Top-Rated Personal Injury Lawyers
At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A., we understand how important it is to get back on your feet. You do have legal rights and deserve to be represented fairly. We fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our office today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with a dedicated, top-rated Lowell personal injury attorney.
Our Arkansas Personal Injury Lawyers Advocate for You
Lowell is a growing community in Benton County, Arkansas. It combines Ozark country charm with convenient access to larger urban areas across Benton County. With highways such as US-71B, AR-264, Dick Trammel Highway, and I-49 running through Lowell, car and motorcycle accidents can occur at any time of the day. Sustaining a serious injury after an unexpected car crash can be life-altering.
If you’ve been injured and suspect someone else is at fault, speak to one of our experienced Lowell personal injury lawyers today. The team at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. is here to help you. Contact our office at (479) 361-3575. Our attorneys will walk you through the next steps for your specific situation.
Injuries after a car or workplace accident can be due to another person’s or a company’s negligence.
Arkansas and Benton County Injury Statistics
Since 2020, Lowell’s population has grown from 9.9K to 12.5K, a sharp increase compared to previous years. The influx of people means more people are on the roads, which can contribute to an increase in severe injury scenarios.
Between 2019 and 2023, Arkansas’ fatal accident death rate was approximately 59.7 deaths per 100,000 people. This rate was on par with the US national average death rate from unintentional injury. These rates are not spread evenly across Arkansas counties. Both Calhoun and Monroe County saw significantly higher death rates from accidents.
Benton County’s accident-related death rate was lower, at 45.9 deaths per 100,000 residents. However, this number has risen in recent years. This increase is a concerning trend, indicating a greater risk of serious or deadly injury for Benton County residents.
The trend in accident-related deaths and injuries also appears in the Benton County hospital statistics. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, approximately 5,000 people need hospital care for serious injuries in Benton County each year, and Thousands more are treated in emergency departments, urgent care centers, or doctors’ offices.
Common Types of Injuries Sustained After a Lowell Accident
Personal injuries can occur in many situations. Common causes of personal injuries in Lowell and Benton County include car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall accidents, and injuries from defective products.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Unintentional falls cause approximately 14 percent of all accidental workplace deaths each year. Falls are the second most common cause of death nationwide after motor vehicle accidents. Falls to a lower level are more likely to cause serious or fatal injuries, but any fall can cause harm.
Falls also cause serious injuries and deaths outside the workplace. About half of all injury-related hospital admissions in Benton County each year are connected to slip and fall injuries. Falls are the leading cause of death for adults age 65 and older in the United States, but anyone of any age can suffer serious injury or death from a fall.
Defective Products
A hidden defect in a consumer product can cause serious injuries. An injured person might not even know about the danger until it is too late to avoid harm. Defective product injuries have been increasing since 2020. In 2023, 12.7 million US residents needed emergency room treatment for injuries connected to consumer products.
Common sources of defective product injuries include stair, ramp, and flooring materials; beds and mattresses; and sofa beds. Young children also suffer high rates of injury from soaps and detergents, and cooking equipment like ranges and ovens.
Car Accidents
Approximately ten percent of all hospital admissions in Benton County each year result from car accident injuries. Car accidents also cause hundreds of deaths in Arkansas each year. In 2022, those inside motor vehicles accounted for 75 percent of Arkansas roadway deaths. Motorcyclists accounted for 13 percent of deaths, followed by pedestrians (11 percent) and bicyclists (1 percent).
According to a study by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI), car accidents are more common in Arkansas’s rural areas. In 2022, Arkansas ranked fourth in the US for highway deaths, with 641 fatalities or 21.1 deaths per 100,000 people. Nationwide, the car accident death rate is 12.8 deaths per 100,000 people.
Wrongful Death: When An Injury Causes an Unexpected Death
An injured person may file a personal injury claim in Arkansas. In this lawsuit, the injured person seeks compensation from another party when that party’s negligence caused harm.
