Most personal injury victims, in my opinion, receive more money from their personal injury claim when an experienced personal injury attorney represents them than they would have received had they dealt directly with the insurance company. In addition, the amount of money injury victims receive in personal injury cases is directly related to how their cases are handled. The person who caused your injuries is represented by a large insurance company, which has all kinds of resources at its disposal. While the insurance adjuster is usually courteous and friendly to you, it is important for you to remember that the adjuster's responsibility is to his/her company. An adjuster's job is to save the insurance company money, not to be "fair" with you. Since a personal injury victim is usually unaware of these pitfalls and is not a seasoned negotiator, he or she may be at a decided disadvantage when it comes to dealing with the insurance company.

• Is the attorney qualified and experienced to handle your personal injury case?
• Does the attorney have the reputation for returning telephone calls? Is he accessible to your needs?
• Does the attorney have a seasoned and courteous staff, as well as the financial resources necessary to achieve a just resolution of your claim?
• Does the attorney have a proven track record in obtaining good results for his clients? What about large settlements?
  

Serious injuries deserve serious attention, the kind you will receive from my law firm. This is why my staff and I, having worked together for over 20 years, have made a long term commitment to furnish my clients with the best possible service. I believe that the best results come from providing the very best  in client service.

I have over 30 years experience in dealing with personal injury claims such as yours. You can trust me to aggressively pursue your claim as well as answer any questions you may have about your claim. I am actively involved in every case our firm represents. In other words...

Before you choose a lawyer, in addition to the attorney's experience, staff stability and accessability, you should also consider the attorney's proven track record. Over two million dollars ($2,000,000), one half million dollars ($500,000), two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000); these are just some of the results I have achieved for my clients. While the outcome will vary in each case, depending on the amount of negligence and the extent of one's injuries, every case, whether big or small, is important to me because I want to get all my clients the maximum compensation they deserve. I want my legal experience to work for you.

Clients who choose my law firm to handle their personal injury needs recieve the following:

• Free initial consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer
• In home visits if requested
  
• Over 30 years of legal experience in personal injury law
• Toll-free access at 1-888-995-7554; local (501) 375-7575
  
• Seasoned and courteous staff
• Financial resources to achieve a just resolution of your claim
  
• Contingency fees - no recovery - no fee
• Convenient office location in Little Rock
• Licensed to practice law in Arkansas and Missouri

When we handle your claim, my objective, and that of my staff is to put your mind at ease. When I do a good job for a client, I hope they will tell their friends and family to see me in the future, should they have legal problems. I want your business.

Generally, in order for an injured party to be compensated for their injuries from an adverse party's liability insurance carrier, the adverse party must commit an act of negligence (fault), which causes injury to another. Simply put, negligence is a breach of a duty owed to another. The standard of proof needed to show negligence can vary depending on the type of personal injury case involved as well as the type of damages the injured party seeks to prove. In addition, the injured party attempting to prove negligence upon the adverse party must not be negligent to the extent that their own negligence equals or exceeds the amount of negligence of the adverse party. Otherwise,  there can be no legal recovery for one's injuries.

Besides a showing of negligence upon the adverse party, damages must also be proven in order for one to be compensated for their injuries. Personal injury damages are established primarily from the medical treatment rendered by the treating doctor. Since an injured party's doctor  is the only person qualified to give an opinion regarding their medical condition, it is their doctor who decides what type of treatment they will receive,  how long they will receive this treatment, and if they need to be off work as a result of their injuries. The treating doctor also decides if there is any permanent impairment or any physical restrictions. This is why it is so important for an injured party to keep all of their doctors' appointments. With the exception of property damage and to some extent lost wages, compensatory damages for medical bills, permanent injury, and pain and suffering are established primarily through the treating doctor.

Am I required to reimburse an insurance company for any
medical bills or benefits it has paid on my behalf for my injuries?

Most attorney fees paid in personal injury cases are based upon a contingency fee. This means that the injured party's attorney gets a percentage of the personal injury settlement of the case. Normally the representing attorney does not get a fee for any property damage (such as in automobile accident cases), and does not get a fee from the personal injury part of your claim unless a recovery is made. This is also true for the Buckalew Law Firm. In fact, the percentage I charge is reasonable, and it is based upon my years of experience in personal injury cases, as well as my ability to get you the most money possible.

Am I entitled to receive a settlement for my personal injuries?

This depends upon the extent of the adverse party's negligence as well as the doctor's assessment of the injured party's physical condition at the end of treatment and the extent of the injured party's damages. It also depends upon the liability insurance company's  willingness to enter into settlement negotiations, as well as the experience and proven track record of the injured party's attorney in obtaining good results.

The simple answer is "Yes, they do." While most cases are settled out of court, should it become necessary to file suit, I will not be hesitant to try your case in a court of law. I am an experienced and qualified trial attorney.

Possible damages include reimbursement of medical expenses, mileage, lost wages, and pain and suffering as well as property damage in automobile accident cases. Other damages may include loss of consortium, if your spouse has lost your services, future lost wages if you sustain a serious permanent injury, and possibly punitive damages.

Every case is governed by a "statute of limitations," and they are different for different types of cases. This means that an injury victim has only a certain amount of time in which to legally pursue his or her claim, either through settlement or lawsuit. If an injury victim fails to pursue the claim within that legally mandated amount of time, he or she will be barred from doing so.

What "DOs" should I accomplish following my accident?

1. In the event of an automobile accident, contact YOUR insurance carrier immediately in order to report the accident.
    
2. Gather all pertinent information regarding your injury, including
   • medical bills and records
     
   • witnesses' names, addresses, and phone numbers
     
   • any other information that might be helpful
   
    
3. If at all possible, document all cuts, bruises, injuries, property damage, and the accident scene with a camera.
   
   
4. Seek prompt medical attention for all your injuries, and keep all your doctors' appointments.
    
   
5. Keep accurate records of days you work and days you miss as a result of your injuries.                                           
   
6. Keep track of your roundtrip mileage from your home to any health care provider, as mileage is a part of your damages.
                                     
   
7. In the event of an automobile accident, if your property damage is in excess of $500, be sure an SR-1 form is completed and sent to the safety Responsibility Section of the Arkansas Revenue Department within thirty (30) days of the accident.
   

1. With the exception of your spouse and your attorney, do not talk to anyone about your personal injury claim. Injury victims who talk too much often become their own worst enemies.
    
2. Don't fall prey to amateur legal advice from well-meaning, but ill-informed people. Consult your attorney.
    
3. Do not talk to the other party's insurance company. Do not give a statement (written, recorded, or oral) to the other party's insurance company, as it could be used against you at trial.
    
4. Other than giving him a history of how your accident happened, as well as your injuries and past medical problems, do not discuss legal issues (such as the value of your claim) with your doctor.                
   
5. While there may be exceptions, do not settle your personal injury claim until you have completed all of your medical treatment.
    
6. Don't sign anything with the other party's insurance company before consulting with an attorney. To do so might release them from further responsibility for all damages you sustained as a result of your accident.