An eastbound crash on I-40 near Forrest City, Arkansas, left one person dead and several injured. 

The crash occurred on August 23, just after 3 p.m. Lanes on I-40 were shut down for over 12 hours.

Thirteen vehicles were involved in the accident, including a truck hauling fuel that exploded on the interstate. Multiple big rigs caught fire after the crash occurred.

Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) Spokesman Dave Parker said, “It was a horrible accident. 13 vehicles involved. I believe eight tractor-trailers. Two other trucks and three non-commercial vehicles.”

Seven fire departments, four EMS units, multiple law enforcement agencies, and two tow companies worked together to rescue victims and extinguish the fire, according to the Forrest City Fire Department Facebook page.

ARDOT officials also confirmed that stormy weather played a role in the accident, though Arkansas State Police did not confirm the cause.

ARDOT closed lanes on I-40 from 7 p.m. on August 24 through 10 a.m. on August 25 to repair damage caused by the crash.

Motor vehicle accidents can occur at any time for any number of reasons. They can range from minor incidents to severe, fatal crashes. Larger commercial vehicles like tractor-trailers — also called semi-trucks, large trucks, and big rigs — can be especially dangerous due to their size, weight, and materials being hauled.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a vehicular accident involving a tractor-trailer, the Minton Law Firm team is here to help.

With years of experience as an insurance adjuster, attorney Justin Minton knows how to fight trucking companies’ insurance providers in order to win your personal injury claim. The Minton Law team will help you seek the financial compensation you and your family deserve to recover and move forward.
To set up a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys, call the Minton Law Firm at (501) 794-0001 or fill out an online form. For more news updates and resources like this one, like and follow the Minton Law Facebook page.

On August 14th, three people died in North Little Rock early in the morning on the Interstate 430 South River Bridge.

Two of the victims were Good Samaritans assisting the third victim, whose vehicle was damaged from a previous accident, according to an early Arkansas State Police report.

Thirty-four-year-old Takoiya C. Flowers, of North Little Rock, and 52-year-old Gary T. Plaster, of Little Rock, were the pedestrians. Kenneth R. Scott, 53, of Little Rock, was the motorist.

The motorist and two pedestrians were struck and killed by a southbound tractor-trailer. The truck driver was not injured.

Unfortunately, fatal accidents involving tractor-trailers are not uncommon. The most recent complete data available from 2017 shows that there were 4,657 fatal crashes involving large trucks that year. If you have been injured in an accident with a semi or tractor-trailer, or have lost a loved one, attorney Justin Minton and the Minton Law Firm team can help you seek the compensation you and your family deserve.

With extensive experience as an insurance adjuster, attorney Justin Minton has the knowledge needed to fight trucking companies’ insurance providers. Minton Law Firm can help you file a successful personal injury claim or wrongful death claim, so you can focus on recovery and healing.
Set up a free consultation now by calling the Minton Law Firm at (501) 794-0001 or filling out an online form. For more news updates and resources like this one, like and follow the Minton Law Facebook page.

On Saturday, April 30, at 2:24 am, a Springdale man was rushed to Northwest Medical Center-Springdale following a collision at the intersection of Thompson Street and Huntsville Avenue.

The incident involved three cars, one of which was driven by Cristhian Rodriguez-Izcano. Rodriguez-Izcano was headed northbound on Thompson Street when he ran the red light. The northbound vehicle hit Tracy Harlan’s vehicle, which was headed west. Harlan was found unresponsive at the scene and was rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. A second westbound vehicle was also hit, and a passenger from that vehicle was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center for minor injuries.

Rodriguez-Izcano was taken to Northwest Medical Center-Springdale for minor injuries, and was then released into the care of the Washington County Detention Center. He is being held on charges of negligent homicide, second-degree battery, driving while intoxicated, and possession of an open container.

Being injured in a car accident or losing a loved one due to another’s negligence is heartbreaking.

