Little Rock Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Working Hard to Protect Your Rights
Motorcycle accidents are some of the most traumatic of all auto crashes.
While many accidents result in fatalities, those that don’t often have long-lasting consequences, such as disability or disfigurement.
However, you don’t have to go solo in fighting for the compensation you need.
A Little Rock motorcycle accident attorney at Harris Law Firm, PLLC can help you navigate your claim and advocate for your best interests.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Little Rock, AR
Since motorcycles offer less protection than a conventional vehicle, crashes are often more serious. Broken bones, road rash, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries are some of the most common and devastating injuries in a motorcycle accident.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that may cause such a horrible crash, including:
- Speeding,
- Tailgating,
- Distracted driving,
- Drunk driving,
- Running red lights,
- Low visibility,
- Improper lane changes,
- Poorly maintained roads, and
- Motorcycle defects.
While driver negligence is the number one cause of these accidents, it’s also important to consider the possibility of defects. In these cases, the manufacturer of the bike makes a mistake when designing or constructing the bike.
For many motorcycles, these defects include wobbling at high speeds or brake failure. Our motorcycle accident attorney in Little Rock, AR can help determine if this is the cause of your crash based on the evidence.
W. Noel Harris
Founder, Harris Law Firm, PLLC
Professional Associations
- Mississippi Association for Justice — Board of Governors
- American Association for Justice, Member
- National Trial Lawyers Association, Member
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating
Bar Admissions
- Mississippi, 1981
- Arkansas, 2010
Years Practicing
Admitted to MS Bar
Noel Harris is the founder of Harris Law Firm, PLLC, and represents injured clients throughout Jackson and across Mississippi. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Delta State University in 1978 and his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1981. Since 1981, Mr. Harris has been a member of the Plaintiff’s bar, concentrating his practice on personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and products liability claims.
Mr. Harris is widely recognized for his knowledge of Mississippi injury law and his tenacious representation of clients across the state, including those in Jackson, Hinds County, and the surrounding metro. His litigation experience has resulted in successful million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for injured clients.
Free consultation · No obligation
Arkansas Helmet Laws
While some states require motorcyclists to wear helmets at all times, Arkansas is not one of them. Under Arkansas Code § 27-20-104, riders over the age of 21 do not need to wear a helmet when riding. However, those under the age of 21 must wear a helmet (along with goggles or a face shield) while riding or operating a motorcycle or moped.
How Not Wearing a Helmet May Affect Your Case
While it may be optional to wear a helmet, it may have an impact on your claim.
This is because Arkansas follows a modified comparative negligence law, which means that the court reduces injury awards by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault.
For example, if a driver hits you because they don’t check their blind spot, the jury may find you partially at fault for your injuries since you weren’t wearing a helmet.
Here’s how this might affect your settlement or judgment. Let’s say that in the previous example you have $100,000 in damages. The jury determines that you are 15% at fault for your injuries since you didn’t wear head protection. This reduces your total award to $85,000.
It’s important to keep in mind that Arkansas allows you to pursue compensation as long as your fault is less than 50%. However, it also means that you may get significantly less than you need.
This is why it’s essential to discuss your case with a Little Rock motorcycle accident lawyer. They will find all of the evidence needed to show the negligence of the other driver.
If a City or County Vehicle Was Involved
Arkansas law treats crashes involving a city or county vehicle differently than crashes between private drivers. Under Ark. Code Ann. § 21-9-301, cities, counties, and other political subdivisions are generally immune from tort lawsuits, except to the extent they carry liability insurance covering the claim.
However, Arkansas law also requires counties to carry a minimum amount of auto liability insurance under Ark. Code Ann. § 21-9-303. That means a claim involving a county vehicle may still be possible, though it would generally be limited to the county’s insurance coverage.
Because these cases involve government immunity rules that don’t apply to an ordinary crash between two drivers, it’s especially important to talk to an attorney early if a city or county vehicle was involved in your motorcycle accident.
Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Cases
Like many other accident cases, victims of a motorcycle accident have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit. This time limit is known as a statute of limitations.
In Arkansas, victims have three years from the date of injury to bring an action. If you try to file a case after this limit expires, the court may refuse to hear it. This is why we urge you to consult a motorcycle accident lawyer in Little Rock immediately following your accident.
Types of Compensation Available After a Motorcycle Accident
Arkansas law permits motorcycle accident victims to collect compensation for their injuries and losses, subject to the state’s modified comparative negligence rule described above. Below is a breakdown of what that compensation can include.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover your quantifiable financial losses, including:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost income from missed work
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Motorcycle repair or replacement costs
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as medical equipment or rehabilitation
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the more subjective, but very real, impact of your injuries:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (impact on your relationship with a spouse)
What Affects Your Case Value
Several factors typically influence how much a motorcycle accident claim is worth:
- The severity and permanence of your injuries
- How well your medical treatment is documented
- The strength and clarity of the liability evidence
- The at-fault party’s available insurance coverage
- Your percentage of fault under Arkansas’s modified comparative negligence rule
Key Evidence in a Little Rock Motorcycle Accident Case
Strong evidence is often what separates a fair settlement from a lowball offer. Depending on the circumstances of your crash, the following types of evidence can help establish liability and the extent of your damages:
Police Crash Report
The responding officer’s report often includes an initial assessment of fault, statements from those involved, and citations issued.
