Been in a Car Wreck? Tips from an Arkansas Car Accident Attorney

It is likely every person reading this post will be involved in a car accident in his or her lifetime and most likely need an Arkansas Car Accident Attorney. As Arkansans drive millions of miles each year and the number of personal and commercial vehicles on Arkansas roadways increase, it is not surprising that a large number of car accidents occur in Arkansas every day. Based on the latest data available from the Arkansas State Police Car Accident Crash Summary, there are more than 59,000 car accidents every year in Arkansas. Further, over 550 deaths result each year from the car accidents on Arkansas roadways. If you happen to be involved in an car accident, it is important for you to consider hiring an Arkansas car accident attorney and to help you with the proper steps to protect your claim.

One of the first things to do if you have been injured in a car accident is to seek medical attention for your injuries as quickly as possible. No one wakes up in the morning seeking to be injured in a car accident. Often individuals do not go to the doctor after sustaining injuries in an car accident and instead try to “self-treat” so they do not incur medical bills. If you do not see a physician early on, it could impair your ability to recover damages from the individual that caused the car accident later in a lawsuit. Also, most individuals in Arkansas have coverage under their own auto insurance policy to pay the first $5000.00 of your medical bills regardless of fault. So, if you are injured, go see your doctor.

Next, it would be beneficial if you or someone you know could take photographs of the accident scene and the damage to all cars involved. The majority of people have a smartphone with a camera and any photographs you can provide will be useful in your Arkansas car accident case. These photographs can resolve any disputes about location of the vehicles and any property damage incurred in the auto accident. It is also a good idea to get your auto repair shop to take detailed photographs of your vehicle as they disassemble your vehicle and make any necessary repairs.

Finally, if you have been injured in a wreck it is wise contact an Arkansas car accident attorney. This is especially true if you have sustained serious physical injuries in the car accident. It is vital that you begin to preserve all of the necessary evidence and document all damages you have incurred as soon as possible to help you prove your case. An Arkansas injury attorney can help you take the steps to properly preserve your claim. Documenting your claim properly will help to recover your medical expenses, lost wages, and all other damages incurred in you Arkansas car accident claim.

Car Accident attorneys Moffitt & Phillips will work with you to make sure the insurance company pays all past, present, and future medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages resulting from the auto accident. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury from an automobile accident, call Moffitt & Phillips to speak with an injury attorney who is experienced in handling auto accident lawsuits. To schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your car accident case, email info@moffittandphillips.com or call 501-255-7406 today.

 


Rear-End Collisions Remain Dangerous

Early Saturday, a Jonesboro woman died after being involved in a rear-end collision Friday afternoon on Highway 63 in Craighead County, Arkansas.

According to an Arkansas State Police Accident Report, Ms. Mary Nell Mooney, 62, died early Saturday morning in Memphis, Tennessee while seeking treatment at The MED (Regional Medical Center at Memphis). The car accident report states Ms. Mooney was traveling near Bay, Arkansas and while slowing down she was struck from the rear by a car being driven by Athena Vance, also of Jonesboro, Arkansas. According to the auto accident report, Ms. Mooney was air lifted after the crash to The MED in Memphis.

Ms. Vance was also injured in the car wreck along with her passenger, Randi Mullins. Both were taken to St. Bernard’s Hospital in Jonesboro for treatment. Based on the auto crash report, all of those involved were wearing seat belts.

This story is a reminder that it is important for all drivers using the roadway to keep a lookout for others. Many car accidents are caused when a driver’s attention is diverted from the roadway by objects such as cell phones, text messages, or the radio. Do not be another car wreck statistic; keep your focus on the road while driving.

 

DISCLAIMER: ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS ARTICLE IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY. THE CONTENT OF THIS ARTICLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. THE PUBLISHING OF THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT ESTABLISH AN ATTORNEY/CLIENT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANY INDIVIDUAL AND MOFFITT & PHILLIPS, PLLC. ANY INDIVIDUAL REVIEWING THE CONTENT OF THIS ARTICLE SHOULD SEEK THE SERVICES OF A QUALIFIED ATTORNEY TO EVALUATE ANY ARKANSAS CAR ACCIDENT MATTER, ARKANSAS CAR WRECK MATTER, ARKANSAS AUTO ACCIDENT MATTER, ARKANSAS TRUCK WRECK MATTER OR ANY OTHER LEGAL MATTER. MOFFITT & PHILLIPS, PLLC IS LOCATED IN LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS AND HAS ATTORNEYS LICENSED TO PRACTICE IN THE STATES OF ARKANSAS AND TENNESSEE. MOFFITT & PHILLIPS, PLLC © 2011


Involved in Arkansas Car Accident? 10 Steps To Help Your Case

Sooner or later it’s going to happen – most of us will be involved in an Arkansas Car Accident. Whether it’s a small fender bender in a parking lot or a serious Arkansas car accident on the freeway, it’s very likely that everyone will end up getting into some sort of car wreck while driving. While being in an Arkansas car accident can be a scary experience, it’s important to be aware of a few steps to ensure both your safety as well as ensure any insurance claims go smoothly. If you have suffered injuries as a result of an Arkansas Car Accident, call the Arkansas Injury Law Firm of Moffitt & Phillips for a free consultation today.

