18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Madison County, Arkansas

When 80,000 Pounds of Steel Changes Everything

The Ozark Mountain roads around Huntsville wind tight and steep. When an 18-wheeler loses control on a grade near Madison County, physics takes over—and your life changes in an instant. We’ve seen what happens when commercial trucks carrying poultry feed, manufactured goods, or hazardous materials barrel through northwest Arkansas with worn brakes or fatigued drivers. The aftermath isn’t just a car accident; it’s a catastrophe.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for families across Arkansas and beyond. Ralph Manginello has been holding trucking companies accountable since 1998, and our team includes a former insurance defense attorney who spent years inside the system learning exactly how carriers minimize claims—now he uses that knowledge against them. We know the 49 CFR regulations governing every commercial vehicle on Highway 23 and US-412, and we know how to prove when Madison County trucking companies violate those rules.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an 18-wheeler crash anywhere in Madison County—from Huntsville to Hindsville, from the Boston Mountains to the Kings River valley—you need a fighter who understands both the mountains and the law. The clock is already ticking. Evidence disappears fast on Arkansas roads, and the trucking company is already building their defense.

Call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 for a free consultation. We answer 24/7.

Understanding the Physics of Trucking Accidents in Madison County

Why 18-Wheeler Crashes Aren’t Just “Bigger Car Accidents”

Your sedan weighs about 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 80,000 pounds—that’s 20 times your vehicle’s mass. When that much weight collides with a passenger vehicle on a narrow Ozark road, the results are devastating.

The physics are unforgiving:

• Stopping distance: At 55 mph, an 18-wheeler needs nearly two football fields (525 feet) to stop—40% more than your car needs on those winding Madison County grades.
• Force: Force equals mass times acceleration. An 80,000-pound truck carries approximately 80 times the kinetic energy of a passenger vehicle at the same speed.
• Impact: When trucks jackknife on icy patches of Highway 74 or roll over on the curves near Withrow Springs State Park, the trailer sweeps across lanes with devastating force.

Madison County’s terrain makes trucking particularly dangerous. The Ozark Mountains create steep grades that test brake systems. Fog settles in the valleys along the War Eagle River. Sharp curves on AR-23 challenge even experienced drivers. When trucking companies cut corners on maintenance or push drivers to exceed hours-of-service limits, these roads become deadly.

The Arkansas Trucking Corridor Reality

While Madison County doesn’t have an Interstate cutting directly through it, we’re surrounded by major freight corridors. Interstate 49 runs just west of the county line, handling massive freight traffic between Fayetteville, Springdale, and beyond. US-412 brings commercial traffic across the Ozarks, connecting Oklahoma to the Mississippi River. Highway 23—the Pig Trail Scenic Byway—sees heavy poultry transport between Huntsville processing plants and distribution centers.

Trucking companies know these routes. They know the tight turns near St. Paul and the steep descent toward the White River. When they send drivers through Madison County who aren’t trained for mountain driving—or worse, when they send fatigued drivers who’ve been on the road for 14 hours—they gamble with lives.

Federal Trucking Regulations: The Rules They Must Follow

Every 18-wheeler operating in Madison County must comply with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations codified in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR). These aren’t suggestions—they’re federal law. When trucking companies break these rules, they endanger everyone on Highway 412 and throughout northwest Arkansas.

49 CFR Part 391: Driver Qualification Standards

Before a driver can legally operate a commercial motor vehicle in Arkansas, they must meet strict federal requirements under 49 CFR § 391.11:

• Age: Must be at least 21 years old for interstate commerce (or 18 for intrastate)
• Medical fitness: Must hold a valid Medical Examiner’s Certificate (49 CFR § 391.41), renewed every 2 years maximum
• CDL: Must possess a valid Commercial Driver’s License appropriate for the vehicle class
• Training: Must have completed required entry-level driver training

Trucking companies must maintain a Driver Qualification File (49 CFR § 391.51) containing:

• Employment application
• 3-year driving history from previous employers
• Motor vehicle record
• Medical certification
• Drug and alcohol test results
• Road test certificate

Why this matters for your Madison County case: If the driver who hit you on AR-295 didn’t have a valid medical certificate, or if the trucking company never checked his background before hiring, that’s negligent hiring. We’ve seen cases where companies hired drivers with multiple DUIs or revoked licenses. When we subpoena the Driver Qualification File, we often find missing documents that prove the company never should have put that driver on the road.

