Automobile Accidents
Almost everyone knows what a person involved in an auto accident must face: physical injuries, car damage, property damage, contending with the auto insurance companies, and sometimes, even the death of a loved one.
We work with our clients in an effort to gain all of the relevant facts. We investigate the car accident, talk to witnesses, inspect the autos involved, and examine the scene of the incident for further information. Our attorneys work with experts to determine the cause of the auto accident. We handle negotiations with the opposing party and the auto insurance companies, and if a case cannot be resolved, we bring the case to trial.
Our auto accident litigation practice not only includes vehicle collisions between motorists, but also vehicle collisions with immovable property and trains. We also handle trucking collisions, highway defect and motor vehicle defect cases.
Our automobile accident lawyers have many years of experience handling auto accident cases. Being involved in a car accident can be very traumatizing mentally and physically. Our lawyers are dedicated to helping you get through these difficult times. We represent clients throughout the state of Mississippi. If you or a loved one would like to request more information from our attorneys who can help concerning an automobile collision, CLICK HERE.
The Do's and Don'ts of Automobile Accidents
Automobile accidents happen every day, but most people don't know what to do when it happens. If you are involved in an accident be knowledgeable by reading our helpful hints on what to do, and what not to do, when you or a loved one has gotten into an auto accident.
1. Never leave The Scene of an Accident
Even an accident which does not cause major damage to the vehicle may cause damage and injury so be sure to stay at the scene of the accident and follow the steps provided below.
2. Call the Police
Always call the police. A police officer will be able to gather all the necessary information from parties involved to properly document the facts of the car accident. By involving the police, you are creating an official record of what has transpired and determine fault.
3. Gather Information
While the police will gather information from all parties involved, be sure to gather information for your own records as well. Be sure to include the following:
| Names and contact information for all parties involved in the car accident (e.g. telephone numbers, address, email address). |
| Drivers license and license plate numbers for all parties involved. |
| Names and contact information from any witnesses to the auto accident. |
| If you have your camera handy or a camera on your cell phone, take pictures of the vehicles involved and the scene of the accident. |
4. See a Doctor
If you are hurting, we recommend consulting with a licensed medical practitioner to properly document any injuries sustained as a result of your wreck. Car collisions can result in severe injuries, requiring hospitalization, doctors' visits, physical therapy and even surgery leaving you with significant medical costs. It is important for you to consult a personal injury attorney to ensure that you are protecting your rights with regards to these medical expenses.
Injuries often associated with low-impact, rear-end, roll-over and head-on collisions include fractures, lacerations, strains, sprains and bruises. In some cases, severe internal injuries may occur.
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Trucking Accidents
Trucks are larger and heavier than other cars on the road, which explains why over 70 percent of those injured and over 80 percent of those killed in large truck collisions are the occupants of smaller vehicles, such as cars, SUVs and motorcycles. Those injured parties and their families are left to face a life-changing conditions.
We fight to hold trucking companies responsible for the harm they cause by negligent driving.
If you have been injured by the carelessness actions of a truck driver, contact us today by calling Arkansas at (501) 378-7720 or Florida at (850) 321-2371 or use our convenient online form. We are experienced in protecting the rights and interests of those injured in tractor-trailer collisions.
Using our legal knowledge, resources and experts, we handle truck wreck cases, including those involving excessive speed, driver fatigue, aggressive driving, alcohol and drug use, unsecured loads, defective equipment, and improper maintenance or inspection.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a collision with a large truck our firm is ready to be your legal advocate.
Contact us today at (501) 378-7720 for Arkansas or (850) 321-2371 for Florida or use our convenient online form for your free consultation.
Common Causes of Trucking Collisions
Truck collisions involving passenger vehicles often cause serious injury and death. Federal and state legislation has sought to reduce these incidents by regulating the trucking industry. There are however several common causes of accidents between trucks and passenger vehicles. For victims of truck collisions, knowing these common causes may assist you in identifying areas of interest to discuss with your attorney.
Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is a leading cause of truck accidents. Both federal and state law regulate the number of hours a driver can drive in a given day and week. These rules are designed to keep drivers alert and limit the fatigue which can cause an accident. The driver keeps a log book in which his on-duty and off-duty time is recorded. A truck accident attorney will review the log book to determine whether these regulations have been met.
Substance Abuse
It isn't easy maintaining the focus necessary to safely drive a tractor trailer. Some drivers turn to illegal drugs to get a boost to stay awake. Trucking companies are required to make a mandatory substance abuse screening when each driver is hired. During their employment, truck drivers often undergo regular screening or monitoring for substance abuse. If illicit substances or other drugs are found in a driver's system following a crash, this can be further grounds for a negligence claim against both the driver and the employer.
