Arkansas Truck Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyers / Nation’s Top Rated Truck Accident Lawyers – Munley Law® / Arkansas Truck Accident Lawyer

A collision with a truck can change your life forever. Serious injuries may leave you with permanent conditions and extensive medical costs that can have profound implications for multiple areas of your life. When all seems hopeless, an Arkansas truck accident lawyer can step in and secure the resources you need to ease your burden. They will protect your rights and make sure that you receive the justice you deserve. 

Munley Law provides compassionate support when you have suffered the effects of a traumatic truck accident. We handle your case and negotiate for you so you can focus on healing from your injuries. When you hire the Nation’s top rated truck accident lawyers, you can expect exceptional service from attorneys who walk beside you, fight for you, and get results. With more than 65 years of experience, we are prepared and equipped for any situation, no matter how complex.  

Why Choose Munley Law for Your Case?

When you have suffered harm in a truck accident, Munley Law is there to provide empathetic and experienced guidance to help you recover your losses so you can get the care you need. We have extensive experience navigating truck accident cases in Arkansas and communicating with members of the trucking industry. We take the time to thoroughly investigate the accident, gather evidence, and speak to witnesses and experts who can provide statements to support your case. 

Choosing a lawyer to represent you is a big decision, and when you hire Munley Law, you can be confident that we will work diligently to secure the results you deserve and hold the at-fault party accountable for their negligence. We regularly communicate with you about your case and take time to answer your questions so you can rest easy during the process. Your case is our top priority, and we devote our time and resources to getting maximum results.

How Munley Law’s Contingency Basis Mitigates Your Financial Stress

Munley Law knows the weight of the financial burden you are facing after a truck accident in Arkansas. Medical expenses, property damage, and lost income snowball quickly and become overwhelming. As such, our team uses a contingency fee model so you do not have to worry about the cost of legal services when you need them the most. 

At our top rated truck accident law firm, we do not get paid unless we win your case. Our team only collects our legal fees from settlements or verdicts, so you do not have to pay us out of your own pocket. This approach allows you to retain representation without additional stress. It also acts as insurance that you and your lawyer are on the same page and share the same end goal for your case. 

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What Are Common Types of Truck Accidents?

There are several types of trucks, which include semi trucks, 18-wheelers, tanker trucks, box trucks, and garbage trucks, to name a few. These large, commercial vehicles can cause a variety of collision types. Each one has its own unique effect on an accident, and can significantly impact the outcome of the accident and what injuries are sustained. Below is a closer look at some of the different types of truck accidents that can occur in Arkansas and elsewhere. 

Rear-end Truck Accidents

Rear-end accidents involving trucks can be very dangerous for motorists. If a vehicle follows too closely behind a truck, a rear-end collision may put the vehicle in the truck’s underride. If a truck rear-ends a car, the force can violently push the car forward, making the driver lose control or sending them into oncoming traffic. A truck may even crush the vehicle it collides with. While the size difference exacerbates the severity of the collision, smaller vehicles often take the brunt of the impact and harm.   

Head-on Truck Accidents

Head-on accidents are extremely dangerous collisions, made even worse when a truck is involved. This type of accident can cause severe injuries and death. There is little protection from an oncoming truck, and the size, weight, and speed of the crash can cause devastation. These accidents typically occur when one of the two vehicles strays from its lane of traffic when passing vehicles, taking turns too fast, or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, to name a few.

Wide Turn Truck Accidents

Trucks require considerable room to turn, given their large size. Wide turns often mean that a truck can take up more than one lane of traffic in its effort to turn left or right. Vehicles in adjacent or opposing lanes may be hit if they are in the path of the truck’s turning radius. Motorists may be boxed in as the collision occurs, or could be hit head-on instead. Truck drivers may not always see other vehicles near them while turning due to their blind spots. 

Sideswipe Accidents

Large trucks have blind spots known as “no zones.” The size of the blind spot varies depending on the position of the truck. The passenger side often has the largest blind spot spanning three lanes of traffic. If vehicles are traveling within one of the truck’s no zones when the truck changes lanes, the truck driver could sideswipe the vehicle next to them. The other driver may overcorrect or suffer significant damage from the truck. It could also turn into an underride accident depending on the vehicle’s position.

