What is Comparative Negligence in Arkansas? - Joseph Gates

From Gates Law Firm PLLC — What is Comparative Negligence in Arkansas? unpacks how fault and compensation are determined when multiple parties share responsibility in an accident. This podcast episode dives deep into Arkansas’s modified comparative negligence system, explains how the “50% bar” works, and illustrates the high stakes behind every percentage point of fault.

In the second segment, we spotlight Joseph Gates, the Little Rock-based personal injury attorney behind the firm, and how his experience shapes the conversation on shared fault. We explore his journey, philosophy, and why he founded Gates Law Firm PLLC to advocate for individuals facing injury claims in Arkansas.

Next, we break down the legal framework: the distinction between pure comparative negligence, pure contributory negligence, and Arkansas’s modified comparative rule under Arkansas Code § 16‑64‑122. We walk through real-world examples—how a 20% at-fault designation reduces recovery, or how reaching the 50% threshold bars compensation entirely—and discuss how evidence, police reports, accident reconstruction, and expert testimony play into assigning fault.

Finally, we zoom in on how insurance companies leverage shared‐fault arguments, the strategic defenses available under Arkansas law (including jury instructions about fault consequences), and why facing insurers without dedicated counsel is risky. Listeners will come away with a clear understanding of their rights and the critical role legal representation can play in maximizing recovery under Arkansas’s complex comparative negligence rules.

Gates Law Firm PLLC

2725 Cantrell Rd # 105, Little Rock, AR 72202, United States

(501) 779-8091

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