Arkansas Truck Accident Lawyer | 18-Wheeler & Commercial Vehicle Litigation
It happened faster than you could blink. One moment, you’re merging onto I-40 outside of Little Rock, heading home after a long day. The next, 80,000 pounds of steel is jackknifing across the interstate, leaving you no room to escape. Your car—the vehicle you trusted to keep your family safe—feels like a soda can against the massive weight of a commercial semi-truck. In Arkansas, these stories aren’t just headlines; they are daily realities for thousands of families.
When a collision involves an 18-wheeler, a Walmart distribution truck, or an Arkansas-based carrier like J.B. Hunt, you aren’t just fighting a driver. You are fighting a multi-billion dollar corporate machine with layers of insurance adjusters, rapid-response investigators, and high-priced attorneys. You need a team that moves faster and fights harder. At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years holding these corporate giants accountable. Our founder, Ralph Manginello, has litigated against Fortune 500 companies like BP and recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families devastated by trucking negligence. We know the Arkansas trucking corridors, we know the federal regulations, and we know how to make the insurance companies pay for what they took from you.
If you’ve been injured in an Arkansas truck accident, don’t wait while the evidence disappears. Call us 24/7 at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free, confidential case evaluation.
Why Arkansas Trucking Accidents Are Different
Arkansas is the backbone of the American logistics industry. With the world’s largest retailer headquartered in Bentonville and one of the largest transportation companies based in Lowell, our state’s highways are more than just roads—they are high-volume commercial conduits. Whether it’s I-30 connecting Texarkana to Little Rock or the high-speed transit of I-40 from Fort Smith to Memphis, Arkansas drivers are surrounded by heavy commercial traffic every hour of every day.
The physics of a Arkansas 18-wheeler crash are brutal. A standard passenger vehicle weighs about 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded commercial truck weighs up to 80,000 pounds. That is a 20-to-1 weight disparity. When that much mass is moving at 70 miles per hour on the Ozark mountain passes or through the congestion of the Little Rock metro, the kinetic energy involved in an impact is catastrophic.
For over two decades, Ralph Manginello has witnessed the aftermath of these collisions. We understand that “accident” is often the wrong word. Most of these wrecks are preventable results of systemic negligence—drivers pressured to violate federal hours-of-service rules, trucking companies skipping essential brake maintenance to save on costs, or massive corporations hiring unqualified drivers to fill gaps in a labor shortage. At Attorney911, we don’t just look at the crash; we look at the culture of the company that caused it.
Our Insider Advantage: We Know Their Playbook
Our firm brings a unique weapon to your fight. Our team includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who used to work for the national firms that defend major trucking carriers. He knows exactly how they attempt to minimize your trauma, how they undervalue your herniated discs, and how they use “independent contractor” shields to hide corporate assets. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to break their defenses. We don’t just negotiate; we litigate from a position of power.
Crucial Arkansas Laws You Need to Know
After a truck accident in Arkansas, the clock is ticking. Every state has specific rules that govern how you can recover compensation, and Arkansas is no exception. Understanding these statutes early is the difference between a successful multi-million dollar recovery and losing your rights entirely.
The Arkansas Statute of Limitations: 3 Years
In Arkansas, you generally have three years from the date of the trucking accident to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. While this may seem like a comfortable window, it is a legal trap. Waiting even a few months can be fatal to your case. The trucking company’s “black box” data—which records speed and braking—can be overwritten in 30 days. Witnesses move away, and crash scene evidence on Arkansas highways is washed away by the next storm. We send formal spoliation letters to motor carriers within 24 to 48 hours of being hired to lock down this evidence.
The “50% Bar” Rule: Modified Comparative Negligence
Arkansas follows a Modified Comparative Negligence system with a 50% bar. This means you can recover damages as long as you are not 50% or more at fault for the accident. If a jury determines the truck driver was 90% at fault and you were 10% at fault (perhaps for a minor speeding violation), your total compensation will be reduced by 10%. However, if you are found to be 50% at fault, you recover nothing.
