# Rapides Parish *Personal Injury Attorneys*

One hard hit and crash on the highway can throw your life and your whole household off balance. One bad fall can jeopardize your job, your income, and your daily life on hold. Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers helps people hurt by others’ negligence fight back after wrecks, unsafe property incidents, and other serious accidents throughout Rapides Parish. From I-49 to U.S. 165 and 167, our parish sees the kind of traffic and risk that can change a life in seconds.

[Your Free Consultation](https://ricekendig.com/contact-us)

[Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers](https://ricekendig.com/) > [Areas We Serve](https://ricekendig.com/areas-we-serve) > Rapides Parish Personal Injury Lawyer

## Cases

## Verdicts and Settlements ‍*That Change Lives*

- **[$900,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/mansfield-roadway-obstruction-900k-settlement)** — Motor Vehicle Accident: A truck towing a large piece of equipment blocked a rural roadway, leading to a collision that left our client with rib and ankle fractures.
- **[$1,000,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/18-wheeler-wrongful-death-1m-settlement)** — Wrongful Death: A series of truck collisions on a rural roadway resulted in catastrophic injuries and the wrongful death of our client.
- **[$900,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/oilfield-truck-accident-900k-settlement)** — Car Accidents: Clients were rear-ended by an oilfield service truck, resulting in shoulder and wrist injuries and the aggravation of a hernia.
- **[$755,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/rear-end-collision-755k-settlement)** — Car Accidents: A distracted driver failed to stop for our client’s vehicle, causing injuries, including sacroiliac joint dysfunction and post-concussion syndrome.
- **[$650,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/shreveport-trip-and-fall-650k-settlement)** — Trip and Fall: A caterer suffered major shoulder and knee injuries requiring surgery after tripping over a loose board that the facility had failed to repair.
- **[$826,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/haughton-rear-end-accident-826k-settlement)** — Car Accidents: A client was rear-ended in Haughton by a distracted driver, resulting in herniated discs and central stenosis.
- **[$675,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/desoto-parish-distracted-driver-675k-settlement)** — Car Accidents: Our client sustained spinal injuries and chronic headaches after being rear-ended by a distracted driver in Desoto Parish.
- **[$850,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/shreveport-rear-end-accident-850k-settlement)** — Car Accidents: A driver’s failure to yield on LA 3132 led to a high-impact rear-end collision, causing the client to suffer multi-level disc disease and chronic pain.
- **[$2,000,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/truck-tire-defect-2m-settlement)** — Truck Accidents: An 18-wheeler driver suffered severe facial and internal injuries after a defective tire blew out, causing the truck to flip several times.
- **[$2,700,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/slip-and-fall-head-injury-2-7m-settlement)** — Slip and Fall: A client suffered a head injury after slipping on unattended mop water in a facility that failed to post warning signs.
- **[$16,000,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/wrongful-death-18-wheeler-16m-settlement)** — Wrongful Death: A tragic head-on collision caused by a speeding 18-wheeler resulted in the wrongful death of a mother and great-grandmother and injuries to an infant.
- **[$1,000,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/premises-liability-roadway-collapse-1m-settlement)** — Premises Liability: The client was a passenger in a vehicle when the roadway suddenly collapsed, causing vertebral compression fractures and significant PTSD.
- **[$2,150,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/wrongful-death-2-15m-settlement)** — Wrongful Death: The client suffered fatal injuries when the defendant ran a stop sign, causing a collision that resulted in multiple broken bones and severe head trauma.
- **$1,600,000** — Truck Accidents: Former sheriff's deputy, age 72, was rear-ended by a heavy-duty work truck, aggravating a degenerative neck problem.
- **[$1,275,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/car-collision-1-275m-settlement)** — Car Accidents: The client was a passenger when another driver ran a stop sign, causing a t-bone collision resulting in a broken femur requiring surgery.
- **[$750,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/truck-accident-750k-settlement)** — Truck Accidents: An 18-wheeler lost power and rolled back into the client's vehicle, aggravating a pre-existing lower back injury.
- **[$2,000,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/car-accident-2m-settlement)** — Car Accidents: The client's pre-existing Chiari malformation was aggravated in a rear-end collision, requiring a posterior craniotomy.
- **[$650,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/car-accident-distracted-driver-collision-650k-settlement)** — Car Accidents: The client was turning into a gas station when struck from behind by a distracted driver, resulting in neck injuries requiring a 2-level cervical fusion.
- **[$465,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/truck-accident-leads-to-neck-surgery-465k-settlement)** — Truck Accidents: An inattentive 18-wheeler driver made an improper turn, causing a collision that aggravated the client's pre-existing neck injury requiring surgery.
