Jacksonville, AR
Car Accident Lawyer

What you do in the minutes and hours after a crash can significantly impact your recovery, both physically and financially. Here’s what we recommend if you’re in an accident in Jacksonville:

In Arkansas, car accident victims have clear legal rights—but many people don’t realize what they’re entitled to until it’s too late.

First and foremost, you have a three-year window from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. That statute of limitations applies to claims for medical bills, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. If you wait too long, even a strong case may be thrown out by the court.

Arkansas follows a legal rule called modified comparative negligence. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault—up to a point. If you’re found to be 49% or less responsible for the crash, you can recover damages. But if you’re 50% or more at fault, you can’t collect anything.

For example, let’s say a jury finds that your damages total $100,000, but you’re 30% at fault for the crash because you were speeding slightly. Your final award would be reduced by 30%, meaning you’d receive $70,000. But if you were 50% at fault, you wouldn’t recover any damages at all.

Insurance companies know how this rule works—and they often try to use it to their advantage. That’s why understanding your rights early and working with a lawyer who knows how to push back is so important. Rainwater, Holt and Sexton’s experienced personal injury attorneys have connections in Jacksonville, and we’ll ensure your side of the story sees the light of day.

If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Jacksonville, you may be entitled to recover a wide range of damages. These are grouped into three main categories: economic, non-economic, and punitive.

Economic Damages

These are the tangible financial losses you’ve incurred due to the accident, including:

• Medical expenses: ER visits, surgeries, medications, follow-up care, and physical therapy
• Lost wages: Income missed due to time away from work, whether short- or long-term
• Property damage: The cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any personal property damaged in the crash
• Future medical costs: Chronic injuries may require months or years of care, including specialist visits or mobility aids

Non-Economic Damages

These cover the personal, subjective costs of being injured—things that don’t come with a bill but still deeply affect your life:

• Pain and suffering: Chronic pain, discomfort, or trauma following the accident
• Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries prevent you from engaging in hobbies, family activities, or daily routines
• Emotional distress: Psychological harm, including PTSD, anxiety, or depression

Punitive Damages

In rare cases, Arkansas courts may award punitive damages if the at-fault driver acted with extreme recklessness or intentional misconduct: for example, drunk driving or fleeing the scene of the crash. These are meant to punish the offender and send a message that certain behaviors won’t be tolerated.

Military Families and Compensation

Military families face unique challenges. If you or a loved one is on active duty, you may need help navigating TRICARE coverage or dealing with on-base incidents. Our firm regularly works with service members and understands how to coordinate benefits and private claims to maximize your recovery.

Injuries from car accidents vary widely, but many Jacksonville personal injury cases involve:

Our team coordinates closely with local medical professionals to ensure your injuries are properly documented for your case.

After a crash, one of the first calls you’ll receive is from an insurance adjuster. Remember, they may sound friendly, but their job is to minimize the company’s payout—not to help you recover.

Adjusters often reach out early, hoping to catch you before you fully understand the scope of your injuries. They may ask you to give a recorded statement, suggest you don’t need a lawyer, or offer a fast settlement. What they’re hoping is that you’ll accept less than you’re owed before realizing the true cost of your medical care or missed work.

Some insurers also use tactics like disputing fault or questioning the severity of your injuries. They might claim your pain is from a pre-existing condition or that you were partly to blame for the accident.

That’s where an attorney makes all the difference. At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, we deal with insurance companies every day. We gather the right evidence, counter lowball tactics, and make sure that your personal injury claim reflects the full impact of the accident, not just what the insurer wants to pay. And if the insurance company refuses to play fair, we’re prepared to take your case to trial.