What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?
Personal injury lawyers serve as powerful advocates for people who have been hurt due to others’ negligence or wrongdoing. They gather evidence, build a strong case on your behalf, and support your recovery.
At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, we work tirelessly to secure full compensation for our clients while protecting their rights throughout the legal process. Our Arkansas personal injury attorneys know how to win in negotiations, and we tackle the legal details and deadlines so you can focus on what matters most: healing.
Read on to learn more about what personal injury lawyers do. And remember, if you’ve been injured in Arkansas, our team is here to help. Reach out and tell us your story today!
How Personal Injury Lawyers Protect Their Clients
One of the most important roles of a personal injury lawyer is serving as a protective barrier between you and the various parties seeking information about your case. After an injury, you may find yourself overwhelmed by insurance adjusters pushing for recorded statements, medical billing departments demanding payment, law enforcement needing additional information, employers requesting documentation, and other parties involved in the incident.
As your legal advocates, we handle all these communications on your behalf, allowing you to focus entirely on your recovery. We understand the tactics insurance companies use to minimize claims, especially in Arkansas where comparative fault laws can affect your compensation. Our experienced team knows how to counter these strategies and protect your interests throughout the claims process.
We also coordinate with healthcare providers to ensure proper documentation of your injuries and manage payment arrangements, often negotiating with medical facilities to prevent bills from going to collections while your case is pending. This comprehensive protection allows you to concentrate on healing without the stress of managing complex legal and financial matters.
Types of Cases Personal Injury Lawyers Handle
Vehicle Accidents
Whether you’ve been injured in a collision on I-630 or a truck accident on a rural Arkansas highway, we handle all types of vehicle-related injuries. Our firm covers car accident attorney, big truck collisions, motorcycle crashes, and incidents involving pedestrians, bicycles, or buses. We understand Arkansas’s unique traffic laws and have extensive experience dealing with local insurance companies and courts throughout the state.
In truck accident cases, we’re particularly familiar with the commercial transportation corridors through Arkansas and the specific regulations governing commercial vehicles on our highways. Our team knows how to investigate these complex cases, including reviewing driver logs, maintenance records, and company safety protocols.
In short, Arkansas is our home, and we’re here to put our local knowledge to work for you.
Workplace Injuries
While workers’ compensation provides some protection, there are many situations where you may need additional legal representation. We help workers injured due to third-party negligence, defective equipment, unsafe working conditions, and accidents at construction or industrial sites. Our experience includes handling cases in Arkansas’s major industries, from manufacturing and agriculture to transportation and healthcare.
We understand the interplay between workers’ compensation and third-party claims, so we know how to maximize your recovery from all available sources.
Premises Liability
Property owners have a responsibility to maintain safe conditions for visitors. We represent clients injured in slip and fall accidents or other types of accidents related to poor maintenance. We’ve handled cases involving private homes, commercial properties, and public spaces throughout Arkansas.
Our team understands the seasonal challenges that can affect premises liability cases in our state, from ice and snow hazards in winter to pool accidents in summer. We know how to document these conditions effectively and prove property owner negligence under Arkansas law.
Medical Malpractice
When healthcare providers fail to meet the standard of care, the consequences can be devastating. Our firm has secured countless six- and seven-figure settlements for Arkansas residents who have suffered from medical negligence, including wrongful death cases, medication errors, or failure to remove surgical sponges.
We work with medical experts from Arkansas’s leading healthcare institutions to build strong cases for our clients and paint a full picture of your damages so you can have a full, fair recovery.
Product Liability
Defective products can cause serious harm. We help clients injured by faulty medical devices, dangerous medications, defective vehicle components, unsafe consumer products, and malfunctioning industrial equipment. Our experience includes cases against both local retailers and major manufacturers.
Key Services Personal Injury Lawyers Provide
Medical Documentation Management
An experienced personal injury lawyer will collect and organize all your medical records, bills, and treatment plans. This documentation is crucial for proving the extent of your injuries and ensuring you receive proper compensation for all medical expenses—both current and future.
