The aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, leaving you with physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial burdens. Navigating the legal complexities of an accident claim can feel even more daunting. Don’t try to handle this alone. You need an Arkansas car accident attorney.
At Harris Law Firm, PLLC, we understand the challenges you face. We are dedicated to helping Arkansas car accident victims get the compensation they deserve. Our experienced team will guide you through every step, working to protect your rights and serve your best interests.
Key Takeaways
What Arkansas Car Accident Victims Should Know
Car accident claims involve more legal nuance than most people expect. Here’s what matters most.
- More Than the Other Driver May Be Liable:
Employers, government agencies, vehicle manufacturers, and maintenance providers can all potentially share responsibility for a crash. - Arkansas’s Comparative Negligence Rule Has a Cutoff:
You can recover damages if you’re less than 50% at fault, but you’re barred from recovery entirely at 50% or more. - There’s No Cap on Compensatory Damages:
Arkansas law doesn’t limit how much you can recover for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. - You Have Three Years to File:
Arkansas’s statute of limitations gives you three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Arkansas?
In the immediate aftermath of a car accident, the adrenaline rush and confusion can make it difficult to think clearly. However, taking the proper steps can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Here’s a quick guide outlining the critical first moments after a collision.
Call 911
Ensure everyone’s safety by checking for injuries and calling 911 if necessary. Seek medical attention as soon as possible. You can be seen by the paramedics at the accident scene or the doctors at the hospital emergency room.
Even if you feel okay initially, get checked by your primary care doctor. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal bleeding, may not manifest immediately.
The medical records from these visits are essential documentation for your case.
Document the Scene
Take pictures and videos of the damage to your vehicle, the surrounding area, and any visible injuries. This evidence will be crucial for your insurance claim and potential legal proceedings.
Gather Information
You should exchange contact and insurance details with the other parties involved. Additionally, collect witness information if available. Their statements can be invaluable in establishing fault.
Check to see if any video surveillance in the vicinity recorded the accident and order the accident’s police report.
Protect Your Rights
Do not discuss the accident in detail with anyone except the police and your lawyer. Remember, anything you say can be used against you. Never admit fault. Talk to an Arkansas car accident attorney first.
Which Parties Can Be Liable for a Car Accident in Arkansas?
Determining fault in a car accident is crucial for pursuing compensation. Here’s a breakdown of potential liable parties.
The Other Driver
The other driver’s negligence can lead to an accident, making them financially responsible. Examples of negligence include speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence.
Employers
If the at-fault driver was working during the accident and acted within the scope of their employment, their employer might also be held liable. Examples include employers of company vehicle drivers or delivery drivers.
Government Agencies
Poorly maintained roads, faulty traffic signals, or inadequate signage can sometimes contribute to accidents. If a government agency is responsible for these issues, it may be liable for damages.
Vehicle Manufacturers
The manufacturer could be held responsible if a defective vehicle component, such as malfunctioning brakes or faulty airbags, causes a car accident. Vehicle manufacturers may also be held liable for design flaws.
Third-Party Maintenance Providers
If a car accident is due to improper maintenance or repairs performed by a mechanic or other service provider, they could be liable for negligence.
Alcoholic Beverage Retailer
If a drunk driver caused the car accident, the company that sold them alcohol may be liable for damages. Specifically, if the retailer knew or should have known that the person was intoxicated when they sold the person alcohol, the retailer can be found liable.
Ready to Speak to Arkansas Car Accident Attorney?
If you’ve recently been in a car accident and suffered injuries, you don’t have to face this alone. We’re here to listen and help. Simply fill out the form below, and we’ll reach out to schedule your consultation. Just a few details are needed.
How Can I Hold Insurance Companies Accountable in Arkansas?
Arkansas is considered an “at-fault” state. That means every driver is required to carry liability insurance. In other words, if the driver is at fault in a car accident, their insurance will pay for the other driver’s (and passengers’) damages.
Because the law is set up this way, you have three paths you can take if you’re the victim in a car accident:
- File a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company;
- File a lawsuit against all liable parties; or
- If the at-fault driver is uninsured, file a claim with your own insurance company under your uninsured motorist policy (if you have one).
Sometimes you can choose more than one path. An auto accident lawyer in Arkansas can help you navigate your options.
You Don’t Have to Handle This Alone
Let Us Carry the Legal Weight While You Focus on Recovering
Between medical bills, lost income, and insurance company calls, the aftermath of a car accident can feel overwhelming. Harris Law Firm is here to handle the legal fight so you can focus on getting better.
Liability Insurance Minimums
Keep in mind that while all drivers are required to have liability insurance, this insurance can be pretty limited. Under state law, it only has to cover:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury or death,
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and death (if there was more than one victim), and
- $25,000 per accident for property damage.
