According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents are the leading cause of death for Americans between the age of 8 and 34. In fact, a deadly car accident occurs every 12 to 15 minutes in our country. The fact that many people overlook is that, even if you are an experienced driver, you can still be a victim of a car accident.
Not all accidents result in fatalities, but the injuries can still be severe
With millions of people injured in car accidents, nearly half suffer some type of permanent disability. Those injuries often result in impairment of normal functioning, such as paralysis and other neurological injuries. According to the Arkansas Traffic Crash Statistics, in 2014, there were 60,947 car accidents injuring 27,502 people, 47 of which were fatalities.
Bentonville Roadways and Traffic
Considering the fact that Bentonville is the tenth-largest city in Arkansas and the headquarters of Walmart (the world’s largest retailer), it’s no wonder that traffic can be an issue. Ranked 109th in the United States with a population of 47,093, Bentonville is one of the four main cities in the four-county Northwest Arkansas Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The major roadway in Bentonville, Interstate 49/US 71, is a four-lane expressway that connects Kansas City, Missouri to New Orleans, Louisiana. The highway became the first in the area at the time that relieved the former US 71 (now US 71B) of the substantial increase in traffic following the unexpected and rapid growth of the Northwest Arkansas metro. Bentonville is also one of the major providers of public transportation in Benton/Washington Counties.
When Do You Need a Bentonville Car Accident Attorney?
Following a car accident, the trauma of your personal injuries is probably something you want to forget as soon as possible. The disruption that your injuries and damages cause make the need to reach a resolution great, and the sooner you can get back to normalcy the better. How long it will take to resolve a car accident case depends on a variety of factors. Although your Bentonville car accident attorney can never guarantee a successful resolution, nor can they predict how long it will take, being familiar with the factors that affect resolution, can make it easier to get through.
Causes of Car Accidents in Bentonville
Regrettably, the worst threat you face on the roadway is other drivers. Their negligence accounts for more accidents and more deaths than anything else. The problem is, there are so many different ways that others can drive negligently, and all of those ways are extremely dangerous. Just a few common examples of driver negligence that leads to auto accidents include driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, driving while drowsy or fatigued, speeding, and distracted driving, including texting and eating.
Distracted driving in Bentonville
Distracted driving is becoming a major concern for highway safety. As the use of cell phones has increased, so has the number of auto accidents involving distracted drivers. In 2013, more than 3,000 people were killed as a result of distracted drivers. Although the campaign to stop texting and driving is in full swing, cell phone use is not the only form of distracted driving.
Any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from the primary task of driving is a distraction and endangers the driver, passengers, and others on the roadway. Distractions also include everyday tasks that many of us engage in all the time, such as eating and drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, using a GPS and adjusting the radio or other electronics.
What Can the Cottrell Law Office do for me?
The Bentonville car accident attorneys at the Cottrell Law Office will get you the results you deserve. As our case results reflect, we have obtained verdicts or settlements in car accident cases ranging from 100,000 to more than 300,000 in Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. We handle more than car accidents, though. We also handle accidents involving commercial trucks, motorcycles, defective vehicles, pedestrian collisions, and other types of accident cases. With more than 29 years of experience, we are dedicated to putting that experience to work to provide you with top-quality service and zealous legal representation.
Be Careful What You Do Following a Car Accident
If you have been involved in a car accident, contacting a car accident lawyer in Bentonville as soon as possible is important in order to obtain the compensation you deserve. When the time comes to file your claim, there are several common mistakes that you need to avoid. The Cottrell Law Office is here to help you avoid those mistakes.
If you have questions regarding car accidents or any other personal injury issues in Arkansas or Missouri, please contact the Cottrell Law Office for a free consultation, either online or by calling toll-free at 800-364-8305.