NWA Car Wreck Attorneys

1.  Call The Police.

If a police offer doesn't file a report about the wreck, you may have difficulty getting compensated by the other drivers insurancecompany later. Always ask the officer if he plans to issue a ticket.

2.  Take Pictures. 

The more pictures the better.  You want them at the scene if possible.  It's hard for even insurance companies to contradict photographic proof.

3.  Get Names.

Get the names (and insurance companies) of everyone involved.  Get the names of the witnesses.  Get the name and badge number of investigating officer (you DID call the police right?) 

4.  Go See a Doctor.

Seek medical attention right away if you believe you may be injured.  Don't wait for a week and then decide you need to see a doctor. The insurance company will say that you apparently weren't hurt very bad if you didn't go to the doctor right away.

5.  Get A Lawyer Early.

The biggest mistake that I see from my clients are made without the advice of a lawyer.  Sometimes these mistakes have a serious effect on the client's claim. 

The take away from these five steps is to be prepared for the worst, and don't start out behind.  You don't know if the other driver has a lawyer, if they intend to sue you, or if they're insurance company will cooperate with your claim.

Don't take chances, contact us about your case today.

1.  Pretend To Be Your Friend.

The biggest trick is for an insurance adjuster to act like they are on your side at the beginning.  They hope to get you to settle your claim quickly and for a small amount. 

2.  Lure You With A Quick Buck. 

They will offer what they act like is a lot of money at the beginning for your wreck in hopes that you will be tempted to take the quick buck.  Unfortunately once you sign the release you are no longer able to go back if your injuries turn out to be much worse.

3.  Fail To Pay All of Your Property Damage

Generally insurance companies will come close to paying the fair market value for your vehicle.  But, paying for other property damaged (clothes, cellphones, etc) or for paying for the rental while your car is getting fixed is another matter.  

They can "forget" to tell you that this is part of your property damage claim - and after the release is signed, it's too late.

4.  Take A Recorded Statement.

It seems like there's no harm in giving an "informal" recorded statement to the adjuster - but the insurance company will try to make whatever you say the final truth.  If you've just broken your arm, you won't notice the pain in your back until much later, but fail to mention it in the recorded statement, and it's like it never happened.

5.  Hide Behind The Other Driver

Remember that it's the insurance company that pays the claim.  Many people are hesitant to take legal action against another driver - most likely he just had a bad day, and he doesn't have the money to pay your medical bills anyway.  The insurance company will play on this sympathy - they are the ones who ultimately pay the claim, not the other driver, and they don't want to cut the check.

6.  Try To Delay

If you don't have an attorney, an insurance company will often try to run the clock out on you. There is a limited time period in which you can file a lawsuit, and if they can delay past that, then they don't have to pay you anything.

7.   Tell You Not To Worry About the Medical Bills

Your auto insurance SHOULD cover medical bills incurred because of your crash.  But until they actually DO, those bills are your responsibility.  They may have different rules than your medical insurance (which won't pay for injuries "covered" by other insurance.)

If you're injured in a car accident, even a minor injury, it's critical that you find a lawyer early in the process.

Being in an accident is no fun, and the insurance company will act like your friend at every step of the way.  It can be tough for most people to realize that their friendly neighborhood insurance agent is not the same as the faceless mega-corporation that will do everything in it's power to not pay for anything.  The deck is stacked against you when the insurance company's money is at stake.

If you've been in an accident, contact Sean Keith today for your free consult.

1. Relieve The Stress

The deck is stacked against you.  Insurance policies are written to benefit the insurance company. The fact is that you are dealing with giant amoral corporations whose sole purpose is to underpay you for your injuries.  

It is stressful.  It is confusing.  It is designed *intentionally* by the insurance company so that you throw up your hands in disgust and give up.

As many people that have hired me have learned-- once I take the stress of worrying about the money you can worry about getting better.  The last thing a person needs in recovering from an injury is more stress.  I am a phone call away to answer any questions that you have both before AND after you have hired me.

2. Understand The Process

When clients come to our office after an accident, they are tired, frustrated and angry that something that wasn't their fault has become an all-consuming nightmare.  

You only get one chance to get what you deserve from an insurance company and that makes it critical that you don't enter into a settlement until you are fully recovered.

