Alma, AR Car Accident Lawyer

Car crashes are extremely dangerous, presenting the risk of life-altering or fatal injuries for victims. When collisions happen because of negligence or recklessness, victims can seek compensation from liable parties.

All damages from a car accident should be compensated, including medical costs and lost wages. In addition to the financial effects of collisions and serious injuries, victims may experience pain and suffering, for which they can recover non-economic damages. This compensation could come from an out-of-court settlement or jury award, depending on the course your lawsuit takes. Making a quick recovery is important to many victims, and our lawyers can speed up settlement talks or move forward with a trial if defendants intentionally stall negotiations. Witness statements can be useful leverage in settlement negotiations with negligent drivers, so our attorneys will quickly identify eyewitnesses and experts who could benefit your claim.

Call (479) 316-0438 for a free and confidential case assessment from our car accident lawyers today.

How to Identify Compensable Damages from Car Accidents in Alma, AR

Our lawyers will start by organizing all obvious economic damages, like medical costs. All reasonable medical expenses related to the accident should be covered, but victims must submit proof of their damages to get compensation. This involves tracking all treatment and its cost so that you do not miss any expenses, like surgeries, prescription medications, or medical appointments.

Besides causing medical damages, car accidents could prevent victims from returning to work for weeks, months, or indefinitely. Since you would have continued earning an income if the negligent driver had not injured you, they may be liable for covering your lost wages. We may need various documents to support compensation requests for missed income, like employment records and tax returns. Suppose doctors do not think you will ever be able to return to work at the same earning capacity because of your injuries. In that case, they can testify to that during a trial, which could help you get compensation for future lost wages.

Car accident injuries have economic consequences for victims but also cause considerable pain and suffering. The physical pain and discomfort from serious injuries are compensable, as well as the emotional distress victims endure while recovering. Permanent injuries could cause life-long pain and suffering for victims, who might never be able to resume daily activities, causing them to develop anxiety, depression, or other difficulties.

When quantifying your pain and suffering, our car accident lawyers may consider various factors, like age, the severity of your injuries, and your likelihood of recovering. We can also involve mental health experts in your case, who may give statements supporting your claims of emotional distress.

Estimating the Length of Your Car Accident Case in Alma, AR

Each car accident lawsuit might take varying amounts of time to complete, depending on whether cases are settled or go to court. At the beginning of your case, we can estimate its length and identify tactics to speed up settlement negotiations so you can get compensation sooner.

Settling a case does not necessarily take less time than going to court, though it can, and many lawsuits do settle. At the start of settlement negotiations, victims should anticipate discussing potential agreements with defendants for some time. Negligent drivers might agree to accept liability for a portion of a victim’s damages but not all, and leveraging evidence over defendants is crucial to convince them to increase their offers faster.

Some defendants might intentionally stall settlement negotiations or be non-communicative, so plaintiffs get frustrated and accept lower offers. Our lawyers can identify when defendants are disrupting or delaying settlement negotiations and help you decide whether or not to go to court. At a trial for a car accident, our lawyers can present evidence of the defendant’s negligence to a jury, and the jury will decide liability and assess damages.

The sooner victims file claims, the sooner they may be able to get compensation, so you should not delay initiating your case after sustaining injuries in a car crash due to negligence. Filing quickly is necessary to recover damages faster and ensure you do not miss the statute of limitations, which will be three years from the accident date, according to Ark. Code. § 16-56-105.

Using Statements from Eyewitnesses and Expert Witnesses in Alma, AR Car Accident Lawsuits

Experts and eyewitnesses can provide added context to claims, strengthening them and helping prove the four elements of a car accident lawsuit.

For example, eyewitnesses can confirm that the defendant was driving their car at the time of the accident, meaning they owed you a duty of care to follow traffic rules. Eyewitnesses may also testify to how the defendant breached their duty of care. For example, eyewitnesses can confirm if the defendant was speeding when they hit your car or had just made an illegal turn into your lane.

Other witnesses, like experts, can also prove a breach of duty. For example, accident reconstruction experts can review photos and evidence from the scene to determine the negligent driver’s speed and direction of travel during impact. Medical experts can analyze victims’ hospital records and confirm whether or not they have sustained permanent injuries, which could result in greater non-economic damages. Physicians can also explain the future care victims may need, helping them get compensation for future medical damages not yet incurred.

Before leaving the crash site, survey the area for eyewitnesses. If you are in too much pain to speak to witnesses, our lawyers can refer to the police report to learn their contact information. Scheduling witness interviews immediately is crucial to minimize the risk of their memories fading. We can then identify expert witnesses who may benefit your claim and proceed accordingly.

Call Our Alma, AR Lawyers About Your Accident

Call (479) 316-0438 to discuss your case for free with our car accident lawyers.