TRUCK & CAR ACCIDENTS
PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEY IN LITTLE ROCK, AR
BRIAN W. RAY
FIGHTING FOR INJURY VICTIMS IN ARKANSAS WITH OFFICES IN LITTLE ROCK, MOUNTAIN HOME, & TEXARKANA
Our Little Rock personal injury attorneys at Collins, Collins & Ray offer a fighting chance. We are trial lawyers who do not take cases to settle. We take on only the most serious cases with the highest stakes. These types of cases require an aggressive team that isn’t afraid to stand up and fight for clients at trial. Our results-driven, whatever-it-takes legal representation has helped individuals across Arkansas.
Insurance adjusters know which attorneys take cases to settle and which attorneys will fight. Our entire team will prepare each case as if it is going to trial, and we fight until we get everything available to you. If we cannot get it in settlement, we will fight for it in trial.
Call (501) 392-5007 or fill out our online contact form today to schedule a free consultation with our personal injury attorney in Little Rock, AR.
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION __
Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Truck Accidents
Brian W. Ray has handled personal injury matters for well over 20 years. 10 of those years he spent as an Insurance Attorney representing Insurance Companies and their insureds that caused harms and losses when negligently injuring Arkansans. Having successfully handled hundreds of serious personal injury and wrongful death claims for more than two decades, Brian W. Ray is able to offer the firms‘ clients significant experience and attention to the things that matter most to those injured by the negligence of others. Claims handling by insurance companies is something that remains difficult and mysterious for the uninitiated. Fortunately, those calling Brian and the personal injury team at COLLINS, COLLINS & RAY, P.A. can get serious help right away. Help to get medical treatment covered and paid. Help to get paid for lost wages. Help to get fair market value payment and sales tax paid for damaged vehicles. Help to negotiate medical and other liens that exist whenever an insurance company makes payments to medical providers on behalf of the injured. Help for the many problems that arise when someone is injured by the negligence of others.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE __
For more than 20 years, Brian W. Ray has advocated for clients in many areas of serious personal injury litigation. He knows the system and knows how to fight for rights in service to others. Mr. Ray served as a U.S. MARINE, police officer, and deputy prosecutor. He knows that each case is an important event for each client and stands ready to take a case to trial if necessary to obtain the best possible outcome. Mr. Ray graduated Summa Cum Laude from HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY before earning his Juris Doctor from the WILLIAM H.BOWEN SCHOOL OF LAW, where he qualified for membership to the WHO’S WHO AMONG AMERICAN LAW STUDENTS. Mr. Ray has earned the respect of both his clients and peers by being continuously named to the BAR REGISTER OF PREEMINENT LAWYERS BY MARTINDALE- HUBBELL for demonstrating the highest possible ethical standards and legal ability. And, he has earned a rating of “10.0–Superb” from the online legal directory, Avvo, where peers and clients have posted their rankings in terms of knowledge, trustworthiness, responsiveness, and keeping clients informed. He is a regularly sought out speaker for legal education seminars for attorneys in Arkansas. Mr. Ray served in the United States Marine Corps, and later as a Police Officer and Detective. Mr. Ray has worked as a Special Prosecutor in high profile matters.
Personal injury law is complicated, but also personal. Mr. Ray understands this and takes a client–centered approach for each individual case. With his unique background, tenacity, and client–centered approach, Mr. Ray works hard to cut through the confusion and get results for his clients.
HONORS & AWARDS __
Honors:
Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers (Lexis Nexis); Top 100 Best Lawyers (Soiree); Top Lawyers in Arkansas – Legal Leaders; The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Trial Lawyers; FBI Citizen’s Academy Program Alumni. (FBI–DOJ); Avvo – “Superb” 10/10 rating; Avvo – “Client’s Choice Award“: “Honor Graduate” Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy; “Top Secret” Clearance (USMC).
CASES WE HANDLE
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LITTLE ROCK TRUCK & CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS
TAKING ON INSURANCE COMPANIES & NEGLIGENT DRIVERS IN ARKANSAS WITH OFFICES IN LITTLE ROCK, MOUNTAIN HOME, & TEXARKANA
The attorneys at Collins, Collins & Ray have extensive experience with representing clients who have suffered loss or injury due to car and truck accidents.
