Arkansas Injury Lawyer Blog
Pedestrian Accident in Arkansas Refocuses Attention on Dangerous Downtown Street
A 47-year-old woman was killed in Arkansas earlier this month while she was waiting to cross the street at a busy intersection in Little Rock. The fatal pedestrian accident in Little Rock happened at around 11 on the morning of February 5th at the intersection of West 6th Street and Broadway. Two cars collided in the intersection. The force of the impact drove both cars off the street and onto the sidewalk. The victim was struck while waiting at curbside for the crosswalk light to change.
Little Rock Police are investigating the crash and have asked eye-witnesses to come forward. There have been no citations issued pending the results of that investigation but it appears as if at least one of the drivers ignored the traffic signal and entered the intersection while they faced a red light.
In this particular car accident in Little Rock, the force of the crash was so great that the victim was knocked almost 80 feet from the point of impact. That demonstrates that at least one of the vehicles was likely travelling at an unsafe speed at the time of the crash.
Tragically, this intersection is known for being dangerous for both drivers and pedestrians. In the past year there have been 10 crashes—5 of which have resulted in citations for failure to stop at a red light. In fact, a 2016 study revealed that Broadway was one of the most dangerous streets in Little Rock. Over the past 10 years there have been 29 pedestrian accidents in Downtown Little Rock along that stretch of road. But what’s being done to protect the public?
Residents in the area of Broadway’s intersection with West 6th Street have complained multiple times. For its part, ARDOT has made some safety improvements in the past (including repaving and repainting the Broadway portion of the intersection). A spokesperson from the agency said that particular intersection has all the “necessary signage.” Clearly that signage is failing to do its job.
Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases in Arkansas
In such cases, surviving family members can file wrongful death lawsuits in Arkansas courts to seek compensation for financial damages (including pain and suffering) that the loss of a loved one has created. Wrongful death lawsuits may be filed regardless of any criminal charges that may stem from a particular traffic accident in Arkansas. These lawsuits may be settled out of court or may be decided by a judge or jury.
If the victim survives a crash, they can file insurance claims and personal injury lawsuits with the assistance of an Arkansas pedestrian accident attorney to seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Future loss of earnings
- Incidental costs associated with the crash
- Property damage
- Psychological hardship
And more.
While financial compensation will do nothing to repair the psychological, emotional, and mental anguish caused by even a minor pedestrian accident, the monetary cushion it provides will help victims by alleviating the financial pressures associated with a crash while they’re putting their lives back together.
Get Legal Help Today
If you’ve been injured by a reckless driver, you need an experienced pedestrian accident attorney in Arkansas on your side. Contact the Pfeifer Law Firm online or call directly at 501-374-4440 for your free consultation today.