49 CFR Part 392: Safe Driving Rules

Federal law under 49 CFR § 392.3 prohibits any driver from operating a commercial vehicle while their ability is impaired by fatigue, illness, or any other cause. Yet we see constant violations on Arkansas roads.

Key regulations include:

• § 392.4: No driver shall be on duty or operate while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• § 392.5: No alcohol use within 4 hours of driving; no alcohol while on duty
• § 392.6: No motor carrier shall schedule a run requiring speeds exceeding posted limits
• § 392.11: Following too closely—trucks must maintain safe following distances on those steep Ozark grades
• § 392.80: No texting while driving
• § 392.82: No hand-held mobile telephone use while driving

49 CFR Part 393: Vehicle Safety and Cargo Securement

This section governs the equipment on the truck. Under 49 CFR § 393.75, tires must have minimum tread depth (4/32″ on steering tires, 2/32″ on others). Section 393.40-55 mandates working brake systems. Section 393.100-136 establishes cargo securement rules requiring loads to withstand 0.8g deceleration forward and 0.5g lateral force.

Madison County applications: When a poultry feed truck tips over on a curve near Elkins because the load shifted, that’s likely a 49 CFR § 393 cargo securement violation. When a logging truck loses its trailer on a steep grade because brakes failed, that’s a § 393.40 violation. These aren’t just mechanical failures—they’re federal crimes that prove negligence.

49 CFR Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS)

This is where we find the most violations. TheHours of Service regulations under Part 395 limit how long drivers can operate:

• 11-hour driving limit: Cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty (49 CFR § 395.8)
• 14-hour on-duty window: Cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty
• 30-minute break: Required after 8 cumulative hours of driving
• 60/70-hour rule: Cannot drive after 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days
• 34-hour restart: To reset the weekly clock, drivers need 34 consecutive hours off

Since December 18, 2017, most trucks must use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) under 49 CFR § 395.8. These devices automatically record driving time and cannot be falsified like the old paper logs.

The Arkansas problem: We see drivers pushing through fatigue on long hauls from Little Rock to Fayetteville, cutting through Madison County to save time. When they exceed the 11-hour limit and cause a crash near Huntsville, the ELD data proves the violation. But that data only exists if we preserve it immediately.

49 CFR Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance

Trucking companies must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles under 49 CFR § 396.3. Drivers must conduct pre-trip inspections (§ 396.13) and submit written post-trip reports (§ 396.11) documenting any defects.

The maintenance records reveal the truth: If a truck’s brakes failed descending toward the War Eagle Valley, we subpoena the maintenance logs. Often we find that the company knew about brake issues months before the crash but deferred repairs to save money. That’s not just negligence—it’s willful disregard for safety that can justify punitive damages under Arkansas law.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We See in Madison County

Jackknife Accidents on Ozark Grades

A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, forming a 90-degree angle (or worse) that blocks multiple lanes. On the steep, winding sections of Highway 23 or the descents toward the White River, these are particularly deadly.

Causes specific to Madison County terrain:

• Sudden braking on wet or icy pavement on mountain grades
• Empty or lightly loaded trailers (more prone to swing on Arkansas poultry runs)
• Speeding on curves near St. Paul or Hindsville
• Brake failure from overheated drums on long descents

The evidence we gather: We analyze skid marks to determine the trailer angle at impact, download ECM data showing speed and brake application, and review maintenance records for brake adjustments required under 49 CFR § 396.11.

