Every time you drive on Interstate 40, I- 55, Highway 70 or Hwy. 1, semi-trucks are there. Accidents and car wrecks are far too common, but when that crash involves an 18-wheeler or large carrier truck, injuries can be severe. Trucking vehicles play a key role in Arkansas’ economy and help connect us to the world, but they also pose a risk of potential disaster. If operated incorrectly, an 18-wheeler or other commercial truck can cause terrible damage to the smaller vehicles around it. More importantly, a negligent truck driver can severely disable or even kill anyone who gets caught in their path.
Have you suffered serious injuries in a truck accident? If so, you need to know what compensation you’re entitled to, and how to deal with the insurance company. At Easley & Houseal, in St. Francis County, our truck accident attorneys have decades of experience litigating complex personal injury cases. We handle claims against the leading trucking companies in Arkansas and have secured millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements.
Based in Forrest City, AR, we represent clients throughout eastern Arkansas and visitors from out of state, Easley and Houseal gets the best possible results for our clients.
Truck accidents happen in and around Forrest City for a number of reasons. Some of these are unavoidable, but many are caused by negligence on the part of the truck driver, their employer, or both. The causes of such preventable accidents include:
These acts can lead to terrible bodily injuries,- even death. We are prepared to represent you if you’ve suffered any of the following:
Our Forrest City truck accident attorneys have handled thousands of motor vehicle accident cases. We know exactly how to build a compelling claim for financial restitution that matches what you’re entitled to under the law.
Thanks to Arkansas law, the driver is not necessarily the only party truck accident victims can hold responsible. The law recognizes that employers can contribute to employee negligence that leads to injury. For example, a trucking company can be financially liable for a trucking collision in certain situations, such as when the company hired an inexperienced driver and failed to give them proper training before letting them on the road. Another common scenario is when the company hires a truck driver with a history of DUIs, serious accidents, or other concerning incidents. Finally, a lack of reasonable inspection and maintenance efforts for the fleet can lead to a truck suddenly malfunctioning, such as when worn brakes fail, causing it to crash into a nearby car.
Trucking companies typically carry far more liability insurance than individual truckers, so your prospects for full compensation for your injuries could be brighter. However, these companies and their insurance carriers work hard to oppose legitimate claims. They could try to pressure you into accepting an inadequate offer by dragging out the investigation, or try to get you to sign something you don’t understand. They could also deny your claim based on dubious reasons.
We know all the insurance industry’s tricks – and how to use the facts and the law to counter them. Our personal injury lawyers have earned a national reputation for toughness, honesty, integrity and willingness to take our cases to trial.
The exact type and amount of compensation you can pursue depends largely on the nature of the harm you have suffered as a result of the crash. In Arkansas, you can seek economic and non-economic damages. “Economic damages” generally includes anything with an exact monetary damage attached. These include the wages you’ve lost because you’re too hurt to work, and the income you expect to miss out on in the future due to your injury. Other economic damages include the cost of your medical care, physical rehabilitation, and any necessary adaptive equipment, such as in-home care or wheelchair ramps for your house.
Noneconomic damages can impact your life just as much, but finding the exact amount of compensation for them can be challenging. Pain and suffering, lost quality of life, and loss of consortium (essentially, negative effects on your relationship with your spouse) are all examples of common noneconomic damages experienced after a serious trucking accident.
In cases involving malicious, fraudulent, or extremely reckless conduct by the trucker or trucking company, courts in St. Francis County and surrounding communities can choose to include punitive damages. Though they go to the plaintiff, punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant, not compensate the plaintiff for damages.
It’s part of our job to review the details of your accident to reach an accurate dollar figure for the damages you and your family have sustained. Then we use every resource to recoup as much of those financial losses for you as possible under the law.
It’s a matter of physics. Tractor-trailers are huge compared to passenger vehicles. A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 40 tons. A vehicle that size traveling at highway speeds has built up tremendous energy. In a crash, that truck creates a massive amount of force that can crush a smaller vehicle. While any traffic accident can cause serious harm, truck accidents tend to be among the most severe.
In general, no. Unlike some states, Arkansas does not put a cap on most economic and noneconomic damages. However, the Arkansas Supreme Court can review damages awards on appeal and reduce verdicts it deems to be excessive
In real life, many traffic accidents can’t be blamed 100 % on one driver. Arkansas law recognizes this, which is why it uses what’s called the modified comparative fault system. As long as the facts show that you were less than 50% at fault for what happened, you can collect compensation. The amount you receive gets reduced by the percentage of fault the judge or jury finds you were.
For example, say a St. Francis County jury determines you suffered $100,000 in damages in a trucking accident, but the truck driver was 80% responsible and you were 20% responsible. You would receive $80,000, or 20% less than $100,000.
Contact Easley & Houseal PLLC today to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our highly experienced truck accident lawyers. We are located in Forrest City, and represent clients throughout eastern Arkansas including the I-40, I-55 corridor Hwy. 70 and Hwy. 1 area.
