Arkansas Injury Lawyer Blog

Arkansas Drunk Drivers Cause Serious Accidents

December 21, 2012 | Paul Pfeifer

People convicted of drunk driving should have ignition interlock devices installed on their cars to keep them from starting the automobile if they are intoxicated. Federal safety officials are now backing this car accident safety plan.

The National Transportation Safety Board said this DWI accident policy could be a major factor in preventing traffic collision deaths, especially wrecks caused by a wrong-way driver. About 60% of wrong-way accidents involve an intoxicated driver according to government officials.

An alcohol ignition interlock is a device that prevents the engine from starting until the driver breathes into a device that measures alcohol content to see if it is lower than prescribed limits. Unfortunately, the alcoholic beverage industry opposes a blanket requirement for first time offenders. Some in the industry support ignition interlocks for first-time convictions of people who posted a blood-alcohol content of .15 or higher.

Fracking Causes Damages in Arkansas

December 10, 2012 | Paul Pfeifer

Recent reports in the news media have shown that livestock on farms near oil and gas drilling operations have been falling sick and dying. Many scientist and residents suspect chemicals used in drilling and fracking operations are poisoning animals through the air, water or soil.

Earlier this year, Michelle Bamberger, an Ithaca, N.Y., veterinarian, and Robert Oswald, a professor of molecular medicine at Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine, published the first and only peer-reviewed report to suggest a link between fracking and illness in food animals.

The report listed 24 case studies of farmers in six shale gas states whose livestock experienced neurological, reproductive and acute gastrointestinal problems after being exposed to fracking chemicals in the water or air. The article, published in “New Solutions: A Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health,” describes how animals died over the course of several years.

Major Interstate Accident

October 19, 2012 | Paul Pfeifer

I am amazed reading about a massive dust storm swirling reddish-brown clouds over northern Oklahoma that triggered a major accident along an interstate near Arkansas. According to news reports, the interstate had near blackout conditions.

The storm caused a multi-car accident. According to news reports the interstate accident involved nearly three dozen cars and tractor-trailers. The dust storm was likely caused due to the lack of rain This is the time of year that many farmers prepare for winter crops by loosening the dirt.

This type of accident occurs in Arkansas from time to time. It is important that Arkansas drivers keep a proper lookout for major dust storms as they travel along Arkansas roads. Complicated liability issues often emerge in wrecks that involve burning fields and dust storms. It is important that someone involved in a wreck contact an Arkansas car accident lawyer to discuss their legal rights as soon as possible after a wreck.

Car Crash in Arkansas

July 31, 2012 | Paul Pfeifer

A very unfortunate accident occurred in Sharp County. Four emergency responders were injured while helping at an accident in Sharp County. According to news reports a car lost control in a curve, hit a tree, and came to rest nearby. While emergency personnel were helping with the crash, another vehicle lost control and hit the workers. This accident shows how dangerous EMT, police and fire department jobs are when responding to a accident.

It is important that drivers who approach an accident scene use extreme caution. Ambulance, police and fire personnel need to work wherever the accident happened and must help injured drivers and passengers in the disabled auto. Therefore, drivers approaching wrecks must slow down and avoid the accident scene if possible. Oftentimes, subsequent crashes occur when a driver pays more attention to the accident scene than on the road ahead. This auto accident law firm has handled these types of accident cases. However, they could have easily been avoided if the driver was more cautious. We all owe these emergency responders the utmost respect and should show them respect by using extreme caution when approaching accident scenes.

Arkansas Product Liability Law – Dangers of BPA

July 28, 2012 | Paul Pfeifer

The hormone damaging chemical BPA, or bisphenol-A, can no longer be used to make baby bottles and sippy cups. The mandate of the Food and Drug Administration will have limited impact, because manufacturers have already stopped using BPA in these beverage containers. However, the FDA did not ban BPA use in other products.

BPA is still found in other plastic products. These products include water bottles, metal can linings and thermal cash register receipt. Some studies have linked BPA to cancer, birth defects and reproductive problems. A current study ties BPA found in kids’ tooth fillings to a slightly higher risk of children developing behavioral problems such as depression and anxiety. According to medical experts, BPA leaches from food and beverage packaging and trace amounts have been found in the urine of at least 90% of Americans.

Some food manufacturers have voluntarily removed BPA from the linings of cans, especially those containing infant formula. However, the FDA and industry actions are not strong enough. Dangerous products continue to be sold in Arkansas and the rest of the county. Lawyers and persons injured by dangerous products need to use Arkansas product liability laws to hold companies that put profits over the health of their customers accountable. The Arkansas Products Liability Statute can be found here.