Our firm prides itself on our ability to get innocent accident victims the compensation they deserve for death, injuries, damaged property, and diminished quality of life. Our attorneys have the experience and the skill to thoroughly collect and present the most crucial facts to the court.
We will fight for you! Contact us today.
Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Little Rock, AR?
If you’ve been in an auto accident in Little Rock and are considering hiring a car accident lawyer attorney, here are some common reasons why it may be a good idea:
- You need help gathering evidence – Gatherings the evidence required to prove liability can be difficult. An experienced car accident attorney has access to professionals who can assist with properly collecting and preserving evidence that is important to your case.
- Your injuries or damages exceed what insurance will cover – Insurance claims adjusters often try to minimize payments they make out on claims, even if they are valid. Having an attorney fighting for you can ensure you get the maximum amount of compensation for all damages related to the accident including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.
- You’re having difficulty getting an insurance company to respond – Insurance companies can be slow and unresponsive when it comes time to pay a claim. An attorney will have the experience necessary to push them for the compensation you are entitled to under your policy.
- You need assistance when fault is disputed or unclear – Figuring out who was at fault in a car accident can be tricky, especially when multiple drivers were involved or one party claims they weren’t at fault. Having an experienced attorney on your side will help ensure all evidence is considered and any applicable laws are followed correctly.
- You want someone knowledgeable about the local legal system – Car accident cases involve more than just state law; many times there are also city ordinances and other local laws that must be followed. Having a knowledgeable attorney on your side who understands the legal system in your area can make all the difference when it comes to getting your case resolved.
Ultimately, hiring a car accident lawyer in Little Rock, AR, after a crash will give you peace of mind knowing that you have an experienced legal professional fighting for the best possible outcome for you and your family. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our firm today!
Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Little Rock, AR?
Get Medical Help As Soon As Possible
Medical treatment for accident-related injuries should be sought out immediately, because any delay might invite the notion that something other than the accident caused the problem. If you are the type of person to delay or avoid seeking medical help when something is wrong, the insurance companies may avoid paying for your injuries by insisting that the delay in treatment means that you must have been hurt in some way other than the accident. By the time you show up to your doctor with complaints of pain and discomfort, it may be too late to reliably associate your symptoms with the accident trauma. Be sure to seek medical help as soon as possible!
Call an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
After seeking medical help, you want to contact an attorney that has a proven track record of resolving personal injury claims. When pursuing a claim for the insurance proceeds of your negligently driving neighbor, you must prove your personal injuries by presenting them in full and with credibility. If you are unwilling to gather and compile all the related medical records and medical bills, or unprepared to file suit or obtain qualified legal assistance, then you will likely be in the position of trying to prove your claim to the insurance company that profits when it does not fully compensate you for your losses.
We have talked to many people who are told by for-profit insurance companies that hiring an attorney will merely cost them money while adding little no value to their claim. Is it surprising that the insurance company that profits from people settling their claims for compromised values would tell people this? If you are injured in a car accident, do NOT believe the multibillion-dollar, multinational, for-profit insurance companies that do not have your best interests at heart. If you want to get help from car accident attorneys with deep knowledge of how personal injury claims are properly valued and paid, then it is as simple as picking up the phone and calling our experienced lawyers, who know how to best evaluate your right to payment under an insurance policy.
Call an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
When life is interrupted by negligence, you must be ready to take action immediately to preserve your legal rights. Insurance companies have teams of people trained to exact proof of all elements of your claim. You should get attorneys to fight the insurance companies on your behalf.
To successfully obtain all the money you are entitled to, you must document every aspect of the items the insurance companies will take measure of when assigning a value to a claim. This begins the moment accident victims notify the responsible insurance company. If due care is not taken, important components of the claim may be overlooked or disregarded.
Document Every Aspect of the Car Accident Claim
Insurance companies and the lawyers they hire to represent negligent drivers have incentives to shift blame for accidents upon innocently injured drivers. Under Arkansas law, if such an effort is successful, the insurance company can avoid payment altogether. It is never too early to begin documenting the truth of the matter.
Taking down information about witnesses to the accident can avoid later claims about the true cause of the accident. Cell phone pictures and video are very helpful, and it is perfectly legal to begin documenting your claim right away. Family members can be a big help, as can our investigators if we are involved during the initial phases.
