Arkansas Major Personal Injury Attorney

Car wrecks are a harsh reality on Arkansas roads and often result in severe injuries, emotional distress, and financial burdens. High-traffic areas in Little Rock, such as the notorious I-630 and I-430 interchange, see multiple accidents every year. Highways throughout Pulaski County and across the state pose similar risks. Identifying the common causes of these crashes and recognizing the difficulties of dealing with insurance companies is vital to protecting your rights and recovering the compensation you deserve.

Common Causes of Car Wrecks in Little Rock

Car wrecks in Little Rock occur for many reasons, but a large number of them are preventable. Distracted driving, such as using mobile phones, eating, or engaging in other activities that divert attention from the road, is one of the leading causes. 

Even brief distractions can lead to serious collisions, particularly on high-traffic routes like I-40 through Little Rock or Highway 67/167 heading north.

Speeding and reckless driving significantly contribute to collision rates. High speeds and dangerous habits such as tailgating or improper lane changes increase the probability and severity of accidents. Additionally, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs creates a major threat because it diminishes reaction times and judgment. This behavior often leads to catastrophic injuries or death.

Arkansas law holds impaired drivers accountable, and victims of these accidents may be entitled to pursue compensation for their losses.

Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Car Wreck

In Little Rock, the at-fault driver’s insurer pays up to the policy limits of 25/50/25, meaning $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 property damage. Policies must also offer first-party no-fault benefits called MedPay or PIP, and insurers must offer UM and UIM coverage that can be rejected in writing. Depending on your policy, you may be able to use MedPay or PIP and UM or UIM in addition to a claim against the at-fault driver.

Little Rock uses modified comparative fault. You can recover only if your fault is of a lesser degree than the other party’s. If your share is equal to or greater, you recover nothing, and any recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.

Insurance companies often try to limit payouts by challenging fault or the extent of your injuries. You do not have to take that on alone. At Gates Law Firm PLLC, we document your injuries, gather evidence, and present a clear, well-supported claim for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call 501-779-8091 for a free consultation.

Truck and 18-wheeler collisions are among the most devastating types of accidents on Arkansas roads. Little Rock serves as a major transportation hub where I-40 functions as a critical east-west corridor, and I-30 connects the city to Texas. Consequently, commercial truck traffic remains heavy throughout the region. These cases often involve severe injuries or fatalities due to the sheer size and weight of commercial vehicles.

Why Truck Accident Cases Are More Challenging

Truck collision claims present significantly more challenges than standard car accident cases because they involve unique legal, logistical, and regulatory factors.

The following elements highlight why these cases require a deeper level of attention:

• Federal Regulations: Truckers and carriers must follow FMCSA limits on hours of service, strict maintenance schedules, and safe loading practices. A logbook gap, missed inspection, or overweight cargo can affect fault and damage.
• Multiple Parties Involved: Responsibility can extend to the trucking company, its dispatcher, a maintenance contractor, a cargo loader, or a parts manufacturer. Sorting this out takes interviews, contracts, and insurance policies.
• Extensive Evidence: Your case may hinge on electronic logging device data, black box downloads, GPS trails, maintenance and repair records, driver qualification and training files, and post-crash drug and alcohol tests. Preserving this early matters.
• Severe Damages: Because trucks are so heavy, injuries are often catastrophic. Claims typically involve hospital bills, rehab, lost wages, future earning limits, and long-term care.

If you were hurt in a truck crash around Little Rock, a focused investigation helps identify every liable party and build the strongest path to fair compensation.

Common Causes of Truck and 18-Wheeler Collisions

Many truck crashes come down to preventable negligence. Driver fatigue is a frequent factor. Long shifts and ignored federal hours-of-service limits slow reaction times and lead to mistakes, especially at interstate speeds in and around Little Rock.

Cargo problems are another trigger. Overloaded or poorly secured freight can shift, upset a trailer’s balance, and make stopping or steering harder than it should be.

Maintenance matters too. Skipped inspections and worn parts cause brake failures, tire blowouts, and other equipment breakdowns that put you at risk. When upkeep is neglected, the trucking company may be on the hook. In these cases, maintenance logs, inspection records, and load documents can be key evidence for proving what went wrong and who is responsible.

