Arkansas Injury Lawyer Blog

Drunk drivers cause approximately one-third of all traffic fatalities in the United States.

If you are behind the wheel and you have been drinking, you are more dangerous than a man with a gun shooting into a crowd of people. The man with the gun has made his presence of danger known and people can attempt to take cover. If you’re driving down the road while intoxicated, the innocent people driving around you have no idea you’re drunk behind the wheel and coming right at them.

Here are some facts about alcohol:

Winter conditions can make travel along Arkansas roads dangerous. The Arkansas Highway Department recommends that motorists stay off Arkansas roads during ice and snow storms. However, sometimes that is not an option for some people. The following winter driving tips were listed on the Department’s website:

Wear your seat belt, and make sure all passengers-including children-are buckled up.

Remember that ice forms first on bridges, overpasses and shady areas. If you hit a patch of ice, stay off your brakes and decelerate slowly, holding the car steady as you go over the ice.

Blood tests from the Arkansas Crime Laboratory led to an arrest of an Alma, Arkansas man involved in a fatal car accident. He was arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide, first-degree criminal mischief, and second-degree battery.

Blood samples were taken from the negligent driver. The test results showed that the driver of the vehicle had marijuana and Xanax in his system at the time of the accident.

Most people associate driving under the influence with alcohol. However, this accident is a vivid reminder that altering drugs can, and often do, lead to serious car and truck accidents. I recently handled a case where an elderly woman and her grandchildren were struck head-on by a car driven by a man that had taken narcotic prescription medication earlier in the day. The investigation showed that his intoxication at the time of the wreck led to his inattention and carelessness. Fortunately my client was not killed, but she was seriously injured and required an air lift to an Arkansas hospital. Although she was able to receive a monetary settlement, she will suffer a lifetime of pain, suffering, and disability. Please be careful and do not take medicine or other drugs that could alter your ability to drive. If you need to speak with an attorney regarding a car or truck accident, please contact the Pfeifer Law Firm today.

A recent Arkansas Supreme Court case will help victims of Arkansas car accidents. In State Farm Insurance Company vs. Stamps, the Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed a lower court decision upholding the award of statutory damages of 12% and attorney fees against State Farm Insurance Company. The Court found that these amounts were justified based upon Arkansas Code Annotated 23-79-208 because State Farm refused to settle with an accident victim after demand was made under their underinsured policy.

Arkansas law states that if an injured victim makes a settlement demand on their insurance company that is refused and they are awarded damages within 20% of the demanded amount, 12% damages and attorney fees will be awarded by the Court. This law is meant to punish insurance companies when they delay payment of a meritorious claim.

The Pfeifer Law Firm routinely handles insurance claims for injured accident victims in Arkansas. If you or a family member has been injured in an accident and would like to speak with an Arkansas accident lawyer, please contact us today.

A serious car accident occurred on I-540 in Arkansas. According to published reports the Arkansas State Police spent more than an hour cleaning up four separate auto accidents involving 16 cars on the I-540 bridge over the Arkansas River near Fort Smith.

The car accident happened when cars began to slow down due to the rainy weather conditions. It appears that the cars behind were following too close and started a chain of rear-end collisions.

This Arkansas car accident acts as a reminder that drivers need to stay a safe distance behind forward vehicles. My Arkansas personal injury law firm handles car accident cases that all too often involve rear-end collisions. The problem with drivers following too close and driving too fast for road conditions is very common on Arkansas highways. Injuries from car accidents cause great hardship to the victims and their families. If you have any questions concerning an Arkansas car accident, please contact the Pfeifer Law Firm, an experienced Arkansas car accident law firm.

Texting while driving is as dangerous as driving while drunk. A new law began in Arkansas that bans texting while driving. Act 181 of 2009, also known as Paul’s Law was passed to make Arkansas roads safer.

Paul’s Law bans drivers of all ages from sending text messages while driving, except in emergencies. This Arkansas motor vehicle law was named after Paul Davidson of Jonesboro, Arkansas who was killed in an accident with a vehicle whose driver admitted he was sending a text message.

Another new driving law, Act 197 of 2009, bans the use of cell phones by drivers under age 18, except in emergencies. This Arkansas 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.

A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that more Americans die on country roads than on more congested city roads. In 2008, 56% of the 37,261 traffic deaths occurred on rural roads. About 23% of the population lives in rural areas.

The comparison is even greater regarding Arkansas traffic accidents. Seventy-four percent of car accident and truck accident deaths were on county or rural roads in Arkansas. Although Arkansas is a rural state, I was surprised by the statistic concerning Arkansas vehicle accident fatalities. From experience representing victims of Arkansas car accidents, I find that people usually drive faster on rural Arkansas roads than the conditions allow. Another possible reason for fatalities in rural areas is the slower delivery of acute medical care for injuries from the accident.

If you or a family member has suffered injuries from an accident, please contact an experienced Arkansas personal injury lawyer. It is important to know your rights and make sure that your damages are fully compensated.