Fayetteville, AR Car Accident Lawyer

Few things in life can be more traumatic and overwhelming than a car accident. Dealing with a devastating injury or losing of a loved one in a car crash can be extremely challenging. Moreover, the emotional, mental, and psychological scars you may have suffered after a crash can have lasting effects over your entire life.

Moving on and rebuilding your life after a devastating car crash can be difficult, mainly if you have to deal with burdening medical bills and other financial losses to cover. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through this trying time on your own. Our Fayetteville, AR car accident attorney Ken Kieklak can help you hold the liable parties accountable for your losses and fight for the compensation you deserve. We will fight aggressively, strategically, and tirelessly to bring those who harmed you to justice.

To schedule a confidential legal consultation, call our law offices right away at (479) 316-0438. You only have a limited time to file a claim following an accident, so don’t wait until it’s too late, and the deadlines have already passed. Call us today to get started exploring your options.

Where Do Car Accidents Occur in Fayetteville, AR?

The report issued by the State Police regarding Fayetteville, AR car accidents states that:

• 60% of all crashes occurred on state highways
• 34% occurred on city streets
• 6% occurred on country roads

Accidents occur on both local roads and state and interstate highways.  On local roads, rapidly changing traffic conditions, including the frequent stop-and-go of even light traffic, is frequently a reason for crashes.  While even low-speed accidents can produce pretty serious conditions, they are often less serious than the injuries from highway and interstate crashes.

One reason behind this disparity is speed.  While local accidents typically occur at 50 miles per hour or less, accidents on highways often occur at much higher speeds.  There is significantly more force involved when a vehicle is traveling at 65 miles per hour, 75 miles per hour, or even faster.  While vehicle designs have improved their ability to absorb and redirect these violent forces away from the driver and other occupants, no car or truck design is perfect, and extremely serious injuries can occur.

Here are some of the major roadways in Fayetteville where auto accidents are most likely to occur:

• Interstate 540
• US Route 62
• US Route 71
• Highway 16
• Highway 45
• Highway 112

Among the seven fatal crashes recorded in 2011, three incidents — nearly half — involved the use of drugs or alcohol.  When drivers choose to recklessly endanger the lives of their fellow motorists by driving under the influence, they should be held accountable for wrongful deaths and personal injury.  Other factors that can contribute to car accidents include poor road surfaces, defective roadways, potholes, and debris.

There are many reasons why car accidents may occur. One of the most common reasons for a car accident is that a driver is operating their vehicle while exhausted. It is true that a driver’s hours are heavily regulated to ensure that they do not work while fatigued. However, there are some circumstances where an employer may push a driver to exceed hours in order to earn more profits.

If you were injured under any of the above circumstances or under different circumstances, you should waste no time in speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your legal options to recover compensation.

Types of Accidents Our Fayetteville Car Accident Lawyers Handle

With so many roads, highways, and intersections in Fayetteville, there are a wide variety of different types of accidents that occur. Often, the severity of a victim’s injuries will be directly impacted by the kind of accident they experienced. Following are some of the types of accidents our office handles.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions usually occur when a driver misjudges the speed of the vehicle in front of them, is driving while distracted, or is following at an unsafe distance. Weather can also play a role in rear-end collisions, especially if visibility is poor and a motorist is not driving carefully. It is not uncommon for one rear-end crash to trigger others in a domino effect.

Side-Impact Crashes

Also known as “T-bone” collisions, side-impact crashes occur when one vehicle strikes another on its side, forming a “T” shape. Depending on the speeds the vehicles were traveling, a side-impact collision could result in a car rolling over or spinning into oncoming traffic. These types of crashes tend to happen at intersections and endanger pedestrians on the sidewalk. In many cases, these types of accidents are the result of one driver ignoring a traffic signal or stop sign. Because of the crash’s nature, the driver or passenger closest to the impact point is severely injured.

Head-On Collisions

A head-on collision between two cars or other vehicles is the most dangerous type of accident. Slightly over 10% of all fatal accidents are head-on collisions. If the injuries are not fatal, they are often life-altering.

In many cases, a head-on collision occurs because one driver is intoxicated or falls asleep at the wheel. In some situations, a motorist will disobey or miss a traffic sign and travel in the wrong direction on a one-way street. Head-on collisions also happen when someone refuses to give another driver the right of way at an intersection.

Rollover Accidents

While mentioned above as a possible result of a side-impact collision, rollover accidents occur when a vehicle flips over or falls onto its side. These types of accidents have a higher fatality rate than any other kind of crash.

There are two types of rollover accidents. When a car is flipped due to an external object, such as a side-impact collision or an uneven road surface, it is known as a tripped rollover.