Injuries From Truck Accidents: The Devastating Impact

Truck accidents often result in life-altering injuries due to the immense force involved in these collisions.

• Catastrophic Injuries and Long-Term Disabilities: Victims of truck accidents frequently suffer severe injuries, such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, or amputations. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment at trauma centers like CHI St. Vincent Infirmary or Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, along with rehabilitation and long-term care, leaving victims with significant financial and emotional burdens.
• Wrongful Death Claims in Fatal Truck Accidents: Tragically, many truck accidents lead to fatalities. Families who lose loved ones in these collisions may pursue wrongful death claims to recover damages for funeral expenses, loss of income, and emotional pain. Arkansas law provides legal pathways for families to hold negligent parties accountable for their loss.

Trucking companies and drivers must follow strict safety rules. When they cut corners, crashes with semis and 18-wheelers can cause life-changing harm. You may be dealing with head or spinal injuries, broken bones, and time away from work. Medical bills and lost income add up fast.

At Gates Law Firm PLLC in Little Rock, we dig into what caused your wreck. We pull black box data, inspect the truck, and compare the facts to federal safety regulations. If a company overloaded a trailer, pushed a driver past hours of service, skipped maintenance, or failed training, we build a case that fits your situation.

Contact us for a free consultation so you can focus on healing while we pursue the compensation you need.

Product liability refers to the legal responsibility of manufacturers, distributors, and sellers for injuries caused by defective or dangerous products. Arkansas law provides clear pathways for holding these parties accountable when their products harm consumers.

Defects in products typically fall into three categories:

• Manufacturing Defects: These occur when a product is improperly assembled or manufactured. Even if the design is safe, errors during production can make the product dangerous. For example, a car with a faulty brake system due to manufacturing errors may cause a serious accident.
• Design Defects: Design defects exist when a product is inherently unsafe, even when manufactured correctly. These flaws are present in the product’s blueprint and affect every unit produced. For instance, a poorly designed child car seat that fails to protect during a collision is an example of a design defect.
• Failure to Warn: Some products have inherent risks that consumers need to be warned about. A failure to include adequate instructions, warnings, or labels about potential dangers can lead to injuries, making manufacturers or sellers liable. An example could be a medication that does not list potential side effects.

Common Types of Product Liability Cases

Product liability covers a wide range of dangerous consumer products, including electronics, appliances, and toys. Hidden defects or poor testing can put you and your family at risk. An electronic device that overheats can ignite a fire, cause burns, and damage your home.

Defective automotive parts are another common source of claims. Airbags, brakes, and tires are critical to your safety. If an airbag fails to deploy or brakes give out in traffic, the results can be catastrophic.

Hazardous medical devices and pharmaceuticals raise serious concerns, too. A faulty pacemaker or a drug with undisclosed side effects can lead to life-threatening complications. 

If a defective product hurt you in Little Rock, Gates Law Firm PLLC can help pursue compensation from the manufacturer, distributor, or seller. Contact us for a free consultation so you can focus on healing.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) represent some of the most critical and life-altering injuries a person might endure. These can affect every aspect of a victim’s life, from their physical health to their emotional well-being and financial stability. Victims and their families need a clear grasp of TBI definitions, causes, and effects to successfully seek justice and restitution under Arkansas statutes.

Common Causes of TBIs

Traumatic brain injuries can result from various incidents, many of which involve negligence or preventable situations. Some of the most frequent causes include:

• Car and Truck Accidents: Motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of TBIs in Arkansas. The force of impact during a crash can result in the brain striking the inside of the skull, leading to significant damage. Victims may suffer TBIs even in low-speed accidents, depending on the circumstances. Dangerous intersections and high-traffic areas in Little Rock, such as the Cantrell Road and Shackleford Road corridors, see frequent accidents that result in head injuries.
• Falls and Workplace Accidents: Slip-and-fall incidents, construction site accidents, and unsafe working conditions often lead to head injuries. Falls from heights or onto hard surfaces can create severe trauma to the brain. Construction sites throughout Little Rock and workplace injuries at industrial facilities in the region contribute to TBI cases annually.
• Defective Products: Faulty safety equipment, such as helmets or airbags, can fail to protect users and lead to TBIs during accidents. Arkansas product liability laws hold manufacturers accountable for defective products that contribute to such injuries.