Rollover Accidents in the Mountains

Madison County’s topography makes rollovers a constant threat. When a truck’s center of gravity shifts on a curve—often because cargo wasn’t properly secured under 49 CFR § 393.100—the trailer tips. We’ve seen trucks roll on the tight turns of AR-74 and the steep banking near Ozark National Forest.

Why they happen here: Liquid cargo (milk, chemicals, fuel) shifts violently on curves. Drivers unfamiliar with mountain hauling take turns too fast. Overcorrection after hitting a pothole or avoiding wildlife leads to loss of control.

Injuries: These often cause crushing injuries when the trailer rolls onto smaller vehicles, or catastrophic injuries when the driver is thrown from the cab.

Underride Collisions: The Most Deadly Crashes

An underride occurs when a passenger vehicle slides under the trailer, often shearing off the roof. On dark rural roads in Madison County—with no streetlights and wildlife crossings—these happen when trucks stop suddenly or pull across traffic.

Federal requirements: 49 CFR § 393.86 mandates rear impact guards on trailers manufactured after January 26, 1998. However, many trailers on Arkansas roads have inadequate guards, and there is no federal requirement for side underride guards (though advocacy continues).

Why this matters in Madison County: When a truck makes a wide turn on narrow Highway 295 or stops unexpectedly for a deer on AR-23, a following car can slide underneath. These accidents are almost always fatal or cause traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage.

Rear-End Collisions on Rural Highways

An 18-wheeler needs 525 feet to stop at highway speeds. When a truck driver is distracted—texting, eating, or adjusting GPS on the long haul through Arkansas—they often can’t stop in time when traffic slows for a school bus in Huntsville or a farm vehicle entering the road near Hindsville.

Evidence: We download the ECM data showing the following distance and speed, subpoena cell phone records for distracted driving violations of 49 CFR § 392.82, and check the driver’s logbooks (ELD data) for fatigue violations under Part 395.

Wide Turn Accidents in Small Towns

Trucks swinging wide to make right turns on Huntsville’s narrow streets or in the tight intersections of Kingston can trap passenger vehicles. This is called the “squeeze play”—the truck swings left before turning right, and a car enters the gap only to be crushed when the trailer completes its turn.

Liability issues: These often indicate inadequate driver training (negligent training under respondeat superior) or failure to check mirrors (violating 49 CFR § 393.80 requiring adequate mirrors).

Brake Failure on Mountain Descents

Madison County’s steep grades—particularly on the approaches to the White River and the War Eagle valley—test brake systems. When brakes fail due to poor maintenance (violating 49 CFR § 396.3), trucks become runaway missiles.

The investigation: We examine the brake adjustment records required under § 396.11, check for air brake system leaks, and determine if the company performed required annual inspections under § 396.17. Brake problems are a factor in 29% of large truck crashes—unacceptable when proper maintenance prevents it.

Cargo Spills and Shifts

When improperly secured loads shift on curves—common with poultry feed, logs, or manufactured goods—the trailer can tip or the cargo can spill across the road. Under 49 CFR § 393.100-136, cargo must be secured to prevent movement that affects vehicle stability.

Madison County considerations: Agricultural and poultry traffic is heavy here. When a feed truck tips on a curve near Elkins or a logging truck loses its load on AR-23, the trucking company and the loading company may both be liable under federal cargo securement rules.

Tire Blowouts on Hot Arkansas Days

The Ozark heat and long hauls from Fayetteville to Little Rock create dangerous conditions for tires. When a steer tire blows at 65 mph on US-412, the driver often loses control immediately.

Federal requirements: 49 CFR § 393.75 mandates minimum tread depth and prohibits worn tires. Section 396.13 requires drivers to inspect tires before each trip. When companies defer tire replacement to save money, they gamble with lives.

Who Can Be Held Liable?

Unlike a simple car accident where usually only one driver is at fault, 18-wheeler crashes often involve multiple liable parties. At Attorney911, we investigate every possible defendant to maximize your recovery under Arkansas law.

