On this page
- Car Accidents in Thibodaux
- LA-1 Accidents
- Commercial Truck Accidents
- Truck Driver Fatigue
- Truck Maintenance
- Company Vehicle Accidents
- Multiple Commercial Defendants
- Third-Party Workplace Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Head-On Collisions
- 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 Commercial Evidence Early
- Wrongful Death in Thibodaux
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Contact a Thibodaux Personal Injury Lawyer
Drivers in the Thibodaux and Lafourche Parish area may share roadways with commercial vehicles supporting construction, industrial, energy, marine, agricultural, and other business operations.
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 Thibodaux, Lafourche Parish, and throughout Louisiana.
Our personal injury practice includes:
- car accidents;
- LA-1 accidents;
- commercial truck accidents;
- 18-wheeler wrecks;
- company-vehicle accidents;
- motorcycle accidents;
- third-party workplace accidents;
- catastrophic injuries;
- wrongful death; and
- other serious personal injury claims.
Call (318) 746-5997.
Make ’Em Pay.
Car Accidents in Thibodaux
Potential causes include:
- distracted driving;
- speeding;
- following too closely;
- failure to yield;
- unsafe passing;
- unsafe lane changes;
- improper turns;
- impaired driving; and
- failure to maintain control.
LA-1 Accidents
Louisiana Highway 1 is an important transportation route through Lafourche Parish.
Serious accidents can involve:
- passenger vehicles;
- commercial trucks;
- work vehicles;
- rear-end collisions;
- head-on crashes;
- unsafe passing;
- intersection accidents; and
- multi-vehicle wrecks.
Commercial Truck Accidents
Potential commercial trucking evidence includes:
- electronic logs when applicable;
- GPS;
- telematics;
- dashcam footage;
- dispatch communications;
- driver records;
- inspection documents;
- maintenance records; and
- cargo information.
Truck Driver Fatigue
Covered commercial drivers are subject to federal hours-of-service requirements.
When fatigue may have contributed to a crash, investigators may compare electronic logs with GPS, dispatch, fuel, delivery, and other time-stamped records.
Truck Maintenance
Potential mechanical issues can involve:
- brakes;
- tires;
- steering;
- lighting;
- suspension; and
- coupling equipment.
The truck itself may become important evidence when mechanical failure is suspected.
Company Vehicle Accidents
Serious accidents can involve:
- work pickups;
- contractor trucks;
- delivery vehicles;
- service vans;
- equipment-hauling vehicles; and
- other company-owned vehicles.
Potential questions include:
- Who employed the driver?
- Who owned the vehicle?
- Was the driver working?
- Who controlled the trip?
- Who maintained the vehicle?
- What insurance applies?
Multiple Commercial Defendants
Potential defendants can include:
- driver;
- employer;
- motor carrier;
- vehicle owner;
- equipment owner;
- maintenance contractor;
- cargo-loading company; and
- another negligent business.
Each party's actual role must be established.
Third-Party Workplace Accidents
A worker injured on the job may have workers' compensation rights.
Depending on the circumstances, a separate claim against a negligent third party may also exist.
Potential third parties can include:
- commercial drivers;
- contractors;
- subcontractors;
- equipment companies;
- property owners;
- manufacturers; and
- other businesses.
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.
Head-On Collisions
Potential causes include:
- distraction;
- fatigue;
- impairment;
- unsafe passing;
- excessive speed; and
- loss of control.
Potential evidence can include roadway marks, debris, photographs, witnesses, vehicle positions, vehicle damage, and electronic information.
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 and Causation
Potential evidence can include:
- emergency records;
- diagnostic imaging;
- specialist evaluations;
- surgical records;
- therapy;
- treating physician opinions;
- medical restrictions; and
- relevant prior medical records.
Future Medical Care
Potential future needs may include surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, medication, injections, prosthetics, medical equipment, attendant care, and home modifications.
Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
Potential evidence may 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 expenses;
- rehabilitation;
- lost wages;
- diminished earning capacity;
- property damage;
- physical pain;
- mental anguish;
- disability;
- loss of enjoyment of life; and
- other legally recoverable damages.
Special compensation systems may apply to some workplace or maritime injuries.
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 the period became effective July 1, 2024.
Older accidents and specialized claims may involve different deadlines.
Preserve Commercial Evidence Early
Potential evidence can disappear before the lawsuit deadline.
Important evidence can include:
- dashcam footage;
- electronic data;
- surveillance video;
- vehicle condition;
- worksite records;
- maintenance documents;
- incident reports; and
- witness recollections.
Wrongful Death in Thibodaux
Fatal car, commercial-truck, motorcycle, company-vehicle, and qualifying workplace accidents may potentially create survival and wrongful-death claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have after a Thibodaux accident?
Louisiana's current general rule provides two years for delictual actions. Specialized claims can involve different deadlines.
What if a commercial truck hit me on LA-1?
The investigation may involve the driver, employer, motor carrier, electronic information, maintenance, vehicle ownership, cargo, and insurance.
What if a company pickup caused my accident?
The driver's employment, purpose of the trip, vehicle ownership, company control, maintenance, and insurance may become relevant.
What if I was injured while working?
Workers' compensation may apply, while a separate third-party claim may exist depending on who caused the accident.
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?
Diminished earning capacity may potentially be recoverable when supported by appropriate evidence.
Contact a Thibodaux Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were seriously injured in Thibodaux or elsewhere in Lafourche 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. Workplace and maritime matters may involve specialized laws. 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.
