Travis J. Morrissey, Attorney at Law  

For a Free Consultation, Call Me at (501) 623-7372                       
 
   
   
 

Morrissey Law Firm

 
 
 
 

Personal Injury and Wrongful Death

Free Confidental Initial Consultation


Arkansas Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured in an automobile collision or in some other way by the negligence of a third party, or if a loved one has died due to the fault of another, you need an experienced trial attorney on your side. Insurance adjusters have a great deal of experience protecting the interests of their insured; you deserve no less.

Travis Morrissey is an experienced personal injury attorney who can explain your rights and take the steps needed to protect your interests and maximize your recovery. I negotiate your claim with the insurance adjuster for the responsible party. If no settlement is reached, you will have an experienced and capable trial attorney representing you in court proceedings.

There is no fee for an initial consultation and contingency fee arrangements are typically available for representation in personal injury and wrongful death cases.

Contact the personal injury lawyer, Travis Morrissey, if you have been injured through the negligence or misconduct of another. My phone number is 501-623-7372.

PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS 
Hot Springs INJURY ATTORNEY

Approximately 5,000 people are killed every year in pedestrian traffic accidents.  According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), in 2012, 4,743 pedestrians—more than 12 people every day— were killed in collisions with motor vehicles.  There were also 76,000 pedestrian injuries reported in 2012—nearly one every 7 minutes.

Unfortunately, new studies show that drivers are more distracted than ever before – mainly attributable to using new technologies while traveling.  The use of cell phones, headphones, social media, and mobile devices are creating extremely dangerous conditions for other cars as well as pedestrians.

Pedestrian injuries are commonly severe.  Spine injuries, head and neck injuries, paralysis, and broken bones, occur frequently when pedestrians are struck by vehicles.  

What The Morrissey Law Firm Can Do For You

As a pedestrian accident attorney I understand the priorities following a traumatic accident:

  • Handling the claims process with insurance companies;
  • Paying medical and hospital bills;
  • Recovering lost wages; and
  • Making sure the insurance company will cover future medical costs.

I  have years of experience handling pedestrian accident cases and claims.  I will help you through the claim process and work with you, your medical providers, and insurance companies to make sure you get a fair resolution for your claim.

Arkansas CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER

Car Accident LawyerEvery year, millions of people are involved in car accidents, which can cause serious injuries to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Car wrecks are scary enough without having to worry about the financial, physical, and emotional aftermath. If you were involved in a car accident due to the negligence of another driver, let the Morrisey Law Firm help you seek out the compensation you deserve from your injuries. Let me handle the insurance companies and litigation so you don’t have to. Though filing a claim won’t make up for losing a loved one or overcoming your own physical injuries, it can help alleviate the financial burdens brought on by excessive hospital bills, funeral expenses, and lost wages.

What The Morrissey Law Fimr Can Do For You

I understand that the priorities following a traumatic vehicle accident are as follows:

  • Paying your medical and hospital bills.
  • Recovering any lost wages
  • Make sure your insurance company will cover future medical treatment.

I have extensive experience with car accident claims and will help clients decide if they have a viable case and the best way to proceed. After deciding to pursue a claim, I'll work with you, the hospital, and the insurance companies to collect the documentation and evidence needed to form a strong case in your favor.

Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Car Wreck

Insurance companies look out for their interests, not yours. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced attorney on your side who knows how to deal with insurance companies, what questions to ask, what tricks they use, and ways to stay ahead of the curve. The insurance company will evaluate your claim by reviewing:

  • Recorded statements by the police, drivers, and any witnesses
  • Hospital records
  • Photographs taken of the accident scene and injuries sustained

Insurance companies will seek to obtain the lowest settlement possible, despite cause for a larger settlement, so be sure to consult an attorney to fight for your rights against insurance companies. The Morrissey Law Firm represents clients throughout the entire State of Arkansas who have sustained personal injuries and/or property damage due to automobile, motorcycle or truck accidents

Arkansas DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs poses a hazard to you and everyone else on the road. Drinking impairs a driver’s cognitive abilities and slows their reaction time, often causing accidents, so if you’ve been drinking, have a designated driver take you home or call a cab. If you drink and drive and cause an accident, you are responsible for any injuries or fatalities that occur.

