Trucking companies and their insurers are known for downplaying the severity of accidents and doing everything in their power to limit their own liability. This means that if you or a loved one was injured in a commercial truck crash, you need the backing of an experienced Fayetteville 18 wheeler accident lawyer.
At McMath Woods P.A., we know what it takes to hold truck drivers, their employers, and other liable parties involved in an accident responsible for their actions. We fight for maximum compensation when another person’s or entity’s negligence caused harm.
To learn more about who can be held liable for your lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and more, contact our Arkansas law office for a free consultation today.
6 Steps To Take After a Truck Accident
Any time there is a collision involving a commercial vehicle (CMV), the trucking company knows that there is a chance they will be on the hook for significant amounts of compensation. Along with their insurance company, they will quickly launch into action to minimize their own liability and limit your ability to recover a full and fair settlement.
For this reason, what happens after truck accidents matters. That’s why our Fayetteville attorneys recommend taking the following six steps after a CMV crash:
- Call 911
- Take pictures and videos of the accident scene
- Seek medical attention
- Document your lost wages and medical bills
- Report the wreck to your insurance company
- Speak with an 18 wheeler accident attorney
Never put off seeking medical attention for serious injuries. Not only do you risk a preventable worsening of your condition, but it could impact your right to fair compensation. In truck accident cases, delays in medical care can be weaponized against injury victims to lower the overall amount they are entitled to in a settlement.
Why are Accidents Involving Commercial Vehicles So Serious?
In Arkansas, we rely on 18 wheelers to transport clothes, groceries, and everything in between to our cities, towns, and communities. While these vehicles play an integral role in our local economies, they are also incredibly dangerous when sharing the road with other vehicles.
So what makes driving next to a commercial truck so dangerous? When fully loaded, a tractor-trailer can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, while the typical passenger vehicle in Fayetteville only weighs around 4,000 pounds. The sheer size difference between these two types of motor vehicles increases the risk of catastrophic injuries in a collision.
Risk Factors for 18 Wheeler Wrecks
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets regulations for truck drivers and companies, but many fail to adhere to these safety guidelines. Below are some of the most common risk factors for truck accidents in Fayetteville:
- Hours-of-service (HOS) violations
- Speeding
- Following too closely (tailgating)
- Drug and alcohol use
- Fatigue
- Cell phone use
- Improper cargo loading
- Poor or insufficient maintenance
- Auto part defects
With decades of experience handling claims involving truck accidents under our belts, our law firm is uniquely poised to handle even the most complex insurance claim.
18 Wheeler Accident FAQs
Not sure how to hold the other parties involved in your accident responsible for their negligence? Need to know how much your personal injury lawsuit is worth? Want to learn more about how to prove negligence in your case?
Although we offer no-cost, no-obligation consultations to injured victims in Fayetteville, we have also compiled brief answers to some of the most frequently asked 18 wheeler accident questions.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Truck Accident Claim?
In Arkansas, you have three years from the date of a wreck to file a lawsuit against the liable parties in your 18 wheeler accident case. While this might seem like a long period of time, it will likely pass much faster than you realize.
It takes time to correctly investigate a truck accident, identify all those responsible, and determine what a fair settlement looks like.
Who Pays for My Injuries?
Unlike claims for accidents with two passenger vehicles, cases involving 18 wheelers often have more than one at-fault party. Possible liable parties in a Fayetteville 18 wheeler collision case may include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A maintenance provider
- An auto parts manufacturer
- A shipping company
Since the at-fault parties are responsible for paying compensation to the victim, failing to correctly identify all involved entities could mean that you’re leaving money on the table.
Do I Need an 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyer for a Minor Crash?
While it’s possible to handle a minor car wreck claim without the involvement of an attorney, the same cannot be said for an 18 wheeler accident. Trucking companies have their own team of lawyers, and they will not hesitate to do everything within their power to prevent you from recovering the fair compensation you are owed.
A truck accident claim is not something that the average person can handle on their own.
We Are Compassionate 18 Wheeler Accident Attorneys Committed to Your Case
McMath Woods P.A. has been handling injury and truck accident cases for 70 years. Every Fayetteville 18 wheeler accident lawyer on our team is committed to standing up for the rights of injury victims in Northwest Arkansas.
We are proud to take many cases on a contingency fee basis, which allows us to provide our legal services regardless of our clients’ financial resources. For an opportunity to learn more about how we fight for those who have been injured, contact our law office—we’ll schedule you for a free consultation at your earliest convenience.