Trucking companies in Arkansas aggressively use this law to blame victims. They will scour your social media, review your car’s electronic data, and twist your words in recorded statements to push your fault percentage over that 50% cliff. This is why we tell our clients: Never speak to an insurance adjuster without us. Ralph Manginello and our team fight to ensure the blame stays exactly where it belongs—on the negligent trucking company.
No Damage Caps for Pain and Suffering
Unlike some neighboring states, Arkansas does not cap non-economic damages like physical impairment, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. For a victim suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord damage, this is critical. Your pain is not a “category” with a fixed price tag; it is a life-altering experience that deserves full compensation. We have seen jury awards for pain and suffering in Arkansas trucking cases reach seven and eight figures because of this lack of a cap.
Learn more in our video guide: “Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi Truck?” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0MT3CKbUb4.
FMCSA Regulations: Proving Corporate Negligence
Most local lawyers treat a truck wreck like a regular car accident. That is a mistake that costs victims millions. Commercial trucking is governed by a massive database of federal laws known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). These regulations, found in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), are the tools we use to prove the company broke the law.
49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (The Fatigue Factor)
This is the most common violation we find in Arkansas long-haul accidents. Federal law mandates that property-carrying drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty. They must also take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving. With Arkansas being a crossroads for I-40, drivers are often at the end of their shift and exhausted as they cross our state lines.
Trucking companies often pressure drivers to “push through” to meet delivery windows at the Walmart or J.B. Hunt hubs. When a fatigued driver causes a collision on I-49 near Fayetteville, we subpoena their Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data. This device synchronizes with the truck’s engine and creates an unalterable record of driving time. If they violated Part 395, they are negligent per se.
49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification
Trucking companies have a non-delegable duty to ensure their drivers are qualified. Under Part 391, every motor carrier must maintain a Driver Qualification File containing background checks, road test certificates, and annual driving record reviews. If a carrier hired a driver with a history of DUIs or multiple speeding tickets and that driver later causes a wreck in Arkansas, the company is liable for negligent hiring.
49 CFR Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance
Brake failure is a contributing factor in nearly 30% of all large truck crashes. Part 396 requires “systematic” inspection and maintenance. We often find that companies defer maintenance on their trailers to keep them on the road longer. In Arkansas mountain regions where grades are steep, a poorly maintained braking system is a death sentence. Ralph Manginello and our team of engineering experts look at maintenance logs to see if the company chose profits over safety.
Common Types of Truck Accidents on Arkansas Roads
Not every truck accident happens the same way. The mechanics of the crash tell the story of the negligence. We handle every type of commercial vehicle accident across Arkansas, including:
1. Jackknife Wrecks on I-40 and I-30
A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer skids and swings out perpendicular to the cab. This often happens on Arkansas interstates during sudden rain or ice storms. If the driver hits the brakes too hard or if the trailer is improperly loaded (violating 49 CFR Part 393), the 53-foot trailer becomes a sweeping wall of steel, crushing everything in its path.
2. Underride Collisions
Among the most horrific accidents we handle, underride collisions occur when a passenger car slides underneath the rear or side of a semi-trailer. Because of the height disparity, the car’s safety features like airbags and crumple zones are bypassed, often resulting in decapitation or fatal head trauma. Under 49 CFR § 393.86, trucks must have rear impact guards, but many are poorly maintained or lack side guards. These cases often involve massive settlements because the outcome is almost always catastrophic.
3. Logging Truck Accidents in Southern Arkansas
The timber industry is vital to South Arkansas, but logging trucks present unique hazards. Unprocessed logs are inherently unstable. If they are improperly secured or the truck is overweight (violating Part 393), logs can break free at highway speeds, acting as unguided missiles. These rural road accidents often occur on narrow two-lane highways where there is no room for a passenger vehicle to maneuver.
4. Overloaded Poultry and Agricultural Trucks
Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley see massive poultry transport traffic daily. Overloaded trucks have shifted centers of gravity, making them prone to rollovers on the winding roads of the Ozarks. We investigate weight station records and bills of lading to prove the truck was dangerously over the legal weight limit.
