Pine Bluff
Car Accident Lawyer
People who have been injured in car crashes in Pine Bluff, Arkansas should know the basics of personal injury law in Arkansas and how NST Law can help them with their car accident claim.
Increased traffic often leads to more car accidents, and Pine Bluff is no exception. Interstate 530, the Martha Mitchell Expressway and Highway 79 are common areas where car accidents occur.Â
The Arkansas Department of Transportation’s most recent crash statistics for Jefferson County, which includes Pine Bluff, show 57 fatal crashes and 173 serious injury accidents between 2015 and 2019. Most of these crashes occurred in the southern part of the I-530 loop below the city.
If you’ve recently been in a car accident in Pine Bluff, a Pine Bluff personal injury lawyer can help you recover damages for injuries sustained. At NST Law, we are champions for the injured. We’ll explain your rights and ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
Table Of Contents
- What can a Pine Bluff car accident attorney do to ensure justice is served?
- What is the statute of limitations in Arkansas?
- How does compensation work in a Pine Bluff car accident case?
- Arkansas Fault Laws Affect Pine Bluff Car Accident Victims
- When should I contact a Pine Bluff car accident lawyer?
- What do I need to prove my case?
- How much should I expect to pay for legal assistance with my case?
- What makes NST Law the best choice for me?
- Where do I begin?
What can a Pine Bluff car accident attorney do to ensure justice is served?
Car accidents happen every day. Some are minor, but others leave drivers and passengers severely injured. A Pine Bluff car accident lawyer is essential in personal injury cases. Our skilled attorneys can assist you in obtaining the compensation you need to pay past and future medical bills and replace lost income.Â
Many people make the mistake of immediately agreeing to settlement offers from an insurance company following a crash. Frequently, these settlements don’t provide enough money to cover the costs of your crash.Â
To obtain your compensation, you’ll need a skilled negotiator who understands Arkansas personal injury law and can fully describe the facts of your case.Â
At NST Law, a Pine Bluff car accident lawyer will help you:
- Calculate the expenses related to your car accident, including medical bills, lost income and damage to your vehicle
- Communicate with your medical provider to understand your condition and how long it will take to recover
- Estimate damages related to pain and suffering
- Negotiate with insurance agencies on your behalf
- Document the facts of your case
- Represent you at trial
If a car wreck caused you injury, you want to make sure that you have the representation you need to recover compensation sufficient for your financial obligations and your recovery.
What is the statute of limitations in Arkansas?
Each state sets its statute of limitations, which is the period that an injured person has to file a claim against a negligent party following an accident. In Arkansas, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is three years. This limit means that you will have three years to file a lawsuit from the date of your car accident.
While it may seem that you have a long time to file your claim, the sooner you do so, the better. Filing sooner will enable you to collect the money you need to pay your medical bills, repair your car and replace any lost income.
Over time, people tend to forget facts, and the circumstances of your wreck may become murkier. We recommend that you speak with a Pine Bluff car accident lawyer as soon as you begin to feel better from your injuries.
How does compensation work in a Pine Bluff car accident case?
There are three types of compensation that you may be able to recover. Compensation includes economic damages, non-economic damages and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are easily calculated and are determined based on purchase invoices, receipts and bills. They include all of the following:
- Past and expected future medical expenses, including hospitalization, surgery, doctor’s visits, medications, physical therapy and laboratory tests
- The cost of medical equipment required for your recovery, such as a wheelchair or crutches
- Lost income due to time off work to recover from your injury
- Replacement of wages if you are unable to work at your usual standard
- Household service expenses, such as paid care for children or cleaning if you are unable to perform the activities due to your injury
- Costs to repair or replace your car
Compensation for economic damages is straightforward. Your attorney will be able to assist you in the calculation to ensure that you include all of the expenses you have incurred, as well as future costs.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are subjective and will vary depending on the facts and circumstances of your case. Common types of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Disfigurement or impairment of the body
A Pine Bluff car accident lawyer can determine the extent of the non-economic damages you have suffered.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are rare for car accident claims and are awarded only if the defendant was severely negligent in his or her actions. The point of punitive damages is to punish the opposing party and warn others against similar actions. Your attorney can determine whether your case qualifies for punitive damages.
Arkansas Fault Laws Affect Pine Bluff Car Accident Victims
Arkansas has a modified comparative fault law that prevents recovery of damages if the accident victim is found 50 percent or more responsible for an automobile crash. In such cases, damages decrease in proportion to your determined responsibility.Â
For example, assume the court has established that you sustained $100,000 in damages from the accident and you were 25 percent at fault. Your damages would be reduced by 25 percent — to $75,000.Â
However, if you were 60 percent responsible for the crash under the same circumstances, you would be unable to recover any damages. Our video below explains this rule in further detail.
When should I contact a Pine Bluff car accident lawyer?
The sooner, the better. If you have mounting medical bills, you’ll want to obtain compensation to repay your bills as quickly as possible. You’ll also need money to replace lost wages and your personal vehicle.Â
By contacting a lawyer soon after the crash, you’ll get your case moving, and we’ll be able to start working on your behalf. The longer you delay, the more likely you will forget critical facts related to the accident.Â
It may be more difficult for us to recover the compensation you need when months or years have gone by since the day of your injury.
What do I need to prove my case?
The more documentation that you have related to your case, the better. Immediately following a car accident, try to take pictures of the scene and any relevant details of the collision.
Photos that are helpful to your attorney include:
- Automobiles involved
- Your injuries
- Site of the accidentÂ
Also note the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
A police report is essential in proving the cause of the accident, so contact the Pine Bluff Police Department immediately. You’ll want to obtain a copy of your accident report. In addition, keep all copies of medical bills and records and the invoices for car repairs and towing. You should also have the contact information and insurance details of other drivers involved in the wreck.
Write down any details you recall regarding the wreck within a day or two following the accident. This documentation can give our team a clearer picture of the circumstances that led to the impact.
How much should I expect to pay for legal assistance with my case?
At NST Law, we operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t pay for our services unless we can obtain compensation on your behalf. If your case is a success, we’ll collect a percentage of the settlement as fees for our services. We’ll discuss our payment structure with you during your initial consultation.
What makes NST Law the best choice for me?
Our skilled legal team has extensive experience in car accident injury law. Over the years, we’ve obtained significant car accident settlements for our clients, including:
- $1.4 million for a couple in a head-on collision
- $1.5 million for a couple in a catastrophic car wreck
- $255,000 for an individual in a rollover car accident
- $500,000 for a passenger injured by a drunk driver
- $1.3 million for an infant death resulting from a car wreck
We are the champions for the injured. We want to recover the compensation you deserve and get you on the path to recovery.
Where do I begin?
Filing a lawsuit can be intimidating. Let us be your guide. If you’ve sustained injuries in a Pine Bluff car accident, call the champs at NST Law. We offer a free consultation, during which we’ll get to know you and examine the facts of your accident and injuries. You can expect nothing but the best when you choose to work with us.
Contact us for a free consultation now so that we can review your case and decide how we can best help you.
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4 Shackleford Plaza Suite 211 Little Rock, AR 72211
Phone: 501-891-5550
Fax: 501-891-5036
425 W Capitol Ave, Ste. 1535
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-435-0000
Fax: 501-406-1849