Most people go their entire lives without being in a serious wreck, and then it happens, and suddenly they have no idea what to do next. That disorientation is completely understandable. But the steps you take in the minutes, hours, and days after a collision on I-40 or Highway 70 through St. Francis County can shape everything that comes after, including whether you have a viable legal claim.
We’ve worked through enough of these situations to know that the process matters. If you’ve been hurt, understanding your rights under Arkansas personal injury law is the starting point. What follows is a practical guide to navigating that process, grounded in how things actually work in and around Forrest City.
Stay at the Scene and Check on Everyone
Arkansas law requires drivers to remain at the scene when there’s been an injury, death, or property damage. Leaving prematurely creates serious legal exposure, and in some circumstances, it rises to felony territory. So stay put.
Move your vehicle out of the travel lanes if it’s safe to do so, particularly on I-40 where traffic moves fast and secondary collisions are a real concern. Check on everyone involved. If anyone appears injured, call 911 immediately. Arkansas law also requires drivers to render aid to injured parties, which can mean calling for emergency transport if you’re not able to provide it yourself.
And another thing: don’t assume someone is fine just because they say so. Conditions like internal bleeding and soft tissue injuries often don’t show up until hours or even days later. The adrenaline from a crash can mask significant pain.
Call Law Enforcement
Arkansas law requires you to notify the nearest law enforcement agency as soon as possible when a crash results in injury, death, or property damage that appears to exceed $1,000. On a stretch like I-40 near Forrest City, that threshold gets crossed in most collisions. Call 911 and wait for officers to arrive.
Even in minor situations where you’re not legally required to call, we strongly encourage clients to do it anyway. A police report creates an official, contemporaneous record of what happened. That documentation can make or break your case later when memories fade and details get disputed. Officers who respond to the scene will file a report, and that report becomes a foundational piece of evidence.
When law enforcement arrives, cooperate fully. Answer their questions honestly about the facts of what happened. What you want to avoid is speculating about fault or volunteering admissions that could be used against you later. Stick to what you observed.
Gather Information at the Scene
Arkansas law requires drivers to exchange names, addresses, and vehicle registration numbers. That’s the legal floor. In practice, you want to collect considerably more.
Photograph everything you reasonably can: vehicle damage, road conditions, skid marks, traffic signals, the positions of vehicles before they’re moved, and any visible injuries. If there are witnesses nearby, get their names and contact information before they leave. Witnesses at highway accident scenes tend to disappear quickly.
Get the other driver’s insurance information. Note the make, model, and license plate of every vehicle involved. If there’s a commercial truck involved, which is common on I-40 through St. Francis County, note the company name and any DOT numbers visible on the vehicle. Those details matter significantly in truck accident cases.
Get Medical Attention Promptly
Go see a doctor. Even if you feel okay. This is one of the most consistent pieces of guidance we offer, and it serves two purposes.
First, your health. Whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries frequently don’t produce obvious symptoms at the scene. A medical evaluation catches things that adrenaline and shock can hide. Second, your legal claim. Prompt medical treatment creates a documented link between the accident and your injuries. When there’s a gap between the crash and your first medical visit, insurance companies often argue that your injuries weren’t caused by the accident, or that they weren’t serious enough to require immediate attention. That argument can reduce or eliminate your recovery.
Follow your treatment plan consistently. Missing appointments or failing to follow a doctor’s recommendations gives insurers ammunition to question the severity of your condition.
Report the Accident as Required
About that reporting requirement, it trips people up more often than you’d expect. Under Arkansas law, a Safety Responsibility SR-1 accident report must be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration within 30 days when property damage to any one person exceeds $1,000, or when the crash results in injury or death. That’s a separate requirement from the police report, and it’s your responsibility as a driver to comply.
The SR-1 form can be submitted online, by mail, or in person. Failing to file can result in fines and, in some cases, license suspension. Your insurance company will also need to be notified promptly, typically within a few days of the crash, regardless of whether you intend to file a claim.
Be Careful About What You Say
This comes up constantly. In the immediate aftermath of a crash, people often apologize reflexively or make statements that sound like admissions of fault. Avoid admitting fault at the scene, even if you think you may have contributed to the accident. Arkansas follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means your ability to recover compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault, and eliminated entirely if you’re found to be 50% or more at fault. Statements made at the scene can influence how fault gets assigned.
The same caution applies when you speak with insurance adjusters. Their job is to resolve claims efficiently, which often means minimizing what they pay. Be factual. Avoid speculating about what caused the accident or how serious your injuries are before you’ve had a full medical evaluation.
Understand the Deadlines That Apply to Your Case
The timing here is CRITICAL. Arkansas law generally gives injured parties three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Miss that window and your right to pursue compensation through the courts may be lost entirely, regardless of how strong your case is.
Three years sounds like plenty of time. It isn’t, practically speaking. Evidence gets lost. Surveillance footage gets deleted. Witnesses move away or their memories fade. Insurance companies track these deadlines closely. And an attorney needs time to investigate, gather evidence, and build your case before any filing deadline approaches.
Most people hire lawyers too late. By then, half the evidence is gone. We encourage clients to reach out as early as possible after an accident, not because we’re trying to manufacture urgency, but because early involvement genuinely produces better outcomes.
Talk to an Attorney Before You Settle Anything
Insurance settlements offered early in the process are rarely in your best interest. Before you’ve reached maximum medical improvement, you may not know the full extent of your injuries or the long-term costs associated with your care. Accepting a settlement too early can mean signing away your rights to additional compensation before you understand what you actually need.
An attorney can evaluate your situation, advise you on what your claim may be worth, and handle communications with insurance companies so you’re not navigating that process alone while you’re trying to recover.
At Easley & Houseal PLLC, we represent people in Forrest City, St. Francis County, and the surrounding communities of eastern Arkansas. If you’ve been injured in a crash on I-40, Highway 70, or anywhere else in our region, we’re here to talk through your situation. Reach out to us and let’s figure out where things stand.