Car accidents can happen in and around Bentonville at any time. You could be traveling along Highway 549 when an impatient driver makes a sudden lane change and crashes into you, leaving you with broken bones, an injured spine, and months of painful recovery.
According to the Arkansas Department of Transportation, there were 2,449 fatal crashes in the state between 2015 and 2019 and approximately 10,700 that resulted in serious injury. All it can take is a split second for victims to lose every semblance of normalcy in their lives.
If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident near Bentonville, you may feel as if your life has been turned upside down, but hiring a car accident lawyer can help. At the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, our Bentonville car accident lawyers will fight for the financial compensation you and your family deserve. Contact us at (479) 202-0027 for a free initial consultation about your legal rights as a personal injury victim.
Proving Negligence in a Bentonville Car Accident
Drivers owe each other a basic duty of care on the road and must not operate their vehicles in a way that may cause injury to others. Below are some examples of negligent behaviors that violate Arkansas traffic laws and can support your personal injury claim.
- Driving over the speed limit
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Using a handheld device while driving
- Changing lanes or making an illegal turn
- Running through stop signs or red lights
- Failing to yield
- Driving at night with the lights off
A serious car accident can prevent you from maintaining gainful employment, looking after your family, or enjoying the same quality of life that you used to. If you or someone you love was injured in Bentonville, a personal injury attorney at the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers today can help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.
Compensation in a Bentonville Car Accident Claim
The majority of damages awarded in car accident cases fall under the category of compensatory damages, meaning that they are intended to compensate you for your financial losses. Common factors considered in calculating this type of damage include:
- Loss of income
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Expenses associated with emergency medical care and treatment after an accident
- The cost of nursing care or assistance with daily living tasks in the home
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
It may be easier to quantify medical expenses and property damage expenses than intangible losses such as pain and suffering or loss of consortium. However, with the right Bentonville car accident lawyer on your side, it is quite possible to put an accurate dollar amount on these damages, enabling you to recover a significant amount of compensation.
Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be able to seek punitive damages, which are intended to punish defendants who behave in an illegal or outrageous manner. Although they are not often awarded in car accident cases, the court may decide to impose them if, for example, you were seriously injured by an intoxicated motorist with a long history of DUI on their record.
How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Near You Help Your Case?
In many cases, victims of car accidents are eligible to receive compensation to cover medical expenses, lost income, and other related costs. The unfortunate reality is that because they do not have a skilled lawyer representing them, a lot of these people end up taking settlements that are much less than their full claim value. You are unlikely to receive the full value of your claim unless the at-fault driver’s insurer sees that you are committed to pursuing it-even if it means going to court.
If you have been in a car accident in Bentonville, an experienced lawyer at the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers can help you maximize your claim and avoid being pressured into settling for less. We can collect key evidence, negotiate with insurers on your behalf, and employ expert witnesses if necessary, so you can receive the compensation you deserve.
What Should I Do If I’ve Been in a Car Accident?
If you’ve been in a car accident, the first thing you want to do is check yourself and your passengers for injuries. Even if you don’t think you’ve been hurt, seek medical treatment, as some injuries don’t manifest their symptoms until days after the accident.
If you are able to move, exit your vehicle and call 911 to report the accident. (If you’re concerned about movement aggravating an injury, make the call from your car.) While you wait for the police to arrive, take the following steps:
- Exchange insurance information with the other driver. Even if you think you were to blame, don’t admit fault. If the driver was uninsured, ask them for their contact information.
- Use your phone’s camera to document road conditions, traffic signs, and any damage to vehicles at the accident site.
- Get the names and contact information for any eyewitnesses to the accident.
When the police arrive at the scene, they will complete an accident report, so request one. After receiving any medical treatment, make sure you obtain copies of your medical records so that your Bentonville car accident lawyer can file your claim for maximum compensation.
What If the At-Fault Driver Leaves the Scene or Does Not Have Insurance?
It’s not uncommon for at-fault drivers to be uninsured or leave the scene before their insurance information can be obtained (also known as hit-and-run accidents). What should you do if this occurs?
Arkansas drivers should ensure that their auto policy includes uninsured motorist coverage (UM) for at least $25,000 in liability for bodily injury ($50,000 for multiple injured parties) and $25,000 in property liability coverage. If the motorist who caused the accident does not have insurance or leaves the scene, you may file a claim under your UM coverage. It will be the same process as submitting a claim to an opposing insurer, except that it will apply to your UM policy.
How Should I Respond to an Insurance Company Call?
If an insurance adjuster calls you after the accident, you should refrain from making any statements, as anything you say might be used against you. Rather, tell them that you are hiring a personal injury attorney and direct any further calls to your attorney once you have hired one.
In most cases, insurance companies try to settle with you before your damages are fully known: this is a common strategy to protect profits. An experienced auto accident lawyer can handle all negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf and represent your interests at trial if it refuses to make a fair settlement offer.
Talk to a Nearby Bentonville Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you have been injured in an accident, you have up to three years to file a claim under Arkansas’ statute of limitations, but it’s important to not delay. Soon after you seek treatment for your injuries, contact our car accident attorneys at the Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers.
You can count on us to assist you with every aspect of your personal injury claim, from determining who is at fault for the accident to filing a lawsuit if the insurer refuses to offer full and fair compensation. Our Arkansas car accident lawyers have several years of experience advocating for injured people, and our strong negotiation skills have helped clients receive the maximum compensation for their injuries. For more information or to schedule a free initial consultation, please call (479) 202-0027 or use our contact form.