Jackknife Accidents

Jackknife accidents occur when a truck and its trailer are out of sync with one another, and the trailer swings out and folds in on itself at a sharp angle. This poses a danger to both the driver and other motorists. Truck trailers can swing across multiple lanes of traffic and cause injury. Some common causes of jackknife accidents include taking curves too fast or braking prematurely on curves, lack of cargo or imbalanced cargo, slippery roads, a blown tire, faulty mechanics, inexperienced drivers, and more.  

Underride Accidents

Large trucks sit high off the ground and have considerable open space underneath the trailer between the wheels. An underride crash occurs when a vehicle slides into this open space. These accidents can be very severe and even fatal since the point of impact on a car is generally level with the upper body or head. These types of collisions can occur when a smaller vehicle rear-ends a truck or the collision occurs at an angle. These crashes can be minimized if truck drivers use underride guards to close off this space.

Rollover Truck Accidents

Large trucks have a much higher center of gravity than cars do, and this makes them more susceptible to rollover accidents under certain conditions. One such cause is imbalanced cargo, which can shift, throw off the truck’s center of gravity, and cause it to roll. Speeding or improper braking can also impact a truck’s momentum and its ability to stay upright. This is especially true on curves, where less speed and a tighter turn radius are needed. During a rollover, vehicles in the path of the truck may be impacted. 

What are Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Arkansas?

Truck accidents are often the result of human error. Whether that originates with the truck driver or another party in the process of trucking operations, any act of negligence can pose a serious danger to truck drivers and motorists. Common causes of truck accidents may include: 

• Exhaustion
• Driver error
• Intoxication
• Low visibility
• Distracted driving
• Inclement weather
• Defective parts or trucks
• Speeding, and/or aggressive and reckless driving
• Poor road conditions, signage, or infrastructure
• Overloaded, imbalanced, or unsecured cargo
• Poor maintenance, repairs, or inspections 
• Unrealistic expectations or schedules
• Hours of Service (HOS) violations

With so many factors involved in truck accidents, it can be difficult to determine the exact cause of the collision at times. Sometimes multiple aspects may culminate in the resulting wreck. Because of this complexity, it is important not to try to handle a truck accident case yourself. An Arkansas truck accident attorney has extensive experience investigating truck accidents and uncovering what caused the accident that led to your injuries. 

Size and Weight Differences Between Trucks and Cars Cause Serious Injury

With such a large height and weight difference between cars and trucks, the potential for harm is significant. Smaller and lighter-weight vehicles suffer the most since they have less exterior protection and are more prone to being pushed forward from the force of the impact. This can result in serious injuries that may considerably affect an individual’s life. Some injuries that are common in truck accidents in Arkansas and other states include:

• Whiplash
• Lacerations, bruising, and soft tissue damage
• Broken bones
• Nerve damage
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Neck, chest, and rib injuries
• Back and spine injuries
• Internal bleeding and damage
• Paralysis, disability, and disfigurement
• Burn injuries
• Wrongful death

It is essential to receive medical attention after any accident involving a large truck. The weight of a truck can range from 10,000 pounds to over 33,000 pounds, making it capable of inflicting severe injuries. Some injuries may also be delayed or not evident without testing, so every minute counts after a collision with a truck. A doctor can accurately determine the severity and extent of your injuries so you can receive proper treatment and understand the outlook of your condition. 

What Can You Expect from the Claim Process After a Truck Accident?

The aftermath of a truck accident is painful and overwhelming, leaving you blindsided by the collision and unsure of what to do next. However, it is important to begin filing a truck accident claim as soon as you can so you can receive the relief, resources, and care you need as quickly as possible. The first step you must take is to hire a knowledgeable and experienced truck accident lawyer in Arkansas who can provide guidance, direction, and support while simplifying the process for you. 

Once you hire a lawyer and sign a letter of engagement to work with them, they will begin working on your case. Your lawyer will be your point of contact throughout the case, and they will speak to all parties on your behalf. If you receive any calls from the insurance company or other opposing parties, you should direct them to speak with your lawyer instead. Your lawyer knows how to communicate and negotiate with these parties in a way that will not hurt the outcome of your case. 

It is also important to provide your lawyer with any evidence you collected prior to working with them. Your lawyer will also investigate the accident and gather additional evidence to support your case. They will also be able to request evidence you would not otherwise have access to, such as surveillance footage, black box data, logbooks, cell phone records, and more. With this information, our Arkansas truck accident attorneys can build your case, negotiate for you, and secure a settlement or verdict. Contact us today to discuss your case.

