Arkadelphia, Arkansas is a picturesque Clark County town located near the Ouachita River and Caddo River, making it a popular destination for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing enthusiasts. However, it’s also like any other community in that car accidents can occur, many of them resulting in serious injuries or death.
Records compiled by the Arkansas Department of Transportation indicate that between 2015 and 2019, there were 117 serious crashes in Clark County, 21 of them involving fatalities. Distracted or intoxicated motorists and even poor road conditions have resulted in motor vehicle accidents that change and even take away lives.
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident in Arkadelphia, you need an experienced car accident attorney to handle your case. At the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we have been representing injured clients for many years and will develop a case that can help you get the financial recovery you deserve. To schedule a no-obligation initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer, call (479) 202-0027.
Proving Negligence in an Arkadelphia Car Accident
In Arkadelphia, car accidents happen for many reasons, but the most common cause is driver negligence. In legal terms, negligence has four elements: duty, breach, injury, and causation. In essence, negligence occurs when someone breaches a duty of care, causing injury.
Accidents in Arkadelphia are commonly caused by:
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving (includes speeding and other violations of Arkansas traffic laws)
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Driving a vehicle with defective or malfunctioning equipment
- Driving in adverse road conditions
As Arkadelphia grows, so does the number of car accidents that occur every year. Though they are largely preventable, car accidents can cause physical, emotional, and financial harm to the victim. Get the financial compensation you deserve by retaining a skilled Arkadelphia car accident lawyer.
Compensation in a Nearby Arkadelphia Car Accident Lawsuit
A motor vehicle crash can result in significant financial, physical, and emotional harm. If you suffered losses in a major car accident in Arkadelphia, you may be entitled to compensation. Examples of damages available that may be available include:
- Compensation for future, current, and past medical expenses
- Costs of rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
Medical expenses and property damage expenses are easier to quantify than intangible losses like pain and suffering. The right Arkadelphia car accident lawyer, however, can put a dollar amount on these damages, which can help you recover significant compensation for your accident claim.
You may be able to seek punitive damages if the defendant has behaved in an illegal or outrageous manner. If, for example, you were injured by a drunk driver with a long history of DUI offenses, the court may decide to impose them. In Arkansas, you could potentially receive up to three times the amount of compensatory damages awarded, not to exceed one million dollars.
What Should I Do If I’ve Been in a Car Accident near Arkadelphia, Clark County?
If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident, you’re going to be in shock and may find it hard to think clearly. Take a deep breath, and check yourself and your passengers for any injuries. If you are able to move, get out of your vehicle and call 911. While waiting for the police, you should take these steps:
- Get the other driver’s insurance information. If the driver was uninsured, make sure you get their contact information.
- Use your phone’s camera to take pictures of road conditions and any damage to vehicles.
- Obtain the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses to the accident.
The police will complete an accident report at the scene, so ask for a copy. Then seek medical treatment, either at the emergency room or your doctor’s office, even if you don’t think you’ve been hurt- many serious injuries don’t show symptoms for hours or even days after an accident. Once you’ve confirmed the extent of your injuries, call an experienced car accident lawyer who can protect your legal rights and help you file a claim for compensation.
What If the At-Fault Driver Leaves the Scene or Does Not Have Insurance?
Not all motorists obey the law. When they hit another vehicle, some panic and flee the scene, making it a hit-and-run accident. Others drive without insurance, creating complications for victims seeking compensation.
Drivers in Arkansas should make sure their auto policy includes uninsured motorist coverage (UM) for at least $25,000 in bodily injury liability, $50,000 for multiple injured parties, and $25,000 in property damage liability. In the event that the driver who caused the accident does not have insurance or leaves the scene, you may file an accident claim under your UM coverage. The process is the same as submitting a claim to an opposing insurer, except that it applies to your UM policy.
How Much is My Car Accident Case Worth?
The settlement or jury award you may receive will depend on factors unique to your case. They include but may not be limited to:
- Your economic and non-economic damages
- Whether or not you receive punitive damages
- Whether you’re able to return to work (if you aren’t, the number of years you might have been expected to work may also be taken into account)
- Your age and life expectancy
- Whether you’re expected to suffer long-term pain
The amount of damages you can recover depends on your degree of fault in the accident. In Arkansas, there is a “modified comparative fault” system in which individuals found to be more than 50% at fault are not allowed to recover damages for their accident. If you are 50% at fault or less, you may be entitled to recover for your losses. The experienced team at the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers will fight for all the money you deserve, from the beginning of your case to the end.
How can an Arkadelphia Car Accident Lawyer Help Your Case?
The cost of a car accident can be high, both financially and emotionally. If you’ve been injured by a negligent driver you may be wondering if you should hire an Arkadelphia personal injury attorney and try to negotiate your accident claim yourself.
Research suggests that car accident victims who hire an accident attorney are more likely to recover damages than those who do not. Moreover, individuals represented by an experienced lawyer tend to recover significantly more money.
Your Arkadelphia car accident attorney at the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers will assist you every step of the way, from gathering evidence to filing motions to negotiating settlements. Throughout your case, we will guide you, communicate with the insurance company or companies, and represent you in court if necessary.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer Near Arkadelphia Car Today
If you’ve been hurt in a collision, you have three years to file an accident claim under Arkansas’ statute of limitations, but don’t delay. As soon as you seek medical treatment for your injuries, contact our car accident attorneys at the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers.
You can count on our Arkadelphia car accident attorneys to aggressively fight your case and make sure you receive full and fair compensation for your losses and pain. At the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we bring years of experience in Arkansas personal injury law to the table and have the results to show it. For more information or to schedule a free initial consultation, please call (479) 202-0027 or use our contact form.
