CAR WRECKS AND OTHER BODILY INJURY CASES

Insurance companies for negligent or careless drivers will start from day one to get control of your injury case. When it comes to getting the compensation you deserve following any car wreck or tractor-trailer wreck, an injured person needs to KEEP IN MIND THE FOLLOWING “DON'TS":

• DON’T take advice any from the negligent driver’s insurance company that is trying to avoid paying out on a claim or settle quickly for the lowest possible amount; often before the injured person knows the seriousness and long-term costs of his injuries.
• DON’T sign any medical authorization presented by the negligent driver’s insurance company. Your previous medical history may be used to try to minimize the severity of your wreck injuries.
• DON’T agree to be examined by a physician or other medical personnel recommended by the insurance company before talking to a lawyer.
• DON’T agree to allow the insurance company to take a recorded statement from you without your lawyer present.

Jim is happy to listen and ready to help. More importantly, he’s local; you don’t have to hire an out-of-state attorney you may never see or talk with directly to get the determined, experienced advice and representation you and your case deserve.

As a personal injury attorney for over 40 years, Jim has the courtroom and negotiation experience you want on your side if your injury claim becomes a lawsuit, and  Jim will work with determination to get you the result you deserve.

• Car wrecks. Car wrecks --- even in city traffic speed --- can result in serious bodily injuries to drivers and passengers, even with advances in seatbelt, airbag, and other safety innovations. In fact, wrecks that don’t appear devastating can be the most difficult to settle or try because insurance companies try to argue that unless the property damage is great the injuries can’t be that serious. Over the years, Jim has confronted this tactic many times, overcoming it by careful medical proof and hard work.

• Fall injuries. When a property owner fails to maintain a safe environment and customers or patrons are injured in a fall, the store, restaurant, or other business is liable for your damages. These are not easy claims to prove, but Jim has learned through years of experience to establish proof through witness testimony and graphic reconstruction of the dangerous condition causing the client’s injury.

• Product and dangerous medication liability claim Cases involving injuries caused by defective products such as factory machinery or prescription drugs are complicated and Jim has the experience in locating and consulting experts to overcome the insurance companies’ attempts to avoid responsibility.

• Riverboat / Barge injuries. These are covered under the Federal Jones Act. Jim is one of a few Arkansas attorneys who has successfully represented an injured employee for surgical injuries suffered on the Mississippi River.

Damages that may be available in your personal injury case include:

Medical treatment

Personal injury damages almost always include an amount to cover the costs of medical care related to the accident;

• emergency room visits,
• diagnostic imaging and testing
• neurology testing
• neurosurgical and orthopedic surgical treatment
• prosthetic devices,
• physical therapy
• pharmacy / medication costs
• and the estimated cost of future medical treatment.

Lost income

Injured victims can collect compensation for time spent out of work due to the accident, as well as the loss of future earning capacity caused by a disability.

Property damage

If your vehicle or other personal property was damaged in the accident, the negligent party may be required to pay for repair or replacement.

Pain and suffering

Some injuries can cause ongoing pain, discomfort, inconvenience, or long-lasting effects that make daily life difficult for victims and their family members. A victim may be awarded an amount for general damages if he or she suffered emotional distress, lost enjoyment of life, or loss of consortium with a spouse.

Punitive damages

These damages “punish” the negligent party for his or her poor conduct --- such as driving while intoxicated, driving while texting or talking on a cellphone while driving, and may be available to victims whose injuries occurred due to the extreme carelessness of another party.General damages. Any other damages or loss that you’ve suffered and would not have incurred but for your accident injury.