How Is Liability Established in Truck Accident Cases in Arkansas?

Truck accidents are typically born of negligence. They are often preventable and may not always be the driver’s fault. Trucking companies can be held accountable if they do not enforce federal trucking regulations, safety standards, or proper training. Mechanics can be liable for poor maintenance or negligent repairs. Cargo loaders can be liable for truck overload or failing to balance or secure cargo properly. Manufacturers can even be liable if they produce defective trucks or parts.

It is important to have a truck accident lawyer in Arkansas investigate the crash to see who is at fault. These types of cases are highly complicated since there are so many parties who can be liable, and your lawyer has experience handling these situations. Once they have reviewed the evidence and identified who is at fault, they will set about establishing that party’s role in the accident and resolving the case. Your lawyer is required to show the four elements below when establishing liability. 

Duty of Care

Each party involved with trucking operations has a duty to perform their responsibilities with care and caution. They are also expected to follow safety regulations in every aspect of their work. There is also an overarching responsibility to prevent harm from coming to other individuals or motorists. 

Breach of Duty

When a party does not exercise caution, is negligent in their duties, or disregards the safety of others, they are in breach of their responsibility to their duty and to others. This can look like speeding, letting safety issues slide, failing to verify that cargo is loaded properly, and so much more.

Causation

When the action or inaction of a party leads to an accident and harm to another motorist, it links their actions with the collision and the injuries, damage, expenses, and losses that other motorists suffer.

Damages

Through the steps above, the at-fault party’s liability is demonstrated. Once it is established, the at-fault party will be required to compensate the injured party for the harm they caused. The amount will depend on the unique factors of the case.

What Is Modified Comparative Negligence Rules to Truck Accidents in Arkansas?

Truck accidents may not always be caused solely by trucking personnel. If you find yourself in a position where you may be partially at fault, you should know that you may still have options for recovery. According to Arkansas Code § 16-64-122, any party who contributed less than 50% to an accident may still recover compensation that has been reduced by their percentage of fault. Parties who are more than 50% at fault cannot recover compensation for their losses. 

If you think you may have contributed to the accident, you should hire a truck accident firm in Arkansas right away. They can investigate the accident and the roles of each party to determine fault percentages. They can optimize your case to minimize your liability and shield you from parties who would try to place more blame on you than what you contributed. Your lawyer will fight for you so you can walk away with the most compensation possible. Call us today to find out more.

What Type of Compensation Is Available in an Arkansas Car Accident Lawsuit?

Truck accidents not only cause physical devastation, but they can also wreak financial havoc on the lives of victims and their families. With extensive losses come staggering expenses, and many victims are not equipped to handle the financial situation they are placed in. As such, damages are designed to provide help and relief so you have what you need to recover without stress. Some common recoverable damages after a truck accident include: 

• Medical expenses
• Long-term care
• Lost wages or earning capacity
• End-of-life, funeral, and burial expenses
• Loss of benefits and income
• Pain and suffering
• PTSD, anxiety, depression
• Decreased quality of life and enjoyment
• Loss of consortium
• Punitive damages (select circumstances)

Every truck accident case is different, and so is every settlement. What you recover will depend on what you have lost, as well as the extent and severity of your losses. For example, if you suffered a catastrophic injury and require ongoing, long-term care, you will recover a larger settlement than you would if you had only suffered a minor concussion and some broken bones. 

Multiple factors are taken into consideration, so it is important that an Arkansas truck accident attorney helps you calculate the value of your case. They will help you identify all of your losses and apply the proper formulas when determining the sum of your potential settlement. They will also negotiate on your behalf and fight to secure the maximum amount of compensation in your case. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

When pursuing damages for your truck accident losses, you are only allowed a limited amount of time. This is true in Arkansas as in other states. According to Ark. Code § 16-56-105, you have three years to file your claim against the at-fault party before you are barred from any further action. It is important to act quickly after an accident since truck accident cases can take a considerable amount of time to resolve. 

Entrust Your Arkansas Truck Accident Case to Munley Law

Munley Law cares deeply for our clients and works hard to minimize the impact a truck accident has on their lives. We are committed to providing exceptional service and advocacy in every situation. Our team provides you with the counsel and support you need to come out on the other side stronger and more confident about your future. To discuss your case with our team of compassionate Arkansas truck accident lawyers, contact us today to schedule your free consultation.