Car Accident Attorneys In Jonesboro, Arkansas Working Hard to Protect Your Rights
Car accidents are very common, and they can happen in the blink of an eye. Their effects on your life, however, can last months, years, or even a lifetime. There can be dramatic changes to your life that no longer allow you to work the way you once did, leaving you wondering how to pay for the medical expenses incurred as well as how to provide for yourself and your family moving forward. It can seem to you as if the events leading up to the accident are black and white, but that may not always be the case. Wanting representation to consider going after compensation isn’t uncommon.
At OMG Law Firm, we have helped multiple people just like you navigate the aftermath of a car accident. Contact our Jonesboro, AR offices today at 870-336-6505 to get your specific questions answered and see how we can best assist you moving forward.
How is Fault Determined in an Accident?
Determining liability, or “fault,” in an accident is one of the most important aspects as it determines who is responsible for the effects/costs involved in the car accident. Arkansas is an at-fault state, meaning that the person who causes the accident is responsible for paying any compensation that is deserved to the other people involved in the accident.
Comparative Negligence is also recognized in Arkansas, meaning that each party involved may be held responsible for their part in the accident. In some cases, the victim can be found partially at fault, meaning their compensation would be lessened by the percentage of their responsibility in the accident. For example, if a court finds that you are 30% at fault for the accident occurring, and $10,000 in compensation was awarded in your case, you would receive $7,000, as you were found to be 30% at fault for the accident.
Another aspect to consider is that courts will take into consideration things that the drivers didn’t have control of that may have led to the accident. This can mean poor lighting in the area, faulty traffic lights, water on the road, poor weather conditions, and more. This can mean that in some cases, none of the drivers involved were fully at fault for the accident.
What Can I Do To Prove Who Was at Fault?
There are a few things that you can do to help to prove that you were not fully or partially at fault for the accident. Take photos of the scene (videos if possible), report the accident to the police so they can create an official police report, collect eyewitness statements, and take pictures of the license plates that were involved. These are all things that you can do to help prepare yourself for the next steps. If you were seriously injured, however, chances are your focus is on your medical care and not the scene of the accident. Whether your injuries were serious or not, working with an experienced car accident attorney can be of great benefit as you work through the next steps, obtaining compensation if that is an option, and returning to your life as you knew it.
How Do I Establish Negligence to Obtain Compensation?
Establishing negligence by the other party or parties involved is what can mean the difference between obtaining the compensation that is due to you or not. Generally speaking, negligence is the failure of a person to act with a level of care or in a reasonable manner to avoid causing harm to others.
Four points are generally touched on when establishing negligence in accidents. The first two are that the defendant owed a legal duty to the plaintiff and breached that duty. An example would be that the defendant ran a stop sign or red light or was speeding rather than obeying traffic laws. The third point is if the plaintiff suffered an injury, and the fourth point is if the defendant’s breach of legal duty directly caused the injury.
Why Do I need an Attorney?
Generally speaking, it isn’t in the best interest of car insurance companies to make sure you have been compensated adequately for your injuries. They are focused on protecting their shareholders, which can result in them offering you less than you deserve to cover your expenses. In some cases of minor car accidents, legal representation may not be necessary. However, if you have been in an accident that caused severe damage, took place in a school zone or construction zone, or involved one or more uninsured or underinsured drivers, it would be very beneficial to you to work with an attorney.
Working with an experienced car accident attorney can mean the difference between you getting the compensation you deserve so you can return to life as you knew it, or staying in life as it is now with the consequences of severe injury. Lawyers can help you avoid missing imperative deadlines in filing your claims, understand the complex liability laws and how they impact you, understand the full scope of the damages for all parties involved, avoid financial loss, and maybe most importantly, protect your rights and your ability to obtain compensation.
We have your best interest at heart and are prepared to work with you to help you avoid costly mistakes, complete a thorough investigation of the accident, and maximize the compensation you may have coming to you. Contact OMG Law Firm in our Jonesboro, AR offices today at 870-336-6505 to get started.