- **[$1,000,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/car-accident-collision-1m-settlement)** — Car Accidents: An 84-year-old client suffered multiple injuries when a vehicle turned left in front of her, causing a t-bone collision.
- **[$2,500,000](https://ricekendig.com/results/pedestrian-hit-by-sleeping-driver-2-5m-settlement)** — Pedestrian Accidents: The client was helping a friend load car seats when struck by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel.
- **$987,525** — 18-Wheeler Collision: Logging truck’s failure to yield caused client to suffer fractures in the arm and leg, amputation of 3 toes, and shoulder injuries.
- **$1,000,000** — Premises Liability: Fall at a hotel convention center caused hand, neck, and low back injuries resulting in a 7-year recovery period.
- **$500,000** — Motor Vehicle Collision: Injuries to back, chest, shoulder, leg and spine requiring surgery.
- **$500,000** — Motor Vehicle Collision: Client was rear-ended sustaining injuries to the neck, back, and knee.
- **$500,000** — Wrongful Death/Motor Vehicle Collision: Client was struck and killed during daylight hours while retrieving an item from the highway.
- **$500,000** — Motor Vehicle Collision: Client was t-boned by a city vehicle sustaining neck and back injuries, TMJ, and headaches that required physical therapy and multiple injections.
- **$504,150** — Motor Vehicle Collision: Client was rear-ended causing injuries to the neck and right side of the body. Client’s neck injury required surgery.
- **$545,000** — Cycling/Motor Vehicle Collision: Client on a bicycle was hit by a police patrol car causing brain damage, and injuries to the head, neck, legs, and arm.
- **$550,000** — 18-Wheeler Collision: Client was rear-ended by a big rig causing low back and neck pain; physical recovery and treatment included injections, physical therapy, and counseling.
- **$625,000** — Motor Vehicle Collision: Head-on collision led to wrist and hand injuries that required surgery, seat belt injuries, pain in the neck, sternum, pelvis, abdomen, shoulder, and back, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
- **$650,000** — 18-Wheeler Collision: 18-wheeler driver was rear-ended by another 18-wheeler causing headaches and neck injury.
- **$663,000** — Motor Vehicle Collision: Client was backed into while on the job at an oil field site. Collision resulted in numerous back and neck injuries requiring surgeries.
- **$665,000** — Motor Vehicle Collision/Wrongful Death: Client went to the aid of a vehicle accident victim and was struck and killed by a passing vehicle.
- **$685,000** — Premises Liability: Client sustained two broken legs from a fall over an unreasonably dangerous tripping hazard.
- **$800,000** — Motor Vehicle Collision: Head-on collision that left client with back and neck injuries as well as seat belt injuries. Client’s recovery was lengthy and included physical therapy and injections.
- **$800,606** — Motor Vehicle Collision: A defendant driver's unprotected left turn caused a collision, resulting in a severely broken leg requiring surgery, PTSD, loss of independence, and job loss for the client.
- **$950,000** — 18-Wheeler Collision: 18-wheeler driver turned left, without the protection of a green arrow, in front of client. The collision caused injuries to the hand, neck, shoulder, low back, hip, foot, ankle, and eye.
- **$950,000** — 18-Wheeler Collision: Client was hit by a delivery truck and the vehicle rolled over. Client’s injuries included six broken ribs and a neck injury requiring extensive medical treatment.
- **$987,610** — 18-Wheeler Collision: Client was rear-ended multiple times by a big rig causing PTSD, spinal injuries requiring spinal fusion surgery, physical therapy, and counseling.
- **$1,000,000** — Motor Vehicle Collision: Client was hit by a commercial vehicle that ran a stop sign. Injuries to the knee, neck, and back requiring interventional pain management.
- **$1,000,000** — 18-Wheeler Collision: Client was rear-ended by a drunk driver of an 18-wheeler causing client to suffer short-term memory loss and injuries to the head, neck, shoulders, and back.
- **$1,151,000** — Pedestrian/Motor Vehicle Collision: Client was struck by a vehicle in a gas station parking lot. Client suffered head and brain damage resulting in memory loss.
- **$1,250,000** — Wrongful Death: Client’s husband died due to a logging truck running a red light.
- **$1,375,000** — Pedestrian/Motor Vehicle Collision: Client sustained injuries to head, leg and wrist. Client’s broken leg required surgery. In addition, client sought treatment with a neurologist for his head injury and cognitive issues.
- **$5,100,000** — Motor Vehicle Collision: Client’s motorcycle was hit by a car leaving him in the ICU with facial injuries, arm injuries, and amputation of one leg.
- **$1,996,460** — Motor Vehicle Collision: Client was rear-ended while sitting at a stop sign. Neck and back injuries resulting in headaches and disability. Neck injury required surgery.
- **$1,855,500** — Motor Vehicle Collision: Defendant driver’s failure to stop at a stop sign caused a collision injuring the client’s leg and ankle (required surgery), knee, hip, back, and chest. The airbags deployed, causing airbag injuries.
- **$1,500,000** — Motor Vehicle Collision: Client was hit head-on by a delivery truck sustaining injuries to the knee, hand, neck, and back. Neck injury required surgery.
- **$1,400,000** — Workplace Injury: A piece of loading equipment fell on client causing spinal injuries resulting in partial disability.

