While the typical car accident settlement will fall between $5,000 and $100,000, your specific recovery could range from a few thousand to millions, depending on the extent of damage to your vehicle, the severity of your injuries, the at-fault party’s insurance details, and more.
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, you should focus on healing and getting well, and receiving financial compensation is a key part of that journey. Our car accident attorneys at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton are here to advocate for you and help you maximize your recovery. That way, you protect your legal right to compensation, and you don’t fall victim to a lowball offer from an insurance company.
Because we believe everybody deserves strong legal representation, we offer a free consultation, and our No Fee Guarantee™ means that you pay nothing unless we win your case. To find out exactly how much money you can get from a car accident in Arkansas, reach out to our experienced attorneys today and tell us your story.
After a car accident, you can seek compensation for three primary types of damages: economic, non-economic, and punitive. Some types of compensation are actually subject to Arkansas tax. Here’s a walkthrough of each.
Economic damages are the tangible, quantifiable losses you incur because of your car accident. They’re easy to prove to an insurance adjuster or court and often include receipts, bills, pay stubs, and repair expenses.
The most common types of economic damages include:
Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify but can be just as devastating as economic damages. The pain and suffering you endured have value, but how can you put a number on that value? Even more difficult, how can you prove that value to a jury or insurance adjuster?
This is why having an experienced team of injury attorneys is crucial. To maximize how much compensation you can get from your car accident in Arkansas, your lawyers must gather evidence to show the insurance company and courts how the accident affected your entire life and potentially your future goals and plans.
Some examples of non-economic damages include:
Punitive damages are rare in car accident cases. These damages punish the defendant for their actions and help to deter others from engaging in similar conduct. While not typical in car accident cases, they may be awarded in cases of extreme recklessness or malice.
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the average car accident settlement in the United States in 2020 was $20,235 for bodily injury and $4,711 for property damage. However, car accident settlements can be significantly higher—especially if they cause severe injuries.
For example, a car accident that results in serious injuries, such as a broken bone or spinal cord injury, is likely to result in a much higher settlement than an accident that results in minor injuries, such as a whiplash injury.
Additionally, the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage can affect the settlement amount. If the at-fault driver has only the minimum liability insurance, you may be limited in terms of how much money you can recover for the car collision in Arkansas. However, you may recover a larger settlement if the at-fault driver has higher liability insurance limits or an umbrella policy.
To give you a better idea of how much your car accident case might be worth, here is a small sample of our past car accident cases:
When seeking compensation after a car crash in Arkansas, finding all liable parties is crucial because it will impact how much you receive.
For example, suppose you got into a car accident with a drunk driver who carried minimum insurance. The limits of their liability policy will put a cap on the amount of compensation you receive to pay for your medical expenses and damages. But what if the bar or establishment that served alcohol to the drunk driver is also liable? In this situation, you will likely be able to collect a significantly greater amount of money because the bar’s liability policy is significantly larger.
If you share the blame for the accident, this will directly affect how much money you get from a car accident.
Some states follow a doctrine called contributory negligence. Under this doctrine, you cannot collect compensation if you are even 1% to blame for the crash. This harsh liability law makes it difficult to sue another driver after an accident.
Fortunately, Arkansas and Tennessee both follow the doctrine of modified comparative negligence. This means that you may still be eligible to recover some compensation, even if you are partially at fault for the accident. However, the amount you receive will be reduced depending on your share of the blame.
While the doctrine of modified comparative negligence is more lenient, you still won’t be able to recover any compensation from the other driver if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident.
For you to receive compensation in a personal injury case, your legal team will need to provide evidence and documentation to establish that the defendant acted negligently. The legal definition of negligence includes four elements:
Here are some specific examples of evidence and documentation that can be used to prove negligence in a personal injury case:
After an accident, you should gather as much evidence and documentation as possible to help your personal injury attorney prove negligence. You can also strengthen your case by keeping an accurate journal of your recovery and the expenses you pay out-of-pocket after the crash.
Our No Fee Guarantee® means you pay us nothing unless we win your case.
Because some types of car accidents are characterized by greater degrees of recklessness, the exact cause of a car accident in Arkansas can significantly impact the amount of money the insurance company offers you in a settlement. Though speaking to an experienced injury lawyer is the only way to determine the full value of your car accident claim, here is some guidance on what you can expect.