The Morrissey Law Firm represents many clients who’ve sustained injuries due to a drunk driving accident. I can offer experience representation and legal counsel for you or your loved one who wish to seek compensation for any injuries, hospital bills, lost wages, long-term medical treatment, or funeral expenses. I understand the emotional, physical, and financial toll a drunk driving accident can have on your life and we want to help you through the difficult recovery process.

Filing a Drunk Driver Accident Claim

Drunk Driving Accident Attorneydrunk driving accident claim covers drivers, passengers in the drunk driver’s car, passengers in the other party’s car, and pedestrians. In order to win a drunk driving lawsuit, it must be proven that the driver had been drinking, that the alcohol impaired his or her ability to operate a vehicle and led to the accident, and that the accident caused the plaintiff’s injuries. The blood alcohol limit in most states is .08 to .10, but in most cases, if the driver had been drinking at all—whether legally intoxicated or not—they can be considered negligent.

I will personally review and examine documents to determine whether you have a viable case. If I do take the case, I will use the following as resources:

  • Police Reports: If the police came to the scene of your accident, they probably made a written accident report, and may have observed and recorded the fact that the other driver was intoxicated. Sometimes a police report plainly states an officer’s opinion that someone violated a specific traffic law (or drunk driving law) and that the violation caused the accident. In accidents involving drunk driving, the police report may even state that the officer made an arrest and/or issued a citation. Other times, the police report merely mentions negligent behavior, without plainly stating that the violation caused the accident.
  • Witnesses: Testimony and accounts from witnesses as to the number or amount of drinks, drugs, or medication consumed by the driver; the way the driver was acting (i.e. stumbling); and the way the driver was speaking (i.e. slurred speech)
  • Expert Opinion: Testimony and opinion by medical or law enforcement experts as to the number or amount of drinks, drugs, or medication consumed by the driver; the effect of such consumption on an a person’s ability to safely operate a vehicle; and blood-alcohol or chemical evidence (such as field sobriety tests or blood tests in a hospital).

Depending on the severity of the injuries, the drunk driver’s past driving record, and their cooperation with authorities, the guilty party may face fines, probation, or jail time. They will also be responsible for paying for any damages (usually through an insurance company).

Third Party Liability

In some instances, the provider of the alcohol, such as bars or restaurants, may be held responsible for the injuries from a drunk driving accident. For example, if an establishment served a minor alcohol, that may make them liable for a drunk driving accident. The attorney will need to prove that the driver was, in fact, given alcohol by the third party, that the third party knew of the driver’s intoxication or the fact that they were clearly underage, and that the driver’s intoxication caused the wreck and subsequent injuries. These cases are far more complicated and require the finesse of an experienced law firm to determine exactly who is to be held responsible.

What to Do After a Drunk Driving Accident

Immediately after a drunk driving accident, you should do all of the following:

  • Call the police. They will take witnesses’ statements as well as document the accident in a police report.
  • Seek medical treatment. Take photographs of any injuries or damage and keep copies of hospital records and doctor’s notes.
  • Seek legal counsel. Consult a legal professional to discuss your rights.

WRONGFUL DEATH ATTORNEY

A wrongful death is defined as the loss of life to a person as a result of another’s actions. Whether the act was intentional or unintentional is of no consequence. If an individual or entity causes harm to another person and the injuries sustained result in that person’s death, then the individual may be held liable for wrongful death. A wrongful death claim has no correlation with criminal action, meaning that even if the defendant is cleared of criminal charges, the victim’s family may still be able to pursue civil action for wrongful death.

Though pursuing a lawsuit will not bring your loved one back, the Morrissey Law Firm will ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. I can help relieve the financial burden placed on you and your family by bringing the responsible individual or parties to justice.

Who is Liable for a Wrongful Death Claim?

A wrongful death claim may be filed against anyone or any institution that was legally at fault for a person’s death. This can include:

  • Individuals
  • Medical Institutions
  • Government Institutions
  • Companies

Whether it’s a car accident or a medical malpractice suit, the surviving family members or other real parties in interest may file a wrongful death claim in behalf of the deceased to cover pain and suffering, medical expenses, funeral expenses, and lost wages.

