Little Rock Trauma Centers and Emergency Rooms After an Accident

A Level I trauma center provides the highest level of surgical care for critically injured patients. These facilities have 24/7 staffing by trauma surgeons, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and other specialists. They also have dedicated operating rooms, intensive care units, and advanced diagnostic equipment available around the clock.

UAMS Medical Center, 4401 Shuffield Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205. Main line: (501) 686-7000. Appointments: (501) 686-8000. UAMS is Arkansas's only adult Level I trauma center, verified by the American College of Surgeons. The UAMS Emergency Department is a state-of-the-art facility that handles more than 60,000 visits per year with a 30% admission rate. It is the primary destination for the most critically injured patients from accidents across central Arkansas and the entire state.

For pediatric trauma, Arkansas Children's Hospital at 1 Children's Way, Little Rock, AR 72202 is the state's only Level I pediatric trauma center. It provides the highest level of trauma care for children from infancy through age 17. If a child is seriously injured in an accident, EMS will transport to this facility. Phone: (501) 364-1100.

Level II trauma centers provide comprehensive trauma care and can manage most trauma cases. They have 24/7 availability of trauma surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and other specialists. The difference from Level I is primarily in research requirements and patient volume, not the quality of emergency care.

Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock, 9601 Baptist Health Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205. Emergency: (501) 526-2000. General: (501) 202-2000. Baptist Health is a Level II trauma center located off Interstates 30 and 630 in west Little Rock. The emergency department is staffed with trauma specialists around the clock and treats a wide range of accident injuries.

CHI St. Vincent Infirmary, 2 Saint Vincent Circle, Little Rock, AR 72205. Phone: (501) 552-3000. CHI St. Vincent is a 600-bed, faith-based, not-for-profit hospital and a Level II trauma center serving central Arkansas and patients from all 75 counties. As a Level II center, it provides around-the-clock access to general surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, radiologists, and neurosurgeons.

Go to the emergency room immediately if you experience any of the following after an accident: loss of consciousness, even briefly; head impact, headache, confusion, dizziness, or vision changes (signs of concussion or traumatic brain injury); neck or back pain (possible spinal injury); difficulty breathing or chest pain; abdominal pain or tenderness (possible internal bleeding); numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in arms or legs; severe bleeding that does not stop with pressure; visible deformity of a limb (possible fracture or dislocation); or inability to bear weight on a leg.

Urgent care is appropriate for less severe injuries that still need prompt attention: minor cuts that may need stitches, minor sprains and strains, bruising, mild to moderate pain without the red-flag symptoms listed above. Urgent care centers in Little Rock include Baptist Health Urgent Care locations, ARcare, and other walk-in clinics throughout the metro area.

When in doubt, go to the emergency room. The most dangerous injuries from car accidents — internal bleeding, traumatic brain injury, spinal fractures — may not produce obvious symptoms immediately. A thorough emergency room evaluation including imaging (CT scan, X-ray, MRI) can detect injuries that are invisible to the naked eye. The cost of an unnecessary ER visit is nothing compared to the risk of missing a life-threatening injury.

If EMS transports you, the paramedics will relay your information to the ER staff during handoff. If you drive yourself or arrive by other means, check in at the front desk. Tell the triage nurse that you were in a car accident (or other type of accident) and describe all of your symptoms, even ones that seem minor. The triage nurse will assess your condition and assign a priority level.

Tell the doctor every symptom you are experiencing — headache, neck stiffness, back pain, tingling, dizziness, nausea, ringing in your ears. Describe the accident: the type of collision, your position in the vehicle, whether your airbag deployed, whether you hit your head. Ask the doctor to document everything in your chart. This documentation becomes evidence in your personal injury claim.

Before you leave, ask for copies of all imaging reports, a discharge summary, and written instructions for follow-up care. Ask the ER doctor to document every symptom you reported, every area of pain, and every finding. If the doctor prescribes follow-up care with a specialist, schedule that appointment as soon as possible — do not wait.

Medical records are the single most important evidence in a personal injury claim — more important than the police report, witness statements, or photos. Arkansas's modified comparative negligence law (Ark. Code § 16-64-122) requires you to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident and that you suffered specific, documented damages. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing. Your medical records provide the proof that your injuries are real, accident-related, and required treatment.

Insurance adjusters look for three things in your medical records: (1) a clear connection between the accident and your injuries, documented by the treating physician; (2) consistent treatment from the ER through follow-up care, showing that your injuries required ongoing medical attention; and (3) objective findings from imaging, lab work, or physical examinations that corroborate your reported symptoms.

A gap in treatment — even a few weeks between the ER visit and your follow-up appointment — gives the insurance company an argument that your injuries were not serious enough to require ongoing care, or that something other than the accident caused your pain. Follow your doctor's treatment plan exactly. Attend every appointment. Do not skip physical therapy sessions. Every missed appointment is a missed data point in your case.

Under Arkansas law (Ark. Code § 16-46-106), you have the right to obtain copies of your medical records from any healthcare provider. To request records, contact the hospital's medical records department (also called Health Information Management). Most hospitals require a written authorization form signed by the patient.

UAMS Medical Center records can be requested through the UAMS Health patient portal at uamshealth.com or by contacting Health Information Management at (501) 686-7000. Baptist Health records can be requested through the Baptist Health patient portal at baptist-health.com or by calling (501) 202-2000. CHI St. Vincent records can be requested by contacting the medical records department at (501) 552-3000.

Arkansas law allows providers to charge a reasonable fee for copying medical records. Most personal injury attorneys will handle medical records requests on your behalf at no upfront cost. If you are working with an attorney, provide them with the names and addresses of every healthcare provider you have seen since the accident.

The emergency room stabilizes your condition and identifies acute injuries, but it is not designed for ongoing treatment. Follow-up care is critical. Within 2 to 3 days of your ER visit, see your primary care physician or the specialist recommended by the ER doctor. Common follow-up referrals after car accidents include orthopedic surgeons (fractures, joint injuries), neurologists (concussion, traumatic brain injury), pain management specialists, and physical therapists (soft tissue injuries, rehabilitation).

If you do not have a primary care physician or health insurance, UAMS operates outpatient clinics throughout central Arkansas that accept patients regardless of ability to pay. Community health centers in the Little Rock area include the East Arkansas Family Health Center and ARcare locations. Arkansas also offers ARKids First for children and ARChoices Medicaid for eligible adults.

Document every medical visit, every prescription, every out-of-pocket expense, and every day of work you miss because of your injuries. Keep a folder with all medical bills, pharmacy receipts, and records of lost wages. This documentation forms the basis of the damages calculation in your personal injury claim.

If you were injured in an accident in Little Rock and have received medical treatment, take our free Injury Claim Check. You will answer a few quick questions about your accident and injuries, and we will give you a personalized report that includes Arkansas's filing deadline for your specific claim, an explanation of how your medical records will be used to calculate damages, and whether connecting with a personal injury attorney makes sense for your situation.

Your health comes first — always. But once you have started treatment, understanding your legal options is the next step. Our Injury Claim Check is free, confidential, and gives you the information you need to make an informed decision about what comes next.