1. The Truck Driver

The driver who caused the crash may be personally liable for:

• Speeding or reckless driving on Ozark curves
• Distracted driving (cell phone violations of 49 CFR § 392.82)
• Fatigued driving beyond the 11-hour limit (49 CFR § 395.8)
• Impaired driving (alcohol under § 392.5, drugs under § 392.4)
• Failure to conduct pre-trip inspections (§ 396.13)

We subpoena the driver’s personal insurance, driving history, and employment records to prove they were unfit to drive or violated federal regulations.

2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)

This is often your primary defendant because they carry the highest insurance limits (minimum $750,000 under federal law, often $1-5 million).

Vicarious liability: Under the doctrine of respondeat superior (let the master answer), employers are responsible for employees’ negligent acts within the scope of employment. If the driver was an employee acting within his duties when he crashed on Highway 23, the company is liable.

Direct negligence: We also look for:

• Negligent hiring: Did they check his background? Did they know he had DUIs or a revoked CDL? Missing Driver Qualification Files under 49 CFR § 391.51 prove this.
• Negligent training: Did they train him on mountain driving? Did he know how to handle brake fade on steep grades?
• Negligent supervision: Did they monitor his ELD compliance? Did they know he was driving 14-hour days?
• Negligent maintenance: Did they defer brake repairs to save money? Did they ignore the out-of-service orders?

3. Cargo Owner and Loading Companies

The company that loaded the cargo may be liable under 49 CFR § 393 for improper securement. In Madison County, we see this with poultry operations, logging companies, and agricultural shippers.

If the load shifted because of inadequate tiedowns or improper weight distribution, the loader shares liability. If the cargo owner demanded an overweight load or failed to disclose hazardous materials, they may be liable for resulting injuries.

4. Truck and Parts Manufacturers

When brake systems fail despite proper maintenance, or when tires blow out due to manufacturing defects, we pursue product liability claims against manufacturers. Defective steering components, faulty air brake systems, or poorly designed fuel tanks that rupture and cause fires can all trigger strict liability claims.

We check the NHTSA database for recall notices and similar defect complaints. If the truck had known defects the manufacturer didn’t fix, that supports punitive damages.

5. Maintenance Companies

Third-party maintenance shops that service big rigs may be liable for negligent repairs. If a mechanic in Fayetteville adjusted the brakes incorrectly or sent the truck back on the road with known defects under 49 CFR § 396.3, they share responsibility for the crash.

6. Freight Brokers

Freight brokers who arrange transportation between shippers and carriers may be liable for negligent selection of carriers. If a broker hired a trucking company with a terrible safety record (poor CSA scores under FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability program) just because they were cheap, and that company caused your crash in Madison County, the broker may be liable.

7. Government Entities

While rare, Arkansas state or Madison County government may be liable if:

• Road design contributed to the crash (inadequate banking on curves)
• Failed to maintain the road (potholes that caused loss of control)
• Improper work zone setup on highway projects
• Inadequate signage for steep grades or sharp curves

Important: Arkansas has strict notice requirements for claims against government entities (typically 90 days under Ark. Code Ann. § 19-10-304). Wait too long, and you lose your right to sue.

The 48-Hour Evidence Protocol: Why Time Matters

In Madison County 18-wheeler cases, evidence disappears fast—faster than you might think. The trucking company has rapid-response teams that arrive at the scene before the ambulance leaves. Their lawyers and insurance adjusters start building their defense immediately.

Critical evidence that can vanish:

• ECM/Black Box data: Can be overwritten in 30 days or with new driving events
• ELD logs: FMCSA only requires 6 months retention—after that, it may be gone
• Dashcam footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days
• Maintenance records: Companies may “lose” them or claim routine destruction
• Physical evidence: The truck may be repaired, sold, or scrapped
• Witnesses: Memories fade, especially in rural areas where people may not want to get involved

The Spoliation Letter

The moment you hire Attorney911, we send a spoliation letter to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. This formal notice demands preservation of:

1. Electronic Data: ECM/EDR data, ELD logs, GPS tracking, telematics, dispatch communications, cell phone records
2. Driver Records: Complete Driver Qualification File, drug/alcohol tests, training records, disciplinary history
3. Vehicle Records: Maintenance logs, inspection reports, repair receipts, tire and brake specifications
4. Physical Evidence: The truck and trailer themselves, cargo securement devices, failed components
5. Company Records: Safety policies, hiring procedures, previous accident history

Why this matters: Once we put them on notice, destroying evidence becomes “spoliation”—a serious legal violation. Arkansas courts can:

• Instruct the jury to assume destroyed evidence would have hurt the defense
• Impose monetary sanctions
• Enter default judgment in extreme cases

What We Do Immediately

Within 24-48 hours of being retained for a Madison County trucking accident, we:

1. Send preservation letters to all parties
2. Deploy accident reconstruction experts to photograph the scene before weather changes the evidence
3. Subpoena Arkansas State Police crash reports and 911 recordings
4. Interview witnesses while memories are fresh
5. Obtain and analyze the truck’s black box data before it overwrites
6. Review the carrier’s FMCSA safety scores (CSA ratings) for patterns of violations

Don’t wait. If you’re reading this from a hospital bed in Fayetteville or recovering at home in Huntsville, the trucking company is already working against you. Call 888-ATTY-911 today.

Catastrophic Injuries: What You’re Really Facing

18-wheeler accidents don’t cause whiplash—they cause devastation. The 20-to-1 weight differential between a loaded truck and a passenger vehicle means catastrophic injuries are the norm, not the exception.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

When an 80,000-pound truck strikes a 4,000-pound car, occupants often suffer closed head injuries as their brains impact the inside of their skulls. TBI symptoms include:

• Loss of consciousness or confusion
• Persistent headaches and dizziness
• Memory loss and difficulty concentrating
• Mood changes and personality shifts
• Speech difficulties and sensory problems

Treatment and costs: Moderate to severe TBI requires extensive rehabilitation, ongoing care, and often prevents return to work. We’ve recovered between $1.5 million and $9.8 million for TBI victims, depending on severity and long-term prognosis.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis

The crushing forces in trucking accidents frequently damage the spinal cord, resulting in:

• Paraplegia: Loss of function below the waist
• Quadriplegia: Loss of function in all four limbs
• Incomplete injuries: Partial nerve damage with variable recovery

Lifetime costs: A quadriplegic injury can cost $4.7 million to $25.8 million over a lifetime, including medical care, equipment, home modifications, and lost earning capacity. Arkansas juries recognize these staggering costs and have awarded substantial verdicts in similar cases.

Amputations

Trucking accidents often cause traumatic amputations at the scene or require surgical amputation due to crushing injuries or severe burns. The loss of a limb requires:

• Multiple surgeries and prosthetics ($5,000-$50,000+ per prosthetic)
• Rehabilitation and occupational therapy
• Psychological counseling for phantom limb pain and body image trauma
• Career changes or total disability

Recovery range: We’ve secured between $1.9 million and $8.6 million for amputation victims in similar cases.

Severe Burns

When fuel tanks rupture or hazmat cargo ignites on Arkansas highways, victims suffer catastrophic burns requiring:

• Emergency treatment and skin grafts
• Reconstructive surgeries
• Pain management
• Psychological treatment for disfigurement

Burns are measured by percentage of body surface area and depth (first through fourth degree). Third and fourth-degree burns often require amputation and cause permanent disability.

Wrongful Death

When a trucking accident kills a loved one on Highway 412 or any Madison County road, Arkansas law allows certain family members to recover damages through a wrongful death claim. Under Arkansas Code § 16-62-102, the personal representative of the deceased’s estate brings the action for the benefit of surviving spouse, children, parents, or siblings.

Damages available:

• Lost income and benefits the deceased would have provided
• Loss of consortium (companionship, guidance, support)
• Mental anguish of survivors
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical expenses incurred before death
• Punitive damages if the trucking company’s conduct was willful or wanton

Settlement ranges: Wrongful death cases involving commercial trucks typically range from $1.9 million to $9.5 million, depending on the age of the deceased, earning capacity, and circumstances of the crash.

