Use of "la" and "le"

Question

In the following two sentences, why does one use "la" and the other "le" ?

1. "La ayudo a planear su boda" (I´m helping her plan her wedding)
2. "Debería ir a Información. Alguien le ayudará allí." (You should go to Information. Someone will help you there)

To me, it makes sense for sentence 1 to use "la". "La" is a direct object, receiving the action (I am helping --> "la" or "her").

I don´t understand why sentence 2 switches to "le". "Le" is an indirect object that, to my eyes, appears to be being used as a direct object here (Someone will help --> "le")

Why doesn´t sentence 2 also use "la", to receive the action, like in sentence 1 (Someone will help --> "la" or "you")

Answer 1

Sentence 2 does not necessarily have to switch to le. La (if a female) or Lo (if male) could have been used. Alguien la/lo ayudará. Le is used to show more politeness and you don't have to worry about the gender of the person because Le is used with both genders.

I hope this helps!

Thank you francobolo, though I´m still wondering how "le" is even possible (an indirect object receiving the action) - Trieltor, May 9, 2013

It is possible because of usage. Don't get hung up on the grammar aspect of it. If you decide to be strict with grammar, then use la or lo and you'll always be right. - francobollo, May 9, 2013