Is Arkansas a Dangerous Place to Drive?
According to some reports, Arkansas’s average annual rate of car accidents is higher than most states. In 2012, the rate of car accidents was almost 70% higher than the national average. One reason may be traffic issues. Considering that there are a number of major highways and interstates that run through the state, the high number of cars on the roadways in Arkansas logically increases the risk of car accidents. However, as our Rogers accident attorney recognizes, the fact that the Federal Highway Administration has singled out Arkansas as a very dangerous place for drivers. Why are Arkansas roads so dangerous? High traffic volume is one reason the roads in Arkansas are considered so dangerous, but there are reasons that particular roads may put drivers at a higher risk. US-65, considered part of the “Great River Road” that travels along the Mississippi River south through ten different states, is generally considered the most dangerous road in Arkansas. There is a tremendous amount of traffic on this heavily traveled road each day and there are typically 14 fatal car accidents on that road each year. Then, there is I-40 which is infamously known as a dangerous road, as well as one of the busiest stretches of interstate in Arkansas. Dangerous roadways have also been attributed to poor urban planning It isn’t always the highways or interstates that pose a safety risk for Arkansas drivers. Some of the city streets in the highly populated areas of Arkansas, such as in Little Rock, can be very dangerous as well. For instance, some of the outdated roadway designs combined with the overcrowded streets, put drivers at a higher risk for car accidents every day. What to expect after an accident If you have been involved in a car accident, contacting one of the Rogers accident attorneys 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 Rogers accident attorney at the Cottrell Law Office is here to help you avoid those mistakes. Don’t say too much at the accident scene Whether it’s admitting liability in some way or saying the accident was not your fault, it is always a bad idea to say anything that relates to liability. The best advice is to say as little as possible until you have spoken to your car accident attorney. When you report the accident to your insurance company, which you are required to do within a certain period of time, only give them the acts and nothing more. Insurance companies are not on your side. Their job is to try to pay as little as possible on your claim, so don’t stray beyond the basic facts. Be sure to let them know that you were injured and you intend to seek medical treatment. Beyond that, let your car accident attorney do the talking. Be careful of settling too soon for too little Another common mistake in car accident cases is settling too soon. You are not required to accept the first settlement offer an insurance company makes to you. In fact, it is wise in most cases not to. If you settle too soon, you run the risk of limiting your recovery because all of your losses may not be known. Right after the accident, your physical injuries are not always known because it can take days or weeks for pain and injuries to manifest themselves. Rogers accident attorneys know when to reject a settlement offer and how to negotiate for the compensation you deserve. Don’t sign any waivers before you talk to a Rogers accident attorney In addition to attempting to limit your settlement amount, car insurance companies often pressure car accident victims into signing a waiver. The purpose of a waiver is to get you to accept a check while agreeing you won’t file a lawsuit for your claims. If you sign a waiver or release you are forfeiting your legal right to recover from your injuries. You should not sign a release until you are sure you are satisfied with your settlement, so do not be afraid to speak to your attorney first and let them review the waiver or release. Once you sign, it’s too late. Provide accurate information on the accident claim form When the time comes to fill out the insurance claim form, it is important that it is done completely and accurately. If there are mistakes on the form, it could result in a delay in processing your claim. It could even result in your claim being denied altogether. You need to make sure you provide as much detail as you can about the accident. The information you provide will be compared to the police report as part of investigating your claim. The best choice is to have Rogers accident attorneys help you with your claim. What you can expect to recover from a car accident The purpose of a lawsuit is to be compensated for the injuries you sustain as a result of someone else’s negligence. The only way you can be compensated is monetary. Another purpose of the lawsuit is to hold the at-fault driver accountable for the injuries and losses you sustain during the accident. The amount and type of recovery to which you may be entitled depend on many factors. Rogers accident attorneys can help you with these and other issues following a car accident.
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