Many people find it convenient to use apps to get important information documented right away. The same is true with taking down information about ambulance and police personnel, and others capable of confirming what actually happened in the accident. When they finally get around to contacting attorneys, many people are sadly surprised to learn that insurance company investigation failed to acknowledge crucial witness details or otherwise document and record important facts about the accident.
HAVE YOU OR A LOVED ONE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED IN A TRUCK ACCIDENT?
A truck accident can involve all types of large commercial vehicles. Any accident involving semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, log trucks, chemical trucks, or tanker trucks might constitute a truck accident claim that requires the assistance of an attorney.
These types of accidents are handled differently than a common motor vehicle accident due to the many factors at play. You need help navigating the claim process, because oftentimes, the vehicle that is involved is owned and operated by a company with legal representation. Also, federal and state agencies work to regulate the trucking industry, which can have significant implications on a claim.
If you’ve been hit by a truck or other large company vehicle, we can help you on your road to recovery and get you the compensation you deserve.
Sadly, many people do not survive a truck accident. With so many state and interstate highways crossing through it, Little Rock has been labeled as one of the top five cities for fatality accidents in the country. The reported fatality rate is 18 people per 100,000. If one of your loved ones is part of this number, you might be able to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Our knowledgeable attorneys can make a difference for surviving family members, as well as those who have been injured in truck accidents.
OUR ARCHIEVEMENTS
American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys – 10 Best Client Satisfaction: Brian Ray 2014, 2015, 2016
The National Trial Lawyers- Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers: Brian Ray 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
National Association of Distinguished Counsel Top One Percent: John Collins 2015, 2020, 2021
AY Magazine’s Arkansas Best Lawyers: Brian Ray 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
The National Trial Lawyers – Top 100 Trial Lawyers: Brian Ray 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021
Nation’s Premier Top Ten Attorney – Personal Injury: Brian Ray 2016
HOW ARE TRUCK ACCIDENTS DIFFERENT FROM CAR ACCIDENTS?
Truck accidents are handled differently from other motor vehicle accidents because of the state and federal agencies working to regulate the trucking industry. Often, insurance companies send representatives and adjusters to the scene of the accident. Those same insurance companies employ many attorneys to defend the bad driving or safety violations that caused the accident.
Our truck accident attorneys know how to help. One of our attorneys worked for national insurance corporations for several years. Additionally, we have industry experts to assist us in investigating and evaluating the scene of the accident while taking photograph and video evidence; conducting witness interviews; investigating involved drivers; and evaluating equipment, maintenance records, driver’s logs, and other safety records. Additionally, two of our attorneys have prior experience as sworn and certified police accident investigators. They know how to evaluate the true causes of accidents and driving violations that may be the cause of a collision. We take a team approach and focus all our efforts to ensure our clients receive fair compensation.
Many people injured in truck accidents receive medical assistance right away due to the severity of their injury. This is important because injury victims and their representation must document medical treatment when evaluating the true value of full compensation. Proper and timely medical treatment, combined with the aid of knowledgeable attorneys, can make a difference for those injured or surviving family members seeking to place accountability upon those responsible for causing the harm.
Major Causes of Truck Accidents in Arkansas
A survey of Arkansas accident cases reveals that dangerously overloaded trucks that are driven with poor, unmaintained braking systems, questionable tires, and other unsafe maintenance practices are a major cause for truck accidents. By choosing to ignore or delay necessary maintenance, the operators of the vehicles unknowingly shift the risk onto the unsuspecting public. The law provides all the tools necessary to hold operators and their insurance companies accountable. All you need is a lawyer who can help navigate the claim!
Semi-truck accidents oftentimes include a violation of the Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (“DOT Regs”), including:
- Driver tiredness or fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Faulty maintenance practices
- Brake failure or out-of-service brakes
- Driver error
- Override accidents
- Runaway trailers
- Overloaded trailers/ semi-trucks
- Tire blowouts
- Jack-knifing
- Highway conditions/weather
- Trying to make on-time deadline
Why Choose Our Truck Accident Lawyers?
Our truck accident attorneys know how to help you. We take a team approach to cases and have industry experts assist us in the investigation of accidents. We focus our efforts on ensuring our clients receive complete and fair compensation.
