Car Accident

Injured Arkansans to Get Trauma System

March 18, 2009 | Paul Pfeifer

A bill was signed into law by Gov. Mike Beebe creating an Arkansas trauma system. The bill is meant to speed up how quickly trauma patients in Arkansas get the medical care they need. This is a huge victory for people who suffer a personal injury in a car accident, work accident, or other catastrophic injury. It is expected to save many lives and prevent people from becoming permanently disabled from an injury.

Hospitals will be designated as Level I-IV trauma centers. Level 1 trauma centers will provide the highest level of care and be able to care for the most seriously injured. The level IV centers will be designed to provide initial care and stabilize the injured patient. It is hoped this trauma system can be organized in the next year or two. As an Arkansas personal injury attorney who handles car accident, and other injury cases, I am hopeful that it will be in place soon.

Arkansas Ranks Third In Car Accident Death Rate

March 3, 2009 | Paul Pfeifer

According to new statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, Arkansas is the third most dangerous state for driving. The average annual motor vehicle-related death rate was highest in Mississippi (31.9 per 100,000 population), followed by Wyoming (27.7), Arkansas (25.6), Montana (25.6), and Alabama (25.1). The study also found that men are twice as likely to be killed in an auto accident than women. According to the Community Guide of the Centers for Disease Control, motor vehicle related injuries kill more children and young adults than any other single cause in the United States and are the leading cause of death from injury for people of all ages.

The CDC claims proper use of lap and shoulder belts can reduce the chance of death in a traffic accident by 45 percent, and the likelihood of serious injury by 50 percent. In my practice, I have seen numerous times when a seat-belt saved a life. I have also reviewed cases where seat-belt and airbag malfunctions proved catastrophic. Car accident injuries continue to be a serious problem in Arkansas. Although seat-belt use cannot fully protect against injury, it is an important tool that we should all use. Please wear your seat-belt and if you would like to speak with an attorney about a recent car accident, please contact a car accident attorney today to guarantee your rights are protected.

Arkansas Trauma Center Needed

January 30, 2009 | Paul Pfeifer

Arkansas is the only state without a trauma center to deal with people who suffer a personal injury. Currently, the Arkansas Legislature is debating a plan to institute a trauma system. Unfortunately, a similar plan was defeated in 2007. Hopefully, this will not happen again.

According to government statistics, 15,000 people are hospitalized with injuries in Arkansas. Of those, 2,000 people die from their personal injuries and 6,000 suffer permanent disabilities each year. Arkansas has the third highest death rate in the country from motor vehicle accidents. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 25 deaths per 100,00 people annually in the state compared to a national average of 15.2 per 100,000.

It is time that the Arkansas Legislature act and develop a trauma system to help people who suffer a personal injury in Arkansas. State health officials state publicly that a trauma system would prevent an estimated 2,000 disabilities and save 200-600 lives of Arkansans who don’t get appropriate care fast enough.

Arkansas School Bus Accident

January 9, 2009 | Paul Pfeifer

Four students from the Pine Bluff School District were taken to Jefferson Regional Medical Center for injuries after an accident involving the school bus they were riding on.

Police said the bus was northbound on Main Street near 27th Avenue when it ran off the road, hit a culvert, then came back on the road and struck a utility pole in front of Carpet Barn before finally coming to rest at 27th and Main.

The driver of the bus reported that he moved the bus over to avoid a vehicle that was southbound and slipped off the road. Police report that an investigation into the accident is continuing and Hines was issued a citation for failure to maintain control.

Cell Phone Text Messages Causing Car Accidents in Arkansas

November 3, 2008 | Paul Pfeifer

The Arkansas State Police announced that they are collecting data on traffic accidents related to text messaging to determine how much of a problem the practice is in Arkansas. The standard accident reports now have a new information box for troopers to fill out while investigating a crash. When filled, it denotes the use of an electronic device such as a cell phone while driving.

According to Hillary Davidson of Jonesboro, whose father died in a traffic accident, she wants state lawmakers to pass a law that specifically prohibits text messaging while a driver is behind the wheel. She plans to meet with state legislators to ask them to sponsor a bill. Davidson’s father, Paul Davidson, died July 14th after his vehicle was hit by another vehicle, driven by a man who told police he was sending a text message. Further, this behavior has gained national attention due to the September 25th Metrolink train crash in California. The crash occurred immediately after the engineer sent a text message.

Although cell phone use and text messaging while driving may not be against the law, their use can be the basis of a negligence action if they cause a car accident in Arkansas. I have successfully argued that a driver was negligent because he was using his cell phone when he did not “see” my client before a car accident. He tried to argue that my client was partially at fault but we were able to show that he was using his cell phone at the time of the wreck and was not paying attention. It is important to gather this information in the discovery phase of a claim or lawsuit. Cell phone records can be subpoenaed from the phone company. This is an important tool that can make the difference in a car accident claim. If you have suffered an injury due to a car accident, please contact me to discuss your rights and determine what information is needed to make a fair recovery for you and your family.