Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What should I do if I have been in an accident?
- If I suffer a serious injury from an accident, are my medical expenses covered?
- If I do want to file a claim against the other driver or I'm having trouble dealing with the other driver's insurer, how do I choose an attorney?
- How much does it cost to hire an attorney?
Q: What should I do if I have been in an accident?
A: If you have been in an automobile, bus, truck, tractor-trailer, or motorcycle accident, there are some initial steps you should take to protect your rights, such as the following:
- Obtain the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the other drivers, vehicle owners, and potential witnesses involved;
- Obtain insurance policy information from the other drivers involved;
- Obtain medical attention right away if you or someone else was injured due to the accident;
- Take photographs of the accident scene, such as the road conditions, position of the cars, damage to your vehicle, and any weather and lighting conditions;
- Contact the police and obtain a police report if you believe there were traffic violations or if you suspect another driver is under the influence; and
- Notify your insurance company of the accident, particularly if there was significant property damage or you had to seek medical attention.
Q: If I suffer a serious injury from an accident, are my medical expenses covered?
A: Arkansas is a no-fault insurance state, which means that regardless of who is at fault for causing the accident your insurance company will pay for your injuries and the passenger's injuries up to the personal injury protection (PIP) limit of your policy. Arkansas requires motor vehicles registered in the state to have minimum amounts of liability insurance in the following amounts:
- $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person per accident
- $50,000 in bodily injury coverage for two ore more persons per accident
- $25,000 in property damage coverage
If your expenses exceed the policy's coverage amounts, you may be able to sue the other driver who was responsible for causing the accident. A qualified personal injury attorney can meet with you, evaluate your case, and advise you of whether you should file a claim against the other driver.
Q: If I do want to file a claim against the other driver or I'm having trouble dealing with the other driver's insurer, how do I choose an attorney?
A: Selecting an attorney is an important task. It is important to choose a lawyer who has experience in the specific area of law you need assistance in and is well qualified. For instance, a good personal injury attorney should be licensed, in good standing with the Arkansas State Bar, and have both experience and expertise at handling personal injury claims. It is important to retain an attorney who has the ability to successfully try the case; you will want to inquire as to how many trials the attorney has handled and how successful they have been in trial. You will also want to find an attorney with the financial resources necessary to properly investigate and prepare the case for trial.
Some firms offer free initial consultations for prospective personal injury clients. These consultations provide an opportunity to meet with the attorney, discuss the case, and ask questions. These consultations are a valuable resource tool for people who are determining whether a particular attorney is best suited to their needs and circumstances.
Q: How much does it cost to hire an attorney?
A: Snellgrove, Langley, Culpepper, Williams & Mullally is paid on a contingency fee basis in personal injury cases. In a contingency fee arrangement a lawyer's compensation for the provision of legal services is generally contingent upon obtaining a recovery in the case, either through settlement or a court or jury award. The attorney then typically receives a portion of the recovery as payment for the legal services that were provided.
At our firm, unlike other firms that have fees that change depending on the case's progression through the litigation process, we use a set-fee scale. This generally means that we do not increase our attorney fees if the case proceeds to trial. For personal injury cases, we offer a contingency fee arrangement where our attorneys receive a third of the net recovery in the case, not the gross amount, for legal services that were provided. If you are interested in learning more about our personal injury contingency fee arrangements or about our personal injury practice, please contact the experienced lawyers at Snellgrove, Langley, Culpepper, Williams & Mullally for assistance today.
