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Truck Accident Overview

Get Fair Compensation After a Semi-Truck Accident

Sarah C. Jewell leads McMath Woods's Fayetteville office and represents Arkansans in serious injury cases involving 18-wheeler and commercial truck accidents. She became a partner at the firm in 2023 and has been repeatedly named a Super Lawyers Rising Star, Arkansas Money & Politics Legal Elite, and Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck accident, Jewell and the rest of the McMath Woods team can help you understand your legal options and fight for the compensation you deserve. The firm has represented Arkansans for more than 70 years, and it takes on a limited number of cases at any given time, so clients work directly with the attorneys handling their case rather than a rotating team of case managers. Truck accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, so you owe nothing upfront.

How Do Truck Accidents Happen?

The truck collision lawyers at our firm understand how complicated and confusing a truck claim can be. You need to know all the facts and how the negligence occurred.

A few common causes of truck accidents include:

Truck Blind Spots

Trucks have larger blind spots than cars. If a vehicle is directly in front of, behind, or beside a truck, the driver may not see it. Truck drivers need to be cautious when merging or changing lanes to avoid collisions.

Driver Fatigue

Trucker fatigue might have contributed to your collision. With strict schedules, drivers may push themselves to drive while exhausted, leading to reduced attentiveness and slower reactions to emergencies. A fatigued driver can even fall asleep at the wheel.

Inexperienced Driver

A new truck driver may struggle to handle a large vehicle like a big rig, which takes more time to accelerate, decelerate, and turn. If they attempt to decelerate or turn too quickly, they risk losing control. Speeding can lead to jackknifing, in which the trailer swings out and forms an L- or V-shape.

Truck or Truck Part Failure

Vehicle issues can lead to accidents, often without the driver’s knowledge until it's too late. Problems like faulty brakes, tire issues, or improperly loaded cargo can cause loss of control. Trucks have weight limits, and cargo must be evenly distributed to avoid unnecessary stress on the axles. Exceeding these limits or imbalanced loads can make it difficult for drivers, especially of large vehicles like 18-wheelers, to maintain control.

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Real Client Testimonial

I had a great experience with this law firm after being in a car accident. Sarah Jewel was absolutely amazing—she took care of all the hard work and made a stressful situation so much easier. She was not only professional and knowledgeable, but also kind and easy to talk to. I always felt like I was in good hands. I really appreciated her dedication and support throughout the whole process. Highly recommend!

J.

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Truck Traffic and Safety in Northwest Arkansas

Truck traffic and the risks that come with it have grown across Arkansas in recent years. According to a December 2023 report from TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit, an average of 91 people were killed annually in Arkansas in crashes involving a large truck between 2017 and 2021, the fourth-highest rate in the nation per capita. The same report found that combination trucks make up 34 percent of travel on the state's rural interstate highways, the third-highest share nationally.

Northwest Arkansas sees a significant share of this traffic. Interstate 49 runs directly through Fayetteville and connects the region's growing distribution and manufacturing sectors to the rest of the country, alongside heavily traveled routes such as Highway 62, Highway 71B, and Highway 112.

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Which Roads May Trucks Use in Fayetteville?

Fayetteville has several highways and an interstate that trucks may use. When you're driving on these roads, be sure to look for trucks and drive cautiously:

  • Interstate 49
  • Highway 16E and 16W
  • Highway 45
  • Highway 62
  • Highway 71B
  • Highway 112
  • Highway 156
  • Highway 180
  • Highway 265
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Determining Liability in a Truck Accident

After investigating what caused your accident, your lawyers in Fayetteville will find the person responsible for your injuries. While many may automatically think the truck driver was at fault, that isn't always true. The trucking company could be legally liable for your accident.

Trucking companies are supposed to inspect their vehicles and ensure they're putting safe trucks on the road. Skipping inspections or knowingly sending out a truck with an issue puts the company's driver and others around them in danger.

A manufacturing company that sells truck auto parts could produce a faulty product that causes the trucker to lose control and crash while driving. If a defective product caused your accident, we'll do everything we can to hold the manufacturer responsible. A third-party loading company can also share liability if it improperly loaded or secured cargo before the truck ever left the dock.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Because of their size and weight, commercial trucks tend to cause more serious injuries than crashes between two passenger vehicles. Injuries our clients have experienced after a Fayetteville truck accident include:

  • Traumatic brain and head injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries, which can result in partial or full paralysis
  • Broken bones and crush injuries
  • Severe burns
  • Internal organ damage
  • Fatalities

These injuries often require extended medical treatment, and some result in permanent disability that changes how a person can work and live.

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Attorney Tim Giattina

Compensation Available After a Truck Accident

In Arkansas, truck accident victims may recover several categories of compensation:

  • Economic damages, covering measurable financial losses such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage
  • Non-economic damages, addressing pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
  • Punitive damages, available in rare cases involving gross negligence or reckless conduct

Because Arkansas follows a modified comparative fault rule, you can still recover damages even if you share some responsibility for the accident, as long as your fault is less than the fault of the party you're pursuing.

For example, if a jury awards $200,000 in damages but finds you 20 percent at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $160,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate a victim's share of fault to reduce what they have to pay, which is one reason having an experienced truck accident lawyer matters.

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Fayetteville

What you do in the hours and days after a truck accident can affect the outcome of your claim. Consider taking the following steps if you're able to do so safely:

  • Call 911 and seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor at first
  • Photograph the vehicles, the accident scene, and any visible road hazards
  • Get the truck driver's name, employer, and insurance information if possible
  • Avoid giving a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with a lawyer
  • Keep copies of all medical records, repair estimates, and correspondence related to the accident
  • Contact a Fayetteville truck accident lawyer as soon as possible so evidence can be preserved

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer in Fayetteville?
McMath Woods handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You owe no attorney's fees unless or until the firm recovers compensation for you.

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Arkansas?
Arkansas gives injury victims three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, under Ark. Code Ann. § 16-56-105.

Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes, under Arkansas's modified comparative fault rule. As long as you are found less than 50 percent at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault.

What types of compensation can I recover after a truck accident?
Victims may recover economic damages such as medical bills and lost wages, non-economic damages for pain and suffering, and, in cases involving gross negligence, punitive damages.

Why do I need a truck accident lawyer instead of handling the claim myself?
Truck accident cases involve multiple potentially liable parties, federal trucking regulations, and well-funded insurers who often dispute fault. An experienced lawyer investigates the crash, works with experts, and negotiates on your behalf so you can focus on recovery.

Seek Justice with McMath Woods

Each truck accident attorney in Fayetteville, AR, at McMath Woods realizes you need a fair settlement to pay your medical bills and recover in peace. When we're by your side, you'll know we're doing our best to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to book your case evaluation and learn more about your options.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

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