Hit and Run Accidents in Arkansas are Not Accidents—They’re Crimes

January 30, 2019 | Paul Pfeifer

Last month a 28-year-old man was arrested after an extensive search by local police following a hit and run accident in Arkansas. The individual had been involved in a near-fatal accident on January 14^th near Fern’s Valley Loop and Arkansas 264. The driver turned himself in after several hours on the run. The victim is still in the hospital facing a tremendously difficult and long-lasting road to recovery with little more than a charitable donation website to support him.

Unfortunately, these types of stories are becoming all-too-common as the number of hit and run accidents in Arkansas increases on pace with national trends. Indeed, this terrible problem is something our nation is facing as a whole. But what’s causing the increase? It may be, in part, due to a crisis of irresponsibility.

Hit and Run Accidents On the Rise Nationwide

Deadly bus crash near Hot Springs, Arkansas killed one child and injured at least 45 others

December 3, 2018 | Paul Pfeifer

Around 2:30 a.m. this morning a charter bus was found overturned in a ditch near Hot Springs. The bus was carrying the Orange Mound youth all-star football team and chaperones. The driver of the charter bus lost control of the bus, causing it to skid off the roadway, ultimately landing on its side in a ditch off I30 near the Hot Springs exit. A third-grade child was killed in this bus accident, and at least 45 others were injured. Children between the ages of 8-13 were treated at Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton and Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. Two people were airlifted. The charter bus was owned by a company out of Somerville, Tennessee called Scott Shuttle Service.

Deaths caused by a bus wreck are rare, but obviously no one is immune from the dangers of driving on the interstates and roadways. The bus driver was interviewed by police, but it is unknown at this time why she lost control.

A few common causes of losing control of a bus include:

Motorcycle Accident In Arkansas Leaves Several Victims Behind

May 11, 2018 | Paul Pfeifer

Arkansas Motorcycle Accidents Can Be Devastating

Motorcycle accidents in Arkansas often leave victims seriously injured and result in fatalities more often than automobile collisions. In fact, motorcyclists are nearly 40 times more likely to die in a collision in Arkansas than the drivers or passengers involved in a car crash. That’s hard fact that motorcyclists have to live with, but the truly tragic part is that over half of all fatal motorcycle accidents involving automobiles here in the United States are caused by the driver, not the rider.

Such was the case when a tragic motorcycle accident in Arkansas left one man dead and two other individuals severely injured.

Motorcycle Accident In Arkansas Leaves Several Victims Behind

April 30, 2018 | Paul Pfeifer

Arkansas Motorcycle Accidents Can Be Devastating

Motorcycle accidents in Arkansas often leave victims seriously injured and result in fatalities more often than automobile collisions. In fact, motorcyclists are nearly 40 times more likely to die in a collision in Arkansas than the drivers or passengers involved in a car crash. That’s hard fact that motorcyclists have to live with, but the truly tragic part is that over half of all fatal motorcycle accidents involving automobiles here in the United States are caused by the driver, not the rider.

Such was the case earlier this month when a tragic motorcycle accident in Arkansas left one man dead and two other individuals severely injured. Continue reading ›

Who is to Blame for Motorcycle Accidents in Arkansas?

July 10, 2017 | Paul Pfeifer

If you or a family member has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Arkansas, chances are the last thing on your mind is the machinations of the state’s legal system. You’re pouring all your effort into recovering from your injuries one day at a time. But there are important factors which can determine the long-term outcome of your recovery that must be addressed as soon as possible. Chief among them is determining who exactly is at fault. This has a tremendous impact on your ability to provide a stable financial situation for yourself and your family following a devastating motorcycle crash.

Motorcycle Accidents in Arkansas are Increasing

There were 79 fatal motorcycle accidents in Arkansas in 2015 according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). That number represents a 25% increase over the previous year’s figures and makes 2015 the deadliest year for motorcyclists since 2010 (and the second deadliest since way back in 2006). To put these numbers in perspective, deaths caused by motorcycle accidents in Arkansas represent over 13% of all traffic fatalities even though there are only 91,000 bikes registered as opposed to almost 950,000 automobiles. And it’s estimated that for every fatal motorcycle accident there are between 3 and 10 non-fatal accidents which leave riders suffering from serious, long-lasting injuries.

