Dedicated Injury Attorneys Serving Residents of Greenwood, Fort Smith, and the Surrounding Areas
Accidents can take a tremendous toll on your life for years to come. In the immediate aftermath of a serious accident, your focus is understandably on recovering from your physical injuries. However, as time goes on, the financial impact of the incident becomes clearer. Medical expenses, lost wages, and potentially decreased earning capacity are all very real consequences for many accident victims. However, you should not be the one to shoulder these financial burdens.
At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, our Sebastian County personal injury lawyers have a long and successful history of helping accident victims obtain meaningful compensation for their injuries. We proudly represent clients in Greenwood, Fort Smith, Huntington, Lavaca, and throughout Sebastian County. We also offer free consultations to all accident victims, so there is no risk in giving us a call to learn more about your options.
Sebastian County Accident Statistics
Located along the west side of Arkansas, Sebastian County is the fourth-largest county in the state. With slightly over 130,000 residents, just under five percent of the state’s population lives in Sebastian County. Despite its relatively low population density, Sebastian County contains several cities, including Greenwood, Fort Smith, Huntington, Lavaca, and Bonanza.
In terms of Sebastian County accident statistics, the county doesn’t keep track of the number of accidents. However, when looking at Arkansas as a whole, accidents have historically been the third leading cause of death, behind heart disease and cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 2,046 accidental deaths in Arkansas in 2021, resulting in an accident mortality rate of 65 fatalities per 100,000 residents.
Motor vehicle accidents and falls are two of the leading causes of accidental deaths in Arkansas. For example, motor vehicle accidents were responsible for more than 550 deaths in 2023. Falls are among the most common cause of non-fatal and fatal injuries in residents over the age of 65. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a third of all Arkansas residents over the age of 65, or about 166,000 people, experienced a fall in 2020. Of these falls, 37 percent required some form of medical treatment, and just over 200 were fatal.
Types of Sebastian County Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Car Accidents
After a car accident, dealing with injuries and financial loss can be overwhelming. Legal assistance is crucial to navigate insurance claims and secure compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Personal injury lawyers who regularly handle car accident cases can advocate for your rights and ensure fair settlement to support your recovery.
Truck Accidents
Truck accidents often result in severe injuries or fatalities and are often complicated because of the involvement of trucking companies and multiple insurance companies. A Sebastian County personal injury attorney with experience in truck accidents can help untangle these complexities, identify liable parties, and pursue adequate compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Motorcycle and Bicycle Accidents
Motorcyclists and bicyclists are especially vulnerable to serious injuries in the event of an accident. Not only that, but motorcyclists too often face bias in claims processes due to the incorrect perception that motorcyclists are aggressive drivers. Sebastian County personal injury attorneys skilled in handling these cases can protect your interests, ensuring you receive fair compensation for injuries, damage, and any long-term impacts on your quality of life.
Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Victims of nursing home abuse and neglect suffer physically and emotionally. A personal injury lawyer specializing in nursing home abuse and neglect law can help hold responsible parties accountable, seeking justice and compensation for medical care, pain and suffering, and other damages resulting from mistreatment or negligence.
Product Liability
Injuries from defective products can lead to complex product liability claims. Personal injury attorneys in this field work to prove that the product was defective and caused harm, aiming to secure compensation for your medical costs, lost earnings, and other related expenses.
Construction Accidents
Construction accidents can lead to significant injuries, impacting your ability to work and live normally. Personal injury lawyers experienced in construction site laws can help navigate workers’ compensation claims and pursue additional damages against responsible parties for your full financial recovery.
Slip and Falls
Slip and fall accidents can occur anywhere and might result in serious injuries. Personal injury lawyers assist victims in proving negligence by property owners and obtaining compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, ensuring a thorough and fair legal process.
Wrongful Death
In wrongful death cases, families face the emotional and financial toll of losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence. Personal injury attorneys provide compassionate legal representation, striving to secure compensation for funeral expenses, lost income, loss of companionship, and other damages, offering some solace in difficult times.
What Damages Are Available Through a Sebastian County Personal Injury Lawsuit?
