Arkansas Injury Lawyer Blog
There is a higher-than-average number of car accidents in Arkansas every year. The total in 2012 was 504—nearly 70% higher than the national average. That’s roughly 17 accidents per 100,000 people (compared to the national average of just 10.2 per 100,000). With the major highways and interstate traffic crisscrossing our state, the sheer number of cars on the road puts us at greater risk for collisions every time we get behind the wheel. But it’s one thing to suspect that risk and another altogether when nationally accredited agencies like the Federal Highway Administration single Arkansas out as an automobile danger zone.
So why are our roads so dangerous?
High Traffic Equals High Risk
As you might suspect, the most highly trafficked highways are also the most dangerous roads in Arkansas.
According to Geotab, US-65 the most dangerous road in Arkansas. It is part of the “Great River Road” that follows the Mississippi River south through ten states. Tremendous amounts of traffic funnel along that heavily travelled north/south corridor every day. It is home to any number of fender benders and unreported collisions. Tragically, there are around 14 fatal car accidents on Arkansas’ stretch of that Great River Road every year.
Let us not forget about the infamous I-40. I-40 runs through Arkansas and is the main east/west corridor for intestate traffic. Not only is it one of the busiest stretches of interstate in Arkansas (and the nation), it’s also one of the most dangerous for drivers. Along its entirety, I-40 is ranked as one of the most dangerous roads in the United States.
Poor Urban Planning
But as dangerous as the highways and interstate system in Arkansas is for drivers, city streets in high-population areas like Little Rock can be just as costly. These close streets are often built on outdated designs, overcrowded, and put drivers on collision courses with other cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists on a daily basis.
Arkansas Online recently created an interactive map of the most dangerous intersections (with rankings based on the number of car accidents in Little Rock’s most crowded neighborhoods). The results won’t surprise anyone who drives the city on a daily basis.
The most dangerous intersection in Little Rock is the corner of Asher and University. That single intersection saw 180 car accidents—almost one every two days! Coming in a close second was the intersection of Shackleford and I-430 with 179. Add in Baseline and Chicot, Cantrell and I-430, Arch and Roosevelt, and the rest of the 35 most dangerous intersections in Little Rock and you have an astounding 2,386 car accidents. That’s an average of over 95 car accidents per intersection every year.
Dealing with the Aftermath of an Arkansas Car Accident
The odds are not in your favor. If you continue to drive on city streets and federal highways you will likely be involved in some sort of car accident in Arkansas within your lifetime. But there are a few things you can do to help protect yourself after a costly collision.
Don’t Rely on Investigators
If you’ve been in a crash, collect as much evidence as you can yourself:
- Get the names (and insurance info) of all the parties involved
- Get contact info for eyewitnesses and police investigators
- Take pictures of the crash scene and the damage to both cars
- Get medical attention, and follow your doctors’ orders
If you can’t do any of these things yourself, ask a trusted friend or family member for help. Securing the necessary info immediately and keeping it safe until it can be used to prove your case can make getting the compensation you deserve much easier.
Find the Right Car Accident Attorney in Arkansas
If you’ve been injured by a reckless, distracted, or careless driver, don’t settle for the first offer their insurance company throws at you. When you have an experienced Arkansas car accident attorney on your side, fighting for the compensation you deserve can get you much more than you may expect. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case. We deal with insurance companies on a daily basis and know their strategies on how to minimize the value of your case. An aggressive, experienced attorney knows what investigations need to take place so that proper evidence can be gathered and preserved to get you the compensation you deserve.
Call the Pfeifer Law Firm Today
The experienced Arkansas car accident law firm, Pfeifer Law Firm, can help you recover after a life-changing car accident. We serve the central Arkansas area, including Little Rock, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Conway, Benton, Greenbrier, Hot Springs, Rogers, Malvern, anywhere in the state. Chat live with us now or call 501-374-4440 to discuss your case or schedule your free consultation today. At the Pfeifer Law Firm, we are here to serve you.