Little Rock
Personal Injury Lawyer
If the negligent actions of another party caused an accident that harmed you or someone you love, you may be entitled to compensation for damages. The legal team at NST Law, Little Rock’s Champions for the Injured, can help.
Little Rock, the state capital of Arkansas, is located in Pulaski County. With a population of more than 200,000 people and six million visitors annually, the largest metro area in the state is always a busy place. And as with any large metro area, the large number of tourists and thriving development mean more chances for accidents to happen.
We provide legal advice so that you understand your options, how personal injury claims work and how we can build a case to recover the costs incurred as a result of your injuries. If someone else’s reckless or negligent actions caused the death of a loved one, turn to the legal team at our Little Rock personal injury law office. Although no amount of money can replace the loss of your loved one, it can alleviate some of the financial strain placed on your family.
We have successfully represented dozens of accident victims in getting the fair compensation they deserve.
Table Of Contents
What is a personal injury lawsuit?
Personal injury cases are civil matters, not criminal. Sometimes, the defendant in an injury case may face criminal charges because of the accident he or she caused, such as a drunk driver who crashes into another vehicle.
A personal injury lawsuit seeks restitution for the injured party, not jail time. Reckless or negligent actions of someone else can cause devastating accidents. Proving negligence on the part of another party is the crux of an injury case.
To prove negligence, your personal injury lawyer must prove:
- The other party owed the victim a reasonable duty of care.
- The other party breached the duty of care.
- The breach of duty directly caused the victim’s injuries.
- The victim sustained losses as a direct result of his or her injuries.
If you believe that another party is responsible for your injuries or the injury or death of a loved one, contact NST Law for your free initial consultation today.
Little Rock Personal Injury Cases We Handle
Some personal injury cases are more common than others in Little Rock. The types of major employers here, such as manufacturing and construction companies, may make some workplace injuries more likely. Car collisions are also common, especially in certain parts of town.
Our personal injury practice areas include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Construction site accidents
- Nursing home abuse
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
- Social Security Disability
- Product liability
- Premises liability
Let’s look more closely at some of the common causes of personal injury accidents in Little Rock and how the personal injury attorneys at NST Law can help you build a solid case for damages, including pain and suffering.
Vehicle Collisions
Little Rock, AR is bisected by Interstate 40 and Interstate 30, two major highways and shipping routes. It’s a large city, with heavy traffic and frequent road construction. These elements make car crashes more likely.
In fact, Arkansas ranks third in the United States for fatal car accidents per capita, with 21.2 car accident deaths per 100,000 people. Some places in the city are more dangerous than others, such as Chicot Road and Baseline Road, Asher Avenue and S. University Avenue, and Shackleford and I-430.
Auto accidents can range from minor fender-benders to severe catastrophes, with life-changing injuries, such as a brain injury or even death. Establishing fault in a car crash depends on the police report, which contains witness statements, photos of the scene and a determination by the Little Rock police about the cause of the accident.
These factors, plus records detailing the extent of your injuries and medical expenses, are a large part of your personal injury case.
Construction Site Accidents
The current road work on I-30, part of the Connecting Arkansas Program, may be a particularly dangerous place for accidents to happen, both for the vehicles on the road and the road crews.
Construction sites are inherently dangerous and contain hazards such as uneven terrain, heavy equipment and chances of people falling or having something fall on them. Crushing accidents, broken limbs, burns and head injuries are common accidents for construction workers and site visitors.
Proving negligence in a construction accident rests on the accident statement filed by your foreman and witness accounts of the accident. One person’s reckless or careless actions can permanently change another person’s life.
Your lawyer will take witness statements into account and investigate the safety protocols of the site, including whether it’s OSHA compliant.
Nursing Home Abuse
There are 44 nursing homes in Little Rock and even more long-term care facilities, such as assisted living communities and memory care centers. Many facilities may suffer from a lack of staff or poorly trained caregivers. Nursing home residents may be subject to abuse or neglect, including injuries, malnutrition and emotional abuse.
Proving liability in a nursing home case can include photos of your loved one’s injuries, such as bedsores or lack of personal hygiene. Your lawyer may also check cameras in the facility and staffing levels and interview other residents or caregivers for witness accounts of abuse.
Medical Malpractice
Little Rock is home to several world-class healthcare facilities, such as Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock and the University of Arkansas Medical System, both of which are highly regarded treatment centers.
However, these are busy facilities, and mistakes can happen. Patients may be harmed through medical misdiagnosis or malpractice.
If you haven’t received the care you need, a personal injury lawyer will build a case for you. He or she will look at your medical records and the extent of harm that the misdiagnosis or mistake caused. Often, expert witnesses are required to prove that your treating physician did not fulfill the duty of care on your behalf.
Proving negligence in a Little Rock medical malpractice case can be tricky. Your lawyer will have to determine that other doctors would have made different decisions regarding your care and you suffered as a result of the care you received from your initial doctor.