1. Stop and Assess Damage and Injuries of Arkansas Car Accident

Take a few minutes to examine yourself and any passengers for possible injuries as a result of the car wreck. A car accident can get your adrenaline pumping and diminish the sensation of pain, so look yourself over make sure there are no apparent injuries. Immediately call 9-1-1 and report the car accident before you get out of your car.  It is vital to notify the police or other first responders as soon as possible so that they can respond to the accident scene.

2. If Possible, Move the Cars Involved Out of Traffic

So long as there are no serious physical injuries, attempt to move the cars out of the way to prevent further traffic dangers. If there is anyone involved in the Arkansas car accident that is injured, do not attempt to move them or the car in which they were traveling. Wait for the police or ambulance to arrive so that trained professionals can assess the situation.

3. Get Medical Attention Immediately, if Necessary

If you or passengers have sustained injuries as a result of an Arkansas car accident, get medical attention immediately. This is not only common sense, but it can impact the value of your claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Often, timing is of the essence, when it comes to injuries sustained in an auto accident because the quality and timeliness of care will have an impact on the long-term recovery of the injured person. If you fail to seek immediate treatment for the injuries sustained in a car wreck, you may not receive the maximum recovery from the at-fault driver’s insurance company or a jury due to the delay in seeking treatment for the injuries.

4. Get Insurance & License Information from Other Drivers

It is critical to get as much information from the other drivers involved as possible. Often, someone might say, “we can handle this outside of insurance” or “I will pay cash for the damages to your car.” That may be, but you never know who this person is or if you’ll have a difficult time dealing with them. Always be insistent on getting the at-fault driver’s insurance card and driver’s license information before you leave the scene. However, the best option is to always call the police to investigate and generate an accident report with all of the information. At that point, you can still agree to let the other individual pay for the damages without involving their insurance company.

5. Cooperate with Police

Make sure you give the police detailed information regarding the Arkansas car accident. If you are unsure of any of the details, tell the police that you are not sure about the details of that specific issue. Do not give a statement or tell the police anything that you are not positive about regarding the way the car accident happened.

6. Don’t Discuss Fault with Other Drivers

Except for the police, refrain from discussing “how the accident happened” or “who was at fault in the car accident.” This is best determined by the police investigation.

7. If Possible, Take Pictures of the Damage & Scene

These days, almost every cell phone is equipped with a camera or people carry their digital camera with them everywhere. Use it. Take pictures of the Arkansas car accident scene and all the damage you can see including damage to your car, other cars, and any other objects such as poles or signs that were hit. The old saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” is also applicable to a car wreck. Many times there will be information contained in a picture of the car accident scene that is not in a police report or witness statement. Pictures can be very important to showing who was at-fault in a car accident and can potentially increase the value of to your injury claim.

8. Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company

As soon as possible, inform your insurance company of the Arkansas car accident. Opening a claim with your insurance company will allow them to begin their investigation of your claim. Additionally, you may be entitled to benefits under your insurance policy regardless of who was at-fault for the car wreck (e.g. no fault medical benefits).

9. Get a Copy of the Arkansas Car Accident Report

You should go to the local police station or state police office and get a copy of the car accident report. In some instances, you can request a copy of the incident report online. Once you obtain a copy of the car wreck report, read it thoroughly and check for any inaccuracies. If you do see something that seems wrong, let the police agency and your insurance company know of the inaccuracy.

10. Know the Compensation to which You are Entitled

Your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company may not be exactly forthcoming with you in regards to what types of compensation you deserve. Keep in mind, the most common types of recoverable damage are property/automotive damage, medical expenses, lost income from time missed at work as well as future lost earnings due to any permanent or semi-permanent injuries sustained.

If you have sustained any serious injuries, and you are having trouble collecting what you think is a fair settlement, consider talking to an Arkansas personal injury attorney, such as Moffitt & Phillips, PLLC. Our office provides a free initial consultation that will give you an opportunity to explain your situation and find out if you would be better served by having a professional handle you claim.

Compensation Available for Auto Accidents in Arkansas