5. Corporate Delivery Van Accidents (Amazon, FedEx, UPS)
In Arkansas cities like Little Rock and Fort Smith, the “last-mile” delivery van is a constant presence. Amazon uses a complex “Delivery Service Partner” model to try and shield themselves from liability when their drivers crash. Our team, led by Lupe Peña, knows how to pierce these shells. When an Amazon van hits a pedestrian or a car in a Arkansas neighborhood, we prove the corporate parent’s influence over the driver’s route and delivery quota.
Watch our video on specific truck accidents: “Truck Tire Blowouts and When You Need a Lawyer” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCTumr1looc.
16 Liable Parties: Why We Investigate Further
Most firms only sue the truck driver. That is the quickest way to leave millions of dollars on the table. At Attorney911, we cast a wide net because more defendants mean more insurance policies to cover your catastrophic injuries. Who is liable for your Arkansas truck accident?
- The Driver: For direct negligence (speeding, distraction, fatigue).
- The Trucking Company: Under respondeat superior (employer liability).
- The Corporate Parent (Walmart/Amazon): For controlling the negligence of their contractors.
- The Cargo Owner: If shifting cargo caused the wreck.
- The Loading Company: For improperly securing the load.
- The Maintenance Shop: For failing to repair faulty brakes or tires.
- The Truck Manufacturer: If a design defect (like steering failure) was involved.
- The Parts Manufacturer: For defective tires or components.
- The Freight Broker: For negligent carrier selection (hiring a company with a bad safety rating).
- The Truck Owner: If the truck was leased through an owner-operator agreement.
- The Oilfield Operator: For accidents involving water trucks or sand haulers in Arkansas shale regions.
- The Staffing Agency: If they provided an unqualified driver.
- The Rental Company (U-Haul/Penske): For negligent maintenance of rental fleets.
- The Government Entity: If poor road design or uncorrected potholes on Arkansas state highways played a role.
- The Transit Agency: For accidents involving city buses in Little Rock or regional transit.
- The Federal Government: If a USPS mail truck or military vehicle was involved (FTCA rules apply).
Arkansas families deserve a lawyer who digs deeper. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 for a team that hunts down every dollar available.
48 Hours: The Evidence Preservation Countdown
The moment a semi hits a sedan in Arkansas, the trucking company’s defense machine starts. Within 24 hours, they often have an investigator at the scene taking photos and a lawyer reviewing the driver’s records. They are not looking for the truth; they are looking for a defense.
Critical Evidence That Can Be Lost:
- ECM Data: The “Black Box” records the five seconds before the crash. Did the driver brake? Were they speeding? This data is overwritten quickly.
- ELD Records: Drivers often try to “edit” their digital logs after a crash. We need the raw data.
- Dashcam Footage: Many Arkansas-based fleets now use Netradyne or DriveCam AI cameras. This footage is often deleted on a 7-day loop.
- Driver Cell Phone Data: Was the driver texting? Subpoenas must be issued immediately to secure these records from service providers.
We send a Litigation Hold to the trucking company immediately. If they destroy data after receiving our letter, the Arkansas court can issue “spoliation sanctions,” which can include a jury instruction to assume the destroyed evidence proved the company’s guilt.
Don’t let them delete the truth. Call Attorney911 at (888) 288-9911 today.
Catastrophic Injuries and Their True Value
We don’t just see categories of injuries; we see how they change your life. An 18-wheeler impact is not a “sore neck” case. It is a life-altering trauma.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Settlement Range: $1.5M – $9.8M+
A TBI changes how you speak, how you think, and how you love your family. Even a “mild” concussion from a Arkansas truck wreck can lead to permanent cognitive deficits. We work with neuropsychologists to document the subtle but profound changes in your brain function.
Spinal Cord Injury & Paralysis
Settlement Range: $4.7M – $25.8M+
A spinal fracture (C5-C6 or L4-L5) can result in lifelong confinement to a wheelchair. The costs of a Arkansas life care plan—including accessible housing, 24/7 nursing care, and specialized medical equipment—can run into the tens of millions. We ensure your settlement covers your entire lifetime, not just your current bills.