Justin Minton and the Minton Law team understand how difficult these situations can be, whether it was you involved in a crash or a loved one. Our team can advocate for you against insurance and responsible parties. Attorney Justin Minton’s extensive experience as an insurance adjuster has given him the knowledge and understanding needed to fight for families who’ve lost someone in a tragedy like this.

To set up a free consultation today, call the Minton Law Firm at (501) 794-0001 or fill out an online form. For more news updates and resources like this one, like and follow the Minton Law Facebook page.

On Friday, April 15th, 2022, a Little Rock pedestrian was hit and killed on Cantrell Road. 

The victim, Michael Byrd, 53, was crossing the street around 9 p.m. near 14000 Cantrell Road. Byrd was reportedly walking southbound and the vehicle was traveling west when he was struck on the street.

Byrd was pronounced dead at the scene, and Arkansas State Police are still reconstructing the accident to determine the exact cause. ASP has also reported the vehicle was a 2006 Chevrolet, but the driver (who is cooperating with the investigation) remains unnamed. 

In 2020 alone, there were over 30 pedestrian fatalities in and around Little Rock. It seems that, in 2022, those numbers aren’t dwindling. Unfortunately, pedestrian incidents occur often — and many, like this one — lead to fatalities. 

If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident or lost a loved one in one, we at Minton Law want to help. Injury attorney Justin Minton has experience as an insurance adjuster, and he understands the nuances of pedestrian accidents — as well as hit-and-runs — that can affect your claims and your awarded compensation.

Call the Minton Law Firm at (501) 794-0001 or fill out an online form to set up a free consultation. You can also like and follow the Minton Law Facebook page for more updates.

On Tuesday, March 29, 2022, a Pine Bluff man was rushed to the hospital following a motorcycle vs. vehicle accident at the intersection of Sulpher Springs Road and Greenway Drive in Pine Bluff.

The victim, 35-year-old Damarrio Kyle of Pine Bluff, left an altercation with his girlfriend on his motorcycle. His girlfriend, Shevonte Anderson, chased Kyle down and struck his motorcycle with her car. Kyle was thrown from his motorcycle and EMS was called.

Kyle was airlifted to Jefferson Regional in Little Rock, where he died on April 1, 2022, from his injuries. 

Anderson was arrested after the accident and charged with first-degree domestic battery and hit and run accident with injuries. Following Kyle’s death, Anderson’s charge was changed to second-degree murder on April 1. 

This is an incredibly unfortunate situation and Damarrio Kyle’s family is now grieving. If you’ve lost a loved one in a vehicular accident caused by road rage or another person’s negligence, your family should seek representation. 

Justin Minton and the Minton Law team can advocate for you against insurance and responsible parties. Attorney Justin Minton’s extensive experience as an insurance adjuster has given him the knowledge and understanding needed to fight for families who’ve lost someone in a tragedy like this.

To set up a free consultation today, call the Minton Law Firm at (501) 794-0001 or fill out an online form. For more news updates and resources like this one, like and follow the Minton Law Facebook page.

On February 10, 2022, just before 9:15 a.m., 67-year-old Sharon Garlington of Bearden, AR, was killed in an accident on U.S. 79. 

According to Arkansas State Police, Garlington was headed east on Ouachita County 203, where she “failed to yield the right of way” to an unnamed 28-year-old woman from Magnolia. Garlington, driving a 2019 Nissan, hit the other driver’s 2018 Kia as it entered the northbound lane of U.S. 79, and both vehicles left the road. 

Garlington died as a result of the crash, while the Magnolia woman was injured. Troopers described conditions at the time of the crash as clear and dry.

Ms. Garlington’s death is just one of over 50 that have already happened on Arkansas highways in 2022, as of this writing. If you have lost a loved one in a highway-related incident, or have been injured in an auto accident on Arkansas roadways, you may need help seeking proper compensation. 

Injury attorney Justin Minton has experience as an insurance adjuster, and he understands the complexities of claims following your injury or the loss of a loved one. If you have been involved in a car accident in Little Rock or the surrounding areas, or you’ve lost a loved one in one, call the Minton Law Firm at (501) 794-0001. You can also fill out an online form to set up a free consultation. Want more insights and updates like this one? Like and follow the Minton Law Facebook page for more updates.

