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If you or a loved one has suffered catastrophic injuries or tragic loss in a truck accident in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the physical, emotional, and financial impacts can be overwhelming.

You need a compassionate and assertive Fayetteville Truck Accident Attorney in your corner to hold the at-fault parties accountable and improve your chances of getting the full and fair compensation you need.

At Caddell Reynolds Law Firm, we understand the anguish and uncertainty you are going through after a devastating truck accident.

For over 35 years, our Fayetteville truck accident lawyers have been champions for the injured, tenaciously fighting to secure the justice and maximum compensation they deserve from the massive trucking corporations.

We advocate tirelessly not just because it’s our job – but because as members of the Arkansas community ourselves, we are driven to make the roads safer and hold negligent trucking companies accountable.

When you hire Caddell Reynolds, you get attorneys who combine legal experience with genuine empathy, keeping you informed and supported throughout the entire process.

contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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Fayetteville Truck Accident Attorney Guide

• Fayetteville and Arkansas Truck Accident Statistics
• Trucking Laws and Regulations
• What Causes Truck Accidents in Fayetteville, AR
• Common Injuries People Suffer in Truck Accidents
• Who Can I Hold Liable for a Truck Accident?
• What Do I Need to Do After a Truck Accident in Fayetteville, AR?
• Arkansas Truck Accident FAQ?
• Contact a Fayetteville Truck Accident Attorney Today

Why You Should Choose Our Law Firm to Handle Your Fayetteville Truck Accident Claim

When you place your truck accident case in our hands, you get a team of skilled negotiators and litigators. We have the resources and determination to take on the largest trucking companies and commercial carriers, no matter how aggressively they try to avoid liability.

We are not intimidated – in fact, we are driven by the challenge of battling deep-pocketed defendants who jeopardize public safety.

The insurance providers for these companies have teams of attorneys doing everything in their power to downplay victims’ injuries and minimize settlement payouts. That’s why you need equally fierce legal representation to obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve.

At Caddell Reynolds, our Fayetteville personal injury lawyers possess several critical advantages:

• Proven Courtroom Skills: We have extensive trial experience, repeatedly winning multi-million dollar awards against trucking companies when they refuse to make reasonable settlement offers. We are relentless in front of juries and never back down from taking a case to trial.
• Comprehensive Investigations: Our team includes investigators and accident reconstruction specialists who comb through every detail of the collision scene and trucking company’s operations to uncover all evidence of negligence or misconduct. We build overwhelming cases that expose wrongdoing and violations.
• Deep Legal Knowledge: We intimately know all state trucking regulations and federal laws like the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and Federal Hazardous Materials Regulations. If the truck driver or trucking company violated protocols, we will work diligently to prove it.
• Extensive Resources: We invest in cutting-edge technology and consult with medical and industry experts to analyze every facet of the accident and injuries. With ample resources behind us, we do not get outmatched or outspent by trucking companies.
• Successful Track Record: We have won truck accident cases resulting in millions of dollars recovered for clients. Few firms can match our consistent results and reputation for excellence.

Caddell Reynolds Law Firm offers skill and strength along with dedicated representation and guidance. You can rely on us to be a trusted partner focused on keeping you informed and supporting you through this incredibly difficult time. We treat each client like family – you will never feel like just another case number here.

For a free case review and advice about your rights and options for pursuing compensation following a trucking accident in Fayetteville, reach out to us right away and discover the difference we can make in your truck accident injury case.

Fayetteville and Arkansas Truck Accident Statistics

Large trucks are in thousands of injurious crashes each year across Arkansas.

The Arkansas Department of Transportation reported the following truck accident statistics for a recent year:

• 127 fatal crashes resulting in 143 deaths
• 3,242 injury crashes resulting in thousands of serious injuries
• 10,835 total crashes

Those grim numbers represented a staggering 36% increase in the total number of trucking accidents compared to just a decade prior. The frequency of crashes has risen as more trucking companies flout regulations and push drivers to unsafe limits in pursuit of profits over public safety.

In the Fayetteville area, the truck accident situation is particularly hazardous given the number of major highways that cross through like Interstate 49, and its proximity to major shipping hubs and routes.

In a recent year, the Fayetteville region reported:

• 15 fatal truck crashes
• 578 injury truck crashes

Due to the sheer force involved in a collision with a vehicle weighing over 80,000 pounds, these types of crashes very rarely result in minor injuries. Truck accident victims almost always sustain devastating or permanent trauma like brain injuries, amputations, paralysis and other catastrophic harm.