Pedestrian Accidents in Arkansas

July 16, 2012 | Paul Pfeifer

Whether you’re driving a vehicle, riding a bicycle, or walking, it is important to remember some safety tips that could save your life. At Pfeifer Law Firm, we are committed to helping you understand your roadway rights under Arkansas law and recover monetarily when you have been injured by someone else’s negligence, but we also strive to help answer questions and educate through our car accident, personal injury, road safety and rules of the road blogs. Do you ever wonder who has the right of way when you’re at an intersection? Do you ask yourself, Should I walk facing traffic or with the flow of traffic? Hopefully you will find these tips on road safety helpful to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you on the roadways.

Tips for Pedestrians on the Roadways

-Be safe and be seen: make yourself visible to drivers -Wear bright/light colored clothing

Distracted Driving Causes Accidents in Arkansas

July 13, 2012 | Paul Pfeifer

One of the biggest challenges is getting young teenage drivers to understand that their actions behind the wheel can have serious implications. I recently read an article concerning a driver simulation computer that involves simulated driving and interactions with police, judges and emergency medical personnel in an 20-minute experience featuring a real judge, actual sheriff’s deputies and EMTs.

According to the article, the teen drivers were moved by the post accident simulation of personal injuries and court simulation. Unfortunately, distracted driving is very serious and can lead to serious injury in car accidents. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood pointed out recently that distracted driving accounts for about one in 10 road fatalities – 3,092 deaths in 2010. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also released statistics finding that 58% of high school seniors admitted to texting or e-mailing while driving during the previous month.

Arkansas law makes texting while driving illegal for teen drivers. The Arkansas Law bans drivers of all ages from sending text messages while driving, except in emergencies. Another Arkansas driving law bans the use of cell phones by drivers under age 18, except in emergencies. This Arkansas motor vehicle law prohibits anyone age 18-20 from using a cell phone while driving unless the person is using a hands free device or in an emergency.

Arkansas Boat Accident

June 4, 2012 | Paul Pfeifer

An Arkansas boat accident victim died of injuries sustained following a two vessel boating accident on the Ouachita River in Ashley County Arkansas. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is investigating the Arkansas boat crash.

This is the time of year when many Arkansas residents and tourists visit Arkansas rivers and lakes to enjoy the great natural beauty Arkansas has to offer. It is important that boat drivers use caution when operating their boats. Boat accidents often lead to severe injury and sometimes worse. Arkansas boating laws should be reviewed and followed to help make Arkansas lakes and rivers safe for all of us.

Arkansas boating negligence can cause injuries that require medical treatment and often lead to lost income. Arkansas boat insurance often can cover these losses for the innocent victims of negligent boating. If you or a family member has questions about Arkansas boat accidents, please contact an Arkansas boat accident lawyer to discuss your legal rights. It is important that the facts of the accident are gathered and proper medical treatment is received by the injured accident victim.

Arkansas Courts Closing?

April 26, 2012 | Paul Pfeifer

According to a recent news report, the federal government is considering closing dozens of courtrooms, many of which are located in small, rural communities, as part of an effort to cut costs. According to the report, six of the courts are located in Arkansas.

Federal Courthouses in Arkansas are found in Batesville, Helena, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Texarkana, Hot Springs, Harrison, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and El Dorado. These Courthouses serve the surrounding areas and provide a valuable service to local Arkansas citizens. The report quoted J. Leon Holmes, the chief federal judge of the Eastern District of Arkansas, stating that:

“If the federal courts close their facilities in these places, the money will quit going from one pocket of the federal government to another pocket of the federal government, but little or no savings to the taxpayers will be seen,” Holmes wrote in a letter dated Feb. 23 and sent to local bar associations. “Instead, the taxpayers will be forced to travel longer distances to appear in court as parties, witnesses, or jurors.”

Accidents in Arkansas Caused by Tailgating

April 25, 2012 | Paul Pfeifer

I recently read a story about a study put out by Michelin North America that documents how common tailgating is in Arkansas and around the country. According to the study, 74% of drivers say someone tailgated them in the past six months. But only 11% admit to tailgating someone else.

The study also states that almost half of automobile drivers surveyed don’t know the proper recommended distance to keep behind the car in front of them.

In an Arkansas car accident case, the jury is provided the following instruction found in the Arkansas Model Instructions.