Arkansas Car Accident Attorneys

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If you were in a car accident in Arkansas, you can rest a little easier knowing that the Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr. is standing by to help. For years, we have been a trusted name across the state for anything related to accident claims and lawsuits. Led by Attorney Tom Wagstaff, Jr., a talented trial attorney who has been recognized as a Super Lawyers® member every year since 2008, our firm can lead the way for your car accident claim. No opposition is too big and no case is too tough for our team. 

We serve communities throughout Arkansas, including Fayetteville, Little Rock, Arkansas Valley, Mississippi Alluvial Plain, Ouachita Mountains, Ozark Mountains, Springdale, Conway, Fort Smith, Gulf Coastal Plain, Jonesboro, and more. Call (816) 597-4556 now.

Reasons to Choose the Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr.

Why should you make the Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr. your first choice for car accident representation in Arkansas?

• We have seasoned trial attorneys who prepare every case we take for litigation, just in case.
• We have more than 25 years of experience with a deliberate focus on complex injury claims.
• We have secured numerous multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts for our clients.
• We have an intentional, personalized approach that tailors every case to each client’s needs.

How Car Accidents Happen in Arkansas

Whenever someone gets behind the wheel of a car, they have a responsibility to drive safely and defensively. The slightest and briefest lapse in their judgment and attention can result in disaster.

Driver negligence can take many forms, including:

• Distraction: Any activity that diverts attention from driving is a distraction. Talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, or fiddling with dashboard systems are all forms of driver distraction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving ended 3,522 lives in 2021 alone.
• Impairment: Driving impairment refers to operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs (including prescription medications), or any other substance that impairs your ability to drive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that every day, about 32 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes.
• Speeding: Driving above the posted speed limit or too fast for the current road or weather conditions is always dangerous. Speeding increases the likelihood of accidents as it reduces the driver's ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway, extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle, and increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a dangerous situation.
• Exhaustion: Drowsy driving is a serious problem that leads to thousands of car crashes each year. Symptoms of tiredness while driving include frequent yawning, heavy eyes, and drifting from your lane. The NHTSA estimates that drowsy driving causes tens of thousands of car accidents and injuries each year.
• Road rage: Road rage describes aggressive or violent behavior while driving, such as yelling, honking in anger, exceeding the speed limit, tailgating, rude gesturing, or any form of harassment directed at another driver.

In some cases, a car accident can be caused by a vehicle defect that the driver did not even know existed until it caused the wreck. For example, a poorly made brake system could fail while the vehicle is in use, resulting in a crash. Also, car accidents can be caused by unsafe road conditions, like large potholes or missing guardrails along canyon edges. 

Who is Liable for Your Car Accident?

You might know that another driver caused your car accident while you were traveling on an Arkansas road or highway, but no one else knows that with certainty. To pursue compensation after a car accident, you will need to prove that the other motorist or party was liable, not you. Our Arkansas car accident attorneys can use their extensive experience and resources to investigate and uncover liability in your case.

Evidence that could be usable to prove liability in your car accide

nt case includes:

• Police reports: The official report from the law enforcement officers who responded to the accident is often considered a key piece of evidence when building a car accident claim. It may contain the officer's observations, statements from involved parties and witnesses, and sometimes the officer's opinion on who was at fault.
• Photos and videos: Photos and videos from the accident scene can show vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and injuries. They could also originate from dashcams, surveillance cameras, or bystanders' cell phones.
• Witness testimonies: Statements from people who witnessed the accident can provide an independent perspective on what happened. They can describe the events leading up to the accident, the accident itself, and the aftermath.
• Medical records: Medical documents can prove the extent of the injuries suffered and help to establish a connection between the accident and the injuries claimed.
• Expert testimony: Experts such as accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, or automotive engineers can provide valuable insights into how the accident occurred or the impact of the injuries.
• Vehicle damage reports: Inspection of the damage to the vehicles involved in the accident can often indicate the speed, direction, and point of impact, which can help establish who was at fault.