Trucking Laws and Regulations

To improve safety, multiple layers of regulations at both the state and federal levels govern the trucking industry. Arkansas has its own trucking laws, as does the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Key federal trucking regulations that commercial truck drivers and companies must follow include:

• Hours of Service: Truckers are limited to 11 hours of driving per day and 60 to 70 hours per week to prevent fatigue. Drivers must take rest breaks between shifts.
• Maintenance Standards: Companies must regularly inspect trucking equipment including brakes, tires, lights and keep detailed maintenance logs.
• Cargo Rules: There are strict guidelines for properly securing loads, not overloading trailers beyond their safe weight capacity and avoiding unsafe distribution of cargo weight.
• Special Training: All commercial truck drivers must undergo extensive training and testing to earn a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to legally operate large trucks.
• Insurance Minimums: Trucking companies must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage for vehicles under 10,000 lbs, and $1 million or more for larger trucks hauling certain hazardous materials.
• Drug/Alcohol Testing: Trucking companies must conduct regular substance screenings for all drivers and enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy for any violations.

Violating any of these or countless other guidelines and regulations can quickly turn a truck into a deadly weapon on the road. Yet every day, trucking companies cut corners by overworking drivers, failing to train, skipping maintenance, mislabeling cargo contents, and more – all in the name of higher profits.

What Causes Truck Accidents in Fayetteville, AR

When trucking companies and truck drivers willfully disregard industry regulations, catastrophic accidents often result.

Our lawyers have seen the tragic consequences stemming from:

• Distracted Driving: Any activity taking a driver’s eyes off the road including texting, programming navigation systems, eating or adjusting vehicle controls greatly increases accident risks.
• Impaired Driving: Drugs, alcohol and fatigue can all markedly slow reaction times and impair judgment for truckers behind the wheel.
• Speeding: Due to their extreme weights, semi-trucks require 20-40% longer distances to come to a complete stop, making any form of speeding especially dangerous.
• Overloaded or Unsecured Loads: When cargo is improperly distributed or secured, it creates a major rollover risk that turns the trailer into an airborne battering ram.
• Equipment Failure: Companies cutting corners on truck inspections and maintenance are liable if bad brakes, worn tires or other defective parts cause a wreck.
• Lack of Experience: Trucking firms that fail to properly train new commercial drivers leave them unprepared to operate such large and hazardous vehicles on the roads.
• Driver Fatigue: While hours of service rules aim to prevent drowsy driving, companies regularly push truckers past safe limits for shift durations.

Tragically, even a split-second lapse of focus or minor violation by an 18-wheeler driver can lead to obliterating crashes with catastrophic injuries. But they are the ones in control of that deadly machine – and our job is to hold every negligent party accountable for the devastation they’ve caused.

Common Injuries People Suffer in Truck Accidents

Due to the extreme force involved when tens of thousands of pounds collide with a standard passenger vehicle, the injuries suffered by victims of truck wrecks are often life-altering or fatal. Even low-speed impacts can prove catastrophic when a semi-truck is involved.

Some of the most severe and traumatic injuries our clients have sustained include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Whether concussions, skull fractures, penetrating wounds or more severe injuries resulting in permanent cognitive impairment, head trauma is a tragic yet common result of trucking collisions.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spine can cause paralysis, either paraplegia (paralysis of the legs) or tetraplegia (full body paralysis) if the cord is severed. Even ‘incomplete’ injuries can result in permanent loss of sensation or bodily functions.
• Amputations: The crushing forces involved in truck accidents often shatter and mangle limbs beyond the point of being able to be saved, requiring amputation of arms, legs, feet or hands. Even a ‘minor’ collision can inflict such devastating injuries.
• Internal Bleeding & Organ Damage: Severe internal bleeding, ruptured spleens, collapsed lungs and damage to other vital organs can rapidly lead to life-threatening complications without immediate treatment.
• Burn Injuries: Fires ignited on impact or through spilled fuel can leave victims suffering from excruciating burns over large portions of their bodies requiring extensive therapy and cosmetic treatments.

Even when truck accident injuries are not immediately fatal, the long-term costs of treating such catastrophic wounds can easily extend into the millions of dollars over a victim’s lifetime. That’s why you need maximum compensation – both for the short-term and for a lifetime of medical costs, lost earnings, home modifications and other expenses ahead.

Who Can I Hold Liable for a Truck Accident?

In most truck accident cases, you can hold several parties accountable for a commercial truck collision:

• The Truck Driver: Commercial truck drivers can be held directly liable for any negligent actions that violated safety protocols and caused the accident like distracted driving, speeding, impairment, etc.
• The Trucking Company: In addition to the driver, the trucking company who employed them can be legally responsible (called vicarious liability) for a driver’s negligence in many cases. Companies also share fault for failure to properly train drivers, enforce regulations, maintain equipment and more.
• The Truck Manufacturer: If an equipment defect like brake failure, tire blowout or other vehicular malfunction contributed to the accident occurring, the truck makers can face product liability claims.
• Parts Manufacturers: Similarly, you can name third-party companies that produced and installed key truck components like tires, brakes or transmissions in product liability suits if manufacturing defects played a role.