In a Sebastian County personal injury lawsuit, you can pursue several types of damages to compensate you for your losses and suffering resulting from an accident. The available damages are designed to cover both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic Damages
These are the quantifiable losses you’ve incurred due to the accident. Often, your Sebastian County injury lawyer will establish economic damages by presenting evidence of the actual costs and expenses you incurred as a result of the accident. Economic damages include:
Medical Expenses: You can recover costs for medical treatment related to your injuries, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and any future medical care you may need.
Lost Wages: If you’ve missed work due to your injuries, you can claim compensation for lost income. This includes salary, wages, bonuses, and other earnings lost during your recovery period.
Property Damage: If the accident resulted in damage to your property, such as your vehicle, you can seek compensation for repair or replacement costs.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for the non-tangible losses you’ve experienced, which are not directly measurable in monetary terms. These damages are more subjective than economic damages, as an accident will impact every victim’s life in different ways. Some of the non-economic damages that may be available through a Sebastian County personal injury lawsuit include:
Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering damages cover the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve endured because of the accident. They take into account the severity of your injuries and the impact on your quality of life.
Emotional Distress: Separate from pain and suffering, this compensates for psychological impacts such as anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Loss of Consortium: If your injuries have affected your relationship with your spouse or family, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of companionship, affection, and support.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious or reckless, you might be awarded punitive damages. These are not tied to the specific losses you suffered but are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
Future Damages
If your injuries result in long-term or permanent disability, you may also be entitled to compensation for future losses, including ongoing medical care, loss of earning capacity, and future pain and suffering.
It’s important to consult with a personal injury attorney in Sebastian County to accurately assess all possible damages and build a strong case for your compensation.
What You Need to Know About Personal Injury Cases in Sebastian County
Personal injury cases can be complex, and it’s likely you haven’t been through the process before. Below are a few important things to review before pursuing a lawsuit against the party responsible for your injuries:
Elements of a Personal Injury Claim
Before filing a lawsuit in Sebastian County, understand the basic elements of a personal injury claim. You must prove that the defendant owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injury as a result, leading to damages. Establishing these elements is crucial for a successful claim.
Statute of Limitations
In Sebastian County, Arkansas, there is a specific time frame within which you must file your personal injury lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations. Generally, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Failing to file within this period can result in losing your right to sue. There may be exceptions to this general rule; however, it is best to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Comparative Fault Rules
Arkansas follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning your compensation may be reduced if you are found partly at fault for the accident. If you are 50% or more at fault, you may be barred from recovering any compensation. Understanding how your own negligence can affect your case is important.
For example, suppose you are driving slightly above the speed limit, and another driver runs a red light, colliding with your car. In the resulting lawsuit, the court finds that the other driver is primarily at fault for running the red light. However, because you were speeding, the court also finds you 10% at fault for the accident. If the total damages are calculated to be $100,000, your award would be reduced by 10% (your share of the fault), so you would receive $90,000.
This example illustrates how comparative fault works in Arkansas, reducing your compensation in proportion to your degree of fault in the incident.
Damage Caps
Be aware of any caps on damages in personal injury cases. While Arkansas does not generally limit economic damages like medical expenses and lost wages, there are caps on punitive damages. Knowing these limits can help set realistic expectations for the potential compensation you can receive.
Insurance Company Interactions
Dealing with insurance companies can be tricky. They may offer a settlement quickly, but it’s essential to assess whether it fully covers your losses. Consult with a personal injury attorney before accepting any offers, as they can negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Have You Suffered Serious Injuries in a Sebastian County Accident?
If you or a loved one was recently hurt in a car accident, workplace accident, slip and fall or another type of preventable accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for all you’ve been through. At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, our Sebastian County personal injury attorneys have decades of combined experience aggressively pursuing maximum compensation on behalf of accident victims in Sebastian County and throughout Arkansas. We take pride in helping our clients obtain the compensation they need to get back on their feet and on with their lives after a serious accident. Our wrongful death lawyers also help grieving families who lost a loved one hold the party responsible for their loved one’s death accountable for their loss. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation today, call the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield at 479-361-3575. You can also connect with us through our secure online contact form.