Serious Injuries in Arkansas Car Accidents

According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration, the rates of serious injuries and fatalities suffered by motorists in Arkansas are trending upward. Despite fewer drivers being on the road during 2020, the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the state saw a large uptick in crashes that caused at least one death or severe injury. Data about the specific types of injuries is generally unavailable due to medical confidentiality laws, but it can be assumed that most of the reported injuries follow the trend of past years.

Typically, car accidents in Arkansas result in these serious injuries:

• Head injuries: Head injuries can range from minor concussions to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Symptoms may include headaches, confusion, dizziness, and loss of consciousness. Severe cases can lead to long-term cognitive issues or even death.
• Whiplash:Whiplash is a neck injury caused by forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck. Symptoms can include neck pain, stiffness, and headaches. It's most commonly caused by rear-end car accidents.
• Back injuries: Back injuries can include sprains, strains, herniated discs, and fractured vertebrae. They can cause pain and limit mobility. In severe cases, they may lead to long-term issues such as chronic pain or paralysis.
• Broken bones: The force of a car accident can break bones. Commonly broken bones include the ribs, arms, legs, and collarbones.
• Amputations:In severe accidents, victims may suffer traumatic amputations of one or more limbs, either during the accident or due to medical necessity later.
• Soft tissue injuries: Soft tissue injuries to muscles, ligaments, and tendons can include bruises, sprains, and strains. While they may seem minor, they can cause significant pain and require a long recovery time.
• Emotional trauma: Car accidents can cause significant psychological stress, leading to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. The impact of these conditions can be just as debilitating as physical injuries.

What is a Car Accident Claim Worth?

The "worth" of a car accident claim refers to the total compensation that the liable party owes to the injured driver. This value is unique to each claim, as it depends on the specifics of the accident, the extent of the injuries, and the financial impact on the plaintiff. The goal of this compensation is to restore the injured party to the financial situation they would have been in had the accident not happened.

A breakdown of the different types of damages that can contribute to the worth of a car accident claim includes:

• Medical treatment costs: All costs related to medical care received due to the accident should be covered. Medical costs can encompass emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and any other necessary treatments.
• Future medical care: If the injuries sustained in the accident require ongoing medical care, the cost of this future treatment should also be included in the claim.
• Lost wages: If the accident and subsequent injuries caused you to miss work, you should be compensated for those lost wages. This damage also considers if you are unable to earn at the same capacity as before the accident due to your injuries.
• Vehicle repair: The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle is another key part of a car accident claim.
• Pain and suffering: This non-economic damage aims to compensate you for the physical pain and emotional distress suffered due to the accident.

Arkansas Car Accident Statute of Limitations

In Arkansas, the statute of limitations for car accident claims is three years. This limit means that you have three years from the date of your car accident to file a claim in pursuit of damages and compensation. If a lawsuit is filed after this three-year period, it will most likely be dismissed by the court without an option to appeal it.

How We Can Help Build Your Claim

At the Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr., we leverage our wealth of experience and extensive resources to help clients dealing with complex car accident claims in Arkansas. Our firm's dedicated team understands the intricacies of car accident cases, and we work tirelessly to pursue the compensation that our clients deserve.

The Law Office of Tom Wagstaff Jr. can help at each stage of a car accident case, such as:

• Investigate the accident: We can conduct thorough investigations to gather all the necessary evidence, including police reports, witness testimonials, and any available camera footage, so we can understand the full circumstances of the accident.
• Research applicable Arkansas laws: Our attorneys stay updated on all relevant Arkansas laws and regulations that could impact your claim.
• Determine liability: We can use evidence to establish who was at fault in the accident, fighting to keep your liability at 0%.
• Calculate damages: We accurately assess the losses you've suffered due to the accident, including medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering, so we can fight for full compensation.
• File a claim: Let us handle all the paperwork and procedures involved in filing a claim against the responsible party and/or their insurance company.
• Attempt to negotiate a settlement: Our Arkansas car accident lawyers can attempt to negotiate with the opposing party on your behalf.
• Litigate in court: If a fair settlement can't be reached, we will be prepared to take your case to court and argue on your behalf.