Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys in Arkansas
Out of all types of auto accidents, truck accidents are some of the most devastating and traumatic.
The injuries sustained by victims often cause lifelong disability or pain, making recovery difficult or even impossible. When you or a loved one sustains an injury in a trucking accident, you need an Arkansas semi-truck accident lawyer you can trust.
At Harris Law Firm, our truck accident attorneys have decades of experience helping victims take the fight to large corporations and insurance companies.
Here is everything you need to know about big rig collision claims and how an Arkansas truck accident lawyer can help.
Common Truck Accident Injuries
Every accident, including those involving large semi-trucks, involves a variety of injuries that could be major or minor. These injuries carry certain financial, physical, and emotional burdens depending on their severity or prevalence. At the Harris Law Firm, our Arkansas truck accident attorneys have experience representing cases involving:
- Road rash,
- Whiplash,
- Lacerations,
- Bruises,
- Contusions,
- Broken bones,
- Internal bleeding,
- Back injuries,
- Traumatic brain injuries,
- Paralysis, and
- Amputated limbs.
Due to the size and weight of semi-trucks, the likelihood of sustaining a serious injury is higher than other crash types. For this reason, it’s essential to speak with a big rig accident attorney that understands the short and long-term costs of these injuries.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Arkansas
Semi-truck accidents are rarely straightforward. These vehicles’ sheer size and weight mean that even minor driver missteps or malfunctioning equipment can lead to catastrophic results. Let’s look at some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Arkansas.
Defective Brakes
When a semi-truck’s brakes fail, the consequences can be disastrous. Defective or poorly maintained brakes are one of the leading causes of trucking accidents, especially on Arkansas’s hilly terrain. While truck drivers are responsible for inspecting their brakes, the manufacturers or companies responsible for maintaining the trucks may also bear liability.
An experienced Arkansas truck accident lawyer will identify whether faulty brakes were caused by manufacturing errors or poor maintenance and hold the responsible party accountable.
Driver Fatigue
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver fatigue contributes to many truck accidents. Fatigued drivers suffer from impaired reaction time, poor judgment, and lack of focus—all of which dramatically increase the risk of accidents.
If fatigue could have caused the crash, an attorney can review driving logs and GPS data to determine if the driver violated hours-of-service rules.
Reckless Driving and Speeding
Due to the immense size of 18-wheelers, speeding or reckless driving can quickly turn deadly. When truck drivers speed or weave through traffic, they put everyone around them at risk.
Arkansas state law requires truck drivers to operate their vehicles with a higher duty of care due to the risks posed by their size and power. A truck accident lawyer can help hold the driver accountable when they breach this critical duty.
Improper Cargo Loading
Improper loading or unsecured cargo can cause rollovers, jackknifing, or dangerous cargo spills. In these cases, multiple parties could share liability. A lawyer experienced in investigating these accidents can be the key to holding everyone responsible.
Companies responsible for loading must adhere to strict safety protocols to ensure their loaders distribute weight evenly and secure cargo correctly. In cases where improper loading causes an accident, multiple parties may share liability.
A lawyer who understands how to investigate cargo-related accidents can make all the difference.
Trucking Regulations
While the FMCSA has strict regulations for trucks, companies sometimes ignore them. In fact, one of the most common causes of trucking accidents is hours-of-service violations.
According to FMCSA regulations, property-carrying truck drivers may only drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off. In addition, drivers must take a 30-minute break every eight hours on the clock.
However, hour limits don’t just apply to individual days. Truckers may not drive more than 60 or 70 hours within seven or eight consecutive days. Once a driver meets this limit, they must take 34 or more hours off before they start driving again.
Unfortunately, trucking companies often force drivers to work overtime due to tight delivery deadlines. This means that they end up driving while tired, putting others on the road at risk.
Potential Liable Parties in an Arkansas 18-Wheeler Accident
Unlike other types of accidents, trucking accidents may have several potentially liable parties.
Vicarious liability may play a part in accidents where the driver responsible is an employee of a logistics company. Maybe the manufacturer of the truck included defective parts that made the truck unsafe to drive.
There may be many parties involved in the claim, including:
- The truck driver;
- The truck driver’s employer;
- The manufacturer of the truck;
- The manufacturer of the cargo;
- The truck mechanic; or
- The cargo loader.
This makes truck accidents slightly more complicated than other auto collision cases. With a multitude of possible causes, it’s important to collect as much evidence as possible for a truck accident claim.
Handling Insurance Companies After a Truck Accident
Dealing with insurers after a truck accident can be intimidating. Unlike passenger vehicles, commercial trucks often carry multiple insurance policies, each covering different aspects of the accident.
For example, the driver may have one policy while the trucking company holds another. Some policies may have higher limits due to federal regulations, while others might attempt to limit coverage.
