On this page
- Personal Injury Accidents in Tensas Parish
- US-65 Accidents
- Car Accidents in St. Joseph and Tensas Parish
- Rural Highway Accidents
- Head-On Collisions
- 18-Wheeler Accidents
- Driver Fatigue
- Truck Maintenance
- Agricultural Vehicle Accidents
- Company Vehicle Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Catastrophic Injury Claims
- Future Medical Care
- Lost Earning Capacity
- What Compensation May Be Available?
- Louisiana's 51% Comparative Fault Rule
- Louisiana's General Two-Year Filing Period
- Do Not Wait to Preserve Evidence
- Wrongful Death in Tensas Parish
- Where Are Tensas Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves Tensas Parish
Rural crashes can cause catastrophic injuries, particularly when vehicles are traveling at highway speeds or when a collision involves a much larger commercial vehicle.
If another driver, trucking company, employer, or business caused your injuries, Louisiana law may allow you to seek compensation.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates represents accident victims in St. Joseph, Newellton, Waterproof, and communities throughout Tensas Parish and Louisiana.
Our personal injury practice includes:
- car accidents;
- US-65 accidents;
- commercial truck accidents;
- 18-wheeler wrecks;
- agricultural vehicle accidents;
- motorcycle accidents;
- company-vehicle accidents;
- catastrophic injuries;
- wrongful death; and
- other serious personal injury claims.
Call (318) 746-5997.
Make ’Em Pay.
Personal Injury Accidents in Tensas Parish
Tensas Parish lies along the Mississippi River in northeastern Louisiana.
Local roads can carry:
- passenger vehicles;
- commercial trucks;
- agricultural equipment;
- work trucks;
- delivery vehicles; and
- motorcycles.
US-65 Accidents
U.S. Highway 65 serves communities through this part of northeastern Louisiana.
Serious highway crashes may involve:
- 18-wheelers;
- head-on collisions;
- rear-end wrecks;
- unsafe passing;
- agricultural vehicles; and
- intersection accidents.
Car Accidents in St. Joseph and Tensas Parish
Potential causes include:
- 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
Potential rural-road risks include:
- highway speeds;
- limited nighttime lighting;
- narrow shoulders;
- commercial traffic;
- agricultural equipment;
- fatigue; and
- fewer nearby cameras.
Head-On Collisions
A driver may cross the centerline because of:
- distraction;
- fatigue;
- impairment;
- unsafe passing;
- excessive speed; or
- loss of control.
Potential evidence includes roadway marks, debris, vehicle positions, photographs, witnesses, and electronic vehicle information.
18-Wheeler Accidents
Commercial trucking claims may involve specialized evidence.
Potential evidence includes:
- electronic logs;
- GPS;
- telematics;
- dashcam footage;
- driver-facing cameras;
- dispatch communications;
- driver qualification records;
- maintenance documents;
- inspection reports; and
- cargo information.
Driver Fatigue
Covered commercial drivers are subject to federal hours-of-service requirements.
When fatigue may have contributed to an accident, electronic logs can potentially be compared 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.
When mechanical failure is suspected, preservation of the truck can become important.
Agricultural Vehicle Accidents
Agricultural equipment can share rural highways with passenger and commercial traffic.
Potential issues include:
- lighting;
- warning equipment;
- vehicle visibility;
- width;
- roadway position;
- speed; and
- time of day.
Company Vehicle Accidents
A business may potentially become part of a claim when its employee causes an accident while performing work duties.
Potential evidence can include:
- employment records;
- vehicle ownership;
- company policies;
- maintenance records;
- dispatch information; and
- insurance documents.
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;
- crush injuries;
- severe burns;
- multiple fractures;
- internal organ damage; and
- permanent neurological impairment.
Future Medical Care
Potential future needs may include:
- surgery;
- rehabilitation;
- therapy;
- medication;
- prosthetics;
- medical equipment;
- attendant care; and
- home modifications.
Lost Earning Capacity
A permanent injury can affect a person's ability to earn income.
Potential evidence can include:
- employment history;
- wage information;
- 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 losses.
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 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.
Do Not Wait to Preserve Evidence
Potential evidence may disappear much sooner than Louisiana's general filing deadline.
Examples include:
- dashcam video;
- electronic truck information;
- surveillance footage;
- vehicle condition;
- roadway evidence; and
- witness recollections.
Wrongful Death in Tensas Parish
Fatal car, truck, motorcycle, agricultural, and company-vehicle accidents may potentially create survival and wrongful-death actions under Louisiana law.
Where Are Tensas Parish Personal Injury Cases Filed?
Tensas, Madison, and East Carroll Parishes comprise Louisiana's 6th Judicial District.
The proper venue for a particular lawsuit depends on Louisiana law and the circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have after a Tensas Parish 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 hit me on US-65?
The investigation may involve the driver, motor carrier, electronic logs, GPS, maintenance, vehicle ownership, cargo, and commercial insurance.
What if agricultural equipment caused the collision?
Visibility, lighting, warning equipment, roadway position, vehicle width, speed, and each driver's conduct may need to be evaluated.
What if there were no witnesses?
Physical evidence, vehicle damage, photographs, electronic information, and accident reconstruction may help determine 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 my injuries prevent me from working?
A claim may potentially include lost wages and diminished earning capacity when supported by appropriate evidence.
Jacqueline Scott & Associates Serves Tensas Parish
If you were seriously injured in St. Joseph, Newellton, Waterproof, or elsewhere in Tensas 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.