Arkansas Law: What You Need to Know

Three-Year Statute of Limitations

Under Arkansas Code § 16-56-105, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims under § 16-62-102, you also have three years from the date of death.

Don’t wait. While three years sounds like a long time, evidence disappears within days or weeks. Witnesses move away. Dashcam footage is deleted. The truck is repaired and sold. The sooner you contact us, the stronger your case will be.

Modified Comparative Negligence (50% Bar)

Arkansas follows a “modified comparative fault” system under § 16-64-122. This means:

• If you are less than 50% at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault (e.g., if you’re 20% at fault, you recover 80% of damages)
• If you are 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing

Insurance companies will try to blame you—for not seeing the truck, for stopping suddenly, or for reacting improperly when a truck invaded your lane. We fight these allegations by reconstructing the accident and citing FMCSA violations that prove the truck driver was primarily responsible.

No Caps on Damages (Most Cases)

Unlike some states, Arkansas does not place statutory caps on compensatory damages in personal injury or wrongful death cases involving trucking accidents. The Arkansas Supreme Court has held that caps on non-economic damages violate the state constitution (see Ark. Code Ann. § 16-114-208 regarding medical malpractice, but no similar caps exist for trucking cases).

Punitive damages: Under § 16-55-205, Arkansas allows punitive damages when the defendant acted with “oppressiveness, fraud, wantonness, or malice.” This means if we prove the trucking company knowingly sent a dangerous driver onto Highway 23, or intentionally destroyed evidence (spoliation), or falsified logbooks to hide Hours of Service violations, you may recover punitive damages designed to punish the company and deter future misconduct.

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your Madison County Trucking Case

25+ Years of Experience Fighting Trucking Companies

Ralph Manginello didn’t start practicing law yesterday. Since 1998, he’s been taking on commercial carriers and winning. He’s admitted to practice in federal court (Southern District of Texas) and has gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 corporations in complex litigation—including his work on the BP Texas City refinery explosion that killed 15 workers and injured 170 more.

When you hire Attorney911 for your Madison County 18-wheeler case, you get:

• Federal court experience: Many trucking cases belong in federal court because they involve interstate commerce and federal regulations. Ralph’s federal admission means we can file there if it’s strategically advantageous.
• Multi-million dollar results: We’ve recovered over $50 million for clients across all practice areas, including $5+ million for a traumatic brain injury victim struck by falling equipment, $3.8+ million for a client who lost a limb after a car crash, and $2.5+ million for a truck accident settlement.
• Trial readiness: We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies know which lawyers are bluffing about going to court—and they offer those lawyers less. When Attorney911 negotiates, carriers know we have the resources and experience to take the case all the way.

Insider Knowledge: Former Insurance Defense Attorney on Your Side

Our associate attorney, Lupe Peña, spent years working at a national insurance defense firm representing trucking companies and their insurers. He knows:

• How adjusters are trained to minimize your claim
• The formulas they use to calculate “lowball” offers
• When they’re bluffing about “policy limits”
• How to counter their delay tactics and denial strategies

Now Lupe uses that insider knowledge against the insurance companies. As he told a local reporter, “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do. Let’s bring this to light. Enough is enough.”

Hablamos Español. Lupe is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation to Madison County’s Hispanic community without interpreters.

Three Office Locations Serving Arkansas

While our main office is in Houston, we have offices in Austin and Beaumont, and we regularly handle cases throughout Arkansas, including Madison County. We know the Fayetteville federal courthouse, the Arkansas state courts in Huntsville, and the local rules that affect your case. We’re not just “Texas lawyers”—we’re your neighbors who happen to have Texas-size resources.

4.9-Star Rating (251+ Reviews)

Our clients speak for us:

• Chad Harris said: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”
• Donald Wilcox told us: “One company said they would not accept my case. Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”
• Glenda Walker explained: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

We treat you like family, not a case number. When an 18-wheeler crash changes your life in Madison County, you need a law firm that answers the phone at 2 AM when the nightmares hit, that explains the process in plain English (or Spanish), and that fights for every dollar you’re owed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do immediately after a trucking accident in Madison County?