Helmet and Protective Gear
Since helmet use can factor into a comparative negligence argument, preserving your helmet and other gear as evidence can help establish exactly what protection you were using at the time of the crash.
Traffic and Surveillance Camera Footage
Nearby traffic cameras, business security cameras, or dash cams from other vehicles can capture the crash itself or the moments leading up to it. This footage is often overwritten within days or weeks, so it needs to be requested quickly.
Cell Phone Records
Phone records can help establish whether a driver was texting, calling, or otherwise distracted at the time of the crash.
Witness Statements
Independent witnesses can corroborate your account of how the crash occurred.
Medical Records and Bills
Complete, well-documented medical records tie your injuries directly to the crash and support the value of your claim.
Accident Reconstruction
In cases where fault is disputed, an accident reconstruction expert can analyze physical evidence, including the bike itself, to explain how the crash happened, including whether a motorcycle defect may have contributed.
Where Your Little Rock Motorcycle Accident Case Is Heard
Motorcycle accident lawsuits arising in Little Rock are filed in the Pulaski County Circuit Court, located at 401 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Circuit Court is Arkansas’s trial court for civil actions, including personal injury and motorcycle accident claims, and it is where your case would be heard if a fair settlement cannot be reached with the insurance company.
Harris Law Firm, PLLC has represented injured clients throughout Pulaski County and is familiar with the procedures and filing requirements of the Pulaski County court system.
Serving Motorcycle Accident Victims Throughout Little Rock and Pulaski County
At Harris Law Firm, PLLC, we represent motorcycle accident victims throughout Little Rock and the surrounding Pulaski County area, including:
Little Rock: Downtown/River Market, Hillcrest, The Heights, and West Little Rock
Surrounding Pulaski County: North Little Rock, Jacksonville, Sherwood, and Maumelle
No matter where in the Little Rock area your crash happened, our motorcycle accident lawyers are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Know Before You Go
Little Rock’s Most Dangerous Roads for Motorcycle Riders
Motorcyclists face extra risk at Little Rock’s busiest intersections and interchanges, where blind spots and merging traffic leave little room for error. If you were hurt in a Little Rock motorcycle accident, our Little Rock motorcycle accident lawyers know these roads well.
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Hurt In A Motorcycle Accident On One Of These Roads?
You don’t have to sort it out alone. Talk to a Little Rock motorcycle accident lawyer about your options, free of charge.
Little Rock Motorcycle Accident Lawyer FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a Little Rock motorcycle accident lawyer?
We offer a free initial consultation, so you can discuss your case with us at no upfront cost or obligation. Ask us about the specific fee arrangement for your case during that consultation.
Will not wearing a helmet ruin my case?
Not necessarily. As explained above, Arkansas’s modified comparative negligence rule means a jury could assign you some percentage of fault for not wearing a helmet, which would reduce your award, but you can still recover as long as your total fault is less than 50%.
How much is my Little Rock motorcycle accident case worth?
Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost wages, and the strength of the liability evidence. There is no fixed number that applies to every case. We can give you a realistic assessment after reviewing the specific facts of your crash.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in Arkansas?
As noted above, Arkansas gives you three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. If a city or county vehicle was involved, the immunity and insurance-coverage rules described above may also affect your case, so it’s worth speaking with us as early as possible.
The insurance company already offered me a settlement. Should I take it?
Early settlement offers are often calculated before the full extent of your injuries or future medical needs is known. Once you accept and sign a release, you typically cannot go back for more money later, even if your injuries turn out to be worse than expected. We recommend having us review any offer before you accept it.
Can I still hire you if I already gave a recorded statement to the insurance company?
Yes. An earlier statement doesn’t prevent you from hiring us. We can still review what was said and build your case around the facts, even if a statement was already given.
Why should I choose Harris Law Firm for my Little Rock motorcycle accident case?
We’re licensed to practice in Arkansas and have decades of experience handling personal injury claims, including motorcycle accidents. During your initial consultation, we’ll be upfront with you about the realistic strengths and weaknesses of your case.
Why Choose Our Little Rock Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
At Harris Law Firm, our attorneys have over 35+ years of experience seeking justice for personal injury victims. Unlike larger firms, we don’t hand your case off to a case manager. Instead, we use a personalized approach and give clients the one-on-one attention they need.
We can help with every aspect of your Little Rock motorcycle accident case including:
- Gathering evidence from the scene of the crash,
- Contacting possible witnesses for testimony,
- Obtaining medical documents and accident reports,
- Negotiating with the defense on your behalf, and
- Preparing the case for trial if necessary.
Our success is your success, so we work non-stop to help you move forward after an accident and aggressively fight for your well-being. Best of all, we’re available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have about your case.
Injured While Riding? Contact a Little Rock Motorcycle Accident Attorney at Harris Law Firm
Out of all crash types, motorcycle accidents are the most likely to result in severe injuries. If you or a loved one sustains injuries, you need a Little Rock motorcycle accident attorney you can trust. At Harris Law Firm, we won’t back down from the insurance company. We’ll fight for the compensation you need, so you can focus on recovery.
To schedule a free consultation, contact us online or call us at (662) 335-4171.