On the other hand, an untripped rollover is caused by the driver’s conduct, such as making a steering error while traveling at a high rate of speed. In some instances, a driver will roll their vehicle while trying to avoid a sudden accident or a reckless maneuver by another motorist.

Multi-Vehicle Accidents

Some of the most complicated personal injury lawsuits arise from accidents involving multiple cars. When weather conditions are poor, visibility bad, and numerous vehicles are traveling closely together, one small error could lead to a crash involving several vehicles in a chain reaction of collisions. Tailgating on a highway could easily result in a rear-end collision that propels another car into other vehicles.

When multi-vehicle accidents occur, it is often difficult to know exactly what happened. Fault could be spread out among a number of drivers, all pointing the finger at someone else. Our Fayetteville car accident attorney will typically require the assistance of an experienced investigator to reconstruct the accident.

Single-Car Accidents

Not every accident involves another vehicle. It is not uncommon for a driver to lose control of their car and crash into a tree, guardrail, or another object. In many cases, the driver was either reckless or negligent. However, a defect in the vehicle, such as a malfunctioning steering column, could be the cause of the accident. If you were in an accident because of a defect in your car, the manufacturer or your mechanic could be held accountable for any injuries you suffered.

Another common cause for single-car accidents is poorly maintained roads or debris on the roadway. A pothole could cause a tire to blow out, resulting in a loss of control and subsequent accident. Local municipalities, cities, and the federal government are tasked with maintaining the roads in a safe condition. Sometimes, a construction company will leave debris in the road or fail to provide adequate signage and notice of an uneven pavement.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Fayetteville, AR

Knowing what to do after a car accident in Fayetteville is critical. Everything you do after your crash can make or break your chances of proving your case and get the compensation you need. One of the first things you should do is making sure you and any other people involved in the accident (passengers, other drivers, pedestrians, etc.) are safe. Getting medical assistance is essential to preserve your life and the lives of those involved in your crash. Thus, reporting your car accident to 911 should be priority number one.

Another thing you should do immediately after your crash is gathering as much data as you can and keeping a record of all the evidence you collect. A very effective way to gather end preserve evidence is through photo or video. Using your smartphone to get visual proof of your collision can be one of the best ways to convey your accident’s severity and extent.

Be sure to be as thorough as possible and do not be afraid to take too many pictures. Include the vehicles’ position, the damage, the road surface, the surrounding businesses or buildings, and road signs. Do not forget yourself. You should take photographs of any injuries you sustained.

In addition to your crash’s visual representation, your smartphone can add a timestamp to your footage or photos, providing more accuracy when showing your evidence to the court or insurance company.

After a car accident in Fayetteville, you should try your best to gather as much data from the other driver and any witnesses that may have seen what happened. Get the name and contact information of any witnesses who saw what occurred. While this information could appear on a police report, it is not guaranteed. It is often critical to talk with a witness as soon as possible when their memory of the events is fresh. Additionally, it would be best to report your accident to the police. We will discuss both of these elements and their importance in more detail below.

You should also seek medical attention after an accident. In many cases, a victim will not have a choice and will be taken from the scene in an ambulance to be examined or receive emergency treatment. However, even if you do not believe you suffered an injury, you should still see your doctor within a day or two. Many injuries are not readily apparent. This is especially the case with some soft tissue damage or back and neck injuries. Any delay or hesitation in seeking treatment could decrease your chances of a successful personal injury lawsuit or a reasonable settlement. If you wait weeks or months and an injury surfaces, an experienced defense attorney or insurance adjuster will argue that your injury is not related to the accident.

Furthermore, it is essential to follow through with any treatments prescribed and to attend any follow-up appointments. Medical records and testimony from your healthcare providers will help our Fayetteville car accident attorney fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve.

Information You Should Obtain from the Other Driver After a Car Accident

Once you have reached safety, there are certain pieces of information that you should obtain from the other driver. If possible, you should write down or, with your smartphone, take a photograph of the other driver’s license plate. You should be sure to ask the other driver for his or her insurance information. Every owner of a car or other vehicle in the state is required by law to have, at minimum, liability insurance coverage. Liability insurance covers the damage the insured individuals may cause to the vehicle or property of another driver when they are at fault. It is also a good idea to obtain contact information for the other driver. While this information can typically be acquired later in the process, obtaining it now can reduce the work required later.

Am I Required to Report My Fayetteville Car Accident to the Police?

As we mentioned before, reporting your car accident to the police in Arkansas is an essential step. Moreover, you may be required to make a police report, depending on your crash circumstances. Under state law, if you have been involved in a car accident resulting in property damage of $1,000 or more, injuries, or the wrongful death of an individual, you must report it to the police. Most car accidents often result in extensive property damage that can satisfy the $1,000 requirement to make a police report.