Big insurance companies hire strong legal teams to protect their clients. Their main goal is to save money for the insurance company that employs them—which is frequently at odds with making sure you get the compensation you deserve. These insurers often offer settlements far below what the injured party truly deserves, hoping the victim will accept out of financial desperation.
Our skilled attorneys know how to negotiate with multiple insurers. They will explore all avenues for compensation to ensure you receive the full value of your claim. With legal representation, you’re less likely to be taken advantage of by insurers who may attempt to settle quickly and cheaply.
Arkansas Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents
Like other states, Arkansas has a statute of limitations dictating how long a plaintiff has to file a claim. Under ACA § 16-56-105 (Arkansas Code Annotated), victims of personal injury have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim.
After the statute of limitations expires, it’s unlikely that the court will hear your case. That’s why it’s imperative to hire a professional Arkansas truck accident lawyer to help you file your claim.
Determining the Value of a Truck Accident Case
There are a number of factors that affect the value of a truck accident claim. Ultimately, the case is worth whatever the jury decides.
However, there are a few things they may take into consideration when determining the value of your case, including:
- Your past, current, and future medical costs associated with the injury;
- The repair or replacement costs of your damaged property;
- Intangible losses such as pain and suffering; and
- The defendant’s conduct in the case.
Each of these factors falls into one of three categories: economic damages, non-economic damages, or punitive damages.
Economic damages are the actual financial losses incurred due to the accident. This specifically refers to any readily calculable damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, car repairs, etc. However, this also extends to things like prosthetics for amputated limbs, accessibility equipment, and transportation to appointments.
Non-economic damages are subjective losses. This includes things like pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of companionship, loss of quality of life, and other intangible losses. Typically, these damages don’t have a standard dollar value. Instead, an 18-wheeler accident attorney calculates non-economic losses by multiplying the total economic damages by a whole number or assigning a per-day cost.
Punitive damages are much rarer than the other two types listed above, as the intention is to punish the defendant as opposed to compensating the victim. In some cases, juries award punitive damages when the defendant engaged in particularly egregious misconduct.
Tailored Legal Support from a Fatal Truck Wreck lawyer
Truck accidents are a major concern in Arkansas, particularly along heavily trafficked routes like Interstate 40 and US Highway 67. In 2022, there were 84 fatal accidents involving large trucks in the state, accounting for 9.9% of all traffic fatalities and ranking it third in the nation.
The surge in truck accidents in recent years highlights the growing danger on the roads, with a 27% increase in total traffic fatalities between 2019 and 2022.
After a serious truck accident, you’re likely facing physical pain, emotional stress, and uncertainty about your future. A seasoned fatal truck wreck lawyer from our team knows how to investigate crashes, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Our Arkansas Truck Accident Attorneys
At the Harris Law Firm, we know how difficult it is to manage a truck accident case during recovery. Large corporations often have a dedicated legal team to fight claims and lawsuits.
Their goal is to minimize your compensation as much as possible, even if that means denying your claim altogether.
Our tractor-trailer accidents lawyers in Arkansas understand this and manage every aspect of the case, including:
- Gathering evidence for your claim;
- Contacting potential accident witnesses;
- Negotiating with the defendant and their insurance company;
- Filing all necessary court paperwork in a timely manner;
- Explaining the process to you step-by-step; and
- Taking the case to court if necessary.
Without hiring an experienced Arkansas truck accident attorney, you may be at a severe disadvantage. We want to help you level the playing field and take the fight to those responsible for your injuries.
Trust an 18-Wheeler Lawyer from the Harris Law Firm
When you’ve been injured in a truck accident, securing experienced legal representation is critical. Truck accidents aren’t like other car crashes—they can involve multiple parties, unique regulations, and significant injuries.
We have more than one 18-wheeler lawyer who possesses the in-depth knowledge and courtroom experience necessary to go up against trucking companies, insurers, and defense attorneys. We focus on getting you the compensation you deserve so that you can focus on your recovery.
Our team has decades of experience handling hundreds of truck accident cases, from rear-end collisions to catastrophic pile-ups involving multiple vehicles.
We have a strong track record of securing favorable client settlements and verdicts. When you’re facing a large corporation and an aggressive legal team, you need someone in your corner who knows the ins and outs of truck accident law in Arkansas.
Need a Truck Wreck Lawyer in Arkansas? Call Harris Law Firm Today
If you or a loved one sustains an injury in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We understand that the aftermath of a truck accident may be confusing and intimidating.
However, it’s important to act quickly and start building your case before the statute of limitations expires.
To schedule a free case review and speak with a commercial truck accident attorney, contact us online or call us at 662-335-4171. We proudly serve families and individuals throughout Arkansas from our practice in Greenville, MS.