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”

On May 22nd, 2021, Arkansas police officer Rashaud Williams hit a pedestrian, Tony Harrison, with his patrol car. Harrison claims the officer was driving distracted.

Traffic camera footage shows at 3:12 PM at the intersection of 12th Street and Peyton, Little Rock police officer Rashaud Williams turned a corner and struck Tony Harrison. The police car’s impact caused Harrison to be thrown onto the hood of the car and fall into the road. After the collision, Williams stopped his vehicle and asked Harrison if he was ok. His reply: “No.” 

Continue reading “Little Rock Police Officer Hits Pedestrian With Patrol Car”

A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is an injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that affects the way the brain works. TBIs can be mild, moderate, or severe. Those who suffer from mild TBIs may be able to recover safely at home, but unfortunately, a moderate or severe TBI can lead to long-term health complications.

If you or a loved one has sustained a TBI in Arkansas recently, or are suffering from long-term complications from an injury, an attorney can help you seek financial compensation so you can focus on getting better.

Get in touch with an attorney at Minton Law Firm 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 “What Are the Long-Term Effects of a TBI?”

On Friday, April 9, 2021, two vehicles collided on North Main Street in Cave City, Arkansas, just after 9 p.m. Brian Day, 67, of Jonesboro, was driving northbound when he crossed the center line and crashed into another vehicle headed south.

According to the Arkansas State Police report, Day’s Mitsubishi Endeavor hit a Toyota Corolla head-on. Sandra Day, a passenger in Day’s car, and Sarah Estes, a passenger in the Corolla, were taken to UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock for their injuries. Tragically, Brian Day was killed in the crash.

Continue reading “One Dead, Two Injured in Sharp County Head-On Collision”

On March 16, 2021, Phyllis A. Kerr, 70, of North Little Rock, and her passenger, Clayton A. Meharg, 97, of Letona, died after colliding with a semi-truck in a multi-vehicle accident.

Arkansas State Police reported the multi-vehicle accident, which occurred just after 8:50 a.m. on Highway 67 in Lonoke County. The inciting event involved a semi-truck that hit the rear end of Kerr’s Toyota Camry. Kerr’s vehicle was pushed into another vehicle, a Dodge, and the impact of that collision forced her car off the left side of the road.

Continue reading “Two Killed, Three Injured in Crash Involving Semi on Highway 67”

Unprecedented weather in the South also affected Little Rock and much of Arkansas in mid-February. 

On February 17th, snow, ice, and cold temps led to multiple accidents, shutting down I-40 east- and westbound for multiple hours. Arkansas State Police reported a 30-mile chain of accidents, starting with a single event at 9 a.m. The chain’s first event involved a state patrol vehicle and a jackknifed semi.

Continue reading “Winter Weather Causes Chain of Accidents on I-40”