It is always in your best interest to make a police report on your car crash. Insurance companies and the court (when filing a personal injury lawsuit) will require proof of your accident. On one side, your insurance company will ask you to provide evidence of your crash, which can be supported by the police report. If you file a personal injury lawsuit, you. Will have the duty to provide evidence of your claim. The police report on your accident can provide valuable information that can help you prove the defendant’s negligence. Your Arkansas personal injury attorney can help you gather this and any other pertinent evidence to support your claim.

Fayetteville Car Accident Statistics

Millions of automobiles are traveling along the roadways at any given moment in time. With so many cars and other motor vehicles sharing limited space at high speeds, accidents and collisions are unfortunately all too likely to occur.

According to the annual Arkansas Traffic Crash Statistics Report prepared by the Highway Safety Office of the state police, in 2011, Fayetteville experienced:

• 2,415 total crashes.
• 2,068 crashes with property damage.
• 340 crashes with injury (resulting in 430 injuries).
• 7 fatal collisions (resulting in 9 fatalities).

That means on an average day in Fayetteville, nearly seven crashes occur.  That’s about one crash every three and a half hours.

More recent statistics largely comport with this information. More recent accident reports from 2015 detail crashes on Highway 16 west of Fayetteville, Round Mountain Road east of Fayetteville, and State Highway 16. Other major roads in the area where accidents have occurred include US 62, State highway 170, and US 412. Due to the high speeds and volume of commuter and commercial truck traffic, many of the fatal crashes occurred on or near Interstate 49.

Common Car Accident Injuries to Fayetteville, AR Drivers and Passengers

Of the 2,415 crashes that occurred in Fayetteville in 2011, 340 resulted in physical damage to drivers or passengers. That means just over 14% of accidents lead to some sort of injury.

Many injuries caused by traffic collisions and other auto accidents can have devastating effects that are costly to treat and manage. Compensation can help to cover your medical expenses. Some of the more common injuries caused by crashes include:

• Back Injuries
• Damage to Internal Organs
• Head/Facial Injuries
• Internal Bleeding
• Multiple Fractures
• Neck Injuries (“Whiplash”)
• Severe Lacerations
• Skin Abrasion (“Road Rash”)
• Spinal Injuries
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Accident With Two Cars

This list covers only a narrow selection of injuries that can occur due to a head-on collision, rear-crash, and other types of accidents. The unfortunate reality is that some of the most serious accidents often inflict multiple serious injuries or result in death. To learn more about at-fault insurance works in the state, you should continue reading and speak with an experienced Fayetteville car accident attorney that can litigate your claim for compensation.

How At-Fault Insurance Works

Arkansas is an “at-fault” state (as opposed to a “no-fault” state). Under the statewide at-fault system, the motorist who was responsible for the accident is also responsible for the expenses resulting from any property damage or physical injury that may have occurred. In other words, the driver who caused the accident is financially liable for the damages caused/.

It’s also important to note that it isn’t only drivers who are affected by insurance regulations. A passenger in a crash may also file a claim.

The minimum coverage levels are:

• $25,000 per person for physical injury.
• $25,000 per accident for property damage.
• $50,000 per accident for bodily injury (more than one person).

Nearly all insurers offer greater coverage limits. In consideration of the fact that minimum coverage limits can be exhausted quite quickly in multi-car pile-ups and accidents causing catastrophic injuries, it is a good idea to purchase coverage that exceeds the minimum required levels.

What Happens If I Get Into a Fayetteville Car Accident with an Uninsured Driver?

Most people know that state law requires drivers to purchase minimum levels of insurance coverage. What people often fail to realize is that the law also requires the insurance company to provide the opportunity to also purchase additional coverage for uninsured motorists and underinsured drivers. You should be aware of the coverage limits and whether these policies extend to property damage, bodily injury, or both.  Also, additional personal injury coverage is available.

Uninsured motorist coverage will provide compensation for your damages if the other driver does not have insurance. Underinsured coverage will kick-in and provide additional compensation coverage if the at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover your injuries or other damages.

Injury attorney Ken Kieklak understands the frustration and uncertainty that may arise when a person is involved in a car accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver. Our firm can help you determine the appropriate options for your unique situation.

Navigating Your Insurance Company After a Car Accident

If you suffer serious bodily injuries in a car or truck accident, it is highly likely that negotiation with the at-fault driver’s insurance company will be necessary. If the driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may have to negotiate with your own insurer. The essential thing to remember in these negotiations is that the claims agent or insurance adjuster does not work for you. They work for the insurance company. Their goal is to keep expenses from insurance claims low. In many cases, their performance goals or bonus may be tied to the level of compensation they award. The first offer you receive from an insurance company is rarely the best offer and, in many cases, will not provide adequate compensation to cover the costs of your injuries.