Any responsible party involved in the truck’s operation, safety or loading can ultimately share liability including freight companies, maintenance garages, cargo handlers and more. An exhaustive investigation aims to uncover every instance of negligence or misconduct to maximize recoverable damages.

What Do I Need to Do After a Truck Accident in Fayetteville, AR?

The actions you take in the first hours and days following a semi-truck accident can protect your rights. Step one is always seeking immediate medical treatment, even if you don’t realize the extent of your injuries. Seeking care creates medical documentation of your condition.

Next, take steps to preserve evidence if you can:

• Call the police to ensure there is an official accident report
• Get the truck driver’s name and contact info, company name, truck ID number, etc.
• Take photos and videos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, injuries, road conditions
• Obtain contact info for any witnesses who saw the collision
• Avoid making statements admitting any blame or fault
• Notify your insurance company, but do not provide a statement to the trucking company yet
• Contact an attorney right away before speaking with anyone else

An attorney can thoroughly investigate, handle all communication with the trucking company and insurers, request and subpoena records, and build the strongest possible claim for full compensation.

What’s Arkansas’s Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Cases?

The Arkansas statute of limitations gives you three years from the accident to file a truck accident lawsuit in civil court. Missing this strict statutory deadline will likely result in the court dismissing your case, regardless of its merits or the negligence involved.

This is why you must contact an experienced Fayetteville truck accident attorney as early in the process as possible. The accomplished legal team at Caddell Reynolds Law Firm takes proactive steps to ensure we meet all statutory deadlines from day one, to protect your rights and preserve your ability to recover damages.

Arkansas Truck Accident FAQ?

Q: What if the truck driver claims the accident wasn’t their fault?

A: It’s common for truckers and their employers to try to shift blame onto others involved in accidents. Even if they claim they did nothing wrong, a seasoned attorney will thoroughly investigate the events to uncover proof of wrongdoing or negligence on the part of the truck driver or trucking company. Their word alone does not declare them blameless.

Q: Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?

A: Arkansas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still receive damages if found to be 50% or less at-fault for the crash, though any compensation award may be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault.

Q: How much is my truck accident injury case worth?

A: There is no single flat amount, as each claim is evaluated based on the unique factors involved like the extent of injuries, medical costs, wage loss, long-term disability, and more. Cases involving catastrophic, permanent harm, or wrongful death tend to result in much higher overall settlement values.

Q: How long will it take to settle my case or receive compensation?

A: Every situation differs, but truck accident cases with clear liability facts may potentially settle in around 6 months to a year if the trucking company cooperates in making a fair offer. Denying reasonable settlements often requires taking cases to trial, which lengthens the timeline to 18-24 months on average.

Q: What damages can I pursue in a truck accident claim?

A: Damages available include economic losses like medical expenses, lost wages, future income loss, property damage and more. You can also seek non-economic damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement and inability to enjoy life. In fatal cases, wrongful death damages like funeral costs may apply.

Q: Do I have to pay truck accident lawyers upfront?

A: No – reputable attorneys like those at Caddell Reynolds Law Firm work on a contingency basis. You pay no upfront costs or fees at all unless they successfully secure a settlement or award for you. Legal fees are simply a percentage of your total compensation received.

Q: The trucking company’s insurer is pressuring me to settle quickly. Is that wise?

A: Absolutely not – signing any agreements or settlements before an attorney can fully calculate your injury claim value often leads to unfair lowball offers that don’t account for your full economic and non-economic damages. Never accept an early offer before having legal counsel review it.

Contact a Fayetteville Truck Accident Attorney Today

When your life is turned upside down by a massive truck accident, having tenacious legal representation is critical for holding the negligent drivers and trucking companies accountable while recovering every dollar you deserve for your injuries.

At Caddell Reynolds Law Firm, our seasoned team of Fayetteville truck accident lawyers has recovered millions of dollars for truck wreck victims across Arkansas. We have the skills, resources, and drive to stand up against even the largest trucking corporations and commercial carriers.

Let our firm take the legal burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing. We will handle investigating every aspect of the crash, building a comprehensive claim, and fighting aggressively to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.

We operate on a contingency basis, meaning you pay absolutely nothing upfront. We only accept attorney fees if we obtain compensation for you. Your consultation is 100% free, so you have nothing to lose by getting advice and learning your options. Call (479) 252-9267 or contact us online today to get started on your claim.

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Caddell Reynolds Law Firm – Fayetteville Office

509 Millsap Rd Suite 102, Fayetteville, AR 72703
P: (479) 252-9267

If You Have Been Injured, We Are Here for You