Arkansas Truck Accident Attorneys
We provide free consultations to all prospective clients, allowing them to get answers to their questions from a lawyer who has seen it all. If you have sustained a serious injury in a semi-truck accident, call the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A., at (479) 361-3575 to schedule a free no-obligation consultation
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Truck accidents are not like regular car crashes. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger car weighs around 4,000 pounds. When these two collide, the results are often severe.
At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A., we will build a case that draws on police, witness, and expert reports. In addition, we take a team approach, working with forensic engineers, truck accident investigators, and accident reconstructionists to create a case for our clients.
If you were hurt in a truck accident in Arkansas, you are facing a more complex legal fight than a typical car crash case. The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. handles these complex claims and fights for injured Arkansans against trucking companies and their insurers. Here is what you need to know.
The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. has the resources and experience to investigate complex truck accident claims thoroughly.
Federal regulations set high safety standards for truck drivers
Truck drivers must follow federal rules that do not apply to regular drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, known as the FMCSA, regulates commercial trucking across the country.
These rules cover how many hours a driver can be on the road. Under FMCSA hours of service regulations, truck drivers generally cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. This rule exists because fatigued driving causes serious crashes.
Trucking companies must also keep drivers to weight limits, cargo securement standards, and vehicle maintenance schedules. Skipping brake inspections or ignoring a known mechanical issue can turn a routine trip into a deadly crash.
When a truck driver or trucking company breaks these federal rules, that violation can serve as strong evidence of negligence. Negligence means someone failed to act with reasonable care, causing harm to another person.
Because these regulations are so detailed, proving a violation takes real investigative work. Electronic logging devices track a driver's hours automatically, and these records can reveal hours of service violations. Maintenance logs can show a company ignored safety warnings.
We know how to request and read these federal compliance records. Trucking companies do not hand this evidence over willingly, and their insurers work quickly to protect them from liability. Having an attorney who understands FMCSA regulations levels the playing field for injured victims seeking accountability.
Truck accident evidence disappears fast, so act quickly
Truck accident cases depend heavily on evidence that can vanish. Electronic logging devices and black box data record speed, braking, and driving hours, but companies may only retain this data for a limited time. Skid marks fade, and damaged vehicle parts get repaired or scrapped.
Trucking companies often send their own investigators to the crash scene within hours. These investigators work to protect the company, not you. Sending a spoliation letter early in a case can help preserve crucial evidence. A spoliation letter is a formal notice demanding a party preserve evidence relevant to a potential lawsuit.
Arkansas Code Annotated Section 16-56-105 gives injured victims three years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. While three years might sound like enough time, building a strong truck accident case takes far less time than that in practice.
The sooner you contact an attorney, the sooner evidence preservation efforts can begin.
Can multiple parties share liability in an Arkansas truck accident?
Truck accident cases often involve more than one at-fault party. This makes them more complicated than typical crashes involving only passenger vehicles. Because so many parties can be involved, identifying every liable party matters for your recovery. Missing a responsible party means missing a source of compensation. We investigate every angle of your truck accident to identify each liable party. This thorough approach helps maximize the compensation available to cover your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
The truck driver
The truck driver may be liable if they were speeding, distracted, fatigued, or driving under the influence. But liability does not always stop there.
The trucking company
The trucking company can be held responsible under a legal theory called vicarious liability. This means an employer can be held accountable for an employee's actions performed within the scope of their job. Trucking companies can also face direct liability for negligent hiring, if they put an unqualified or unsafe driver behind the wheel.
The cargo loading company or manufacturer
Cargo loading companies may share fault if improperly secured freight caused the truck to lose control. Truck and parts manufacturers can be liable if a defective part, like faulty brakes or tires, contributed to the crash.
Arkansas truck accident injuries can require long term medical care
Truck accidents cause more severe injuries than most car crashes because of the size and weight difference involved. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and multiple broken bones. These injuries often require surgery, extended hospital stays, and months of physical therapy. Some victims never fully recover and face permanent disability.
Even seemingly small injuries can be severe internal injuries, and these may not be noticeable for several days, weeks, or even months.
The financial toll adds up fast. Medical bills, lost wages from missed work, and ongoing care costs can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars for serious truck accident injuries.
Truck accident cases are high-stakes
Because these cases involve such high stakes, insurance companies fight hard to minimize payouts. Trucking companies often carry large insurance policies specifically because their crashes cause catastrophic harm.
Compensatory damages
Arkansas law allows injured victims to pursue compensation for both economic and non economic damages. Economic damages cover measurable losses like medical bills and lost income. Non economic damages cover harder to quantify losses like pain and suffering.
Wrongful death
If a loved one died in a truck accident, Arkansas wrongful death law under Arkansas Code Annotated Section 16-62-102 allows certain family members to file a claim for their loss. You may be able to recover medical expenses and funeral costs, lost income, and the suffering endured by the deceased loved one.
Why do I need a truck accident attorney?
Trucking companies carry commercial insurance policies designed to protect their bottom line. Their insurers deploy rapid response teams and defense attorneys immediately after a serious crash. You deserve the same level of advocacy working for you. The Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. has the resources and experience to investigate complex truck accident claims thoroughly.
We handle communication with trucking companies and their insurers so you can focus on healing. We gather federal compliance records, black box data, and expert testimony to build your strongest possible case.
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and owe no fees unless we recover compensation for you. Your consultation is free, and there is no obligation to hire us after that conversation.
Experience. Dedication. Compassion.
30 years of legal experience in helping personal injury victims
A serious truck accident can be traumatizing, and we understand the struggles you can face during your recovery. With more than 30 years of experience, we have dedicated our time to helping hundreds of motor vehicle accident victims.
Call us today at (479) 888-5098 to schedule your free consultation. If you are unable to come to our office due to your injuries, we will come to you. Contact us today to get the best Springdale car accident lawyer fighting for you.