Car Accident Matters We Handle in Jonesboro
Vehicle collisions arise from many different forms of negligence, and each type of case presents its own evidentiary and legal issues. Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers represents clients in Jonesboro and the surrounding area in a wide range of automobile accident claims.
DUI/DWI Accidents
Accidents caused by intoxicated drivers often involve particularly dangerous and irresponsible conduct. Our firm investigates these cases thoroughly, using law enforcement records, toxicology evidence, witness accounts, and other available proof to establish liability. Where the law permits, we also evaluate whether punitive damages may be appropriate.
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Distracted Driving Accidents
Drivers who divert their attention to mobile devices, navigation systems, or other distractions place everyone on the road at risk. In these cases, our Jonesboro car accident attorneys work to obtain the evidence needed to establish distraction, including phone activity, electronic records, and where available, witness testimony.
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Rear-End Crashes
Rear-end collisions are frequently treated as minor by insurance carriers, even though they often result in substantial injuries. Victims may suffer whiplash, spinal trauma, disc injuries, and continuing pain that affects their ability to work and function normally.
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Side-Impact Collisions
T-bone and other side-impact crashes often occur at intersections and can produce severe injuries because of the limited protection along the sides of a vehicle. These claims often require prompt investigation to preserve witness statements, evidence from the scene, and any available surveillance footage.
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Head-On Accidents
Head-on collisions are among the most catastrophic types of vehicle crashes. Because they often involve extensive trauma or fatal injuries, these cases demand careful legal and factual development, including expert analysis and detailed medical evidence.
Rollover Crashes
Rollover accidents may involve speeding, roadway hazards, driver error, or vehicle-related defects. Our attorneys examine all potentially relevant factors to determine how the crash occurred and whether multiple parties may bear responsibility.
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Hit-and-Run Accidents
A driver who leaves the scene should not escape legal accountability. We pursue all available avenues to identify the responsible party and, when that is not possible, evaluate other sources of recovery, including uninsured motorist coverage.
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Multi-Vehicle Collisions
When multiple vehicles are involved in the same crash, questions of fault can become highly contested. Our firm conducts a detailed analysis of the sequence of events, each driver's conduct, and available insurance coverage to pursue the strongest possible claim.
Rideshare Accident Claims
Accidents involving Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare services often require an analysis of overlapping insurance policies and the driver's status at the time of the crash. Our Jonesboro car accident attorneys represent passengers, other motorists, and third parties injured in these complex matters.
Serious Injuries We Often View with Car Accidents
A significant car accident can produce injuries that affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life. Our Jonesboro attorneys represent clients suffering from conditions such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Including concussions, post-concussive symptoms, and permanent cognitive deficits.
- Spinal cord trauma and paralysis: Injuries that may result in permanent disability, assisted care needs, and major changes to a person’s home and lifestyle.
- Complex fractures: Broken bones that may require surgical repair, implanted hardware, and lengthy recovery.
- Cervical and lumbar injuries: Including herniated discs, bulging discs, nerve impingement, and severe soft-tissue damage.
- Internal injuries: Such as internal bleeding and damage to vital organs, requiring urgent intervention.
- Neurological damage: Injuries involving chronic pain, numbness, weakness, or reduced motor function.
- Psychological injury: Including post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, and diminished quality of life.
Many clients require not only emergency care, but also prolonged treatment, rehabilitation, and future medical support. Our firm works to ensure that these ongoing consequences are properly reflected in the claim's value.
What to Do in the First Hours and Days After a Crash
The period immediately following a collision can be important for both your health and your legal claim.
Get Medical Care Immediately
Do not wait to see whether symptoms improve on their own. After a crash, adrenaline can hide pain and delay warning signs of serious injury. A prompt medical evaluation helps protect your health and creates records that can directly support your claim.
Document the Scene
Take photos of the vehicle damage, final vehicle positions, skid marks, traffic signs, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Try to get names and contact details for witnesses before they leave. If you are unable to gather that information yourself, ask someone you trust at the scene to help.
Be Careful What You Say
Do not apologize, accept blame, or speculate about what happened. Even casual statements can be twisted by the insurance company later. It is also wise to stay off social media while your case is pending, because posts, photos, and comments may be used to challenge your injuries or credibility.
Make Sure a Police Report Is Filed
Ask law enforcement to respond to the scene whenever possible. A police report creates an independent record of the collision, identifies the people involved, and may preserve important details that become useful later in the claim process.
Do Not Accept a Quick Settlement
Early settlement offers are often designed to close the case before the full extent of your injuries is known. Once you sign a release, you may lose the ability to seek more compensation later. Don’t agree to a quick settlement without first discussing it with our attorneys to see if it’s fair.
Call Rice & Kendig Injury Lawyers
The sooner we get involved, the sooner we can protect your claim. Our team handles communications with the insurance company, helps preserve evidence, and pushes back against tactics meant to reduce the value of your case.
Categories of Compensation That We Can Pursue in Jonesboro
The value of a car accident case depends on the specific losses sustained. Depending on the facts, compensation may include both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
- Medical coverage: Emergency room, hospital stays, surgeries, diagnostic imaging, and future treatments.
- Lost income and earning capacity: Missed paychecks and future income loss if your injuries prevent a return to your previous career.
- Property restoration: Vehicle repair or fair market value if your vehicle is a total loss.
- Ongoing rehabilitative care: Physical therapy, home nursing, and medical equipment.
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering: Physical agony and daily discomfort caused by your injuries.
- Emotional and psychological impact: Anxiety, depression, or PTSD following a violent collision.
- Loss of life enjoyment: Inability to participate in hobbies and family activities you valued before the crash.
- Disfigurement and scarring: Permanent physical changes or loss of mobility.
- Loss of consortium: Damages paid to a spouse for loss of companionship and services.
Punitive Damages
In cases involving DUI, drug impairment, or intentional recklessness, Louisiana courts may award punitive damages under the Louisiana Civil Code, article 2315.4. These awards are not intended merely as compensation; rather, they serve to penalize the at-fault driver and reinforce that jeopardizing the safety of the Jonesboro community results in significant financial liability.
Louisiana Rules That Can Shape a Jonesboro Car Accident Claim
The facts of the wreck matter, but so do the laws that control the case. Several Louisiana rules can significantly affect the value of your claim and whether it can be pursued at all.
1. Filing Deadline
Louisiana changed the deadline for many injury claims beginning July 1, 2024, under Louisiana Civil Code article 3493.1. In general, crashes that occur on or after that date have a 2-year filing period, while older accidents may still fall under the former 1-year deadline. Waiting too long can destroy the claim entirely.
2. Comparative Fault
As of January 1, 2026, Louisiana Civil Code article 2323 follows a modified comparative fault rule. An injured person can recover damages only if they are 50% or less at fault. At 51% or more, recovery is barred. That makes a strong liability case especially important when the insurer tries to shift blame.
3. Minimum Insurance Limits
La. R.S. 32:900’s minimum bodily injury coverage is low, as $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. In a serious crash, those limits may be exhausted quickly. We look for additional coverage where it exists, including commercial policies, umbrella policies, and underinsured motorist benefits.
Put a Strong Advocate
Behind Your Claim
A serious accident deserves more than a quick, low-ball insurance settlement. Speak with our Jonesboro car accident attorneys who will fight to get you the most money possible for your damages and suffering.
or Call Us
(318) 222-2772
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