Common Types of Car Accidents in Shreveport
Most crashes we see in Shreveport trace back to distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, or poor road conditions on busy corridors like I-49 and I-220. The type of collision that results often shapes how we build your case. Here are the ones our Shreveport car accident lawyers handle most over the decades that we’ve been in practice:
Types of Car Accident Injuries We Handle
Car accidents cause a wide range of injuries, from temporary pain requiring a few months of treatment to permanent disability and a lifetime of pain and discomfort. These impacts extend beyond your health to your family’s finances, your work, and your daily life. Our skilled Shreveport car accident attorneys have worked with clients who sustained:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Back injuries and spinal damage
- Bone fractures
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Joint injuries
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Nerve damage
Along with physical injuries, car accidents can have lasting emotional and psychological effects. Our team works closely with medical professionals to document every aspect of your injuries and pursue compensation that reflects the full picture of what you've been through.
Essential Steps to Take After a Car Accident
After a car crash in Shreveport, the actions you take or fail to take can significantly affect your health and your legal case. Here's what to do:
Seek Medical Care Immediately
Don't wait to get checked out, even if you feel fine. Hidden injuries like whiplash or internal trauma may not present symptoms right away. Prompt medical care creates strong documentation for your case and protects your health.
Document the Scene
If possible, take photos or videos of the following:
- Vehicle damage
- Location and position of the vehicles after they’ve come to rest
- Road conditions
- Skid marks and location of debris from the crash
- Traffic signs and signals
- Any visible injuries you’ve suffered
Additionally, get the contact information of any witnesses present and note the weather conditions. All of these types of evidence can strengthen your case.
Know Louisiana's Reporting Requirement
State law requires you to report any accident involving injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage to local police immediately. If damages exceed $1,000, a written report to the Louisiana Department of Public Safety is due within 24 hours. Skipping this can result in a fine and create gaps that insurance companies will exploit to justify paying you less money for your injuries.
Watch What You Say and Do
Never apologize or discuss who's at fault after a collision. Even saying "I'm sorry" could hurt your case. Insurance adjusters aren't your friends, no matter how friendly they may seem. They’ll likely do everything they can to deny or minimize your claim.
Don't Rush to Accept a Settlement Offer

Insurance companies often toss out lowball settlements before the victim understands the full extent of their injuries. These offers rarely cover necessary expenses like future medical needs or lost wages. Don't accept any offer without first requesting a thorough legal review from one of our exceptional car accident lawyers.
Stay Off Social Media
The insurance companies might monitor your posts for anything they can use against you. Even innocent photos or comments could be taken out of context and come back to bite you. As such, it’s best to limit your social media activity until your case is resolved.
Talk to a Lawyer
Avoid signing any documents or giving statements to insurance companies without first speaking with a qualified attorney. Before you do anything else, contact the experienced Shreveport car accident attorneys at Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers. We'll handle all communication with insurance providers and assert your rights from the start.
The steps you take in the immediate aftermath of a crash can impact the outcome of your case, and one wrong move could compromise your right to fair compensation. Contact Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers early and let us protect your rights from the start.
Types of Compensation You Might Receive After a Car Accident

You may be entitled to various types of compensation for your auto accident. Our skilled attorneys will use their advanced knowledge to carefully evaluate every aspect of your case to pursue the maximum amount of money possible for the following economic losses:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation costs
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Home modifications (if needed)
Depending on the circumstances, we might also be able to obtain compensation for certain non-economic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium and companionship
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Every case is unique. The value of your case will depend on factors such as the severity of your injuries, their long-term impact, and the available insurance coverage. We'll give honest answers to your questions, walk you through what your case is worth, and push for a settlement or jury award that pays you for the full scope of your losses.
Louisiana Car Accident Laws

As you begin your car accident case, it can be helpful to familiarize yourself with a few key state laws:
Statute of Limitations
As of July 2024, Louisiana law gives car accident victims two years to file a lawsuit. However, some claims may be subject to the previous one-year statute of limitations, depending on when the initial incident took place. Here’s a closer look:
- Injuries sustained before July 1, 2024: One-year deadline.
- Injuries sustained after July 1, 2024: Two-year deadline.
This change gives you more time to file your claim, but it’s still prudent to act quickly to get your case underway while the available evidence is fresh.
Louisiana's Comparative Fault Rule
Louisiana's comparative fault law sets a 51% threshold. If your share of fault is 50% or less, you can still recover compensation reduced by your percentage. If you were 20% at fault in a $100,000 case, you recover $80,000. If your share of fault reaches 51% or more, you recover nothing.
That threshold gives insurers a clear incentive to push your fault percentage over 51% rather than negotiate on damages. Every statement you make, every document you sign, and every gap in your medical documentation can be used to move that number. For accidents that occurred before January 1, 2026, the old pure comparative fault rule still applies.
Direct Action Against Insurance Companies
Louisiana's "direct action" statute allows you to sue the at-fault driver's insurance company directly. This unique law can streamline your case and put additional pressure on insurers to offer fair settlements.
Minimum Insurance Requirements
Louisiana has minimum insurance requirements under which drivers must carry:
- $15,000 for bodily injury to one person
- $30,000 for bodily injury to multiple people
- $25,000 for property damage
However, these minimums often fall short of covering the costs associated with serious injuries. Our legal team can help identify all possible sources of compensation in your case, including:
- The at-fault driver's insurance
- Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage
- The at-fault party’s personal assets
- Third-party claims against vehicle manufacturers or maintenance providers
Our extensive knowledge of state and local laws will enable us to identify the parties responsible for your accident and take the appropriate steps to hold them accountable.
Car Accidents in Shreveport: What the Data Shows

Shreveport's roads are among the most dangerous in Louisiana. Shreveport Police Department data shows fatal wrecks rose 13% in 2025 compared to the prior year, with distracted driving and speeding cited as the leading causes. Data from LSU's Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety recorded 48 traffic fatalities in Caddo Parish in 2025, consistently ranking the parish among the highest in the state.
Per the most recent annual SPD report, the city's highest-crash intersections were:
- Youree Drive and East 70th Street: 157 crashes
- Youree Drive and East Bert Kouns Industrial Loop: 109 crashes
- Bert Kouns and Mansfield Road: 104 crashes
Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers has handled car accident cases throughout Caddo Parish and Northwest Louisiana for decades. We know the local courts, how insurers in this market approach claims, and what it takes to recover fair compensation after serious crashes on these roads.
Struggling After Your Accident? We're Here to Help.
At Rice & Kendig, our Shreveport car accident lawyers have more than 40 years of experience helping clients receive the justice and compensation they deserve. Get your free case review now!
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