FORT SMITH (KFSM)- A new law aimed at protecting domestic violence victims who are at risk of being seriously injured or killed by a partner went into effect Wednesday (July 22).
Laura's Law is named after Laura Webb who pushed for the measure after she became a victim of domestic violence.
"When I saw the truck coming at me, it was rather stunning to think the person who promised to love, honor and cherish me was attempting to kill me,” Webb said.
Webb said she was attacked by her ex-husband on April 7, 2012 at Mount Magazine State Park.
"He chose to run over me with a vehicle," she said. "He ran into a tree then he backed up over the tree, over me, and then he drove back over me and left."
Webb said her injuries were severe.
"The most significant injury was a flailed chest,” Webb said. “My right rib cage was crushed, eight of my ribs were crushed in multiple places, and there were three ribs crushed on my left side. I had injuries to my kidneys. They almost shut down. I had head injuries, leg injuries. I had burns, third-degree burns on my shoulder."
Three years later, Laura’s Law went into effect to help prevent something like this from happening to someone else.
"This is just a start," Webb said. "There's still more work for us to do, but it's an extremely proud moment for the state of Arkansas."
Under Laura's Law, law enforcement authorities who respond to domestic violence will ask the victim a series of questions to assess the potential for danger. For an example of the Laura's Law assessment form from the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office, click here.
Webb hopes the law that has been named after her will help get victims the help they need before it is too late.
Studies show one in three women in the U.S. will be victims of domestic violence.