Highway 412 Car Accident Attorneys
Arkansas drivers have a duty to use care when they drive – to pay attention to the road, to keep their vehicle under control, and to obey traffic signs and signals. All these responsibilities focus on one goal: Protecting those in the vehicle and others on the road from accident or injury.
Despite this duty, hundreds of Arkansas drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are involved in car accidents every day. Many of these accidents occur on Hwy 412.
After a crash, you may struggle to recover from serious injuries. You may suffer bereavement at the sudden loss of a loved one. You may wonder how you’re going to pay the bills, take care of your family, and deal with insurance company demands for information or refusals to pay for your losses.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Let an experienced Springdale personal injury lawyer help you. Talk to the team at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. today.
Hwy 412 Car Accident Statistics
According to records maintained by the Arkansas State Police (ASP), the state recorded a total of 567 fatal car accidents in 2020. These crashes caused 619 total deaths. These totals were the highest numbers Arkansas has posted in over ten years.
Highway 412 is among the most dangerous roadways in the entire state of Arkansas. In 2020, a fatal crash occurred every 17.9 miles on Highway 412 on average. Highway 412 was the third most dangerous road in the state in 2020, after Highway 25 and Highway 62. In total, 16 fatal crashes occurred on Highway 412 in 2020.
Recent Highway 412 accidents that claimed lives include
- A November 2022 crash claimed the lives of two children riding in a vehicle on Highway 412. Their vehicle was rear-ended by another, causing their vehicle to fly off the roadway and strike a utility pole. The crash also caused three injuries.
- A February 2023 crash at the intersection of Highway 412 and Highway 358. A car traveling on 412 was unable to stop when another vehicle pulled out from 358 onto 412. The second vehicle was hit on the passenger side and rolled over. The passenger of that vehicle was killed, and the drivers of both vehicles suffered injuries.
Many motorists are injured in Highway 412 crashes each year as well. In a February 2023 accident, a motorcyclist had to be airlifted from the scene of a crash west of Paragould and flown to a nearby hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
What to Do After a Hwy 412 Accident in Arkansas
After a crash occurs on Highway 412, you can take steps to protect life, health, and safety. You can also take steps to gather evidence and help yourself keep track of what happened in those moments.
If possible, take these five steps after a car accident:
- Call 911 or the local sheriff’s office. First responders can offer medical treatment, contain any hazards like leaking gasoline, and gather evidence to create a detailed accident report.
- Collect and exchange contact information. Arkansas law requires drivers to exchange contact information, license plate and driver’s license numbers, and insurance information after a collision. Collecting contact information from witnesses can be helpful as well.
- Get medical attention. Whether you go to an emergency room or see your primary care physician, visit a doctor as soon as possible after the crash. Not all car accident injuries are obvious when they occur. Prompt medical treatment can help you get on the road to recovery more quickly.
- File an insurance claim. Insurance companies often have very short deadlines for filing a claim after a crash. When you file, stick to the facts. Don’t share opinions like “I think the crash was my fault,” even if you strongly believe them. If you don’t know a particular fact or don’t remember it, say so.
- Talk to an attorney. A lawyer can help you protect your legal rights, gather information and evidence, and fight for a full, fair amount of compensation.
Some crashes on Hwy 412 cause such severe injuries that the injured person isn’t able to take any of these steps on their own. If that was the case in your accident, talk to an experienced attorney today. Your lawyer can do much of this work even after the crash site has been cleaned up and you’ve received the medical care you need.
Common Car Accident Injuries on Hwy 412
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries. An injured person may suffer multiple types of injuries in a single crash, requiring several different types of medical treatment from many different specialists.
Common injuries that occur in Highway 412 and other car accidents in Arkansas include:
- Traumatic brain injuries, including closed head injuries and concussions,
- Spinal cord injuries, including paraplegia or quadriplegia,
- Neck and back injuries, including whiplash and bulging or herniated discs,
- Broken and fractured bones, which may require surgery to correct,
- Muscle, nerve, and soft tissue damage,
- Amputations, either during the accident itself or as part of medical treatment to preserve the health of the body if a limb cannot be saved, and
- Burn injuries from fire, electrocution, or chemical exposure during a crash.
Many of these injuries can cause permanent problems with chronic pain, loss of mobility, scarring, disfigurement, and other issues. Some require ongoing treatment – in some cases, for the rest of a person’s life.
Car accidents can cause less visible issues as well. After a crash, you may experience post-traumatic stress symptoms like flashbacks to the accident and fear of doing tasks that were once routine, like riding in a vehicle. You may have difficulty with mood, memory, and concentration. You may grieve the loss of a loved one, the loss of activities you once enjoyed, or the loss of how your body looked and moved before the crash occurred.
These losses aren’t always as visible as a crash scar, but they are just as real. Your mental and emotional health after a crash is equally as important as your physical health. You deserve compensation and support for all the symptoms a car accident causes.
Should I Work With a Fort Smith Car Accident Lawyer?
After a car accident, your time, attention, and money are tighter than ever. With so much going on and the bills piling up, you may worry that choosing an attorney could be the straw that breaks your family’s budget.
In fact, working with a car accident attorney may cost you very little out of pocket – and the benefits of having an experienced lawyer on your side far outweigh those costs.
At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, your relationship with us begins with a free, confidential consultation session. During your consultation, you’ll speak with one of our experienced car accident lawyers. We will evaluate your case, ask questions, and answer any questions you have about your claim and its potential value.
If you choose to hire our law firm, you’ll have an opportunity to read our contingency agreement in full before you decide to sign. Our contingency agreement states that you pay attorney’s fees only if we succeed in getting compensation for you in your case. If we don’t recover anything for you, you don’t pay attorney’s fees. We may ask for your help with certain costs related to your case, like postage and filing costs, but these amounts are often quite small compared to a full, fair settlement for your injuries.
When you hire an experienced attorney, you gain an ally with deep knowledge of the Arkansas court rules and laws that govern auto accident cases. Your attorney can:
- Investigate the accident and your injuries,
- Gather evidence to build a full, clear picture of what happened and who was at fault,
- Negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies and other parties,
- Provide context and advice about the legal process, the value of your claim, and whether a settlement offer seems fair and appropriate in your case, and
- If needed, represent you at trial.
While your attorney handles your case, you can rest, recover from your injuries, and focus on your loved ones.
It’s also important to speak to an attorney quickly after your accident or injury. Arkansas law limits the amount of time an injured person has to file a legal claim after an accident. If you delay too long, you may lose the opportunity to bring your case to court. An attorney can help you determine how much time you have left and what needs to be done to protect your legal rights.
Speak to an Experienced Arkansas Car Accident Injury Lawyer Today
After a car accident, your world has been turned upside-down. More than ever, you need time and rest to process what happened, recover from your injuries, and determine what happens next. The legal team at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield is here to help handle your legal claims so that you can focus on moving forward. Contact us today to learn more.