It is unfortunate, but car accidents can happen to even the most experienced drivers. Some accidents lead to serious injury or even death.
In fact, a fatal car accident occurs every 12 to 15 minutes in the U.S. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents are the leading cause of death for U.S. citizens between the ages of 8 and 34. Of the nearly 3 million individuals who suffer injuries as a result of a car accident, at least half of them suffer permanent disabilities of some type, which impair normal function, including paralysis and other neurological injuries.
According to the Arkansas Traffic Crash statistics, in 2014, there were 60,947 car accidents injuring 27,502 people. In those accidents, 470 people were killed.
At the Cottrell Law Office, our Springdale car accident attorneys are aggressive and committed advocates for injured auto accident victims. If you or your loved one was injured in a motor vehicle collision in Springdale, AR, we are ready to offer guidance and support.
To set up a free, no obligation review of your auto accident case, please contact us today.
Springdale Roadways and Traffic
Springdale has a population of approximately 69,797. Springdale is located in the four states region of Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kansas near Interstate 49, the four-lane expressway that connects Kansas City, Missouri to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Interstate 49 was just granted a re-designation in 2014 by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. Future plans for the I-49 corridor include completion of a freeway segment through the Ouachita Mountains to Texarkana and, to the north, completion of a Bella Vista Bypass.
When Do You Need a Springdale Car Accident Attorney?
After a car accident, the trauma of your personal injuries is likely 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 life as usual, the better.
How long resolving an auto accident case will take, depends on many factors. Although a Springdale car accident attorney can’t 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 Springdale
The unfortunate truth is that the biggest 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.
How to Prove Auto Accident Liability in Arkansas
Similar to most jurisdictions in the United States, Arkansas uses fault-based car accident rules. Under Arkansas law (A.C.A. § 16-64-122), plaintiffs must prove liability to hold another party legally responsible for their accident damages. Most car accident injury claims are negligence claims.
Proving liability requires demonstrating that the defendant’s careless conduct was the reason, at least in part, that the crash took place. An important consequence of Arkansas law is that injured car accident victims need evidence to prove liability.
For reference, some common examples of evidence that can be used to prove liability in a traffic collision case include the following:
- Personal testimony and statements;
- Testimony from an eyewitness;
- The police report;
- Photographs of the accident damage;
- Photographs of the scene of the collision;
- Video camera footage;
- Expert witness analysis; and
- Electronic records, including cell phone logs.
Every serious car accident should be comprehensively investigated by an experienced professional. If you were hurt in a crash, a top-rated car accident lawyers in Springdale, Arkansas can help you gather and organize all of the documents, records, and evidence that you need to prove liability and recover full and fair financial compensation.
Compensation Available for Injured Victims in Springdale, AR
Beyond proving liability, car accident victims also need to prove the extent of their damages. Insurance companies want to resolve claims of the lowest dollar amount possible. At the Cottrell Law Office, our Springdale car accident attorneys fight hard to help clients maximize their financial recovery.
Among other things, money damages may be granted for:
- Emergency room treatment;
- Medical bills and related expenses;
- Loss of current and future income;
- Pain and suffering;
- Emotional distress;
- Long term disability;
- Scarring or disfigurement; and
- Wrongful death of a family member.
Distracted Driving in Springdale
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 Springdale 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. All types of motor vehicle accident cases are handled, including those 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 Springdale 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.