I-49 Car Accident Attorneys

Experienced Arkansas Injury Lawyers Assist Clients Injured in Crashes on I-49

Interstate 49 is not Arkansas’ longest interstate highway, but it is among Arkansas’s most dangerous interstate routes. Extending from Alma north to the Missouri state line and from the Louisana state line to Texarkana, I-49 has carried much of western Arkansas’s traffic since its first stretch opened in 1999.

Work continues in 2024 and beyond to stretch I-49 across the entire western side of Arkansas. Frequent construction to complete the expansion increases risks for drivers and construction workers on I-49.

If you’ve been injured in a crash on I-49, talk to an experienced Arkansas car accident lawyer today. The team at the Law Office of Jason Hatfield, P.A. is here to help.

Types of Car Accidents on I-49

Car accidents on I-49 are an all-too-common news headline in northern Arkansas. Just a few examples of these accidents include:

A rollover accident blocked the northbound lanes in the fall of 2019, increasing risks not only to those involved in the crash but to other drivers on the road as well.
Multiple crashes in late 2022 sent plumes of black smoke billowing into the air as a vehicle caught fire. Both north- and southbound lanes stopped as first responders fought to control the blaze.
In early 2023, a teen died, and an adult companion was injured when their vehicle was rear-ended on I-49 near the Bobby Hopper Tunnel.
In April 2024, a passenger died when a vehicle hydroplaned in heavy rain and collided with a concrete bridge pillar near mile marker 54 on I-49.

These and other serious accidents on I-49 cause deaths and injuries each year. Injured people and their loved ones struggle to pick up the pieces after a crash.

Common Injuries in I-49 Crashes

Car accidents on I-49 can cause devastating injuries. The forces of a car accident can inflict severe damage on any part of the body. Many people involved in I-49 car accidents suffer multiple injuries in the crash.

Common injuries in accidents on Arkansas’ I-49 include:

Brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries include concussions and other closed-head injuries. They also include piercing injuries where an object penetrates the skull and injures the brain. Mild brain injuries can cause lingering problems with attention, mood, memory, and other symptoms. Moderate to severe brain injuries can cause permanent impairment or death.
Spinal cord injuries. Spinal cord injuries affect feeling and motor function in the areas of the body below the injury site. If the spinal cord is severed, paralysis results. Few injuries are more expensive or difficult to treat than spinal cord damage.
Neck and back injuries. Neck sprain, also known as “whiplash,” is a common car accident injury. It can cause debilitating symptoms. Back injuries like a herniated disc or fractured bones can cause lingering problems as well.
Broken bones. The force of a car accident can crack or shatter bones. Broken bones may require surgery to treat. Recovery from broken bones can take months or years, particularly if several bones are broken. Ongoing pain or discomfort from implanted hardware, arthritis, or pain at the injury site may also occur.
Amputation. The extreme force of a car accident can also amputate limbs. In some cases, crush or burn injuries require medical professionals to perform an amputation, removing a limb to preserve the health of the rest of the body. Amputation permanently alters how a person moves and functions in daily life.
Internal injuries. Blunt-force trauma injuries to the internal organs are common in severe accidents. They can cause internal bleeding, organ damage, and other problems.

Other types of injuries may occur as well. For example, if a vehicle’s wiring is exposed during a crash or the vehicle forms a fuel leak, the risk of electrical or thermal burns increases.

All these injuries require medical care. They require time, treatment, and attention to heal properly. Any of these injuries can leave permanent scars or other symptoms.

Who is at Fault in an I-49 Crash?

Most Arkansas I-49 car accidents can be categorized as “negligence.” Negligence occurs when one person fails to take due care to prevent harm, and someone else suffers injuries as a result.

To demonstrate negligence in an I-49 crash, an injured person must show that:

Another person had a duty to use due care to prevent harm. Every driver on Arkansas roads has a duty to use due care to prevent an accident or injury. This duty includes responsibilities like following the rules and laws of the road, paying attention to traffic, and handling the vehicle appropriately for conditions like construction zones or bad weather. In a large truck accident, other parties with this duty may include the trucking company, which has a duty to follow hiring laws, or the truck’s maintenance company, which has a duty to perform maintenance adequately so the truck is safe to drive.
The other person “breached” or failed to perform that duty. In an I-49 crash, a breach of duty may be as simple as a driver deciding to drive drunk or as complex as a vehicle manufacturer failing to avoid a hidden defect in a part of the vehicle’s engine. Failing to use due care increases the risk of an accident.
The other person’s breach of duty caused the injured person’s injuries. This factor looks at the connection between one person’s failure to use due care and the other person’s injuries. In some accidents, this connection is straightforward; in others, it can be explained only through careful investigation.
The injured person suffered harm a court can compensate, usually through damages. In a personal injury case, an injured person seeks damages to compensate them for their losses in the accident.

Compensation in an I-49 car accident case may cover losses like:

Medical bills,
Lost wages,
Damaged property, and
Pain and suffering.

Other types of compensation may be available as well. An experienced attorney can help you determine what compensation may be available in your case.

How an Attorney Can Help You After a Collision on I-49

I-49 may be the site of serious accidents, but no two crashes on I-49 are identical. It’s important to work with an experienced lawyer who can protect your rights and fight for compensation in your unique situation.

When you hire an attorney, your lawyer can:

Answer your questions and provide important information. Whether you’ve been involved in a court case before or are new to the process, an experienced attorney can answer your questions and help you make informed decisions.
Deal with insurance companies so you can rest. Your attorney can take over communications and negotiations with insurance companies so that you can focus on healing. Insurance companies that have stalled or refused to work with you may also be more cooperative when they realize you have an experienced attorney on your side.
Gather evidence and build a strong case for your compensation. Tracking down medical records, police reports, and other essential evidence is time-consuming work. When you’re struggling to recover from a serious injury or reeling with grief at a loved one’s loss, doing this detailed work can feel impossible. Your attorney’s office takes care of this step.
Protect your legal rights at every step. Navigating the legal process can be challenging. From meeting essential deadlines to knowing how to talk about your case, every step of the process poses risks for those unfamiliar with court cases. Your attorney serves as your guide, protecting your legal rights as the case moves forward.

Most personal injury claims do not go to trial. Instead, the parties negotiate a settlement out of court. An experienced attorney, however, treats every case as if it might go to trial – building the evidence and arguments needed to prove your right to compensation.

Don’t shy away from talking to a lawyer due to cost. Instead, look for an experienced I-49 Arkansas car accident lawyer who offers a contingency fee agreement. An attorney who works “on contingency” only receives a fee if they win your case. If the lawyer cannot recover any compensation for you, you will pay little or nothing out of pocket.

Have questions? Many attorneys, including those at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, offer free, no-obligation consultations. You can schedule a free consultation to ask questions and get to know an attorney before you make your final decision.

Speak to an Experienced Arkansas I-49 Accident Attorney Today

Surviving a crash on I-49 doesn’t mean you walk away unharmed. Your life may have changed forever on the day of that crash. If you lost a loved one, you already know how different and difficult your life has become.

You don’t have to face the future alone. Talk to the team at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield today. Our dedicated and compassionate northern Arkansas personal injury lawyers will help you understand your legal rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. To learn more, contact us today to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation.

I-49 Car Accident Attorneys