Even if your damages are much higher than the at-fault driver’s insurance limits, the insurance company only has to reimburse you up to the limits of the insurance policy. That’s why it’s important to get an auto accident lawyer in Arkansas to make sure you’re considering all responsible parties, not just the driver.
Optional Insurance Coverage
In addition to seeking compensation from a third party, you may have the ability to pursue compensation from your own insurance company. This depends on the circumstances of your case and the types of optional coverage you carry.
There are three common types of optional insurance that may be involved in your car accident situation. Your car wreck lawyer can assist you in understanding your coverage and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance
Personal injury protection, or PIP, is commonly called “no-fault” coverage because it pays for your medical expenses and certain other costs after a car accident, regardless of who was at fault. This includes hospital bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, and sometimes even essential services like child care or housekeeping if your injuries prevent you from performing daily tasks.
Often, PIP can be vital in the immediate aftermath of a crash. It offers quick access to funds for treatment without the need to wait for a liability determination or settlement. However, it’s important to note that PIP is optional in Arkansas, so it may or may not be included in your policy. Additionally, it has coverage limits and may not provide full compensation, especially in serious injury cases. In those situations, we often pursue additional claims against the at-fault party to recover the full scope of damages.
Collision auto insurance
Like PIP, collision insurance pays for damages regardless of who is at fault in the car accident. While PIP covers injuries and lost wages, collision insurance covers your vehicle. Whether you hit another car, a tree, or a pole, this coverage should help you repair or replace your vehicle.
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance
UM/UIM insurance is meant to protect you if you’re hit by a driver who doesn’t carry auto insurance, despite legal requirements, or who has insufficient insurance to cover your losses. It can also cover hit-and-run accidents where the other driver flees the scene. This type of coverage helps ensure that you can still receive compensation for injuries, lost income, and other damages when there’s no one else to hold financially accountable or the responsible party can’t realistically pay the damages.
Even though a UM/UIM claim involves your own insurance company, you are likely to face many of the same challenges you would with a claim against an at-fault party. For this reason, it’s just as important to have legal assistance with a UM/UIM claim as it is for any other injury claim.
You Deserve to Be Made Whole
The Other Driver’s Insurance Company Isn’t Looking Out for You
Insurance adjusters work to minimize what they pay, even when the accident clearly wasn’t your fault. Let our team fight for the compensation you deserve, including lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
Our Arkansas Car Accident Lawyer | W. Noel Harris
W. Noel Harris is the founder of Harris Law Firm, PLLC, and has dedicated more than four decades to representing individuals and families harmed by the negligence of others. Since earning his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1981, he has focused his practice on personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and complex litigation. Licensed to practice in Arkansas, Mr. Harris is recognized for his extensive courtroom experience, multimillion-dollar case results, and membership in numerous respected legal organizations, including the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He is committed to providing skilled, compassionate, and results-driven representation for injured clients.
What Damages Can I Recover for a Car Accident in Arkansas?
The aftermath of a car accident can leave you facing significant financial burdens. Fortunately, Arkansas law allows you to seek compensation for your losses. These damages include the following:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Property damage,
- Pain and suffering,
- Loss of enjoyment of life, and
- Mental anguish.
The compensation you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries, the extent of your losses, and the specific facts of your case. An experienced Arkansas car accident lawyer can help you assess the full scope of your damages and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Punitive Damages
Under Arkansas state law, if you’re in a car accident, you may be eligible to recover punitive damages. Punitive damages are damages beyond the compensatory categories listed above. Punitive damages are meant to act as punishment for particularly egregious actions, such as driving under the influence or driving recklessly. To obtain punitive damages, your auto accident lawyer must prove the responsible party knew or should have known their actions would cause harm and acted with malice or reckless disregard for your safety.
Common Questions
More Arkansas Car Accident Questions, Answered
Beyond the basics, a few other questions come up often with our Arkansas car accident clients.
Depending on the circumstances, an employer, a government agency responsible for road maintenance, a vehicle manufacturer, a third-party maintenance provider, or even an alcoholic beverage retailer could share liability. An attorney investigates every party whose negligence may have contributed to the crash.
UM/UIM coverage protects you if the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your damages. Since Arkansas only requires $25,000 in per-person liability coverage, this optional coverage can make a real difference if your injuries are serious.
PIP is optional coverage that can pay for your medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who caused the accident, before liability is determined. It’s not required in Arkansas, but it can provide faster access to funds while your claim is being resolved.
Punitive damages may be available if the at-fault party knew or should have known their actions would cause harm and acted with malice or reckless disregard for your safety, such as a driver who was highly intoxicated. These damages punish egregious conduct rather than simply compensating your losses.
