Joe Byars experienced in handling virtually all types of accident cases, including the complex serious injury cases involving, truck wrecks, wrongful death, nursing home abuse, medical negligence, and dangerous or defective products, known as product liability cases. These are only to name a few. Often times, even the "simple" automobile or car accident can have serious injuries which deserve the hiring of accident reconstruction experts, engineers, and consultants, which he will engage on your behalf, if necessary, to prove the fault of the negligent party. He understands the importance of making a thorough investigation and the need to gather all documentation, witness statements, and photographs necessary to present the case in a highly professional and persuasive manner.

Joe Byars PA Attorney at Law will promptly begin to gather the information pertinent to your claim, and to advocate your position to the opposing party, which is usually an insurance company and its adjusters and attorneys. Ultimately, in many cases, Joe Byars will present your case in court. However, a majority of cases are settled by agreement prior to trial. His goal is to zealously advocate your position in order to maximize the amount of your claim within the bounds of the law, and the applicable legal standards of attorneys. The information he gathers will include the facts of how the accident occurred, and the nature and extent of the injuries suffered by you. This takes the form of gathering witness statements, police reports, photographs, medical reports, medical bills, and wage loss information. He then presents the information in the following order: 1) first, he will present the information to an insurance company or adjuster to see if he is able to obtain an appropriate resolution without the necessity of filing suit; 2) then, if he is unable to settle the case prior to suit, he will then file suit, and present the information, and advocate your position to the attorneys for the insurance company. Sometimes, the attorneys for the insurance company evaluate the risk at an amount higher than the insurance adjuster, and we are able to settle the case after a suit is filed, but before trial. Most lawsuits that are filed in court do settle before the trial, but each case is different. Byar's philosophy is that the insurance company and its lawyers should know and understand that he will be prepared to try the case before a jury, if necessary. Joe Byars has personally handled the presentation of many cases to a jury, and he will be glad to represent you in a jury trial if needed.

Please call or send an email to his firm. Joe will schedule an appointment to see you as soon as possible. The initial consultation is free of charge. If he decides to undertake your case, he will have you sign our standard contingency fee agreement, which basically allows for payment to his firm of a percentage of the recovery. Sending an e-mail does not mean that you have become a client. It is only after we accept your representation, and both you and our firm sign a written contingent fee agreement, that you become our client. If you do not win, you will not owe a fee in accident cases.

Joe will undertake to investigate your case, to develop proof that your injuries were caused by the negligence and/or gross negligence of another party. This is known as the "liability" aspect of your case. In some cases, he works extensively to develop the proof that another person is legally responsible for your injuries. If you have any documents or photographs which you think may have any bearing at all on your case (good or bad), you should provide them to Byars, as he will need them for an investigation. Please do not take it upon yourself to conduct your own investigation. Instead, please let him know the names, addresses, and phone numbers (or any known information) of the persons you expect may be witnesses, or who may have information about your case, and allow him to make contact.

In order for us to prove the amount of your damages, he will need to document the nature and extent of your injuries through medical records and medical bills. He will have you sign an authorization for the release of your medical records and bills. He will need for you to tell him the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all physicians you have seen for the treatment of your injuries as issue, in addition to the names, addresses and phone numbers of other doctors you have seen. Most of the time, in significant injury cases, the insurance companies will also request you to sign an authorization so that they will normally obtain your records as well. He will need to review any such requests from the insurance company, however, to verify that they are not overstepping their rights in this regard.

Mr. Byars will not settle your case without your understanding, consent, and authority. Generally, after he has determined the nature and extent of your injuries, (which is determined after you receive reasonable and necessary medical treatment), he will discuss with you a calculation of your damages, which will include components for:

a) medical expense (in the past and/or in the future);

b) pain, suffering, and mental anguish;

c) permanent impairment or disfigurement if any; and,

d) lost wages or loss of earning capacity.

After we have discussed fully your injuries and economic damages, he will sit down together or have a telephone conference to agree upon an amount to be requested, understanding that there will be some negotiations which may take place before a settlement is reached.

In the event a settlement is not negotiated by agreement, your case will proceed to trial. Rest assured that we will be prepared for presentation of the case at trial, if necessary. In such event, he will be in increased contact for trial preparation, and you will certainly be aware of the trial date well in advance of trial.

You may contact Joe Byars by phone, or if he is unavailable, ask to speak with the attorney's paralegal and assistant and leave a detailed message with her. In many cases a member of our staff will be able to assist you. You may send an e-mail to Joe Byars at jbyars@bhhfirm.com.

As you can imagine, he handles a number of cases for many different clients, and he does his best to give each case the attention they deserve. There will be certain times during the pendency of your claim, often due to approaching deadlines, whether set by the Court or his own internal process, when his attention may necessarily be on a different case. Please understand that all of his cases and clients are important to us, and he will address your questions as soon as he can.

If you're looking for more detailed information about the legal process for personal injury cases in Arkansas, explore our blog posts about Damages and Compensation, working with a lawyer , the litigation process, Arkansas insurance law, personal injury terminology , and who pays for medical bills after an accident.