If you drive on the highways around Little Rock, you are used to heavy truck traffic. The stretch of I-40 between Little Rock and Memphis carries more commercial vehicles than passenger cars. Truck congestion means more opportunities for wrecks that cause serious injuries.
If you have been injured in an accident, contact a Little Rock truck accident lawyer at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton for help. Our personal injury attorneys have earned the trust of residents throughout the state over the years by delivering excellent results for people injured in accidents.
Truck accidents can happen in many ways, including jackknife accidents, underride accidents, rollovers, side-impact collisions, wide-turn crashes, tire blowouts, and accidents caused by improperly loaded cargo.
The state has a fault-based system for vehicle accident claims, so the party at fault must compensate the losses of other involved parties. All drivers must carry liability insurance policies to cover claims if they are found at fault. The owners of big trucks must carry commercial policies with much higher coverage limits than individual liability policies.
Sometimes it is clear that one party is to blame for the collision, but fault is often disputed. In that case, you must present evidence proving that another party was negligent and their negligence was the direct cause of your injuries.
Arkansas Code Annotated § 16-64-122 allows an at-fault driver to reduce their financial liability by shifting blame onto an injured person. A seasoned 18-wheeler crash attorney in Little Rock could counter any attempts to unfairly transfer blame for an accident onto you.
All drivers have a duty to use reasonable care when operating their vehicles. Drivers who operate commercial tractor-trailers, tankers, and other big trucks have a greater responsibility. They must use the utmost care, and if they fail in this duty, they are negligent.
When you retain our firm to handle your truck crash case, our Little Rock attorneys could immediately send a letter demanding that the truck company preserve all evidence relating to the wreck. This could include:
We could also review the police report and witness statements and request other information if it is potentially relevant in a specific case.
Truck owners and operators must meet strict maintenance obligations, follow working hours rules, and comply with loading protocols and cargo weight restrictions. We could scrutinize the evidence we collect, often with the help of an accident reconstruction expert. If the truck’s owner or operator was not complying with safety regulations or deviated from best practices, we could use this evidence of negligence to prove that they are liable for your losses.
If the truck owner or operator’s negligence is responsible for the wreck, you are owed compensation for your losses.
You are entitled to reimbursement for your expenses, such as medical care and lost income. When you have permanent injuries that will require ongoing care or impact your ability to earn wages, you can claim these future losses. You can also claim pain and suffering damages.
When the truck driver or trucking company acted intentionally or with reckless disregard for others’ safety, Arkansas Code Annotated §16-55-206 allows you to seek punitive damages. These may be appropriate when there is clear evidence that a commercial trucker was driving recklessly, or a truck owner intentionally prioritized profit over safety. Our tractor-trailer accident attorneys in Little Rock could determine whether the evidence supports a claim for punitive damages.
After a truck crash, it is crucial to act quickly to protect your health and right to compensation. You need a knowledgeable attorney to help you navigate the claims process and advocate on your behalf. Reach out to a Little Rock truck accident lawyer at Rainwater, Holt & Sexton today.
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