Bentonville Personal Injury Lawyers
There is no rule that says a lawyer must represent you in a personal injury case in Arkansas. However, it’s always better to have an experienced attorney help you than try to manage your case on your own. Our personal injury lawyers have spent years handling cases just like yours. They know what it takes to win cases. They also know how to deal with insurance companies.
When the unthinkable happens, call the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. at (479) 888-5098 for experienced legal assistance with your claim.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
People get hurt all the time. Whether it’s in a slip and fall accident or a car crash, you could get hurt at any time. When you get injured due to someone else’s mistake, you shouldn’t be left holding the bag. They should be held responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Some cases can become very complicated, very quickly. If you attempt to prove your case alone, you may find that you’re in over your head. You don’t want to let your case progress to the point where you risk losing your chances of recovery. Whether it’s fair or not, insurance adjusters don’t take plaintiffs seriously. If you don’t have a personal injury lawyer, they’ll try to get you to agree to a low-ball settlement. An experienced personal injury lawyer knows better.
What are the first steps in my case?
A Bentonville personal injury attorney will review your case and try to piece together what happened., They’ll gather evidence that can help prove the defendant was at fault. This may include a variety of things:
- Police report
- Pictures
- Videos
- Your statement
- The statements of any eyewitnesses
The first thing your lawyer may do is write a demand letter to the insurance company. They’ll also file a claim if you haven’t already done so. This will open up the door to start settlement negotiations with the insurance adjuster. Ideally, they’ll be able to resolve the matter.
When do I need to hire a lawyer?
Not every personal injury case warrants hiring a lawyer, but it is always a good idea to at least call and speak with one. They will provide insight into what you can expect from your case. If the lawyer doesn’t feel they can prove the case, or if they believe all of your settlement will likely go to paying lawyer fees, they will not take the case. However, if your injury involves any of the following, it’s a good idea to hire a Bentonville personal injury lawyer right away:
Permanent Disability
An accident may leave you permanently disabled or in need of long-term medical care. Don't wait until you’re deemed disabled to contact a Bentonville personal injury lawyer. Your attorney will have your doctor testify as to your need for future medical care. They will also have experts prove that you’re disabled. If you can do this, you should be entitled to certain damages.
These damages include lost wages and future income. It’s difficult to prove this. Your lawyer will have to submit evidence showing what your lost income is. They’ll also have to prove how much you would’ve earned had you not been injured.
Serious Injuries
Some accidents cause more serious injuries than others. The worse your injuries, the more your case will be worth. This may sound callous, but it’s true. This is because your damages are based on the following things:
- Emergency medical bills
- Future medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Permanent disability
The insurance company will value your case the same way. The more severe your injuries, the more they’ll be willing to pay. Your attorney knows this and will make sure they do.
If your insurance claim is denied
If you’re lucky, your insurance claim will be approved and you’ll get your check within a week or so. If that’s the case, you should be in good shape. However, there’s a chance that your insurance claim will be denied.
Your claim could be denied for any number of reasons. Some of these may include:
- The insurance company believes you were at fault
- They don’t believe you were injured
- You have a history of filing accident claims
- You had a pre-existing condition
- The defendant’s policy had lapsed for non-payment or was canceled
Your Bentonville personal injury lawyer will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. If your claim is denied because it’s not valid, there’s nothing your lawyer can do to help. No insurance adjuster is going to pay a claim out on an invalid policy.
For all of the other reasons, your attorney can negotiate with the insurance company to get your claim paid.
Types of personal injury cases we handle
The experienced injury lawyers at our firm handle all sorts of cases. If you’ve been injured at the hands of a third party, you have a right to compensation. In addition to personal injury cases, we also handle the following matters:
Car accidents
If you get injured in any sort of car accident, we can help get you the damages you deserve. This could include accidents caused by distracted driving, speeding, or any other sort of violation. We can help you file your claim against the other driver’s insurance and, if need be, file suit on your behalf.
Truck accidents
These accidents tend to be very serious. The size of a tractor-trailer is just too much for a passenger car to handle. Your Bentonville truck accident lawyer may have to file suit against both the driver and his employer. They’ll make sure all possible defendants are named in your claim.
Motorcycle accidents
Victims in a motorcycle accident tend to suffer very serious injuries. This is because nothing stands between you and the other vehicle. It’s important that you seek medical treatment immediately after your crash. You can focus on recovering from your injuries while your Bentonville motorcycle accident lawyer gets you justice.
Wrongful death
If your loved one dies as a result of an accident, you may have a claim for wrongful death. Most of these cases involve negligence. Your lawyer will have to prove that the defendant breached their duty of care. If so, you may be entitled to damages.
No matter what type of injury you suffer in Bentonville, our team of experienced personal injury lawyers can help. They’ll work hard to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. You need to focus on recovering from your injuries. Let our lawyer handle the legal side of things.
Personal Injury Guide
When you first meet with your personal injury lawyer in Bentonville, Arkansas, they can give you a rough estimate of what your case may be worth. They can also give you an idea of how long they think it will take to settle. However, until the case starts to move along, nobody can be exactly sure how long it will take to resolve. We've put together an outline of the process in this infographic:
Frequently Asked Questions
Experience. Dedication. Compassion.
Contact a Bentonville Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in any sort of accident in Arkansas, you’re going to need to focus on recovering from your injuries. The last thing you need to do is deal with lawyers and insurance companies. You also don’t want the insurance company taking advantage of you. The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. has the experience and dedication necessary to get you the results you deserve.
Call our office today and schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Bentonville, Arkansas. Let them handle the legal side of things while you focus on getting well. Don’t wait another minute, contact our office and get the best Springdale personal injury lawyer on your side.