If you were struck by a vehicle in Little Rock, the steps you take immediately after the accident matter. You need to protect your health, preserve evidence, and protect your right to recover compensation under Arkansas law. Here is what I tell every pedestrian accident client who walks through my door.
Get Medical Attention First
Call 911 or have someone call for you. Even if you feel fine, accept medical evaluation at the scene. Pedestrian injuries are often internal. Adrenaline masks pain. I have handled cases where clients felt minor discomfort at the scene and later discovered fractured bones or traumatic brain injuries. A gap between the accident and your first medical visit gives insurance companies grounds to dispute your injuries. Do not give them that opening.
Go to the Emergency Room if You Are Unsure
UAMS Medical Center and CHI St. Vincent Infirmary are Level I and Level II trauma centers in Little Rock. If emergency responders do not transport you, go on your own. Get examined. Get documentation. That medical record is evidence.
Stay at the Scene and Call the Police
Under Arkansas law, any accident involving injury or death must be reported. A police officer will investigate the scene, collect witness statements, and prepare a crash report. That report is a critical piece of your case. Request the report number before you leave.
Do not move from the scene unless you need emergency medical care. If you can, stay calm and do not admit fault to anyone — including the driver, bystanders, or responding officers.
Document Everything You Can
If your injuries allow it, do the following before leaving the scene:
- Photograph the vehicle that struck you, including the license plate
- Photograph your injuries, torn clothing, and footwear
- Photograph the roadway, crosswalk markings, traffic signals, and skid marks
- Get the driver’s name, insurance information, and contact details
- Collect names and phone numbers of any witnesses
Evidence disappears quickly. Surveillance footage gets overwritten. Skid marks fade. The more you document at the scene, the stronger your case. Speak with our Little Rock pedestrian accident lawyer if you need additional guidenace.
What Does Arkansas Law Say About Pedestrian Rights?
Under Arkansas Code § 27-51-1203, drivers must yield the right of way to pedestrians in marked and unmarked crosswalks. Under Arkansas Code § 27-52-107, when a pedestrian signal displays “Walk,” vehicles must stop. These statutes establish the legal duty drivers owe to pedestrians. When a driver violates that duty and causes injury, they can be held liable for your damages.
Arkansas also follows a comparative fault standard. If you were partially at fault — for example, crossing outside a crosswalk — your compensation may be reduced. But you can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than fifty percent at fault. Do not assume you cannot file a claim without speaking to an attorney first.
Do Not Speak to the Insurance Company Without Counsel
The at-fault driver’s insurance company will contact you. They will seem helpful. They will offer a quick settlement. Do not accept it and do not give a recorded statement. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. An early settlement offer is almost never fair. It will not account for future medical expenses, long-term disability, or lost earning capacity.
I have seen clients accept settlements before fully understanding their injuries, only to find out months later that their medical costs far exceeded what they accepted. Once you sign a release, your claim is closed.
Understand the Damages You Can Recover
In a pedestrian accident case in Arkansas, you may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Emergency room and hospital bills
- Surgery, rehabilitation, and physical therapy costs
- Lost wages during recovery
- Reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to prior work
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Under Arkansas Code Title 23, Subtitle 3, Chapter 89, § 23-89-202, every automobile liability policy must provide medical benefits and coverage for injured pedestrians. That coverage is a starting point — not a ceiling.
Know Your Filing Deadline
Arkansas Code § 16-56-105 sets a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. The clock starts on the date of the accident. Three years sounds like a long time. It is not. Evidence deteriorates. Witnesses become harder to locate. Insurance companies use delay against you. Consult an attorney as soon as you are medically stable.
About Paul Pfeifer
Paul Pfeifer is a personal injury attorney admitted to practice law in all Arkansas state and federal courts and the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. He earned his J.D. from Case Western Reserve University in 1998 and has practiced personal injury law in Little Rock for over two decades. He holds an AV Preeminent® Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a peer-reviewed distinction reflecting the highest standards of legal skill and professional conduct. Mr. Pfeifer has represented pedestrian accident victims throughout Pulaski County and central Arkansas, handling cases involving driver negligence, distracted driving, and failure to yield.
Case Results
$325,000 Settlement — Pedestrian Struck in Crosswalk, Pulaski County. Client was hit by a distracted driver while crossing at a marked intersection. The driver ran a red light. Client sustained fractures to the leg and pelvis and required surgical repair.
$210,000 Settlement — Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident, Little Rock. Client was struck by a vehicle that left the scene on a residential street in Little Rock. The case involved an uninsured motorist claim and required extensive reconstruction of the incident.
$175,000 Settlement — Pedestrian Accident Involving Commercial Vehicle, Pulaski County. Client was struck while walking in a parking lot by a delivery vehicle. The case resolved after a dispute over comparative fault.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.
Local Resources for Little Rock Pedestrian Accident Victims
Little Rock Police Department — Traffic Crash Reports: Request a copy of the official police report from your accident through the LRPD. Reports are required by Arkansas law and serve as foundational evidence in any injury claim. Visit littlerock.gov.
Arkansas Courts — Civil Filing Information: The Arkansas Judiciary website provides information on filing civil claims, including personal injury lawsuits, in Pulaski County Circuit Court. Visit arcourts.gov.
Arkansas Code — Title 27, Motor Vehicles and Traffic: Review the state statutes governing pedestrian rights of way, crosswalk laws, and driver duties under Arkansas traffic law. Visit the Arkansas General Assembly at arkleg.state.ar.us.
Contact Pfeifer Law Firm
If you were injured as a pedestrian in Little Rock or anywhere in Pulaski County, contact Pfeifer Law Firm for a free consultation. I handle pedestrian accident cases on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless I recover compensation for you. Call or contact us through our online contact page to get started.
The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and reflects the opinions of the author. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and results depend on the specific facts and applicable law. You should not act or rely on any information in this blog without first seeking advice from a qualified attorney regarding your individual situation.