Harrison Personal Injury Law Firm
Every personal injury case starts with the same basic legal question. Did the at fault party owe you a duty of care, and did they breach it? If you've been injured, don't fight for compensation alone. Talk to the team at the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. Contact our office at (479) 361-3575. Our attorneys will walk you through the next steps for your specific situation, and your consultation costs nothing.
PERSONAL INJURY RESULTS
As the county seat of Boone County, Arkansas, Harrison sees its fair share of traffic. Visitors come to Harrison's historic downtown for shopping and relaxation. Residents, students, and workers spend time in Harrison every day.
With so much activity happening in and around Harrison, injuries happen too. Negligence, meaning a failure to use reasonable care, is the legal foundation behind most personal injury claims in Arkansas. When another person or company acts carelessly and hurts you, the law gives you a way to hold them accountable.
If you are dealing with the aftermath of a personal injury, call the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. today at (479) 361-3575 to receive a risk-free consultation with one of our experts. We have the experience you need to get the compensation you deserve.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is the best way to get the upper hand on insurance companies and win the compensation you deserve. Get Started Now.
What types of accidents are most common in Harrison?
Car crashes, falls, and unintentional poisoning are among Arkansas's top five causes of death, according to the Arkansas Department of Health.
Motor vehicle crashes claim roughly 600 lives in Arkansas every year. Falls account for over 300 deaths.
These numbers aren't spread evenly across the state. In southern Arkansas, motor vehicle crashes claimed more lives than any other cause of death. In northeast Arkansas, crashes ranked second, and the region saw higher rates of fatal falls than central or southeast Arkansas.
Why does this matter to you? Because these numbers represent real risk you face just by driving to work, shopping downtown, or walking into a local business. Arkansas law recognizes this risk and gives injured people a path to recovery when someone else's carelessness causes harm.
Every personal injury case starts with the same basic legal question. Did the at fault party owe you a duty of care, and did they breach it? A driver has a duty to follow traffic laws. A business owner has a duty to keep floors and walkways reasonably safe. When that duty gets broken, and you get hurt, Arkansas law lets you pursue compensation.
Statistics tell you the risk exists. They don't tell you what your specific case is worth, or whether you have grounds to file a claim. That answer depends on the facts of your accident, and an experienced attorney can walk you through it.
How Do People Get Injured in Harrison?
Personal injuries happen in a lot of different situations. Car accidents are a common sight in Boone County. Falls remain a leading cause of injury and death throughout Arkansas. Injuries can also happen at work, school, home, or while visiting a local business.
Car Accidents
Boone County sees roughly 1000 car accidents every year. The majority of these collisions happen in Harrison. In the most tragic cases, these accidents result in death, while others produce serious injuries.
Speed plays a major role in car accidents. Speeding is defined as either someone going too fast for conditions or over the posted limit. Under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 27-51-201, driving faster than conditions allow is against the law, and violating this statute can support a negligence claim.
Data from the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement shows crashes are more likely to be fatal in Arkansas' rural areas, largely due to higher speeds. Farm equipment and wildlife add unexpected hazards on rural roads.
If a driver broke a traffic law and caused your crash, that violation can serve as strong evidence of negligence under Arkansas law. The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. reviews police reports, witness statements, and traffic camera footage to build a case that shows exactly how the crash happened.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Falls are a major cause of death nationwide, and in Arkansas, they rank among the top five causes of accidental death in every county. Northeast Arkansas sees higher rates of fall deaths than many other regions.
Falls are consistently among the most common unintentional injuries treated in Arkansas emergency rooms. Hospitals in northeast Arkansas, including Boone County, report the second-highest rate of fall cases in the state.
Falls hurt people of every age. Nearly 4,000 people treated for fall injuries in northeast Arkansas in 2023 were under age 20.
Under Arkansas premises liability law, property owners owe visitors a duty of reasonable care to fix or warn about known hazards. A broken handrail, a wet floor without a warning sign, or a poorly lit stairwell can all support a claim if the owner knew, or should have known, about the danger and failed to fix it.
