Loyd J. Bourgeois Injury & Accident Lawyer secured a full insurance policy limits settlement for a woman who suffered multiple herniated discs in a car accident on LA 593 in Morehouse Parish, Louisiana, despite restrictions under Louisiana’s No Pay No Play law because her insurance had lapsed.
Case at a Glance
- Case Type: Car accident involving a stop-sign violation and Louisiana’s No Pay No Play law
- Location: LA 593 at LA 1268, Morehouse Parish, Louisiana
- Client: Woman injured while driving with a passenger
- Accident Details: Another driver entered LA 593 from LA 1268 and struck the client’s vehicle, causing it to spin and the airbags to deploy. Police cited the other driver for failing to stop at a stop sign.
- Injuries: Herniated discs at C3-C4, C5-C6, and L5-S1, along with a bulging disc at C4-C5
- Treatment: Ambulance transport to the hospital, followed by medical care for ongoing neck and back pain
- Case Challenges: The client’s auto insurance had lapsed one week before the crash, triggering Louisiana’s No Pay No Play law and preventing recovery of the first $15,000 in bodily injury damages under the law applicable at the time
- Final Recovery: Full available insurance policy limits settlement
- Resolution: Settled after filing a lawsuit and conducting discovery
A Routine Drive Turned Into a Serious Collision
Lucy was driving northbound on LA 593 in Morehouse Parish when another driver pulled off LA 1268 and struck her vehicle. The force of the crash caused her car to spin, and the airbags deployed on impact.
Emergency responders transported both Lucy and her passenger to the hospital by ambulance. While the other driver claimed he stopped and simply did not see her vehicle, law enforcement cited him for failing to stop at a stop sign.
What began as a normal drive quickly became a painful and stressful experience, affecting nearly every part of Lucy’s daily life.
Serious Spine Injuries Led to Ongoing Pain and Treatment
After the collision, Lucy learned she suffered multiple spinal injuries, including herniated discs at C3-C4, C5-C6, and L5-S1, along with a bulging disc at C4-C5.
These injuries caused ongoing neck and back pain and made routine activities harder to manage. Medical appointments, treatment, and recovery added more pressure during an already difficult time. Like many injured drivers, Lucy also faced uncertainty about how her bills would be paid and whether the insurance company would fairly account for what she had been through.
Louisiana’s No Pay No Play Law Created Another Obstacle
Lucy’s case became more complicated because her auto insurance policy had lapsed just one week before the crash. Because of that lapse, her claim fell under Louisiana’s No Pay No Play law.
Since the crash happened before the August 2025 change to the law, Lucy could not recover the first $15,000 of bodily injury damages. For crashes occurring after the law changed, the first $100,000 would be excluded from recovery.
This law often leaves injured people feeling discouraged, especially when another driver clearly caused the collision. Insurance companies frequently use these situations to minimize claims and pressure injured people into accepting less than they deserve.
Filing Suit Helped Build Pressure for a Better Result
Despite the legal limitations, we moved forward by filing suit and conducting discovery to build the strongest case possible.
Our team gathered evidence, documented the extent of Lucy’s significant injuries, and focused on holding the at-fault driver accountable. By continuing litigation and preparing the case thoroughly, we were able to push beyond the challenges created by the No Pay No Play law.
Lucy ultimately recovered a full policy limits settlement.
Even Complicated Cases Can Lead to Strong Outcomes
Lucy’s case shows how quickly a crash claim can become complicated under Louisiana law. A brief insurance lapse created major legal hurdles, but it did not prevent her from pursuing accountability and meaningful compensation.
Many injured people assume legal restrictions or insurance issues mean they have no options. In reality, the right legal strategy can still make a substantial difference in the outcome of a case, especially when serious injuries are involved.
