Fort Smith Car Accident Attorneys
Being in a car accident is one of the most frightening things that can happen to anyone. The fear, worry, stress, and pain of dealing with injuries is frightening. The most important thing for an accident survivor to do in the wake of a crash is to consult with a Fort Smith car accident attorney at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield. Retaining a skilled Fort Smith car accident attorney helps you receive compensation for your injuries and other losses.
Depending on how serious your injuries are, you may not know how long you are going to be off work, how you are going to manage to pay your bills, or how you are going to recover lost wages. Filing a car accident claim can assist you in recovering compensation for all of your costs. Residents of Arkansas have three years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit for negligence.
At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A., we are here to help you. We understand your concerns and know that in the wake of a devastating crash, you need all the help you can get to move forward with your life. Give us a call for a risk-free consultation. Call us at (479) 361-3575. We have the answers to all of your questions.
Reasons for Car Accidents in Fort Smith
According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) report, Arkansas had the third-highest increase in fatal car wrecks nationwide in 2020. While the number of fatal car accidents jumped significantly nationwide, the hike in Arkansas’s death rate due to car wrecks was also dramatic.
The State saw a 24.9 percent increase in traffic deaths. Even though there were fewer drivers on the road in 2020, due to Covid, reckless drivers populated the roads and were seen speeding, DWI/DUI, driving while distracted, and failing to wear a seatbelt. Risky behavior while driving was, and is, a prevalent cause of crashes. Arkansas experienced a significant increase in traffic deaths due to drivers speeding at over 100 mph – an offense referred to as aggravated driving.
In Arkansas in 2019, State Police handed out approximately 1,062 tickets for speeding over 100 miles per hour, with some drivers clocking in at 160 mph. In 2020, over 2,026 such tickets for speeding were issued.
Across the nation, the NHTSA recorded the deaths of 38,824 people in car accidents in 2020, a 6.8 percent hike from 2019. In Arkansas in 2020, there were 638 fatal collisions, up from 511 in 2019
When people drive recklessly, they can be held liable for car crashes that injure or kill another driver or passenger. At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, we handle a wide range of car accident cases, including:
- Distracted driving
- Drinking under the influence – drugs or alcohol
- Speeding
- Rear-end collisions
- Drowsy driving
- Head-on collisions
What happens if you are involved in an accident with a car driver who is visiting from out of state?
Typically, lawsuits must be filed in the state in which the crash happened. Even if a driver does not live in Arkansas, the driver has to file a car accident lawsuit in Arkansas.
Deadly Roads Across Arkansas
Arkansas is home to numerous dangerous roads, all famous for being deadly highways and byways. The list of dangerous and deadly roads includes:
- Highway 25
- Highway 62
- Interstate 40
- Interstate 530
- Interstate 30
- Interstate 555
- Interstate 40
Other highways with high death counts include:
- Highway 62
- Highway 71
- Highway 412
- Highway 67
- Highway 63
- Highway 70
- Highway 65
- Highway 64
- Highway 7
- Highway 1
- Highway 25
- Highway 270
- Highway 167
- Highway 79
Both drivers do not have enough insurance coverage for personal injury with their car insurance, why is hiring a car accident attorney crucial?
Auto insurance is important, but auto insurance adjusters are difficult to deal with. This is why a survivor needs a car accident attorney to file an auto insurance claim. You need to know what kinds of crashes are covered and the different insurance coverages and policies applicable in your specific case.
Important Steps to Follow Immediately After a Car Accident
Being involved in a car accident means dealing with pain, fear, worry, and anxiety, as well as damage to your vehicle. At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A., we understand the confusion and panic you face in the wake of a serious collision.
Immediately, or as soon as possible after a crash seek medical attention. Do not wait. See a doctor immediately, even if you feel okay or do not have serious injuries. Serious injuries may be internal and not visible, and the shock from a collision can mask the pain and underlying injuries for days.
The longer you wait the more difficult it is to prove your injuries are the result of your accident and possibly pre-existing. This is what an insurance company hopes to prove to diminish or deny your claim
Call the police right away after a car accident. The report the police write details your Fort Smith car accident, and is helpful when filing an insurance claim for compensation.
Collect as much information as you can, including the contact details of the other drivers involved. Take photos of the accident scene and vehicle damage. Talk to witnesses if you can find them.
Report the car accident to your insurance company. Even though you do report it quickly, and likely expect to get reimbursed promptly, that does not always happen. Contact an experienced Fort Smith car accident lawyer who can help with your claim.
A Guide to the Car Accident Process
Proving Fault in a Fort Smith Car Accident
Under Arkansas law, car accident victims can recover damages by proving the other party involved in the crash was negligent. Damages are then awarded according to the percentage of fault assigned to each party in the collision.
Arkansas follows the modified comparative fault rule, which means if the accident survivor is partially responsible for the crash, the compensation received is reduced by their apportioned share of fault. For example, if you were 30 percent to blame for the accident, your compensation would decrease by 30 percent. You are barred from recovering any money if your share of fault is 50 percent or more.
It is often the case that the other party involved in the crash may try to shift the blame on you, or the insurance company may try offering a lower settlement to accident survivors without legal counsel. It is crucial to speak with an experienced Fort Smith car accident attorney at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield so we may take prompt action in your case.
Our firm collects evidence to strengthen your claim. We use everything at our disposal to detect signs of negligence. Our car accident lawyers do not take “No” for an answer from insurance companies who want to reduce your claim.