[See How We’ve Won for Others](https://ricekendig.com/results)

## Awards & Recognition
- Super Lawyers
- Accredited Business
- Preeminent
- Avvo 10 Superb
- Top 100
- Top 10 shreveport
- Advacates Forum
- Top 100 2020
- Seal of Shreveport Bar Association featuring a stylized column in navy blue.

## A Law Firm the People of Rapides Parish *Can Count On After a Serious Injury*

Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers has handled injury litigation since the 1970s, with a practice centered on personal injury and motor vehicle accident cases. That focus gives clients more than a familiar name. It gives them a firm with deep trial experience, a no-nonsense approach, more than 500 five-star Google reviews, and the largest reported jury verdict in Louisiana.

Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers also brings the resources serious injury cases often require, including free consultations, contingency representation, and a long-established network of doctors, specialists, experts, and professional contacts. For clients looking for a skilled Rapides Parish personal injury attorney, it means a focused firm with advanced knowledge, deep roots, and a strong reputation for advancing claims to successful conclusions.

[About Our Law Firm](https://ricekendig.com/about-us)

## Services

## Injury Claims We Take ‍*Across Rapides Parish*

Some cases involve a back injury that keeps a person out of work for weeks. Others involve surgery, rehab, permanent limits, or a loss that can never be made right. Our job is to carry the legal fight while you deal with medical care and the rest of life.

### Car Accidents

Rear-end crashes, intersection wrecks, failure-to-yield collisions, and distracted driving cases can leave people buried in medical bills and calls from adjusters. We gather reports, photos, witness accounts, video, and treatment records to show what happened and what the wreck has cost you.

### Truck Accidents

Commercial vehicle cases come with another layer of proof. A truck case may involve driver logs, maintenance records, black-box data, inspection history, and federal safety rules such as the FMCSA Hours-of-Service regulations in [49 CFR Part 395](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-395). Those records can make or break a claim, and they need to be locked down fast.

### Motorcycle Accidents

Riders often face blame before the evidence is even reviewed. We do not let that stand. A motorcycle case can depend on road-surface photos, damage to the bike and riding gear, witness statements, and reconstruction work that shows how the crash really happened.

### DUI/DWI Accidents

When a drunk driver causes a crash, the damage reaches far beyond the scene itself. Medical bills rise, work stops, and families get hit from every side at once. In Louisiana, [Civil Code art. 2315.4](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109373) allows exemplary damages in some cases when an intoxicated driver’s conduct caused the injuries.

### Severe Injury Claims

Some injuries do not just interrupt life. They split it into before and after. Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers handles claims involving:

- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Severe burns
- Loss of limb
- Wrongful death

### Other Injury Cases We Take

A Rapides Parish personal injury lawyer from Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers also handles claims involving:

- Premises liability
- Product liability
- Dog bites and animal attacks

## The Right First Move *Can Change Your Whole Case and Future*

The insurer is already working to minimize your payout. Act fast now to preserve evidence and build your case before the defense gains the advantage.

[Write to Us](https://ricekendig.com/contact-us)

## our attorneys

## Meet the Lawyers ‍*Serving Rapides Parish*

- **[J. Marshall Rice](https://ricekendig.com/j-marshall-rice)** — attorney: President, Shreveport Bar Association. Million-dollar recoveries across Louisiana and Texas.
- **[William F. Kendig](https://ricekendig.com/william-f-kendig)** — attorney: Battle-tested in Louisiana’s courts with 34+ years of winning results
- **[Jason Nichols](https://ricekendig.com/jason-nichols)** — attorney: Federal court insight that is community-driven and client-focused
- **[Franeka Taylor](https://ricekendig.com/franeka-taylor)** — attorney: Sharp, determined, and ready to fight for your success.
- **[Sonny Lopez](https://ricekendig.com/sonny-lopez)** — attorney: Empathetic guidance. Fighting for the fair recovery you deserve.
- **[M. Carl Rice](https://ricekendig.com/m-carl-rice-of-counsel)** — attorney, Of Counsel: 46 years of wisdom, serving clients with purpose and care

## TESTIMONIALS

## What Clients Say About ‍*Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers*

- They were there to support me all the way. Even when I wanted to give up, honestly.
- I genuinely feel like Rice & Kendig had my best interest at heart and they made sure that nothing was left out.
- I knew that they would take care of us, and I would definitely recommend them to anybody.
- Rice & Kendig are very good at seeing what the weakness in our case is and what the strength is and developing both sides of the case.
- They take great care of you. They care, and they make sure that you get what you need, they make sure that you're okay.
- I suggest Rice & Kendig if you want someone who cares about you and your situation.
- They did such a good job fighting for us and not dragging it on... Thanks to Rice & Kendig, the matter was over within a year.
- He called me every day, made sure I was okay... he was just perfect. You couldn't ask for a better attorney.
- They took care of us right away. They were loving.