Wrongful Death
Sometimes, an accident can be fatal. Car wrecks, construction site accidents, injuries from nursing home abuse or sepsis from a dog bite can result in catastrophic and fatal injuries. If your loved one died from an accident that wasn’t his or her fault, we’ll file a wrongful death suit on your part.
Arkansas law allows only a few parties to seek damages from the death of a loved one:
- A surviving spouse or domestic partner
- Biological and adoptive children
- Parents
The state also has a statute of limitations for filing a wrongful death suit: three years from the date of the person’s death. Damages can include any medical bills incurred after the accident, as well as burial and funeral costs.
In addition, family members may be entitled to damages for their loved one’s loss of earnings because the deceased can no longer support them. Establishing fault in a wrongful death case includes determining that the accident that caused their death wasn’t their fault and that they died due to the injuries from the accident.
How can a Little Rock personal injury lawyer help me?
Personal injury lawyers gather evidence that proves the cause of the accident and the extent of your injuries. They then calculate the damages you’re owed and file a claim for that amount against the other party.
Injury cases can be complicated, and the threshold of proof varies depending on the circumstances of the accident. Hiring a personal injury law firm knowledgeable about your type of injury case can make a big difference in the outcome of your settlement.
Arkansas personal injury statutes can be confusing. You don’t want to navigate this process alone. When you choose NST Law to represent you, you’ll benefit from our deep understanding of personal injury law in Arkansas and our commitment to protecting your interests.
Our legal services include a thorough investigation into your case and build a strong argument on your behalf. We’re your advocate in the courtroom and mediation, negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf and protecting your interests.
Time Limits to Filing Your Little Rock Personal Injury Case
In Arkansas, personal injury claims have a time limit for filing, called a statute of limitations. For most accidents, the statute of limitations is three years from the date of the accident. While you and your personal injury lawyer have three full years to file the claim, it’s always better to file as soon as possible while the evidence is fresh.
Some types of cases have different statutes of limitations, such as medical malpractice and some defective consumer product cases. For example, if you received a negative cancer screening and later discovered that the doctor read the test wrong and you did have cancer, you’d have one year from the date of discovery or two years from the date of the error to file a malpractice suit.
Likewise, if you were using talc-based body powder contaminated with asbestos for several years and developed mesothelioma or ovarian cancer from prolonged asbestos or talc exposure, you’d have three years from the date you discovered your illness to file a suit.
If you miss the deadline for filing your personal injury suit, the court will likely dismiss it, no matter how catastrophic your injuries. Securing legal representation early ensures that you don’t lose your case due to a missed deadline.
Understanding Arkansas Negligence Laws
Another aspect of Arkansas personal injury law is the state’s modified comparative fault statute, also known as the “50 percent rule.” Under this regulation, if the injured party is less than 50 percent responsible for the accident, he or she may receive damages from the at-fault party responsible for more than 50 percent of the accident.
For example, if you broke your ankle after slipping and falling in a grocery store while wearing flip-flops and running through an area clearly marked with “Wet Floor” signs, a judge may determine that you acted recklessly and that the store made a reasonable effort to advise people of potential danger.
In this case, you may be found to be 75 percent responsible for the accident and, therefore, unable to recover damages.
Conversely, consider a similar fall resulting in a broken ankle. You were walking in the store and slipped in a puddle. The closed-circuit camera showed an employee spilling water and walking away without putting up a sign. Furthermore, you were wearing sturdy shoes and walking slowly.
The judge may determine that you were only 10 percent responsible for the accident because you didn’t notice the puddle right away.
The amount of money you receive from your claim is contingent on the percentage of the accident for which you are responsible. In the second example, let’s say that your damages are $100,000. You are responsible for 10 percent of the accident, so the court reduces your damages by 10 percent. Your award will be $90,000.
Personal injury lawyers build cases that reduce their clients’ responsibility for their injuries, thereby helping them maximize their settlements.
Have you or a loved one been hurt in an accident in Little Rock?
If you or a loved one suffers serious injuries in an accident, the Little Rock personal injury attorneys at NST Law are here to help. The circumstances surrounding an accident with catastrophic injuries can be overwhelming. The specific legal issues that may present during an injury case can be challenging to understand and navigate on your own. Fortunately, you and your family do not have to carry the legal burden alone.
The legal team at NST Law has over 30 years of experience and has won numerous successful verdicts and settlements. We have two offices conveniently located in Downtown Little Rock and West Little Rock to better serve injury victims across Pulaski County.
Our skilled trial lawyers can explain the legal options available to you during your free initial consultation. We will manage your case, investigate the facts, gather evidence, and ensure the timely filing of your lawsuit. Our lawyers are your strongest advocates and are committed to helping you get the compensation you deserve.
For a free consultation, call the champs today!
Contact us for a free consultation now so that we can review your case and decide how we can best help you.
4 Shackleford Plaza Suite 211
Little Rock, AR 72211
Phone: 501-381-3391
Fax: 501-891-5036
425 W Capitol Ave, Ste. 780
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-435-0000
Fax: 501-406-1849