How TBIs Impact Victims and Their Families

Traumatic brain injuries affect far more than the initial diagnosis. You may face memory loss, trouble focusing, depression, anxiety, or mood changes that make work and relationships difficult. Severe injuries can also limit mobility and coordination. You might need assistive devices, ongoing therapy, or long-term care, all of which can reduce independence and quality of life.

Your family feels the impact too. Caring for a loved one is exhausting and expensive, with medical bills, lost income, and major adjustments at home. Personality or cognitive changes can strain connections and bring a real sense of loss. Little Rock catastrophic injury lawyer Joseph Gates can help you identify the cause of your injury and pursue compensation for medical treatment, lost earnings, and emotional harm.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact Gates Law Firm PLLC today for a free consultation. Let us help you protect your future and rebuild your life with the support and guidance you deserve.

After suffering an injury due to someone else’s negligence, pursuing compensation is a critical step toward recovering financially and emotionally. Arkansas personal injury law allows victims to recover various types of damages, each designed to address specific aspects of the harm suffered. Knowing the categories of compensation available can help you assess the full scope of your claim and work toward securing the justice you deserve.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are tangible, measurable losses that directly result from the injury. These damages are intended to reimburse victims for the financial impact of the accident.

• Medical Expenses: This includes all past, current, and future medical costs related to your injury. Hospital bills, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, and even long-term care needs fall under this category. Arkansas law allows victims to recover compensation for all reasonable and necessary medical expenses incurred due to the accident.
• Lost Wages and Future Earnings: If your injury prevents you from working temporarily or permanently, you may be entitled to recover compensation for lost wages. Additionally, if your injury reduces your ability to earn income in the future, Arkansas law provides for damages related to diminished earning capacity.
• Property Damage: In personal injury cases involving car accidents or other property loss, victims can recover the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property. For example, vehicle repair costs can be included in your claim if your car was damaged in a collision.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address the physical, emotional, and psychological toll of an injury. These damages are less tangible than economic damages but are just as important to fully compensate victims for their suffering.

• Pain and Suffering: Arkansas personal injury law allows victims to recover compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury. This category accounts for the severity of the injury, the duration of recovery, and the impact on your daily life.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injury prevents you from engaging in activities you once enjoyed or significantly diminishes your quality of life, you may be entitled to damages for loss of enjoyment of life. This could include hobbies, social activities, or family time you can no longer participate in due to the injury.
• Emotional Distress and Mental Anguish: Serious injuries often lead to emotional trauma, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Compensation for emotional distress addresses the psychological impact of the accident and its aftermath.

After a personal injury, fair compensation helps you rebuild. In Little Rock, Gates Law Firm PLLC works to secure what you need to move forward. We review your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses to pursue the maximum recovery for you.

Contact Gates Law Firm PLLC today for a free consultation. Let us help you fight for the justice and compensation you deserve so you can focus on your recovery and future.

Most personal injury lawsuits in Little Rock must be filed within three years from the date your claim accrues, usually the day you were hurt. Wrongful death cases have a separate three-year clock that starts on the date of death.

Key exceptions that can change your deadline:

• Medical malpractice: Generally, 2 years from the wrongful act. A narrow foreign-object exception allows 1 year from discovery (or when it reasonably should have been discovered) if it couldn’t have been found within the 2 years. Misdiagnosis claims do not have a general discovery rule under the statute.
• Minors in non-medical cases: If the claimant was under 21 at accrual, they may file within 3 years after attaining full age (tolling for disability/minority).
• Minors in medical malpractice: If the child was age 9 or younger at the negligent act, the deadline is the later of the child’s 11th birthday or 2 years from the act; if the injury was not and could not reasonably have been discovered before age 11, the suit may be filed within 2 years after discovery or until the child’s 19th birthday, whichever is earlier.

Missing the deadline can bar your claim. If you think you have a case, talk to a personal injury attorney soon so you can protect your rights and keep every option on the table.