18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in Boone County: When 80,000 Pounds Changes Your Life Forever

You were driving along Highway 65 or maybe crossing I-40 when you saw it happening. The trailer swung wide. The cab jackknifed. Or maybe you didn’t see anything at all until the impact came. An 80,000-pound truck against your passenger vehicle isn’t a fair fight. It never is. And now you’re here, searching for answers while the medical bills pile up and the trucking company’s insurance adjuster keeps calling.

We get it. At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years standing beside families in Boone County and across Arkansas who’ve had their worlds turned upside down by commercial trucking accidents. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. He’s admitted to federal court and has gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 companies like BP. But here’s what really matters for your Boone County case: we know these highways, we know how Arkansas trucking companies operate, and we know exactly how to make them pay when their negligence costs you everything.

Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in Boone County Are Different From Car Wrecks

A car accident is traumatic. A trucking accident is catastrophic. The physics don’t lie—a fully loaded semi weighs up to 80,000 pounds under federal law. Your sedan weighs about 4,000 pounds. That’s 20 times the mass producing 80 times the kinetic energy at highway speeds. When that force hits a family vehicle on I-40 or Highway 62, the results are devastating.

But the physical destruction is just the beginning. Trucking cases are legally complex in ways that regular car accidents aren’t. While a fender-bender might involve two drivers and two insurance policies, an 18-wheeler crash in Boone County can involve multiple liable parties, millions in insurance coverage, and federal regulations that most personal injury attorneys barely understand.

You see, commercial trucks aren’t just big cars. They’re regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and drivers and companies must follow strict rules under 49 CFR Parts 390-399. These aren’t suggestions—they’re federal law. And when trucking companies violate these rules to save time or money, they’re not just cutting corners. They’re gambling with lives.

We know this because we’ve been handling these cases for over two decades. We recovered over $50 million for our clients, including multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injuries ($1.5 million to $9.8 million range), amputations ($1.9 million to $8.6 million), and wrongful death cases ($1.9 million to $9.5 million). We’ve taken on Walmart, Amazon, FedEx, UPS, and Coca-Cola. And we won.

The Trucking Corridors That Put Boone County Families at Risk

Boone County sits at a crossroads of commerce. Interstate 40 cuts right through the county, carrying thousands of trucks daily between Little Rock and the Oklahoma border. Highway 65 runs north-south, connecting Springfield, Missouri to Little Rock—a major trucking route for freight moving between the Midwest and Gulf ports. Then there’s Highway 62 and Highway 412, winding through the Ozark foothills where the roads narrow and the margins for error disappear.

These aren’t just roads on a map. They’re where our neighbors drive to work, where our kids ride to school, and where families going about their daily lives share pavement with drivers who’ve been on the road for 11 hours straight—legally or not. The Tyson Foods facilities in nearby counties generate massive poultry trucking traffic. The retail distribution centers off I-40 bring constant waves of Amazon, Walmart, and FedEx trucks rushing to meet impossible deadlines.

And here’s what keeps us up at night: Arkansas modified comparative negligence laws. If you’re found 50% or more at fault in a wreck here, you recover nothing. Even if you’re only partially at fault, your recovery gets reduced by your percentage of blame. Trucking companies know this. Their insurance adjusters are trained to shift blame onto victims immediately after the crash. They’ll say you were speeding, or you didn’t signal, or you were in their blind spot—as if that excuses a 40-ton truck crushing your vehicle.

The Most Common 18-Wheeler Accidents We See in Boone County

Not all trucking accidents are the same. Over 25 years, we’ve seen every type of catastrophic collision, but certain patterns emerge on Arkansas highways.

Jackknife Accidents on I-40
When a truck driver brakes too hard on the interstate—especially in wet weather crossing the Ozark foothills—the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab like a folding knife. These accidents often block multiple lanes and create chain-reaction pileups. Driver fatigue and improper braking technique usually cause them, along with cargo that shifts unexpectedly. Under 49 CFR § 393.100, that cargo should have been secured properly. When it wasn’t, the trucking company broke federal law.

Underride Collisions at Highway 65 Intersections
These are the nightmares that haunt us. A smaller vehicle hits the rear or side of a trailer and slides underneath, shearing off the roof. Despite federal requirements under 49 CFR § 393.86 for rear impact guards since 1998, many trailers still lack adequate protection. Side underride isn’t even federally mandated, though it’s just as deadly. We’ve handled cases where families lost loved ones at intersections near Harrison and Bergman because a truck turned wide and the passenger car couldn’t stop in time.

Rollover Accidents on Highway 412 Curves
Those winding Ozark roads weren’t designed for 80,000-pound trucks taking curves at speed. When trailers tip, they crush everything in their path. Speeding drivers violate 49 CFR § 392.6, which prohibits operating at speeds unsafe for conditions. Improperly loaded cargo that shifts during turns violates 49 CFR § 393.100-136. We subpoena the cargo manifest and load distribution records to prove negligence.