## BENEFITS

## What Sets Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers ‍*Apart in Rapides Parish Injury Cases*

- **Local Case Sense**: Every parish has its own roads, patterns, and pressure points. We build successful cases based on what specifically happened in your case, not on canned approaches used by inexperienced lawyers.
- **Built for Trial Pressure**: Cases tend to move differently when the other side believes your lawyer will actually take the fight to court. We prepare with that in mind from the start.
- **Direct Lawyer Access**: Clients should know who is handling their case and where the matter stands. At Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers, your claim is handled with the attention people expect from Rapides Parish personal injury lawyers, not lost in a chain of handoffs.
- **Full Claim Management**: Property damage, records requests, insurer calls, paperwork, and lien issues can eat up your time. We take that load off your plate.
- **Straight Talk About Case Value**: You deserve a clear view of what may drive value up, what may hold it back, and what the defense is likely to fight about.
- **No Upfront Fee**: There is no upfront cost to hire our firm. Like many personal injury attorneys in Rapides Parish, we work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning we only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you.

## Your Local Advocates

## Serving Rapides Parish ‍*and Nearby Communities*

Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers represents injured people throughout Rapides Parish, and our Rapides Parish personal injury attorneys are available to help clients in communities that include:

- [Alexandria](https://ricekendig.com/alexandria-personal-injury-lawyer)
- Pineville
- Ball
- Boyce
- Cheneyville
- Forest Hill
- Glenmora
- Lecompte
- Tioga
- Woodworth

## Contact us

## The Longer You Wait, the More the Other Side *Makes Your Case Tougher to Win*

Get in touch with Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers to schedule a private, no-strings-attached consultation. Our team will assess your situation, clarify your legal choices, and map out a distinct strategy for your recovery.

## FAQ

## FAQs About ‍*Injury Claims in Rapides Parish*

### What should I do right after an accident in Rapides Parish?

Get medical care as soon as you can, even if the injury looks minor at first. Then report the incident, take photos of the scene and your injuries if you can do so safely, get witness names, and avoid giving a recorded statement to the other side’s insurer before you speak with a lawyer.

### How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Louisiana?

For most injury claims, Louisiana now uses the two-year deadline as provided for in [La. Civ. Code art. 3493.11](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=1386443). If the case involves a death, look at [La. Civ. Code art. 2315.1](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109370) and [art. 2315.2](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109371), which says the action survives for **one year from the death or two years from the date of injury, whichever is longer.**

### How is the value of my injury claim determined?

The value of a claim depends on the full picture of the injuries and damages. That can include medical bills, future treatment, lost income, reduced earning ability, pain, mental distress, and property damage. In motor vehicle cases, uninsured status issues can also matter because of Louisiana’s “No Pay, No Play” law, [La. R.S. 32:866](https://legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=88612) limits recovery in certain situations.

### Can I still recover money if I was partially at fault for the crash?

Yes, sometimes. Louisiana’s current comparative-fault rule appears in [La. Civ. Code art. 2323](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/law.aspx?d=109387). Under the present version of that article, a person who is **51% or more at fault** is barred from recovering damages, while a person who is **less than 51% at fault** can still recover reduced damages.

### How long will my personal injury case take to resolve in Rapides Parish?

Timelines vary. While some claims resolve quickly, those involving severe injuries or disputed fault can take much longer. A rushed settlement is rarely ideal; the objective is to secure the right result, not the fastest one.

### What happens after I contact a Rapides Parish personal injury attorney?

Legal representation begins with our exhaustive investigation and advanced evaluation of the incident and resulting losses. Our skilled personal injury attorneys can then determine the best strategy, address potential obstacles, and secure essential evidence before the insurance company can undermine the claim.

### What evidence will be used to build my personal injury claim?

Evidence varies by case but commonly includes medical records, police reports, photos, video, witness statements, and expert reviews. A robust claim requires proof of both the accident’s cause and the total cost of your injuries.

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Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers — [https://ricekendig.com/rapides-parish-personal-injury-lawyer](https://ricekendig.com/rapides-parish-personal-injury-lawyer)