TRUCK ACCIDENTS

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Seek Legal Help after a Collision in Fort Smith, Arkansas

Have you been injured in a truck accident? Call Caddell Reynolds Law Firm to get the legal representation you need to maximize your claim. We are highly familiar with car accident claims, and we can help you fight for the money you need to move forward. Don’t let an insurance adjuster convince you that your claim is worth less than you deserve. Adjusters work for insurance companies, not for you, and they may take any opportunity to weaken your case. We’re here to ensure that doesn’t happen. From medical bills and lost wages to pain and suffering, we can push for every penny in compensation you deserve. Call our firm today and take the first step to safeguarding your future. We represent clients in Fort Smith and the surrounding areas.

It is the job of insurance companies and the adjusters they hire to settle your accident and injury claim for the least amount of money. It is our job at Caddell Reynolds Law Firm to settle your insurance claim for the most money. It’s that simple. We are your advocate and will go the distance to represent your best interests at all times. You deserve maximum compensation for your claim and should not have to face the insurance company alone. The harsh reality is that many insurance agents are paid bonuses to keep claims low and do not always have your best interest in mind.

Tractor trailer accidents occur daily in the United States. With so many trucks on the roads working to transport goods throughout the country, drivers are pushed to maintain strict schedules and timelines. Often this alone can cause undue stress on truck drivers, which can lead to accidents.

CONTACT US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION ON YOUR TRACTOR TRAILER ACCIDENT CASE. GIVE US A CALL AT 800-671-4100

What Can Cause a Truck Accident?

The Fort Smith truck accident lawyers at Caddell Reynolds Law Firm understand that the driver may share liability with other parties, including the following:

• Trucking companies – Drivers must follow the rules and regulations set forth by their employers. Companies may require them to drive too long without rest, put inexperienced drivers on long hauls before they are ready to handle them, or even put trucks on the road with an imbalanced load or without proper maintenance.
• Maintenance personnel – Improper inspections or rushed maintenance can cause serious problems, particularly when brakes or tires are involved. Whether the maintenance personnel works for the company or maintenance is performed by an outside shop, a truck accident attorney needs to know the facts to ensure everyone responsible for an accident is named in a suit.
• Local, state, and federal governments – The true cause of a big vehicle accident may be an encounter with a sinkhole or other major road flaw that is the responsibility of local, state, or even federal government. Our attorneys have the skills and experience to pursue even these difficult cases.

Do 18-Wheeler Accidents Settle for More Than Regular Auto Accidents?

An accident with an 18-wheeler frequently results in severe injuries that can significantly alter the quality of life for everyone involved. An 18-wheeler accident lawsuit is different from other vehicle accident lawsuits due to the severity of the impact with a 70-foot long truck weighing 80,000 pounds. There are also strict federal laws and regulations in place concerning a driver’s conduct and truck maintenance. Attorneys at Caddell Reynolds Law Firm are well-versed in the trucking business and its governing laws, and have experience in litigation and negotiation. We can help you get the compensation you deserve.

How Are Truck Accidents Different from Car Accidents?

In 2014, there were more than 3,400 deaths and over 82,000 injuries stemming from 18-wheeler accidents, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). The number of deaths and serious injuries is considerably higher with truck accidents than it is with passenger vehicle crashes.

An accident lawsuit typically results in larger settlements due to the higher levels of primary liability insurance required by the FMCSA for 18-wheelers. Commercial freight vehicles are required to carry $750,000 to $5,000,000 – depending on the commodities transported – in insurance coverage and in some cases there is more than one policy on the truck and the trailer, which can contribute to higher settlements.

What Commonly Causes Truck Accidents?

There are a range of driver errors and equipment malfunctions that can cause 18-wheeler accidents:

• Driving under the influence: While most people do not think of commercial drivers drinking or taking drugs, there are 18-wheeler accidents every year that result from this reckless behavior.
• Shifting loads: If a load is not secured and balanced properly it can shift during transit, which can cause a driver to lose control or the truck to tip over.
• Speeding: Even with the threat of fines, increased insurance costs, and the potential for 18-wheeler accidents, some commercial drivers do speed, a choice that can have life-changing consequences for other drivers on the road.
• Jackknifing: This happens when the trailer skids forward from behind and faces backwards while the truck still faces forward. The 18-wheeler will cover most of the highway and can severely impact any vehicles in the immediate vicinity.
• Driver fatigue: There are strict guidelines for the hours a commercial truck drivers can be on the road, but that still does not stop some drivers from continuing on when they are tired and in need of sleep.
• Tire blowouts: Depending on the circumstances at the time of a blowout, a driver can lose control of their truck.
• Brake malfunctions: When trucks have to repeatedly stop quickly the brakes can overheat, reducing the effectiveness of the brakes and significantly extending the stopping distance. A driver must keep all work and repair orders so they can prove they are in compliance with road safety standards. An attorney can subpoena documentation to determine if the truck’s equipment has been maintained and is in full compliance of federal regulations.

By working with an attorney who has handled these types of cases before, you are more likely to receive a fair and adequate settlement with the appropriate compensation for your damages and injuries.

Making the Most of Your Case

How can Caddell Reynolds Law Firm help with your truck accident case? Say the word, and we can handle practically any aspect of it for you.

People choose to work with our Fort Smith truck accident attorneys because we can:

• Investigate an accident to uncover evidence of liability.
• Speak with eyewitnesses to further understand what happened.
• Network with medical and mechanical experts for even more insight into a crash’s cause.
• Prepare, file, and follow up on a claim with any insurance company.
• Answer inquiries from the insurance company.
• Negotiate for a settlement that meets all of our client’s needs.
• File a lawsuit if a fair settlement does not seem possible due to insurer interference.
• Litigate in court to pursue the best possible outcome for our client.

Essentially, every part of your truck accident case can be left on the desks of our talented legal team, and you won’t have to worry about a thing. We just want you to rest and do your best to recover. Meanwhile, we will be diligently working on your case and doing all we can to close it in your favor sooner than later.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A TRACTOR TRAILER, CONTACT OUR FORT SMITH TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYERS AT 800-671-4100 TO START THE INVESTIGATION FOR YOUR CASE AND HELP YOU GET A FAIR SETTLEMENT

If You Have Been Injured, We Are Here for You