If an 80,000-pound tractor-trailer changed your life on I-30 outside Hope, or along US-67 near Hempstead County’s timberlands, you’re not just another accident statistic—you’re a survivor facing a fight against an industry built to protect itself, not you.
Ralph Manginello has spent over 25 years standing between trucking companies and the families they devastate. Since 1998, our firm has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for catastrophic injuries across the Southwest, including right here in Hempstead County. We’ve taken on Fortune 500 corporations like BP in the Texas City refinery explosion, and we currently represent victims in active litigation demanding $10 million from institutions that ignored safety. When a logging truck or an 18-wheeler carrying agricultural freight causes devastation on Hempstead County highways, we know exactly what evidence to preserve, what regulations were broken, and how to make them pay.
Don’t let the trucking company’s lawyers decide what your recovery looks like. Call 1-888-ATTY-911 now. We answer 24/7.
Why 18-Wheeler Accidents in Hempstead County Are Different
An 18-wheeler collision isn’t a “car accident with a bigger vehicle.” The physics are catastrophic, the regulations are federal, and the playbook the trucking companies use against you starts before the ambulance even arrives.
Here in Hempstead County, we sit on a critical freight corridor. Interstate 30 cuts through Hope, carrying massive truck traffic between Dallas, Little Rock, and beyond. US-67 and US-278 feed timber, poultry, and agricultural products through our community daily. When these 80,000-pound machines lose control on our rural highways or jackknife near the Hempstead County line, the results are devastating.
Trucking companies have rapid-response teams. They dispatch lawyers and investigators to Hempstead County accident scenes within hours—sometimes while victims are still being extricated. Their job is to minimize liability. Our job is to stop them.
Arkansas Law: What Hempstead County Victims Must Know
You have rights under Arkansas law, but the clock is ticking, and the rules here differ from neighboring Texas or Louisiana.
The Statute of Limitations in Arkansas
In Hempstead County—and throughout Arkansas—you have three years from the date of your trucking accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, you also have three years. While this is longer than some neighboring states, waiting is dangerous. Black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. Witnesses move away. Skid marks fade. We recommend contacting an attorney immediately to preserve evidence.
Modified Comparative Negligence: The 50% Rule
Arkansas follows a “modified comparative fault” system with a 50% bar. This means if you are found 49% or less at fault for the accident, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing. The trucking company’s insurance adjusters know this rule—they’ll try to shift blame onto you. That’s why having an attorney who understands Hempstead County juries and Arkansas negligence law is critical.
Punitive Damages
Unlike some states, Arkansas does not cap punitive damages in trucking cases. When a company knowingly puts a dangerous driver on the road, allows falsified log books, or ignores maintenance requirements, Hempstead County juries have the power to punish them with unlimited punitive damages.
The FMCSA Regulations That Protect You (And Prove Negligence)
Every commercial truck operating in Hempstead County must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations codified in 49 CFR Parts 390-399. These aren’t suggestions—they’re federal law. Violations prove negligence.
Part 391: Driver Qualification Standards
Trucking companies must maintain Driver Qualification Files proving their drivers are medically fit, properly licensed, and trained. They must verify employment history for the past three years and conduct annual reviews. When a company hires an unqualified driver or fails to check a history of DUIs, they violate § 391.51—and we hold them liable for negligent hiring.
Part 392: Driving Rules
This section prohibits operating while fatigued (§ 392.3), using hand-held mobile phones while driving (§ 392.82), and following too closely (§ 392.11). We subpoena cell phone records and ECM data to prove violations.
Part 393: Vehicle Safety and Cargo Securement
Federal law mandates proper brake systems (§ 393.40), lighting (§ 393.11), and cargo securement (§ 393.100-136). Cargo must be secured to withstand 0.8g deceleration forces. When overloaded timber trucks or poultry haulers spill cargo on Hempstead County roads, these violations establish strict liability.
Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS)
This is where most trucking companies cheat. The rules are clear:
- Maximum 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty
- Cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour on duty
- Mandatory 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving
- 60 hours maximum in 7 days (or 70 hours in 8 days)
Since December 2017, Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) must track this data. Yet drivers still falsify logs, and companies pressure them to violate these limits. We download ELD data immediately to prove fatigue caused your accident.
Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance
Trucking companies must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain vehicles. Drivers must complete pre-trip inspections (§ 396.13) and post-trip reports (§ 396.11). Brake failures cause 29% of truck accidents—when a Hempstead County crash involves brake failure, these maintenance records prove the company prioritized profits over safety.
Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents in Hempstead County
Jackknife Accidents on I-30
When a truck driver brakes suddenly on the interstate near Hope or the Nevada County line, the trailer can swing perpendicular to the cab, sweeping across all lanes. These accidents often involve multiple vehicles and occur when drivers exceed speed limits for conditions or when brakes are poorly maintained. We analyze ELD data and ECM downloads to prove the driver was traveling too fast or following too closely.
