On this page
- Personal Injury Accidents in St. Helena Parish
- Car Accidents in Greensburg and St. Helena Parish
- Rural Highway Accidents
- Head-On Collisions
- Commercial Truck and 18-Wheeler Accidents
- Truck Driver Fatigue
- Truck Maintenance
- Company Vehicle Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Catastrophic Injury Claims
- Medical Evidence and Causation
- 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
- Preserve Rural Accident Evidence
- Wrongful Death in St. Helena Parish
- Where Are St. Helena Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves St. Helena Parish
Because many rural collisions occur at highway speeds, accidents involving head-on impacts, commercial trucks, motorcycles, and unsafe passing can cause catastrophic injuries.
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 Greensburg and communities throughout St. Helena Parish and Louisiana.
Our personal injury practice includes:
- car accidents;
- rural highway accidents;
- commercial truck accidents;
- 18-wheeler wrecks;
- company-vehicle accidents;
- motorcycle accidents;
- pedestrian accidents;
- catastrophic injuries;
- wrongful death; and
- other serious personal injury matters.
Call (318) 746-5997.
Make ’Em Pay.
Personal Injury Accidents in St. Helena Parish
St. Helena Parish includes rural communities and highways in southeast Louisiana.
Local motorists may share roadways with:
- passenger cars;
- commercial trucks;
- work vehicles;
- agricultural equipment;
- delivery vehicles; and
- motorcycles.
Serious rural accidents can present unique evidence issues because nearby surveillance footage may be limited.
Car Accidents in Greensburg and St. Helena Parish
Car accidents may result from:
- distracted driving;
- speeding;
- following too closely;
- unsafe passing;
- crossing the centerline;
- failure to yield;
- unsafe turns;
- impaired driving; and
- failure to adjust to roadway conditions.
Rural Highway Accidents
Rural highways can present risks involving:
- highway travel speeds;
- limited nighttime lighting;
- curves;
- narrow shoulders;
- commercial traffic;
- agricultural vehicles; and
- driver fatigue.
Potential serious crashes include:
- head-on collisions;
- unsafe-passing accidents;
- rear-end wrecks;
- intersection collisions;
- commercial truck accidents; and
- vehicles leaving the roadway.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes can cause devastating injuries.
A vehicle may cross the centerline because of:
- cellphone distraction;
- fatigue;
- intoxication;
- unsafe passing;
- excessive speed; or
- loss of control.
Potential evidence includes:
- roadway marks;
- debris;
- vehicle positions;
- photographs;
- witnesses;
- vehicle damage; and
- electronic vehicle information.
Commercial Truck and 18-Wheeler Accidents
Commercial truck claims can involve evidence that may not exist in an ordinary passenger-car case.
Potential evidence includes:
- electronic logs;
- GPS;
- telematics;
- dashcam footage;
- driver-facing cameras;
- dispatch communications;
- driver qualification records;
- maintenance records;
- inspection documents; and
- cargo information.
Truck Driver Fatigue
Covered commercial drivers are subject to federal hours-of-service requirements.
When fatigue may have contributed to an accident, 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 systems.
The commercial vehicle itself can become important evidence when mechanical failure is suspected.
Company Vehicle Accidents
Serious collisions can involve:
- work pickups;
- delivery vehicles;
- contractor trucks;
- service vans;
- utility vehicles; and
- other business-owned vehicles.
Potential issues include:
- employment;
- vehicle ownership;
- purpose of the trip;
- company control;
- maintenance responsibilities; and
- commercial insurance.
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, and amputations.
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.
Medical Evidence and Causation
Potential evidence may include:
- emergency treatment;
- diagnostic imaging;
- specialist evaluations;
- surgical records;
- therapy records;
- treating physician opinions;
- medical restrictions; and
- relevant prior medical records.
Future Medical Care
A serious injury may require:
- surgery;
- rehabilitation;
- physical therapy;
- medication;
- injections;
- prosthetics;
- medical equipment;
- attendant care; and
- home modifications.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
Potential evidence of income-related damages can include:
- payroll records;
- 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 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.
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 that period became effective July 1, 2024.
Older accidents and specialized claims may involve different deadlines.
Preserve Rural Accident Evidence
Potential evidence can include:
- scene photographs;
- roadway marks;
- debris;
- vehicle damage;
- witnesses;
- dashcam footage;
- electronic vehicle information; and
- commercial records.
Evidence can disappear or change long before a lawsuit deadline expires.
Wrongful Death in St. Helena Parish
Fatal car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, and commercial-vehicle accidents may potentially create survival and wrongful-death actions under Louisiana law.
Where Are St. Helena Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
St. Helena, Livingston, and Tangipahoa Parishes comprise Louisiana's 21st Judicial District.
The proper venue for a particular personal injury lawsuit depends on Louisiana law and the circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have after a St. Helena Parish accident?
Louisiana's current general rule provides two years for delictual actions. Accident dates and specialized claims may affect the deadline.
What if I was injured on a rural highway?
Photographs, roadway evidence, witnesses, vehicle damage, dashcam footage, and electronic information may become especially important.
What if an 18-wheeler caused the accident?
The investigation may involve the driver, motor carrier, electronic logs, GPS, maintenance, equipment ownership, cargo, and commercial insurance.
What if nobody witnessed the crash?
Physical evidence, electronic information, vehicle damage, photographs, and accident reconstruction may help establish what happened.
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 occupation?
A serious injury claim may include diminished earning capacity when supported by appropriate evidence.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves St. Helena Parish
If you were seriously injured in Greensburg or elsewhere in St. Helena 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.