Rear-End Collisions on the Interstates
A loaded truck needs nearly two football fields—525 feet—to stop from 65 mph. That’s 40% more distance than your car needs. When truckers follow too closely or get distracted by their phones, they violate 49 CFR § 392.11 and § 392.82 (the cell phone ban). The rear-impact crashes we see on I-40 near Alpena and Harrison often involve traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord damage because the force is so immense.

Wide Turn Accidents in Boone County Communities
Ever seen a truck swing left before turning right? That’s the “squeeze play,” and it’s deadly. Passenger vehicles get caught in the gap between the cab and the curb, then crushed when the trailer comes around. These happen frequently at retail centers and rural intersections where visibility is limited. The driver often claims they signaled, but the Electronic Control Module (ECM) data tells the truth.

Tire Blowouts and Brake Failures
Arkansas heat in summer, mountain grades in winter—truck systems take a beating. Under 49 CFR § 393.75, tires must have adequate tread depth (4/32″ on steering tires). Brakes must be inspected under 49 CFR § 396.11. When companies defer maintenance to save money, those worn tires blow and those brakes fail on the descent from the Ozarks. We pull maintenance records and pre-trip inspection reports to prove the company knew—or should have known—about the danger.

The 10 Parties Who Might Owe You Money (Not Just the Driver)

Most people think you just sue the truck driver. But our firm investigates every possible defendant because more liable parties means more insurance coverage means you get the full compensation you deserve. In Boone County trucking cases, we’ve pursued all of these:

1. The Truck Driver
Speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impairment—the driver’s negligence is often the immediate cause. We subpoena their cell phone records, drug test results, and driving history.

2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)
Under respondeat superior, companies are liable for their employees’ negligence. Plus, they can be directly liable for negligent hiring, training, or supervision. We dig into their Driver Qualification Files under 49 CFR § 391.51. Did they verify the driver had a valid CDL? Did they check his medical certificate? Did they look at his accident history? If they skipped steps to rush a driver onto the route, that’s on them.

3. The Cargo Owner
Tyson Foods, major retailers, distributors—whoever owns that load may have pressured the driver to speed or overload. We examine shipping contracts and loading instructions.

4. The Loading Company
Improperly secured cargo that shifts or falls violates 49 CFR § 393.100-136. We get the loading company’s procedures and training records.

5. Truck and Trailer Manufacturers
Defective brake systems, faulty steering mechanisms, or inadequate underride guards can create product liability claims. We work with engineers to analyze failed components.

6. Parts Manufacturers
Defective tires that blow out or brake components that fail can support claims against manufacturers like Michelin, Bridgestone, or Bendix.

7. Maintenance Companies
Third-party mechanics who negligently serviced the truck may be liable. We review work orders and mechanic certifications.

8. Freight Brokers
Companies like C.H. Robinson or major logistics firms who negligently selected carriers with poor safety records. We check if they verified the carrier’s insurance and CSA scores.

9. The Truck Owner (If Different from Carrier)
In owner-operator situations, the owner may have separate liability for negligent entrustment.

10. Government Entities
Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) or local counties may share liability for dangerous road design, inadequate signage, or failure to maintain safe conditions. However, Arkansas has strict sovereign immunity rules and short deadlines for claims against government—typically just 90 days to file notice. Don’t wait.

The Evidence That Disappears in 48 Hours (And How We Stop That)

Here’s the urgent truth: trucking companies have rapid-response teams on the scene within hours. They’re taking photos, interviewing witnesses, and downloading ECM data while you’re still in the hospital. And every day you wait, critical evidence vanishes.

Black Box Data: The Electronic Control Module records speed, braking, throttle position, and fault codes. It overwrites in 30 days—or sooner with new driving events.

Electronic Logging Devices (ELD): Since 2017, federal law requires ELDs tracking hours of service. But FMCSA only requires retention for 6 months. If the driver was exceeding his 11-hour driving limit or violating the 14-hour duty window under 49 CFR § 395.8, that evidence is crucial—and temporary.

Dashcam Footage: Many trucks have forward-facing and cab-facing cameras. This footage often deletes within 7-14 days.

Maintenance Records: Under 49 CFR § 396.3, companies must keep maintenance records for 1 year. But they can legally dispose of them after that—unless we send a spoliation letter first.

Witness Memory: The human mind isn’t a tape recorder. Memories fade, details blur, and bystanders who saw the crash on Highway 65 become unreachable.

That’s why we send spoliation letters within 24 hours of being retained. This legal notice puts the trucking company on notice that destroying evidence will result in sanctions—including adverse jury instructions where the judge tells the jury to assume the destroyed evidence would have been bad for the trucking company. Sometimes we get default judgments for intentional spoliation.

As client Chad Harris told us after we handled his case, “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” That’s how we treat every Boone County client—because we know you’re fighting for your life while the trucking company is fighting to minimize your claim.