If you are concerned about speaking with an insurance claim adjuster, our firm can help guide you through the process. We will ensure that your interests are considered when determining how to seek compensation for your injuries.

When to File an Injury Lawsuit After a Car Accident in Fayetteville

If you were involved in a car accident and emerged with severe injuries, you may need to pursue compensation for your injuries. Outside of contacting your insurance to report the accident, you may consider filing a lawsuit against the driver responsible for your injuries. If you choose to file a lawsuit, you should know that your case is subject to the statute of limitations.

The statute of limitations regulates the length of time a plaintiff is given to file a lawsuit with the court. It is important to note that the filing deadline for a case can vary depending on the circumstances. For example, a personal injury lawsuit may have a different statute of limitations than a medical malpractice lawsuit. If you are unsure about what type of lawsuit you need to file, our firm can help alleviate your concerns.

In Arkansas, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed within three years of the date of the accident. Many potential plaintiffs make the mistake of waiting too long to file their case with the court. As a result, the court could bar the plaintiff from seeking compensation with the court. Specifically, the defendant can request a motion to dismiss the case because the plaintiff failed to file their lawsuit on time.

To prove a personal injury lawsuit, a plaintiff must show how a defendant acted negligently before they can be awarded damages. There are four elements to negligence that a defendant must prove:

• The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care (e.g., to exercise caution when operating their vehicle)
• The defendant breached the duty of care owed to the plaintiff
• The plaintiff suffered an injury as a result of the defendant’s breach
• The plaintiff sustained an injury that can be compensated by the court

Upon proving all elements, a plaintiff can be awarded damages for losses suffered as a result of the accident.

Recoverable Damages for a Car Accident Injury Lawsuit

An injured plaintiff can receive damages for a number of losses associated with a car accident. It is important to note that compensatory damages can be divided into two categories: economic damages and noneconomic damages. Economic damages are awarded to plaintiffs to compensate them for losses that can be easily quantified. Noneconomic damages are awarded to plaintiffs for injuries that cannot be easily calculated. Economic damages and noneconomic damages can be awarded for the following:

• Medical bills
• Costs of medication, rehabilitation, medical equipment, and similar expenses
• Loss of wages and loss of future wages
• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

Plaintiffs may also be able to secure punitive damages for their injuries. Punitive damages are awarded as a punishment because a defendant committed a particularly egregious act. For example, driving under the influence of alcohol could be enough to trigger this form of damages. It is important to note that there could be a cap on damages awarded to a plaintiff, depending on the circumstances of your case.

Modified Comparative Fault Rule

A plaintiff should also be aware of Arkansas’ modified comparative fault rule that can affect a plaintiff’s damages. Under this rule, a plaintiff’s damages can be reduced if they were partly negligent. For example, if a plaintiff was texting while driving and was struck by a speeding defendant, the court may find that the plaintiff was partially liable for the accident. As a result, their damages would be reduced by the amount of their negligence. For instance, if a plaintiff were found to be 20 percent negligent, their damages would be reduced by 20 percent.

Additionally, there is also a possibility that the plaintiff would be barred from receiving damages under the state’s 50 percent rule. The 50 percent rule states that if a plaintiff’s negligence is equal to or greater than that of the defendant, the plaintiff will be barred from receiving damages for their injuries. This means that a plaintiff could be found 49.9 percent negligent and still recover damages. Alternatively, a plaintiff could be 50.1 percent negligent and be unable to receive compensation for their injuries.

To avoid a scenario where your damages are reduced or barred, you should ensure that you operate your vehicle with caution at all times. Also, be sure to thoroughly document any evidence that can help you prove that you did not act negligently.

Experienced Auto Accident Injury Representation in Fayetteville, AR

If you’ve been involved in a serious car accident in Fayetteville, you have enough on your mind as you recover from your injuries. Our firm understands that you need the support of an aggressive, committed attorney who can protect your legal rights and advocate on your behalf. Fayetteville car accident attorney Ken Kieklak has nearly 20 years of experience representing crash victims and their families and is dedicated to pursuing justice for every client. When you need the assistance of an experienced and respected law firm, you can call on Ken Kieklak. We don’t receive payment unless you do.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in an auto accident, you could be entitled to significant compensation for your pain, suffering, and medical expenses. To speak confidentially about your case with an experienced Fayetteville, AR personal injury lawyer, call Ken Kieklak, Attorney at Law right away at (479) 316-0438 or contact us online.