Auto Accident Injury in Arkansas

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Arkansas? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in AR that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Arkansas

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents, and an estimated 38,000 were killed.

In 2006, there were 69,570 injuries on state roadways. By 2014, though, that number had dropped to just over 27,500. Despite a recent decline in the number of fatal car accidents, Arkansas saw a spike in 2019. That year, according to statistics from the Arkansas State Police, there were 466 fatal accidents on state roadways. In these, 503 individuals lost their lives. Impaired driving accidents, head-on collisions, and single-vehicle crashes account for most of these traffic fatalities. According to the Arkansas State Police, the number of car accident injuries has fallen in recent years.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked-for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police reports. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Title 27 of the Arkansas Revised Statutes requires individuals to report car accidents to the police immediately under certain circumstances. These include each of the following:

• The accident causes more than $1,000 in property damage
• The accident causes someone’s death
• The accident causes an injury

Even if you were not at fault for the accident, Arkansas law requires you to file a crash report with the Department of Finance and Administration. You only have 30 days to do so unless, unless the accident incapacitated you.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number, and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number, and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle, and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

Car accident injuries, fatalities, and property damage take a tremendous economic toll on citizens of the natural state. In fact, according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arkansas car accidents cost roughly $820 million in 2018 alone. That year, crash-related medical bills were roughly $5 million, while lost work totaled $815 million.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses resulting from a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Arkansas

Liability Laws for AR

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

Because Arkansas is a fault-based state for purposes of automobile accidents, the person responsible for the collision or their insurance provider typically pays for damages. You probably have the option of bringing a legal claim, though. Because Arkansas has a comparative fault rule, to win some financial damages, you likely must be 49% or less responsible for the crash.

Statute of Limitations in AR

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. For most car accidents, Arkansas has a three-year statute of limitations. This means you probably only have three years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit or otherwise advocate for your legal interests.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer In Arkansas

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in AR!

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