Catastrophic Injuries: When the Crash Changes Everything

We’ve represented Boone County families dealing with the unthinkable. The settlement ranges we see for these injuries reflect not just medical bills, but the cost of a changed life:

Traumatic Brain Injury ($1.5M – $9.8M+):
Concussions, cognitive impairment, mood changes, memory loss. TBI victims often can’t return to work and need lifelong care. We work with neurologists to prove the full extent of damage.

Spinal Cord Injuries ($4.7M – $25.8M+):
Paraplegia, quadriplegia, incomplete spinal injuries. These require wheelchairs, home modifications, and 24/7 assistance. One case involved a client paralyzed in an I-40 trucking accident where the driver fell asleep—violating 49 CFR § 392.3.

Amputation ($1.9M – $8.6M):
Surgical amputation or traumatic limb loss at the scene. Prosthetics cost $5,000 to $50,000 each and need replacement every few years. Client Kiimarii Yup lost his vehicle and mobility in a commercial truck crash, but told us, “1 year later I have gained so much in return plus a brand new truck.” That’s the recovery we fight for.

Wrongful Death ($1.9M – $9.5M):
When a Boone County family loses its breadwinner or a child loses a parent, Arkansas law allows recovery for lost future income, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. We handled the BP Texas City litigation involving 15 deaths and 170+ injuries—one of the few Texas firms involved in that $2.1 billion disaster.

Insurance Coverage: Why Trucking Cases Are Worth More

Federal law requires trucking companies to carry far more insurance than passenger vehicles:

• $750,000 for non-hazardous freight (most trucks)
• $1,000,000 for oil, petroleum, or large equipment
• $5,000,000 for hazardous materials

That means when a truck hits you on Highway 62, there’s actually money available to cover catastrophic injuries. But accessing it requires knowing how to stack policies, identify umbrella coverage, and prove liability against multiple defendants.

Don’t let anyone tell you Arkansas’s 3-year statute of limitations means you can wait. Evidence disappears. Witnesses move away. And the trucking company’s lawyers are building their defense right now.

Frequently Asked Questions About Boone County Trucking Accidents

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Arkansas?
Arkansas gives you 3 years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit—longer than Louisiana’s 1 year or Texas’s 2 years, but don’t wait. Critical evidence like ECM data can be overwritten in 30 days. We recommend contacting an attorney within days.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Arkansas uses modified comparative negligence with a 50% bar. You can recover damages if you’re less than 50% at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of blame. So if you’re 30% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you recover $70,000. But if you’re 51% at fault, you get nothing. That’s why we fight hard to prove the truck driver was speeding, fatigued, or distracted.

Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?
Never. Not without an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize your claim. They’ll ask how you’re feeling, and if you say “fine,” they’ll use that against you. They’ll ask for recorded statements designed to trap you. As client Donald Wilcox learned after another firm rejected his case, “Then I got a call from Manginello… I got a call to come pick up this handsome check.”

What is a spoliation letter and why does it matter?
It’s a legal demand sent to the trucking company requiring them to preserve all evidence—ECM data, ELD logs, maintenance records, driver files, and even the physical truck. Once they receive this, destroying evidence becomes a serious legal violation that can result in sanctions or adverse inference instructions at trial.

How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis—33.33% if settled pre-trial, 40% if we have to go to trial. You pay nothing unless we win. We advance all investigation costs, including accident reconstruction experts and medical record reviews.

Do you handle cases in Spanish?
Sí. Hablamos Español. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters. He grew up in Sugar Land, Texas, and worked for years as an insurance defense attorney before joining our firm. He knows exactly how insurance companies evaluate claims from the inside—now he uses that knowledge to fight for you.

What if the trucking company is from out of state?
It doesn’t matter. Federal trucking regulations apply nationwide, and we’re admitted to federal court. Whether it’s a Walmart truck from Arkansas or a Swift Transportation rig from Arizona, we can pursue them in the appropriate venue.

Call Attorney911 Before Evidence Disappears

You didn’t ask for this fight. But now you’re in it, and the trucking company has teams of lawyers working to protect their interests. You deserve someone working just as hard for you.

Ralph Manginello has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. Lupe Peña brings insider knowledge from his days defending insurance companies. Together, we’ve recovered over $50 million for families, including multi-million dollar settlements for brain injuries, amputations, and wrongful death.

If you’re dealing with catastrophic injuries from an 18-wheeler accident in Boone County—whether it happened on I-40, Highway 65, or a rural road in the Ozarks—call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We’re available 24/7 because we know evidence doesn’t wait for business hours.

The trucking company is already building their defense. What are you doing? Call 1-888-ATTY-911 today for a free consultation. We answer. We fight. We win.

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

Attorney911
The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC
1177 West Loop S, Suite 1600, Houston, TX 77027
316 West 12th Street, Suite 311, Austin, TX 78701
Also serving Boone County, Arkansas

Contingency Fee Representation | No Fee Unless We Win | 25+ Years Experience