Work-Related Injuries in Harrison and Boone County
When you're sidelined from work, costs add up fast. Household bills pile up while you struggle to recover. Document your doctor visits, medications, and follow-up appointments carefully. The most dangerous industries included transportation and materials moving, warehousing, manufacturing, and construction. Fatal injuries also occurred in real estate, healthcare, and hospitality jobs, proving that no industry is completely safe.
Workers' Compensation
Most workplace injuries fall under the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Act, found at Arkansas Code Annotated Section 11-9-101 and following. This law generally serves as your exclusive remedy against your employer, meaning you typically cannot sue your employer directly even if they were careless.
Third-Party Claims
If a third party, someone other than your employer or a coworker, caused your injury, you may be able to file a separate personal injury claim against them under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 11-9-410. A defective piece of equipment, a negligent delivery driver, or a subcontractor's mistake can all open the door to this kind of claim.
Time Limits For Filing a Personal Injury Claim in Harrison, Arkansas
Arkansas Code Annotated Section 16-56-105 sets a three year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. If you don't file your claim within three years, the court can dismiss it no matter how strong your evidence is. In most cases, this three year clock starts on the date you were injured.
The law recognizes a few exceptions. For example, Arkansas Code Annotated Section 16-56-116 pauses the clock for injured minors until they turn 18. These exceptions apply narrowly, and most cases don't qualify.
Waiting to talk to a lawyer shrinks your window to gather evidence, even if your filing deadline is still months or years away. Witnesses forget details, security footage gets deleted, and physical evidence disappears. Talk to a Harrison personal injury lawyer as soon as you can. An attorney can help you meet every deadline and preserve your right to file your case.
How can I be compensation for my personal injury?
Injuries come with heavy losses. You lose the ability to do everyday activities. Bills pile up as you lose the ability to work. Your house becomes a mess as you lose the ability to keep up with chores. Damages you may be compensated for include:
Medical bills, including emergency care
Lost wages and lost future earning capacity
Long term rehabilitation costs
Costs for property damage
Compensation for pain and suffering
Costs to fit a home for necessary adaptations
What is a modified comparative fault standard?
A personal injury or wrongful death claim seeks compensation for these losses. Arkansas's Constitution, Article 5, Section 32, actually prohibits the state legislature from capping the damages you can recover for personal injury or wrongful death caused by negligence. That protection matters, especially in cases involving catastrophic or permanent injuries.
Arkansas also follows a modified comparative fault rule under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 16-64-122. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault for your accident, as long as your share of fault is less than 50 percent. Your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault, but a partial mistake doesn't bar you from recovery entirely.
Your specific losses are unique, and so is their effect on your life. An attorney can help you understand what your case is really worth.
Wrongful Death: When An Injury Claims a Life
Losing a loved one changes everything, and legal deadlines are often the last thing on your mind. A knowledgeable Harrison injury lawyer can shoulder that burden for you and guide your family through this difficult process.
Time Limits
Like personal injury cases, wrongful death cases generally must be filed within three years of the date of death under the same statute. A few narrow exceptions may extend this deadline, but you shouldn't count on qualifying for one.
Wrongful Death Law
The untimely death of a loved one is the ultimate loss. Arkansas's wrongful death statute, found at Arkansas Code Annotated Section 16-62-102, gives surviving family members a path to compensation for this loss. The personal representative of the deceased person's estate typically files the wrongful death claim. If no personal representative has been appointed, Arkansas law allows the person's heirs to file the claim themselves.
Wrongful Death Damages
Wrongful death claims can seek compensation for both the injuries the deceased suffered before death and the losses the family now faces. Medical bills, lost wages, and damaged property can all factor into the claim. Families can also seek compensation for funeral and burial costs, along with compensation for the loss of their loved one's companionship, guidance, and support.
Experience. Dedication. Compassion.
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 Harrison today. Contact the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. at (479) 361-3575 to get started, or fill out our online form below. A team member will contact you to schedule your free, confidential consultation.
At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A., we understand how tough life gets after a serious injury. Getting back on your feet matters, and so does protecting your legal rights. You deserve fair representation during this difficult time. Contact our office today to learn how we can help.