When an injury proves fatal, however, an injured person cannot file their own lawsuit. Instead, the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate may file a wrongful death claim. If there is no personal representative, the deceased person’s heirs may file the claim.
A wrongful death claim allows a family member to seek compensation for the untimely death. The claim can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses connected to the death.
Most wrongful death claims must be filed within three years of the date of death. However, some exceptions exist. Speak to an experienced attorney to understand whether these exceptions apply and how they may affect a wrongful death claim.
Top Industries For Work-Related Injuries
Work-related injuries caused 92 deaths in Arkansas in 2023, according to the state Department of Labor. This number represented a substantial increase from the 75 work-related deaths recorded in 2022.
Common industries for fatal work-related injuries included:
- Construction (16 deaths)
- Transportation and material moving (43 deaths)
- Manufacturing (9 deaths)
Non-fatal work injuries decreased in Arkansas between 2022 and 2023. In 2022, 2.5 injuries were reported per 100 workers in Arkansas; in 2023, the number dropped to 1.9 injuries per 100 workers. Although there has been a slight decrease in non-fatal injuries, they can occur in any occupation. If you sustained a serious hit to the head, neck, back, or arm and leg, contact our office today to discuss the best recovery plan. It’s crucial to start medical treatment and start documenting your doctor visits, medications, and follow-up appointments.
What If A Criminal Case Has Also Been Filed For My Lowell Accident?
Some accidents or injuries trigger criminal charges. For example, a drunk driver who causes a serious accident may face a criminal case for violating Arkansas’s laws for driving while under the influence of alcohol.
An injured person can file a personal injury claim even if a criminal case is already underway. Criminal cases have different rules and goals compared to civil claims. A criminal case seeks to hold a person responsible for harm to society. Your personal injury claim focuses on recovering the compensation you need and deserve for the harm the other party caused.
Although both cases can move forward in parallel, the outcome of one case can affect the course of the other. Work with an attorney in Lowell to ensure that the proceedings in a criminal case do not undermine your efforts to win full, fair compensation in your personal injury claim.
What Are The Time Limits For Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Lowell?
Arkansas sets a three-year time limit for filing a personal injury claim. A claim that is not filed within three years cannot be brought to court. It’s essential to file your lawsuit within the three-year window to protect your right to pursue compensation. This three-year limit also applies to wrongful death claims in most cases.
Some exceptions apply to the three-year time limit. These exceptions are narrow, however, and are not available in all cases.
Speak to a Lowell injury lawyer as soon as possible after you are injured. An attorney can preserve your opportunity to file your claim. If your time limit has expired, an attorney may be able to identify other opportunities to seek compensation.
What Kind Of Compensation Can I Get For My Lowell Accident?
Common losses compensated in these lawsuits include:
A personal injury or wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the losses inflicted by the injury or untimely death. Compensation may cover both the bills you’ve already collected and your future costs. For example, if your injuries will require lifelong medical care, you can seek compensation to help you pay the medical bills you will face in the future. To learn more about how Arkansas’s compensation rules apply in your situation, speak to an experienced Lowell injury lawyer.
Medical bills
Medical bills, including emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, medical devices, outpatient visits, therapy and rehabilitation, and other medical needs resulting from the injuries.
Lost wages
Lost wages that result from an inability to work during an injury. Lost wages are available whether or not your injury heals well enough to allow you to return to work.
Property damage
Property damage costs, such as repair shop bills, if your vehicle is damaged in an auto accident.
Pain and suffering
Conscious pain and suffering you endured as a result of the accident and your injuries.
Speak To An Experienced Lowell Personal Injury Attorney Today
30 Years of legal experience in helping personal injury victims
If you’ve been injured, don’t wait. Speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer in Lowell today. Contact us today at (479) 361-3575 to get started or fill out our online form, and a team member will contact you soon. At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A., we understand how important it is to get back on your feet. You do have legal rights and deserve to be represented fairly. We fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our office today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with a dedicated, top-rated Lowell personal injury attorney.