Arkansas Court of Appeals Decision Illustrates the Importance of Naming All Potentially Liable Parties in a Personal Injury Lawsuit

April 8, 2017 | Paul Pfeifer

Earlier this year, the Arkansas Court of Appeals issued a written opinion in a motorcycle accident case that was brought by a man who was injured when an overhead cable was accidentally pulled down by a passing tractor. The issue presented to the court was whether the owner of the wooden poles that held the cable could be held liable to the plaintiff for his injuries. Ultimately, the court determined that the owner of the poles did not owe a duty of care to the plaintiff, and the plaintiff’s case was dismissed.

The Facts of the Case

The plaintiff was riding a motorcycle behind a tractor on a rural road when the tractor’s sickle caught an overhead cable, pulling it down. The cable fell, causing the plaintiff to lose control of his motorcycle and ultimately resulting in a crash. The plaintiff filed a personal injury lawsuit against several parties, including the driver of the tractor as well as the company that owned the wooden poles that held up the cable.

The company that owned the poles was not the same company that owned the cable. However, the company that owned the poles had previously entered into an agreement with the cable company to allow the placement of the cables.

Motorcycle Accident in Fayetteville Sends Rider to the Hospital

August 7, 2010 | Paul Pfeifer

A motorcycle accident near the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville campus sends one man to the hospital. Witnesses say the motorcycle was going at a high speed before flipping a few times and landing in a ditch. According to news reports, the rider was transported to Washington Regional Medical Center.

This time of year produces a great amount of motorcycle accidents in Arkansas. It is important that car drivers keep a good lookout for motorcycles. The number of people injured in motorcycle accidents has increased in recent years. Over 103,000 motorcyclists were injured in accidents in 2007 alone.

Due to the lack of protection that is afforded while driving a car, injured Arkansas motorcycle riders often suffer severe and life altering injuries and even death. If you or a family member suffer a motorcycle accident it important that you get help with medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages that are incurred. Please contact an Arkansas motorcycle lawyer to discuss your legal rights.

Motorcycle Crashes in Arkansas

April 7, 2010 | Paul Pfeifer

The latest report from the Arkansas State Police shows there were 1,913 motorcycle accidents in 2008. The report also states that there were 80 fatalities in Arkansas motorcycle accidents during 2008. The Arkansas traffic accident report shows that over the last 10 years, the number of total motorcycle crashes is increasing. These statistics include motorcycle, ATV and Moped accidents.

Under Arkansas law there is a limited amount of time to file an injury claim for motorcycle accidents. It is important for motorcycle accident victims in Arkansas to speak with an accident lawyer as soon as possible so their rights are fully protected. If you would like to discuss your legal rights, please contact an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.

Arkansas Motorcycle Safety Seminar

October 15, 2009 | Paul Pfeifer

The Center for Lifelong Learning at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith is offering a series of four motorcycle safety courses Nov. 7 as part of the Center’s fall schedule of personal enrichment courses.

Courses will be led by certified Goldwing Road Riders Association Leadership Training Instructors and Rider Education Instructors. According to the seminar information,

the training is designed to encourage safe and enjoyable motorcycling for all riders. The seminar information quotes the instructor as saying:

Jury Service in Arkansas Personal Injury Lawsuits

September 5, 2009 | Paul Pfeifer

A recent article in the New York Times was disappointing. The story outlined problems with Courts getting enough people to show up for jury duty and the resistance to people wanting to serve on jury duty. This problem has a negative impact on people who suffer a personal injury or car accident in Arkansas. Jurors must be reminded that the Seventh Amendment to the Constitution states:

In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

The article points out that angry jurors are a concern for plaintiffs in civil suits because the plaintiff brought the suit and is more likely to be blamed by the jurors for any inconvenience that jury duty caused them. I often remind jurors about their civic duty and thank them for their service. The right to a jury trial should always be cherished.