I deal with insurance companies on a daily basis and will help guide you through this ordeal.

Remember that the insurance company is entirely devoted to NOT making up for what you have lost as a result of your injuries. The process is designed by the insurance company to either compensate very little or to drag it out very long.  My job  is to make sure you get what you deserve and for the insurance company to upholds it's responsibility for their insured.

3.  More Money For Your Injuries

There is a reason that insurance companies immediately call and try to act like your friend.  They do not want you to get an attorney because they know that we understand everything that you are entitled as a result of your accident. The insurance companies know that a claim's value will greatly increase after an attorney becomes involved.

Don't settle for less than you're worth. Contact Us today about your case.

1.  Not seeing you is NO excuse

I represent a lot of clients who have been injured while riding their bikes because another driver said they  "didn't see them."  This is a pretty poor excuse for running over someone.  It wouldn't work in a crosswalk, and it shouldn't work on a motorcycle.

2.  It's going to hurt.  A lot.

Part of the thrill of riding a motorcycle is the feel of being on the open road.  Unfortunately in a crash with another vehicle you and your bike are going to be outweighed by at least 5 to 1. What that means is this: If you get hit by another vehicle your injuries are going to be more severe and your case more serious.

3.  Your insurance is going to be more important than ever

Because injuries sustained in motorcycle crashes are typically more serious it is even more important that every type of insurance (including your own) is used to ensure that your doctor's bills are paid and your lost wages are covered.  You need an attorney for this reason just as much (if not more than) for possibly suing the other driver. 

4.  Make No Apologies

Riders on motorcycles have the same right to be on the road as anyone else.  You don't assume a risk that someone in a car or truck is going to be careless and not watch out for other people on the road.  Your case should be handled with no apologies for riding a motorcycle.  We have handled many wrecks involving motorcycles and they need a lawyer on their side even more than usual.

If you've been in an accident on your bike, then you need an advocate.  Contact Sean Keith today.

The legal weight of a semi-truck in the United States is 80,000 pounds.  

That is sixteen times the average weight of a car, and one of the reasons wrecks involving tractor trailers are so utterly devastating.

Log books, which are sometimes referred to as "comic books", are required to be kept by all big rig drivers.  Drivers are allowed to drive 77 hours over 7 consecutive days and are allowed a maximum driving period of 12 hours with a minimum 10 hour break.  That's double the amount of time that most American's work in a week.

Fatigue and carelessness are a real danger to other drivers when big rig drivers are required to work such long hours. These log books are supposed to keep up with these hours of operation and there is a short window that they can be obtained.  That is why it is so critical to contact an attorney after these type of wrecks immediately.

The fatality rates involving a tractor trailer crash are double of those only involving automobiles.  That accounts for one of the reasons that the Department of Transportation requires that tractor trailers carry a minimum of $1,000,000 insurance policy.  

And if you think getting the amount you are owed out of an insurance company for a fender-bender is difficult, try dealing with an accident where medical bills are tens of thousands of dollars or more, or a loved one has been seriously injured or even killed. It is very important that following a wreck with a big rig that you contact an attorney immediately.

If you have been injured in a wreck with a tractor-trailer contact our office immediately.

There should be zero tolerance for drunk drivers who injure others as a result of their drinking and driving.  Driving while intoxicated can be deadly and in Northwest Arkansas each week there are car wrecks caused by the recklessness of a person drinking and driving.  Here are four things that you need to know if you are hit by a drunk driver.  People who have been hit by a drunk driver have an even greater need for an attorney to represent them in their claim for the following reasons:

1.  Wrecks involving drunk drivers typically cause more property damage and injuries.

2.  A client who is hit by a drunk driver should be able to receive greater amounts for their injuries than those involving negligence by a sober driver.

3.  Claims against drunk drivers may include what is called punitive damages to punish the drunk driver for their illegal behavior.

4.  Often drunk drivers are driving on a suspended license or do not have liability insurance which requires your attorney to utilize other avenues to compensate the client for their injuries. 

Sean Keith has handled many cases involving clients who have been injured as a result of the illegal behavior of a drunk driver.  If you are injured as the result of the recklessness of a drunk driver contact our office.