If you have questions about your car or truck accident, call Collins, Collins & Ray at (501) 392-5007.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If an employer provides a vehicle to an employee to conduct its business, then the law provides that the employer must answer for any negligent conduct of the employee while using that vehicle. This means that if you are injured by a negligently driven commercial vehicle, also known as a “company car,” then you may have a claim against the employer in addition to a claim against the negligent driver and any other person causing the accident.
This is typically an important distinction that can have a significant effect on the value of your case and the remedies provided under the law. If you have been injured by a commercial vehicle, our attorneys are standing by to answer your questions and evaluate your potential claim, free of charge.
We have recovered money damages for many of our clients who were the victim of an erroneous or incomplete police report or other improper fault assignments. The officer’s opinion as to who is at fault in the collision is given some weight, but is not binding to anyone involved in the accident. Here in Arkansas, we have numerous law enforcement agencies ranging from: Department of Transportation, Arkansas State Police, Municipal or “City” Police, and County Sheriffs and their deputies. The scope of an investigation into an accident can vary considerably among these agencies. We know firsthand that officers usually do their best with the limited time and resources they have to document accidents. Two of our partners are former sworn police officers and investigated accidents daily. We have literally been there. When it comes to litigating these cases on behalf of our clients this experience, along with years of experience as attorneys handling these cases, allows us to scrutinize accident reports for errors and challenge them at every stage of the proceedings. In close cases, we also call on experts in accident reconstruction to provide consultation or testify in our cases. So, if you are an innocent accident victim that is being forced to overcome faulty assessments as to who is actually “at-fault” in the collision, call us, we know how to help.
Under Arkansas law when someone who owns a vehicle or has control over it turns it over to a person who is intoxicated, or clearly a danger to themselves or others, the person turning over the vehicle and putting it under the dangerous person’s control may have to answer under the law for negligent entrustment. In this way, the law provides accountability for those who put innocently injured drivers in contact with those who are knowingly intoxicated, under-aged or incompetent.
This is a complicated issue in the law and one that our attorneys have significant experience in resolving. If you or someone you know has been injured by an intoxicated or drunk driver, or anyone else that seems to have been negligently entrusted with a motor vehicle, then please call us for a free consultation and evaluation of this specific type of complex claim.
The negligent driver’s insurance company has an obligation to pay for all of the property damages accrued under Arkansas law. Ark. Code Ann. § 27-53-401 (“Calculating damages”) provides in relevant part:
“In all cases involving damage to motor vehicles, the measure of damages shall be the difference between the value of the vehicle immediately before the damage occurred and the value after the damage occurred, plus a reasonable amount of damages for loss of use of the vehicle.” Id. (Emphasis added).
In addition to other compensation owed, the Arkansas state sales and use tax rate is 6.5% and this should be paid when the vehicle is deemed a total loss. As for the value of the damaged vehicle, the owner is allowed to testify about the vehicle’s value immediately before and after the accident. Fair market value is deemed to be the amount of money the damaged or destroyed vehicle would bring on the open market in a sale between a willing seller and a willing buyer after a reasonable opportunity for negotiation.
As a matter of course, the insurance company will have an adjuster determine these values and make comparisons with currently marketed vehicles. The adjuster will ordinarily take notice of things that commonly affect the true value of a vehicle, for example: condition, prior damage, mileage, tire life remaining, and general mechanical condition. These are the usual considerations when addressing the condition of any vehicle for sale making them as important in the context of a post-accident forced sale as in any other transaction. As a practical matter the insurance company does not want to negotiate and in most instances presents a “take it or leave it’ price to the accident victim. However, since the owner knows a whole lot more about the actual condition of the vehicle the law does provide the means to challenge the one-sided arbitrary and false value assignments made by the insurance company.
Finally, turning back to the original question, when a person suffers the loss of use of their vehicle due to a collision, it is more than appropriate to seek direct payment for the time no vehicle was available. We have obtained payments for this loss on behalf of our clients by seeking a comparable vehicle’s rental value for a reasonable time after the accident.
Often when people lose the use of their vehicle from a collision, it can feel like you must take the money that is offered even if it is vastly discounted from the true value of the vehicle. It seems to go this way: first, the negligent driver damages or destroys your vehicle; then, his or her insurer seems to force acceptance of a discounted value for property ruined through no fault of your own. Because vehicles depreciate, it becomes very important to make sure and obtain the best price for the forced sale as well as additional payments for sales tax and loss of use of the vehicle (and seek to determine the availability of a rental car).