Amputation and Crush Injuries
Settlement Range: $1.9M – $8.6M
Truck accidents often result in limbs being trapped inside crushed vehicles, requiring traumatic or surgical amputation. We fight for the cost of high-end prosthetics, rehabilitation, and the profound emotional anguish of losing a limb.
Wrongful Death
Settlement Range: $1.9M – $9.5M
If you lost a spouse, parent, or child in an Arkansas truck accident, we are deeply sorry. Arkansas law allows you to recover for the loss of companionship, the loss of guidance for children, and the financial support your loved one would have provided. No check can replace them, but accountability is the first step toward justice.
Learn more: “The Ultimate Guide to Brain Injury Lawsuits” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBYAHi5aiEQ.
Commercial Insurance: Stacking the Limits
In a regular Arkansas car car accident, you might be limited to a $25,000 or $50,000 policy. In a trucking case, the numbers are much higher.
- General Freight Semi-Trucks: Minimum $750,000
- Oil and Petroleum Trucks: Minimum $1,000,000
- Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT): Minimum $5,000,000
Large carriers like J.B. Hunt or Walmart often have excess/umbrella policies that reach $25 million to $100 million or more. As your attorneys, our job is to find every layer of this “insurance stack.” If multiple companies are liable, we can recover from multiple policies.
Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis. Our team provides direct representation to Arkansas’s Spanish-speaking community without the need for interpreters, ensuring your story is heard exactly as it happened.
Truck Accident FAQ for Arkansas Victims
How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
Zero dollars upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing until we win your case. We advance all the costs for accident reconstruction, medical experts, and court filings. As client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
The insurance company offered me a settlement today. Should I take it?
Almost certainly NO. Insurance companies make early “lowball” offers before you know if you need surgery or if your TBI is permanent. Once you sign their release, your case is closed forever. Call us first for a free evaluation of that offer.
What if I was hit by a Walmart truck in Arkansas?
Arkansas is Walmart’s home. They have a massive legal department in Bentonville. Fighting them requires a firm with national resources. We have litigated against Walmart and other retail giants comfortably. We know how they self-insure and how to force them to the negotiating table.
Can I recover for PTSD after a Arkansas truck wreck?
Yes. Arkansas law recognizes mental anguish and emotional distress. If you are afraid to drive, suffering from nightmares, or experiencing severe anxiety after being struck by a semi-truck, those are compensable injuries.
How long will my case take?
Simple cases may settle in 6 to 12 months. Complex litigation involving multiple defendants or catastrophic injuries typically takes 18 to 24 months. We work as fast as the legal system allows—as Angel Walle said, “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”
Powerful and Proven: Why Choose Attorney911?
When an 80,000-pound truck changes your life, you need more than a lawyer; you need a fighter. Ralph Manginello and the team at Attorney911 bring over 25 years of trial experience to every Arkansas trucking case. We are not a settlement mill; we are a litigation firm. We have been admitted to the federal court of the Southern District of Texas and have handled cross-border cases involving carriers from across the nation.
Our Proof Points:
- $50 Million+ Recovered for injury victims.
- 4.9★ Google Reviews from hundreds of satisfied clients.
- Featured on KHOU, ABC13, KPRC 2, and the Houston Chronicle.
- BP Refinery Litigation: Experience taking on the world’s largest corporations.
- Former Insurance Defense: We know their secrets because we were once inside the room.
If you’re hurt in Little Rock, Fayetteville, Fort Smith, or anywhere in Arkansas, don’t let the trucking company push you around. Put the power of Attorney911 in your corner. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now.
Your fight starts with one call. We answer. We fight. We win.
This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Communication with Attorney911 via this website or phone does not create an attorney-client relationship until a written contract is signed.
Arkansas Office Service Area: Serving Pulaski County, Washington County, Benton County, Sebastian County, and all 75 counties throughout Arkansas.
Contact Us Today:
1-888-ATTY-911
ralph@atty911.com
https://attorney911.com