Know the Risk Areas
Mapping Arkansas’s Car Accident Corridors
Car accidents happen everywhere in Arkansas, but busy interstate interchanges and high-traffic urban corridors see more than their share. As an Arkansas car accident attorney, Harris Law Firm has represented drivers and families hurt in crashes across the areas below. Explore the map or the list to see where traffic risk runs highest and what to do if you’re hurt in one of these areas.
Interactive map loading… select a location from the list to explore Arkansas’s car accident corridors.
Corridor locations above are illustrative, based on well-known Arkansas interstate interchanges and urban traffic corridors. Every accident is different — contact Harris Law Firm to discuss the specifics of yours.
Hurt in a Car Accident in One of These Areas?
Schedule a free consultation with an Arkansas car accident attorney today.
Cases We Handle in Arkansas:
Local Resources in Arkansas
If you’ve suffered a car accident anywhere in Arkansas, these statewide resources can help with emergency medical care, accident reporting, transportation, vehicle recovery, and other essential services. While these organizations can provide immediate assistance, consulting an experienced Arkansas car accident attorney as soon as possible can help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Police & Public Safety
Arkansas State Police (ASP) – Patrols Arkansas’s interstate highways, state highways, and rural roadways, responding to serious traffic crashes, commercial vehicle accidents, DUI incidents, and fatal collisions across the state. Troopers investigate crashes, prepare official accident reports, and assist motorists statewide. Call 911 for emergencies or 501-618-8000 for non-emergency assistance. Visit Website.
Arkansas Department of Public Safety (ADPS) – Oversees statewide public safety agencies, including the Arkansas State Police, and provides information on traffic safety, emergency preparedness, and law enforcement services. Visit Website.
Arkansas Division of Emergency Management (ADEM) – 1 State Police Plaza Dr, Little Rock, AR 72209, United States. Coordinates statewide emergency response, disaster recovery, and public safety operations during emergencies affecting Arkansas residents. Call 501-683-6700. Visit Website.
Accident Reports & Records
Arkansas State Police Crash Reports – Obtain official traffic collision reports for crashes investigated by the Arkansas State Police throughout the state. Request Report.
Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) Traffic Information – Provides statewide road conditions, highway alerts, construction updates, travel advisories, and incident information for Arkansas motorists. Visit Website.
Medical & Emergency Care
UAMS Medical Center – 4301 W Markham St, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States. Arkansas’s only Level I Adult Trauma Center, providing 24/7 emergency care, trauma surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic treatment, intensive care, and rehabilitation for patients with traumatic brain injuries and other serious injuries. Call +1 501-686-8000. Visit Website.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital – 1 Children’s Way, Little Rock, AR 72202, United States. Arkansas’s only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, offering specialized emergency care, pediatric neurosurgery, rehabilitation, and treatment for children with traumatic brain injuries. Call 501-364-1100. Visit Website.
Baptist Health Medical Center – Little Rock – 9601 Interstate 630 Exit 7, Little Rock, AR 72205, United States. Provides 24-hour emergency services, advanced imaging, surgery, intensive care, and rehabilitation services for accident victims throughout Central Arkansas. Call 501-202-2000. Visit Website.
Rental Car Services
Enterprise Rent-A-Car (Multiple Arkansas Locations) – Offers insurance replacement rentals, daily vehicle rentals, SUVs, and long-term rental options throughout Arkansas. Visit Website.
Hertz Car Rental (Arkansas Locations) – Provides rental vehicles and insurance replacement transportation for accident victims across the state. Visit Website.
Budget Car Rental (Arkansas Locations) – Offers affordable rental vehicles and insurance replacement rentals at locations throughout Arkansas. Visit Website.
Transportation Services
Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) – Provides statewide highway information, road conditions, traveler resources, and transportation updates for Arkansas motorists. Visit Website.
Amtrak Arkansas Service – Passenger rail service connecting Arkansas communities through stations including Little Rock, providing transportation options for individuals unable to drive after an accident. Visit Website.
Rock Region METRO – Provides fixed-route bus, paratransit, and on-demand public transportation services throughout Central Arkansas, including Little Rock, North Little Rock, and surrounding communities. Visit Website.
Mental Health & Support
Arkansas Department of Human Services – Division of Aging, Adult, & Behavioral Health Services – 700 Main St, Little Rock, AR 72201, United States. Provides statewide behavioral health resources, crisis intervention services, treatment referrals, and support for individuals coping with the emotional effects of traumatic injuries. Call 501-682-1001. Visit Website.
NAMI Arkansas (National Alliance on Mental Illness Arkansas) – 1012 Autumn Rd #1, Little Rock, AR 72211, United States. Offers mental health education, peer support programs, family resources, advocacy, and referrals to counseling services throughout Arkansas. Call +1 501-661-1548. Visit Website.
Arkansas Department of Health – Injury & Violence Prevention Program – Provides injury prevention education, public health resources, and connections to community support services for Arkansas residents recovering from serious injuries. Visit Website.