Evidence Collection
Our team conducts thorough investigations to gather and preserve vital evidence, including:
- Accident scene documentation using advanced photography and video techniques
- Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras
- Detailed witness statements and expert testimonies
- Physical evidence preservation and analysis
- Accident reconstruction when necessary
- Weather and road condition reports
- Maintenance and inspection records
Insurance Negotiations
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, especially in Arkansas where comparative fault rules can impact compensation. We handle all negotiations with insurers, using our experience and knowledge to counter their tactics. Our team understands local insurance practices and has established relationships with many carriers, allowing us to navigate claims more effectively.
Settlement Valuations
We carefully calculate the true value of your personal injury claim using a comprehensive approach that considers:
- All current and projected medical expenses
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
- Home modification expenses when needed
- Pain and suffering damages
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Impact on family relationships
- Long-term care requirements
- Quality of life changes
- And more, as needed
Court Representation
While many cases settle out of court, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. Our attorneys are experienced litigators in Arkansas state and federal courts, known for their thorough preparation and compelling presentations to juries.
Remember: When you work with a skilled personal injury lawyer, the power should stay in your hands. Your attorney will help you understand whether a settlement is a good deal and recommend a course of action when it comes to filing suit, but ultimately, the decision is yours—so that you can always choose the right path for you and your family!
The Legal Process with a Personal Injury Attorney
When you work with us, we guide you through every step of the legal process with clear communication and support:
- Initial Consultation: During your free consultation, we listen to your story, evaluate your case, and explain your legal options. It’s our job to make you feel as empowered and confident as possible as you choose the next step.
- Investigation: Our team immediately begins gathering evidence, often working with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and other specialists to build your case.
- Documentation: We collect and organize all necessary paperwork, including medical records, employment documents, and accident reports. We also help you track ongoing expenses and document your recovery progress.
- Demand and Negotiation: We prepare a comprehensive demand package outlining your damages and negotiate aggressively with insurance companies for fair compensation. Our knowledge of Arkansas settlement patterns helps us evaluate offers effectively.
- Litigation Preparation: If the other parties don’t play fair in settlement negotiations, we prepare your case for court, navigating deadlines and requirements as we build a powerful case on your behalf.
How Do Attorney Fees Work?
Like most personal injury law firms, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Our No Fee Guarantee® ensures that there are no upfront costs and you never pay out of pocket. Our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict, which we’ll clearly explain during your initial consultation.
This arrangement allows anyone to access quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. It also aligns our interests with yours—we only succeed when you do.
When to Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
It’s best to contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible after an injury.
Early intervention allows us to preserve crucial evidence, speak with witnesses while memories are fresh, and ensure proper documentation from the start. In Arkansas, statutes of limitations restrict how long you have to file a claim, making prompt action important.
Specific situations that warrant immediate legal consultation include:
- Severe injuries requiring hospitalization
- Accidents involving commercial vehicles
- Cases with multiple potentially liable parties
- Incidents resulting in permanent disability
- Any injury affecting your ability to work
- Cases involving government entities
- Accidents with disputed liability
However, even if some time has passed since your injury, we may still be able to help. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your options.
How Rainwater, Holt & Sexton Can Help
Our experienced team has helped countless Arkansans recover fair compensation for their injuries. We understand the local legal landscape and have established relationships with medical providers, expert witnesses, and other professionals throughout Arkansas who can support your case.
With offices throughout the state, we’re always nearby when you need us. We offer:
- Free initial consultations
- Home and hospital visits
- 24/7 availability
- Personal attention to every case
- Decades of combined experience
- A strong track record of successful outcomes
Our team includes attorneys recognized by their peers for excellence in personal injury law, and we’re active members of the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association and other professional organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bring any documentation you have related to your injury, including medical records and bills, insurance information, accident reports, photos, correspondence with insurance companies, and pay stubs if you’ve missed work. Don’t worry if you don’t have all these items — we can help you gather what’s needed during our investigation.
Also, be sure to bring any questions you may have about the legal process, your case, or the firm! Experienced lawyers like ours at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton will be happy to answer your questions with total transparency.
We’re taking care of Arkansas.
This is our home, and we want to ensure our neighbors and friends are supported. With eight offices in Arkansas - Little Rock, Little Rock-Corporate Hill, Springdale, Conway, Hot Springs, Bryant, Jacksonville, and Jonesboro—our accident lawyers are easily accessible when you need help.