If you’re able:

1. Call 911 and report all injuries
2. Document the scene with photos (vehicles, road conditions, skid marks)
3. Get the truck’s DOT number, company name, and driver information
4. Obtain witness contact information
5. Seek medical treatment immediately—even if you feel “okay”
6. Do NOT give recorded statements to insurance companies
7. Call 1-888-288-9911 before the evidence disappears

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Arkansas?

Three years from the accident date under Ark. Code § 16-56-105. However, if a government entity is involved (like a state truck or poorly maintained road), you may have only 90 days to provide notice under § 19-10-304. Don’t risk missing deadlines—call us immediately.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Arkansas uses modified comparative fault. You can recover if you were less than 50% at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If the truck driver was texting (violating 49 CFR § 392.82), or driving over his 11-hour limit (violating Part 395), or had bad brakes (violating § 396.3), we can prove you were not primarily responsible.

How much is my case worth?

It depends on:

• Injury severity (TBI and spinal injuries command higher settlements)
• Medical costs (past and future)
• Lost wages and earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Available insurance (trucking companies carry $750K-$5M minimums)
• Degree of trucking company negligence (punitive damages possible)

We’ve recovered millions for similar injuries, but every case is unique. Call for a free evaluation.

Will my case go to trial?

Probably not—95% of cases settle. But we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial because:

1. It creates leverage in negotiations
2. Insurance companies pay more when they know you’re ready to go to court
3. We’re not afraid of the courtroom if that’s what it takes

How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?

Nothing upfront. We work on contingency—our fee is a percentage of your recovery (typically 33.33% pre-trial, 40% if trial is necessary). You pay nothing unless we win. We advance all investigation costs, expert fees, and court expenses. You never receive a bill from us.

What if the trucking company calls me with a settlement offer?

Hang up and call us. First offers are always lowball amounts designed to get you to sign away your rights before you know the full extent of your injuries. Never accept a settlement without consulting an attorney.

Do you handle cases in Madison County if your office is in Texas?

Yes. We’re licensed in multiple jurisdictions and have attorneys admitted to federal courts that cover Arkansas. We handle trucking accident cases throughout the region, including Madison, Washington, and Benton counties. We travel to you—whether you’re recovering at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville or at home in Huntsville.

What is a “nuclear verdict” and could my case get one?

“Nuclear verdicts” are massive jury awards (often $10 million or more) that have become more common in trucking cases when juries learn about willful safety violations. Recent examples include a $462 million verdict in Missouri for an underride crash and a $160 million verdict in Alabama for a rollover causing quadriplegia. While we can’t promise specific results, when trucking companies falsify logs, destroy evidence, or knowingly hire dangerous drivers, Arkansas juries have shown they will punish that conduct with substantial awards.

Can undocumented immigrants file claims for trucking accidents?

Yes. Immigration status does not affect your right to recover compensation for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. We handle these cases confidentially and compassionately.

Call Attorney911 Today: Your Madison County 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys

The trucking company has lawyers working right now to minimize what they pay you. What are you doing?

If you’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in Madison County—Huntsville, Hindsville, Kingston, St. Paul, or anywhere along Highway 23, US-412, or AR-74—you need a fighter who knows federal trucking law and understands Arkansas juries.

Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911. We answer 24/7. The consultation is free. You pay nothing unless we win. And we’ll send a preservation letter today to protect the evidence that proves your case.

Don’t let them win. Don’t settle for less. Get every dime you deserve.

Hablamos Español. Llame a Lupe Peña al 1-888-ATTY-911.

Attorney911 – The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC
25+ Years Fighting for Trucking Accident Victims
Offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont
Serving Madison County and All of Northwest Arkansas

Call Now: 888-ATTY-911
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No Fee Unless We Win