Standing Up for You Against Insurance Companies

Insurance companies often attempt to obtain the lowest settlement possible.Wrongful Death LawyerIt’s important to have a law firm on your side who knows how to deal with insurance companies, what to expect, what questions to ask, and ways to approach certain scenarios to provide the best outcome for you, the client. The Morrissey Law Firm will do everything in its power to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Arkansas SEMI TRACTOR TRAILER ACCIDENT LAWYER 

My law firm can represent 18 wheeler accident victims, their families and friends who have sustained and suffered serious bodily injuries because of the negligence of a tractor trailer, truck or other driver.

Every year, nearly 500,000 large trucks (tractor-trailers or “semis”) are involved in traffic accidents in the United States. Approximately 5,000 of these accidents involving semi trailer trucks result in fatalities. In fact, one out of every eight traffic fatalities is caused by a collision with a large truck. Not surprisingly, most of the deaths and injuries involve the passengers of the vehicles struck by tractor-trailers. Truck drivers typically escape unscathed.

The Federal government requires tractor-trailer and other large truck operators to acquire a commercial drivers license and undergo limited drug and alcohol testing. However, many truck safety advocates question the effectiveness of the licensing and testing program.

A more pressing matter, according to safety experts, is truck driver fatigue. New rules implemented by The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in 2003 allow drivers to drive 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. Also, drivers may not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on-duty, following 10 hours off-duty. Similar to existing rules, drivers may not drive after being on-duty for 60 hours in a seven-consecutive-day period or 70 hours in an eight-consecutive-day period. This on-duty cycle may be restarted whenever a driver takes at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty.

Short-haul truck drivers–those drivers who routinely return to their place of dispatch after each duty tour and then are released from duty–may have an increased on-duty period of 16 hours once during any seven-consecutive-day period. The 16-hour exception takes into consideration legitimate business needs without jeopardizing safety. FMCSA estimates that without the extra two on-duty hours, the industry would be required to hire at least 48,000 new drivers, actually reducing crash-reduction benefits.

The current rule allows 10 hours of driving within a 15-hour on-duty period after eight hours of off-duty time. Also, drivers may not drive after their 15th hour on duty in a workday or after 60 hours on-duty in seven consecutive days or 70 hours on-duty in eight consecutive days.

The FMCSA estimates the new rule will save up to 75 lives and prevent as many as 1,326 fatigue-related crashes annually. There were an estimated 4,902 truck-related fatalities in traffic crashes in 2002.

With the pressure to deliver their loads, however, drivers often continue when prudence suggests otherwise. In a recent survey, 20% of long-haul truck drivers admitted to falling asleep at the wheel within the last month.

If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed in an accident involving a tractor-trailer or other large truck, it is important to consider your legal options. Many truckers are employed by large corporations that may put delivery of their goods ahead of your safety.

I wwill represent you for injuries that include, but are not limited to:

1) Injuries requiring surgery, sutures, staples;

2) Traumatic Brain Injury, including those caused by oxygen deprivation;

3) Severe burns resulting in significant and permanent scarring;

4) Mental anguish and emotional distress, death; and

5) Those injuries caused by a collision with a driver that is drunk, impaired or otherwise under the influence of narcotics or drugs.

After a collision, it is imperative to call the police to the accident scene and seek immediate medical treatment. It is then important to seek legal counsel to protect your legal rights.

Contact Me

No matter what type of claim you have, it is always recommended that you pursue your claim as soon after your incident as possible because there are certain time limitations in Arkansas that limit how long you have to file a claim. If you wish to discuss your pedestrian accident with an accident lawyer, contact The Morrissey Law Firm. If I agree to handle your case, I will normally work on a contingent fee basis—I only get paid if you do.  Contact t The Morrissey Law Firm for a FREE consultation on at 501-623-7372, or fill out an online form on my Contact page.

Personal Injury Cases

I have successfully obtained compensation for individuals and families who have suffered a personal injury or wrongful death. Some of the accidents and injuries I handle include:

  • Car crashes
  • Truck accidents
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Back injuries
  • Slip & Fall

Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

I am an experienced trial lawyer who will take your case as far as necessary to win you the compensation you deserve.