Unfortunately, there are car accidents on Arkansas’s highways and roads every day. Even the most careful driver can be involved in a serious crash- you could be commuting to work on I-530 or enjoying a leisurely Sunday drive when someone who is distracted, driving under the influence or exceeding the speed limit causes a car accident.
A motor vehicle collision in Pine Bluff or elsewhere in Arkansas can turn your life upside-down within minutes. During the difficult times that follow, it is important to have an aggressive but caring legal advocate on your side. At the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, a Pine Bluff car accident lawyer will fight for the financial compensation that you and your family need. Call us today at (501) 358-5050 for a free, no-obligation consultation about your legal rights.
Car Accident Claims: Proving Negligence
It can be difficult to prove negligence in a car accident claim. Drivers have a duty of care to other road users and pedestrians, so proving negligence is the first step to pursuing a personal injury claim.
Most car crashes happen when one or more drivers violate Arkansas traffic laws through acts like the following:
- Driving while drunk or distracted
- Exceeding the speed limit
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failure to yield
- Leaving their lights off when driving at night
- Making an illegal turn or changing lanes
Motor vehicle accidents may prevent an individual from working, caring for dependents, or living a pain-free life. If you or a loved one was injured in Pine Bluff, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a personal injury attorney at the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers today to discuss your claim.
Compensation in a Pine Bluff Car Accident Claim
The following types of accident injuries can be suffered in Arkansas automobile crashes:
- Broken bones
- Cuts to the head and face
- Whiplash
- Concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Paralysis caused by spinal cord injury
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Burn injuries
- Wrongful death
An individual injured in a motor vehicle accident due to another’s negligence may recover both compensatory and possibly punitive damages. A Pine Bluff Car accident lawyer can help whether you are a pedestrian injured in a car accident or a passenger needing help paying your medical bills after a serious crash.
Compensatory damages include but are not limited to:
- Expenses related to current and future medical care
- Physiotherapy and other treatments
- Loss of wages
- Inability to earn future income
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer instead of simply compensate the victim.
Punitive damages impose a punishment on a driver who acted in an outrageous or illegal manner. Although not often awarded in car accident cases, the court could choose to impose them if, for example, you were seriously injured by a drunk driver with a long history of DUI.
What Should I Do If I’ve Been in an Accident Near Pine Bluff, Arkansas?
It is important to check yourself for injuries as soon as possible, even if none are apparent: many injuries do not show symptoms right away, especially when your body experiences a rush of adrenaline following an accident.
If you are able, call 911 and report the accident. While you are waiting for the police to arrive at the scene, try to-
- Use the camera on your phone to document road conditions, traffic signs, and any damages to vehicles at the accident location.
- Exchange insurance information with the other driver. Do not admit fault, however, even if you feel you were responsible. Get contact information from any uninsured drivers.
Upon arriving at the scene, the police will complete an accident report, so ask for a copy. Get copies of your medical records after any medical treatment is received so that your Pine Bluff car accident lawyer can make a claim for maximum compensation.
What Should I Do If an Insurance Company Calls Me?
You should refrain from making any statements to an insurance company after an accident, as those statements might be used against you. Tell them instead that you are hiring a personal injury lawyer and they will receive contact details as soon as you have legal representation. Refer any further calls to your attorney once you have hired one.
Most of the time, insurance companies try to settle with you before your damages have even been calculated: they don’t care about you, only their profits. Let an experienced car accident attorney handle all negotiations with insurers on your behalf. If the company refuses to make a fair settlement offer, your attorney will represent your interests at trial.
What If the At-Fault Driver Does Not Have Insurance or Leaves the Scene?
We often see car accidents where the at-fault driver is uninsured or leaves the scene before their insurance information can be obtained (otherwise known as hit-and-run accidents). How can you pursue compensation when this happens?
Arkansas drivers should ensure that their auto policy includes uninsured motorist coverage (UM). In the event that the motorist who caused the accident has no insurance or leaves the scene, you may file a claim under your UM coverage with your own company. The process for submitting a claim to your insurer will be the same as that for an opposing insurer, except that it will apply to your UM policy.
How can a Pine Bluff Car Accident Lawyer Help Your Case?
In many cases, car accident victims are eligible for compensation that can cover medical expenses, lost income, and other related costs. Unfortunately, a lot of them take settlements that are far less than their full claim value because they don’t have a skilled lawyer advocating for them. You are unlikely to receive the full value of your claim unless the at-fault driver’s insurer sees you are serious about pursuing it, even if you have to go to court.
A nearby Pine Bluff car accident lawyer can help maximize your claim and prevent you from being pressured into settling for less. At the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we will collect key evidence, speak with insurers on your behalf, and obtain expert witnesses if necessary, so you can get the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
Talk to a Pine Bluff Traffic Accident Lawyer Near You Today
Under Arkansas personal injury law, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim, so contact the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers as soon as possible. With years of experience advocating for clients who have been injured, we will fight for the money you need and deserve. For more information, please call (501) 358-5050 or use our contact form.