On January 18th, 2022, around 8 p.m., an Arkansas Department of Transportation construction worker was struck by a vehicle and fatally injured.

The worker, 69-year-old Winfred Petty, was putting up road closure signs on Interstate 30 near Scott Hamilton Drive when he was struck. The vehicle that struck him has yet to be found but is believed to be a black SUV. Arkansas State Police are still trying to find the vehicle and driver.

After he was struck, Petty was taken by MedFlight to the nearest hospital. Westbound lanes of I-40 were closed temporarily while medics tried to help Petty. Unfortunately, Petty died from injuries.

Petty is just one of many ARDOT workers who’ve been killed in work zones. Less than two months before, 28-year-old ARDOT employee Kurt Cottier was hit and killed in a construction zone on the same interstate near Morrilton. That’s not all; statistics show that work zone accidents in Arkansas have increased by 70% over the last four years.

Have you lost a loved one in a work zone accident? Have you been injured in a pedestrian or biking collision? Minton Law Firm understands just how catastrophic these accidents can be — and also knows that insurance companies do not always compensate properly. Our lead attorney, Justin Minton, has experience as an insurance adjuster, and he understands how devastating a deadly collision can be to a family. He also understands the tactics insurance providers employ to try to limit what they pay to workers and victims.

If you’re fighting a work zone accident or pedestrian incident claim in the Little Rock area, call the Minton Law Firm at (501) 794-0001 or fill out an online form to set up a free consultation. You can also like and follow the Minton Law Facebook page for more updates.

On January 13th, 2022, a pedestrian was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer on I-40 East near the Lonoke County line. 

The incident happened around 3:05 a.m., when a 2004 Kenworth truck, headed east on I-140, hit a man running across the interstate.

The victim, 43-year-old Billy Daugherty of Statesville, North Carolina, was pronounced dead at the scene. Arkansas State Police reported the weather was clear and the road was dry at the time of each crash.

It is unclear why Daughtery was crossing the road at that time, or if the driver of the tractor-trailer was distracted.

Across the country, there are tens of thousands of accidents involving large trucks each year, although ones involving pedestrians are more uncommon. This pedestrian-truck accident shows that these accidents can even happen on high-speed roadways, and even in perfect weather. For families affected by accidents involving large tractor-trailers, though, it’s important to find justice.

Injury attorney Justin Minton has experience as an insurance adjuster, and he understands trucking companies and their insurance providers. If you have been involved in a trucking accident in Little Rock or the surrounding areas, or you’ve lost a loved one in one, call the Minton Law Firm at 501-794-0001. You can also fill out an online form to set up a free consultation. Want more insights and updates like this one? Like and follow the Minton Law Facebook page for more updates.

On Sunday, December 5th, a Sioux Center, Iowa man died while attempting to make a U-turn on U.S. 65 in Boone County.

The accident happened at 5:37am Sunday, when Dennis Visser, 68, attempted to make a U-turn on U.S. 65, near Rocky Top Lane north of Harrison. While attempting the U-turn, Vesser’s pickup was struck by an 18-wheeler driving behind him.

The tractor-trailer was unable to avoid the truck and struck Vesser’s driver-side. Vesser died of injuries at the scene. His two passengers, Troopers said two of the passengers, Harvey Dean Mulder, 60, and Verlyn Jay Mulder, 62, were transported to North Arkansas Regional Medical Center.

Continue reading “Iowa Man Dies in U-Turn Accident Involving 18-Wheeler”

A catastrophic injury is a severe injury to the skull, spine, spinal cord, or brain that has a permanent, long-lasting effect on the victim. Unfortunately, catastrophic injuries can be a common result of car accidents, personal property injuries, or negligent acts.

If you or a loved one has sustained a catastrophic injury in Arkansas, contact an attorney at Minton Law Firm today by calling our Little Rock office at (501) 794-0001. You can also reach us by filling out the online form on our website.

Continue reading “Common Questions About Catastrophic Injuries”