What happens if a car driver is struck by a wrong-way driver? Proving liability is not as difficult in wrong-way car accidents. It is typically apparent who caused the accident based on where it happened. Generally, the driver who is out of their lane would be the one who has caused the accident. You need an for a wrong-way car accident.
Wrong-way crashes can result in severe injuries, including the following:
- Severe cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head injuries
- Internal injuries
- Organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
Common Injuries in a Fort Smith Car Accident
Common injuries in a Fort Smith car crash may include:
- Amputations of limbs or toes/fingers
- Ankle injuries
- Back injuries
- Blindness
- Broken arm(s)
- Broken leg(s)
- Broken wrist(s)
- Broken ankle(s)
- Broken bones (ribs, pelvis, shoulder)
- Burns
- Concussions
- Crush injuries
- Damaged or broken tailbone
- Death
- Dental injuries
- Disfiguring facial injuries, scarring
- Dislocated shoulder(s)
- Fractured shoulder
- Fractured hip(s)
- Fractures general (ribs, knees, shoulders, hands, arms)
- Foot injuries
- Head injuries, brain damage
- Hand injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Internal injuries general
- Knee and ankle injuries
- Lacerations, bruises
- Limb loss
- Loss of hearing
- Lung lacerations
- Neck injuries
- Paralysis, quadriplegia, tetraplegia, paraplegia
- Road rash
- Shoulder, back, and neck injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Stress injuries
- Thoracic injuries
- Torn ligaments/tendons
- Traumatic brain injury
- Visual impairment
- Whiplash
- Wrist injuries
Traumatic brain injury is a serious injury, and many people who have been involved in car accidents who sustain a blow to the head face a long recovery.
Brain injuries often result from some type of trauma to the head.
Leading causes of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Being physically assaulted
- Slips and falls
- Car accidents
- Semi Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle and bicycle accidents
- Sports and recreational accidents
- Work-related accidents
- Construction site accidents
- Quick acceleration or deceleration trauma
Every year more than 80,000 Americans suffer a brain injury. Speak to an experienced attorney at the Law Office of Jason M Hatfield to protect your legal rights.
The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. can help you obtain the compensation you deserve from the at-fault driver, no matter what kind of car crash you were injured in. We have effectively represented injured crash survivors for more than 20 years. We know how to effectively deal with insurance companies who want to offer a lowball settlement.
Other common injuries that occur in the aftermath of a car accident can include neck and spinal injuries. Spine and neck injuries are dangerous, as survivors often do not get them treated because they do not know they are injured. Seek treatment immediately after a crash, no matter what.
First Signs of Back and Neck Injuries:
- Extreme pain in the neck, back, or head
- Not able to move toes or fingers
- Numbness, burning sensations, tingling in any part of the body
- Immediate headache
- You find yourself in a twisted, awkward position after the impact
- Unable to walk
- Losing balance
- Loss of control over bladder and/or bowels
- Struggling to breathe
Delayed Symptoms of Neck and Back Injuries:
- Experiencing headaches for several days after the crash
- Bruising, tenderness, swelling, belly pain
- Not able to lift light objects, feel weak
- Shoulders, back, and neck area are painful or have pinching sensations
- Tingling, numbness in arms, hands, or fingers that do not go away
- Hearing or vision has decreased
- Unexplainable panic, stress, anxiety
What Damages Can I Claim For My Car Accident?
At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, we work hard to ensure you receive maximum compensation. Some of the damages your Fort Smith car accident attorney pursue include:
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced earning capacity
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Therapy and rehabilitation costs
In the vast majority of car accident cases, your insurance settlement should cover the damages sustained. In some cases, if a fair settlement cannot be negotiated, our Fort Smith care accident attorneys may move the case to trial. Whatever the circumstances, our Fort Smith car accident attorneys always act in your best interests.
Settlements in car accident claims differ from case to case depending on who is at fault and how severe your injuries are. When you contact the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A., you get a free consultation. An attorney discusses the details of your case and determines its value based on the information provided and available evidence. If you hire one of our attorneys, you only pay if we win your case. You do not pay us if we do not succeed in obtaining compensation for your losses.
Our car accident attorneys are skilled personal injury lawyers and know the system intimately, and should you choose to work directly with an insurance company to attempt to settle your claim, expect to get much less than if you hired an experienced Fort Smith car accident attorney at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield.
If you do not have legal counsel, settlement offers are often very low – lower than what you would likely recover in a court case. We know the value of your claim based on your injuries. We can negotiate a higher settlement for you because you need to heal from your injuries and get on with your life, not worry about paying bills because the insurance company is trying to get you to settle for less.
The best attorneys also educate their clients about what is in store for them when they file a claim for compensation. We take the time to explain everything in great detail so you have enough information to make informed decisions. Our presence at the negotiation table means the insurance company cannot pull a fast one and offer a lowball settlement.
At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, handling Fort Smith car accidents is our forte and we handle a wide range of car crashes involving serious to catastrophic injuries that change lives and cause devastating spinal cord injuries. We have decades of experience helping survivors file their claims.
Arkansas Car Accident Fact Sheet
Contact the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield for Assistance
We understand the challenges that come with being injured in a serious car accident. Let an experienced Fort Smith car accident lawyer handle your claim so you focus on healing rather than on dealing with insurance companies.
The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. has more than 20 years of experience helping car accident victims throughout Northwest Arkansas, so rest assured your case is in good hands.
Call us at (479) 361-3575 to schedule your free consultation. Contact us today to get the best Fort Smith car accident lawyer protecting your rights. Our compassionate team of car accident attorneys is here to listen to what happened. We believe the more we know about your crash, the better equipped we are to help you on the road to recovery.