Fort Smith Personal Injury Lawyers
For more than 30 Years, the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield has provided exceptional representation to Fort Smith accident victims and their families. We believe that by holding people accountable for the harms caused by their negligent actions, we are not only helping clients, we are also helping make Arkansas a safer place. When the unthinkable happens, call the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. at (479) 888-5098 for experienced legal assistance with your case.
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We pursue fair compensation on behalf of accident victims throughout Sebastian County.
Suffering a serious injury can throw your life into a tailspin. You may find yourself missing weeks of work and wondering what your future will look like. When will you be able to return to work? Will there be any additional follow-up medical treatment you’ll need to pursue? How are you going to pay for all of this?
These are questions anyone would ask themselves if they were in your position. At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A., we are a compassionate team of Fort Smith personal injury lawyers who are here to help accident victims on their road to recovery. Our lawyers will sit down with you and listen to your story because we believe the more we know about your case, the better we can help.
We handle a variety of Fort Smith personal injury cases
Accidents are one of the leading causes of preventable injury in Arkansas and across the United States. At the Law Offices of Jason M. Hatfield, we proudly represent clients who suffered injuries related to any of the following accidents.
Car Accidents
Motor vehicles are necessary in today’s society; however, our reliance on them leads many drivers to overlook the dangers they pose. Over 500 people are killed in fatal Arkansas car accidents and another 2,000 seriously injured each year. Roughly 20 percent of all fatal traffic accidents in the state involve a driver who was under the influence of alcohol.
Motorists owe a duty of care to others on the road. This means that a driver who negligently causes a car accident that injures another motorist, passenger, bicyclist, or pedestrian can be held liable for the injured party’s damages. In most cases, these Fort Smith car accident lawsuits are filed against the at-fault driver, and that driver’s insurer has a duty to assign a defense lawyer to the case under the policy.
A knowledgeable Fort Smith car accident lawyer can help accident victims effectively prepare their claims.
Truck Accidents
Arkansas truck accidents make up only a small percentage of the total number of traffic accidents in the state. However, they comprise a much larger portion of those accidents resulting in serious or fatal injuries.
About one in six fatal Arkansas motor vehicle accidents involves a large truck like a semi-truck.
Most truck drivers understand the dangers of driving a huge vehicle and take the necessary precautions. However, unfortunately, that is not always the case. Truck drivers are under tremendous time pressure to travel as many miles as they can each day, which increases the chances of distracted driving or drowsy driving accidents. If you or a loved one were involved in a Fort Smith truck accident, speaking with an attorney is an excellent first step to gaining a greater understanding of how to hold a negligent truck driver accountable for their actions.
Motorcycle accidents
While many people think motorcycle accidents usually involve a single vehicle, that is not the case.
Motorcycles are involved in about ten percent of all fatal and non-fatal traffic accidents in Arkansas.
Many people are under the false impression that most motorcycle accidents are single-vehicle accidents. However, that is not the case; more than half of all Arkansas motorcycle accidents involved at least one other vehicle.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of protection motorcycles offer to riders, injuries in these accidents tend to be severe. Even if you are wearing a helmet, you can still suffer life-changing injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury, broken bones, severe burns and more. Fort Smith motorcycle accident victims should reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer to help them prepare their claim.
Slip and fall accidents
Falls are among the most common causes of injury among older adults; however, every age group is at risk. Property owners have a legal obligation to keep their property safe. The extent of a property owner’s duty varies, depending on the type of location they own and the nature of your visit. However, typically, a landowner must warn guests of known hazards that could threaten their safety. And businesses have a heightened duty to conduct routine inspections to identify potential hazards that could endanger customers. Fort Smith slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, including:
- Grocery stores
- Shopping malls
- Department stores
- Public buildings
- Hospitals and doctor’s offices
- Parking lots and parking garages
Damages in a Fort Smith personal injury lawsuit
Those who successfully bring a Fort Smith personal injury lawsuit can recover financial compensation for their injuries. While every case is unique, and it’s impossible to pinpoint what a damages award will look like without an in-depth case analysis, Arkansas law generally allows accident victims to recover for their economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages pay you back for the money you were forced to spend (or could not make) because of the accident.
For example, medical bills, lost wages, decreased earning capacity and property damage are all types of economic damages. Proving economic damages is generally pretty straightforward, as you can present objective evidence of the amount of damages. For instance, we can present the court with your total medical bills to prove the cost of your medical treatment.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are a little more complicated. These damages compensate you for the emotional and psychological effect the accident had on your life. For example, the following are all types of non-economic damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of familial relationships
Personal Injury Fact Sheet
If you have been injured by someone’s negligence, whether from a car crash or a construction site accident, you may be able to receive economic recovery to help you move forward with your life. Here is a quick guide to Arkansas personal injury law to help answer questions you may have.
Fort Smith wrongful death cases
Preventable accidents claim thousands of lives in Arkansas every year. Whether a loved one is lost after a motor vehicle accident, workplace accident or any other type of accident, the result is tragic. While many accident victims can physically recover from their injuries, sadly, many do not. Families who have lost a loved one in a preventable accident can pursue a Fort Smith wrongful death case against the at-fault party.
Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit?
A wrongful death claim is a type of personal injury case except that, instead of being brought by the accident victim, it is brought by their surviving family members. Wrongful death claims can be filed after any type of accident. The following family members can file a wrongful death claim:
- Spouses
- Children
- Parents
- Siblings
- The personal representative of the accident victim’s estate
What damages are available in a wrongful death lawsuit?
The damages available through a wrongful death claim are similar to those in a personal injury claim and include:
Medical bills and expenses
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Lost benefits (such as health insurance premiums)
Compensation for your loved one’s pain and suffering
Compensation for your own mental anguish
What should I do after an accident?
While almost every accident victim can point to some type of damage they suffered due to the accident, identifying the full extent of their damages is critical to their full recovery. You only get one chance to bring a case, so you want to make sure you get it right. The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A., represents injured workers from all over Northwest Arkansas, including Fort Smith
If you have been hurt in an accident, there are some things that you need to do immediately, if possible. You want to protect your rights while seeking compensation for your injuries from an insurance company. Here are things you need to do as quickly as possible:
Take care of your health
Get medical help immediately or as soon as possible. Be sure to describe all of your injuries no matter how small or big they are. These records are helpful for your personal injury attorney while seeking compensation for your injuries. No matter what tests are ordered, get them all done as instructed. Ask for X-rays, scans, or an MRI if the injuries are serious. Get the results of those tests for your attorney.
Document everything
Call the police and make sure you get the accident report. If possible, get the contact information of other witnesses.
Keep personal records of all your injuries, how you feel, your experiences, what medical treatment you obtained, what the outcome was, and keep receipts for all expenses related to the accident. No matter how you feel, follow through on ALL doctor, therapist, and therapy appointments.
Be patient
Do not provide any statement whatsoever to any insurance company, including your own. While you can notify them of the accident, do not provide any other details until you have retained a car accident attorney. Throughout this process of recovering from injuries in a car accident, dealing with insurance companies and your attorney, have patience. The process to recover compensation for your injuries can be a long one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Experience. Dedication. Compassion.
30 Years of legal experience helping personal injury victims
If you or a loved one was recently involved in a Fort Smith accident, do not hesitate to reach out to the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. In the aftermath of a fatal accident, families may be looking for answers that are hard to come by. At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, our compassionate wrongful death lawyers can help you understand your options so you can make the decision that is best for your family.
To learn more and schedule a free consultation with a Fort Smith, personal injury lawyer, give us a call today at 479-361-3575. Calling is free, and we will not bill you for our services unless we can help you recover compensation.