Speeding and Failing to Adhere to the Rules of the Road
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found that over 25% of truckers involved in a fatal crash had a prior conviction for speeding on their record. Trucks are particularly dangerous when driven at a high rate of speed given their size and the longer breaking period to stop. The speed, braking measures and other actions of the driver are measured by investigating police officers and data can be retrieved from an ECM (electronic control module) found on tractors. An expert will oftentimes be involved to download such material and explain it.
Failure to Properly Inspect and Maintain Trucks
Drivers and their employers are legally bound to prevent any known hazards to others on the roadway by rigorous inspection and maintenance of the tractor and trailer. At a minimum this involves appropriate maintenance of the tractor and trailer as well as a pre-trip inspection performed by the driver at every stop. Many companies detail exactly how the pre-trip inspection is to be performed and careful drivers know this process well.
Improperly Loaded Trucks
A poorly loaded trailer impairs the handling ability of the driver and may cause the trailer to tip. Liability for an accident may include not only the drive's failure to respond to the condition of the traffic on the roadway, but the poor loading of the trailer which affected the ability to control the truck and keep it under control. The weight of the trailer at the time of impact as well as the type of material being hauled must be considered.
Road Rage and Other Forms of Aggressive Driving
Unsafe lane changes, failure to signal, Wide Right Turns, Ignoring Blind Spots, Ignoring the right of way, blowing stop lights or stop signs are only a few examples of overly aggressive tactics and rushing to stay on time tactics employed by a truck driver.
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Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
Personal injury broadly describes an area of law concerning the compensation for persons who have wrongly suffered injury or death. Our commitment to the public good for all citizens has made personal injury an important part of our practice.
It isn't easy maintaining the focus necessary to safely drive a tractor trailer. Some drivers turn to illegal drugs to get a boost to stay awake. Trucking companies are required to make a mandatory substance abuse screening when each driver is hired. During their employment, truck drivers often undergo regular screening or monitoring for substance abuse. If illicit substances or other drugs are found in a driver's system following a crash, this can be further grounds for a negligence claim against both the driver and the employer.
"Wrongful death" is a death caused by the wrongful conduct of another person or entity. That conduct can be anything from a negligent act to an intentional reckless act. By law, wrongful death beneficiaries of the deceased are entitled to receive compensation for a wrongful death. These damages may include medical and funeral expenses, loss of income, loss of consortium.
Recovery for Your Losses and Harm
In certain cases, you may recover lost wages along with medical expenses incurred as a result of your injuries. In addition, you may be entitled to money damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, physical impairment, and physical disfigurement. In some cases, you may also be entitled to additional damages to punish or prevent the same harm from happening to others. It is important to have a skilled law firm as your advocate so you can have an opportunity to secure the best result possible.
If you have been injured, your best opportunity for justice and an adequate recovery is to contact an attorney as soon as possible. Get in touch with us quickly so that evidence won't be lost and witnesses won't disappear or forget what they saw. Time is of the essence to make sure documents and records won't be lost or destroyed. We will start working for you right away to investigate, prepare, and present your case for settlement, mediation or trial.
Our personal injury lawyers are dedicated to helping you with your case. If you or a loved one would like to request more information from our firm's personal injury attorney about a serious injury or wrongful death, CLICK HERE.
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Criminal Cases
Violent Offenses and Homicide
Willard Proctor, Jr. is certified to handle death penalty cases in Arkansas. He has defended capital murder cases and he has served as a Circuit Judge and tried capital murder cases. He also has handled other violent felonies and other offenses including robbery, burglary, thefts, and sexual offenses.
DWI and DUI
A person may be prosecuted for DWI if they are either under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, or who are driving with a with a blood alcohol content of .08% or more. DWI / DUI arrests are generally misdemeanors, but may be considered a felony DWI where there are prior convictions. However, being arrested for DUI/DWI does not mean that you will inevitably be convicted. In order to provide a defense of a DUI/DWI, we need to take all the steps necessary to protect your rights and ensure that your life is not forever affected by this charge. We will take the steps necessary to try to keep your license from being suspended. We can help you prepare to deal with the prosecution.
Drug Cases
Drug crimes cover a broad range of offenses involving controlled substances, from possession and sale to manufacture and distribution. These types of crimes involve violations of federal or state law and sometimes both federal and state law. Depending on the circumstances of a case, offenses of this type may result, in a broad range of potential criminal and administrative consequences, including probation, prison, property forfeiture and participation in a court-ordered drug treatment program. If you find yourself facing charges arising from the sale or manufacture of controlled substances, we can help you to deal with the charges.
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