have contributed to a wreck, investigators may compare electronic logs with GPS, dispatch, fuel, delivery, and other time-stamped records.
Truck Maintenance
Potential mechanical problems can involve:
- brakes;
- tires;
- steering;
- lighting;
- suspension; and
- coupling equipment.
The commercial vehicle itself can become important evidence.
Company Vehicle Accidents
Serious crashes can involve:
- contractor pickups;
- delivery vehicles;
- utility trucks;
- work vans;
- industrial vehicles; and
- other business-owned vehicles.
The driver's employment relationship and purpose of the trip may affect the claim.
Industrial Third-Party Accidents
St. Bernard Parish includes commercial and industrial activity.
A person injured while working may have workers' compensation rights.
A separate third-party claim may also exist when another business causes the injury.
Potential third parties can include:
- contractors;
- subcontractors;
- equipment manufacturers;
- commercial drivers;
- maintenance providers; and
- property owners.
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.
Potential injuries include:
- traumatic brain injuries;
- spinal injuries;
- fractures;
- internal injuries;
- nerve damage;
- severe road rash; and
- amputations.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian claims may involve:
- intersections;
- crosswalks;
- commercial areas;
- residential streets; and
- parking areas.
Potential evidence includes video, witnesses, lighting conditions, vehicle speed, visibility, and driver distraction.
Catastrophic Injury Claims
Potential catastrophic injuries include:
- traumatic brain injury;
- spinal cord damage;
- paralysis;
- amputations;
- severe burns;
- crush injuries;
- multiple fractures;
- organ damage; and
- permanent neurological impairment.
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
Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323 changed effective January 1, 2026.
For claims governed by current law, 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 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 rules.
Wrongful Death in St. Bernard Parish
Fatal car, commercial-truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and industrial accidents may potentially create survival and wrongful-death actions under Louisiana law.
A fatal accident investigation may involve:
- reconstruction;
- commercial records;
- medical evidence;
- employment information;
- financial evidence;
- insurance; and
- beneficiary information.
Where Are St. Bernard Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
St. Bernard Parish is served by Louisiana's 34th Judicial District Court.
The courthouse is located in Chalmette.
The appropriate venue for an individual lawsuit depends on Louisiana law and the facts and defendants involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have after a St. Bernard Parish accident?
Louisiana's current general rule provides two years for delictual actions. Accident dates and specialized claims can affect the deadline.
What if a commercial truck caused my accident?
The investigation may involve the driver, employer or motor carrier, electronic records, maintenance, vehicle ownership, cargo, and commercial insurance.
What if I was injured while working?
Workers' compensation may apply, but a separate third-party claim may also exist if another business caused your injuries.
Can I recover if I was partially responsible?
For claims governed by current Article 2323, claimant negligence below 51% can reduce damages without necessarily barring recovery.
What if my injuries permanently prevent me from returning to work?
Diminished earning capacity may be part of a serious injury claim when supported by appropriate evidence.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves St. Bernard Parish
If you were seriously injured in Chalmette, Arabi, Meraux, Violet, Poydras, or elsewhere in St. Bernard 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.
