Arkansans know that Brad Hendricks was in a life-altering car crash as a teenager. His friend was killed when a drunk driver crashed into their car and Brad suffered major injuries the crash. He was told by doctors he would never walk again, due to the severity of his injuries. Luckily for Brad, he proved the doctors wrong and made a full recovery. He later founded The Brad Hendricks Law Firm where he could help others in his situation. Stories like this are extraordinary, and common here at The Brad Hendricks Law Firm. Let us introduce you to our Operations Administrator, David Helms. His story is also quite amazing.
It had just started raining in Dothan, Alabama on November 6, 2011. David was working as an exercise equipment technician at the time. He was returning from a service call when a pick-up truck coming from the opposite direction crashed into David’s vehicle head-on. His passenger was severely injured and nearly died. David sustained a brain injury that still affects his memory and a severe injury to his right leg. He was hospitalized for a week and then endured an incredibly long and painful rehabilitation period. This period of time left David unable to work. He and his family had to relocate back to Arkansas to be closer to family that could help care for him. During this time, he received an overwhelming number medical bills and calls from hospitals, clinics, and doctors that demanded to be paid. With bills piling up and not being able to work, David didn’t know what to do.
Unfortunately for David (and most crash victims), the insurance company for the truck driver that hit him was uncooperative and slow to respond. Feeling overwhelmed, David decided to consult an attorney. Hiring a personal injury attorney was a turning point as his attorney was able to take the legal burden off his shoulders and ensure that all his medical expenses would be handled by the truck driver's insurance. With his legal needs being met, David was able to focus on his long recovery and eventually became well enough to re-enter the workforce. He found a job here at The Brad Hendricks Law Firm as the Operations Administrator, where he could use his experience to help others in similar situations.
As part of his physical recovery, David began running, cycling, and swimming and eventually started competing in Ironman Triathlons. Despite being one of the most physically demanding competitions in the world, David participated in his first triathlon in 2014 just shy of three years since his life changing accident. Since 2014, he has completed seven Ironman Triathlons which consist of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, and 26.2 mile run. He says his favorite part of the event is the finish line “because the pain of the race is over,” although he enjoys battling it out in the swim and passing other competitors on the bike. David trains with his wife Heather, who has completed 17 Ironmans. He races with the NVDM Coaching team out of Austin, TX, and his primary sponsor is The Brad Hendricks Law Firm. He recently won the Lake Degray Trifest Olympic Distance triathlon in September 2022 and finished in the top half of the world at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in St. George, Utah, in October 2022. David already has four triathlon races scheduled for 2023, and shows no signs of slowing down.
David recommends hiring a personal injury attorney who can take the burden off you and will run the distance with you. When he applied to work for The Brad Hendricks Law Firm, one of the most successful personal injury law firms in the state, he felt like he finally found a meaningful career where his personal experience can help others. He says, “I think the key is that I know what people are going through when they have been seriously injured in an accident. I’ve been there. I know what it’s like to feel nervous about how you are going to pay the huge medical bills, or even work. I know what it is like to not be able to sleep because of pain. I know what it is like to have to be driven to therapy over and over. I love my job because I get to help others who have been injured through no fault of their own.”
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at The Brad Hendricks Law Firm for a free case evaluation. We are here 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your legal questions and to make sure you get the representation you need. Tradition. Reputation. Results.
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