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving was involved in 9% of all fatal crashes in 2020.
Texting and driving is dangerous and even illegal in Arkansas. Paul’s Law (§ 27-51-1504) makes it illegal to use a handheld device while driving. When you get hurt by a distracted driver, you may have a stronger case because the driver clearly showed reckless behavior behind the wheel.
According to the NHTSA, drunk driving was involved in 28% of all fatal crashes in one recent year, and it is a leading cause of car crash fatalities.
Victims of drunk driving accidents often receive higher compensation because drunk driving is considered gross negligence, which means that the defendant acted with reckless disregard for the safety of others. This can sometimes lead to punitive damages being awarded in addition to compensatory damages.
According to the NHTSA, speeding was involved in 26% of all fatal crashes.
The amount of money you receive in a speeding case can vary depending on the accident’s severity and other circumstances surrounding the accident. For example, if the at-fault driver drove 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, that could be seen as reckless disregard for others and may be treated differently than if they were speeding by just 10 miles per hour.
No two injuries are the same. Each injury affects victims differently, depending on a wide range of factors. For example, a surgeon with a hand fracture may suffer significantly more long-term damage simply because the injury may prevent them from working in their chosen profession again. They will have extraordinary lost wages and loss of future earnings.
Once your attorney evaluates your car accident case in Arkansas, you will better understand how much money your injury case is worth. The amount you receive depends on how significantly the injury affected your daily life and how it will continue to impact your future. Will you recover, or will you live with long-term disability? Will you be able to work again, or will you need long-term care services?
Here are some factors that might play into the value of your case.
A head injury is any trauma to the skull or brain, including TBIs and concussions. They can be mild or severe and can significantly impact a person’s life, leading to a lifetime of long-term care and impairment.
Factors that could impact the range of compensation:
A spinal cord injury can be temporary or permanent, sometimes leading to paralysis or other serious complications.
Factors that could impact the range of compensation:
A fracture is a break in a bone that can be simple or complex. Some fractures heal easily in time, while others require multiple surgical procedures and never fully heal.
Factors that could impact the range of compensation:
Back and neck injuries can be mild or severe, and they can cause pain, stiffness, and loss of function. They can easily become chronic conditions, leading to a lifetime of pain and impairment.
Factors that could impact the range of compensation:
A burn is an injury to the skin caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. Burns can be mild or severe, and they can cause pain, disfigurement, and loss of function. Severe burns require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and procedures. They can even result in amputation of the extremity.
Factors that could impact the range of compensation:
To keep themselves profitable, insurance companies usually try to pay you as little as possible for your claim. However, even when they cooperate, they’ll only pay you up to the policy limits. The at-fault driver’s insurance policy in Arkansas will significantly impact how much money you can get from a car accident.
Insurance policy limits refer to the maximum amount of money an insurance company will pay on a claim. Policy limits vary depending on the type of insurance and the policyholder’s individual needs and budget.
In the context of car accidents, policy limits can significantly impact the amount of compensation you receive after an injury accident. If the at-fault driver’s policy limits are lower than your losses, you may not be able to recover the full amount of their damages.
In Arkansas and Tennessee, drivers must carry a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. If you need more than $25,000 in compensation after an accident, you might be left paying out-of-pocket to cover the rest.
If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance or carries the bare minimum amount of insurance, there are ways you can seek compensation.
At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, our experienced attorneys can get you the money you need—and deserve—after a serious car accident in Arkansas. We are committed to fighting for your rights and helping you through this difficult time.
When you choose our law firm, you can be confident that you are getting the best possible representation. Our dedicated team of attorneys takes a personalized approach to every case. With a proven track record of success helping car accident victims, you can rest easier knowing your case is in good hands.
We understand that car accidents can be a complex and stressful experience, and we are here to support you every step of the way. We’ll keep you informed of your case’s progress and answer any questions you have. We will also negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and work to get you the compensation you deserve.
The answer to “How much money can you get from a car accident in Arkansas?” varies because of several factors. We tirelessly work to maximize compensation.
This is our home, and we want to ensure our neighbors and friends are supported. With offices throughout Arkansas — Little Rock, Springdale, Conway, Hot Springs, Bryant, Jacksonville, and Jonesboro—our car accident lawyers are easily accessible when you need help. Schedule a consultation today.
N/a