Rollover Accidents on US-67 and Rural Routes
Hempstead County’s agricultural industry means timber trucks and poultry haulers frequently travel county roads. High-center-of-gravity vehicles carrying heavy loads are prone to rollover when navigating curves at excessive speeds or when cargo shifts due to improper securement under 49 CFR § 393.100-136. These accidents often result in crushing injuries or wrongful death.
Underride Collisions: The Deadliest Crashes
When a passenger vehicle slides under the rear or side of a trailer, the roof is sheared off. Rear underride guards are required under § 393.86, but many trucks lack adequate side underride protection. These accidents are almost always fatal on Hempstead County highways.
Tire Blowouts and Brake Failure
Arkansas summers bring extreme heat, and Hempstead County’s timber and agricultural trucks often suffer tire blowouts due to underinflation, overloading, or aged tires. Under § 393.75, steer tires must have 4/32” tread depth. When blowouts cause loss of control on I-30, we preserve the tire remnants for defect analysis.
Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play”)
Trucks swinging wide to make right turns on Hempstead County city streets or rural intersections often trap smaller vehicles. These accidents occur when drivers fail to signal properly or check mirrors—violations of § 392.11.
Blind Spot (No-Zone) Accidents
18-wheelers have massive blind spots—20 feet in front, 30 feet behind, and significant areas on both sides. When truckers change lanes on I-30 without checking these “No-Zones,” they sideswipe passenger vehicles, causing rollover or crush injuries.
Driver Fatigue and Falling Asleep
The I-30 corridor is a long-haul route. Drivers push through fatigue to meet deadlines, violating Part 395. When a truck drifts across the centerline near Hempstead County, fatigue is often the cause. We prove HOS violations through ELD data.
Cargo Spills and Hazmat Incidents
Hempstead County’s location near Texas and Louisiana means chemical transport on I-30. When improperly secured cargo spills—or when hazardous materials leak—49 CFR § 393 cargo securement violations create liability for both the driver and the shipper.
Who Is Liable? More Than Just the Driver
Most firms only sue the truck driver. We investigate every potentially liable party because more defendants mean more insurance coverage—critical for catastrophic injuries.
1. The Truck Driver
Direct negligence includes speeding, distracted driving (texting under § 392.82), fatigue, impairment, or failure to conduct pre-trip inspections.
2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)
Under Arkansas’s doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are liable for employees’ negligent acts. We also pursue direct negligence for negligent hiring, training, supervision, and maintenance failures. We obtain their FMCSA Safety Measurement System (SMS) data to prove patterns of violations.
3. Cargo Owner / Shipper
When timber companies, poultry processors, or manufacturers overload trucks or demand delivery schedules that force HOS violations, they share liability.
4. Cargo Loading Company
Third-party loaders who fail to secure cargo under § 393.100-136 or create unbalanced loads that cause rollovers are liable.
5. Truck and Trailer Manufacturers
Defective brakes, steering systems, or underride guards can trigger product liability claims against manufacturers.
6. Parts Manufacturers
Defective tires or brake components create strict liability for parts makers.
7. Maintenance Companies
Third-party mechanics who negligently repair brakes or tires can be held accountable when their incompetence causes accidents on Hempstead County roads.
8. Freight Brokers
Brokers who negligently hire trucking companies with poor safety ratings (visible on FMCSA’s SAFER system) can be liable for failing to verify carrier safety.
9. Truck Owner (If Different from Carrier)
In owner-operator leases, the owner may be liable for negligent entrustment or maintenance failures.
10. Government Entities
Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) or Hempstead County may bear responsibility for dangerous road designs, inadequate signage, or failure to maintain shoulders on high-traffic routes like US-67.
The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol
Evidence in Hempstead County trucking cases disappears fast. Here is what we do immediately when you call 1-888-ATTY-911:
The Spoliation Letter
Within 24 hours of retention, we send formal spoliation letters to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. This puts them on legal notice that destroying evidence will result in adverse inference instructions, sanctions, or default judgment.
Critical Evidence We Preserve:
- ECM/Black Box Data: Records speed, braking, throttle position, and fault codes. Overwrites in as little as 30 days.
- ELD Data: Proves Hours of Service violations. Legally required to be retained only 6 months by FMCSA.
- Driver Qualification File: Employment history, medical certifications, drug tests, driving records.
- Maintenance Records: Brake inspections, tire logs, repair orders under § 396.3.
- Dispatch Records: Prove scheduling pressure to violate HOS.
- Cell Phone Records: Show texting or calling at time of crash.
- Dashcam Footage: Often deleted within 7-14 days.
- Accident Scene Evidence: We deploy investigators to Hempstead County immediately to photograph skid marks, debris fields, and road conditions.
Catastrophic Injuries and Their Value
18-wheeler accidents cause life-altering injuries. Our firm has secured multi-million dollar settlements because we document every aspect of your damages.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
From concussions to severe cognitive impairment, TBI requires lifelong care. We’ve recovered between $1.5 million and $9.8 million for brain injury victims, accounting for cognitive therapy, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering.
Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis
Paraplegia and quadriplegia require home modifications, wheelchairs, and 24/7 care. Settlement ranges often exceed $4.7 million to $25.8 million to cover lifetime medical needs and loss of enjoyment of life.
Amputation
Whether traumatic (at the scene) or surgical (due to crush injuries), limb loss changes everything. Our amputation cases have settled between $1.9 million and $8.6 million, covering prosthetics, rehabilitation, and vocational retraining.
Severe Burns
Tanker explosions or hazmat spills on Hempstead County highways cause third and fourth-degree burns requiring skin grafts and multiple surgeries.
Wrongful Death
When negligence claims a life, Arkansas law allows recovery for lost income, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and punitive damages. Our wrongful death trucking settlements range from $1.9 million to $9.5 million.
Insurance Coverage: Why Trucking Cases Are Worth More
Federal law requires commercial trucking companies to carry significantly higher insurance than passenger vehicles:
- Non-hazardous freight: $750,000 minimum
- Oil and petroleum products: $1,000,000 minimum
- Hazardous materials: $5,000,000 minimum
Many carriers carry $1-5 million in coverage, and when multiple parties are liable (driver, company, shipper, broker), these policies can stack. Unlike car accidents with $30,000 policies, trucking accidents have real money available—but accessing it requires an attorney who knows how to navigate federal regulations and hold every liable party accountable.
Frequently Asked Questions for Hempstead County Trucking Accident Victims
How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Hempstead County, Arkansas?
Three years from the date of the accident for personal injury, and three years for wrongful death. However, you should contact an attorney immediately to preserve black box data and ELD logs that may be overwritten within 30 days.
What if the trucking company says I was partially at fault?
Arkansas uses modified comparative negligence with a 50% bar. If you are 49% or less at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage. If you are 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña—a former insurance defense lawyer—knows exactly how adjusters manipulate fault percentages, and he counters those tactics to protect your recovery.
How much is my case worth?
Value depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and available insurance. Trucking companies carry $750K-$5M policies. Our firm has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for TBI, paralysis, amputation, and wrongful death—ranging from $1.5M to over $9M depending on the circumstances.
Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance adjuster?
Absolutely not. Adjusters are trained to minimize your claim. They record statements and twist words. Let us handle all communications. As client Chad Harris said, “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We protect you from their tactics.
What if I don’t have health insurance for medical treatment?
We work with medical providers who treat clients under a Letter of Protection (LOP), meaning they get paid when your case settles. Don’t delay treatment because of finances.
Can I sue if my loved one was killed in a Hempstead County truck accident?
Yes. Arkansas wrongful death law allows spouses, children, parents, or the estate representative to file claims for lost income, mental anguish, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and punitive damages.
How long will my case take?
Simple cases may settle in 6-12 months. Complex litigation involving catastrophic injuries can take 1-3 years. We prepare every case for trial to maximize leverage in settlement negotiations, but we move as quickly as possible while thorough.
Do you handle cases in Hempstead County if you’re based in Texas?
Yes. With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont—and admission to federal court in the Southern District of Texas—we handle trucking cases throughout Arkansas and the United States. We travel to Hempstead County for client meetings and court appearances.
Hablamos Español?
Sí. Associate attorney Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish and provides direct representation without interpreters. Llama al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratis.
Why Hempstead County Chooses Attorney911
Ralph Manginello’s 25+ Year Track Record
Since 1998, Ralph has fought for injury victims. He’s admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and has taken on Fortune 500 companies like BP in the $2.1 billion Texas City refinery litigation. When a logging truck or 18-wheeler injures someone in Hempstead County, Ralph has the federal court experience and resources to fight back.
The Insurance Defense Advantage: Lupe Peña
Our associate attorney Lupe Peña spent years working for a national insurance defense firm. He knows exactly how trucking insurers evaluate claims, train adjusters to minimize payouts, and use software like Colossus to undervalue suffering. Now he uses that insider knowledge against them. When you hire Attorney911, you get an attorney who knows their playbook.
Proven Multi-Million Dollar Results
- $5+ Million for a traumatic brain injury victim struck by a falling log
- $3.8+ Million for a car accident victim who suffered amputation due to medical complications
- $2.5+ Million for commercial truck crash victims
- $2+ Million for a maritime back injury under the Jones Act
- $10 Million Lawsuit currently active against University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi for hazing injuries (demonstrating our litigation capacity)
Client Satisfaction
Our 4.9-star Google rating from 251+ reviews reflects our commitment to treating clients like family. As client Glenda Walker said, “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” Angel Walle noted, “They solved in a couple of months what others did nothing about in two years.”
No Fee Unless We Win
We work on contingency. You pay 33.33% if we settle pre-trial, 40% if we go to trial. You advance nothing. We cover all costs until you recover.
24/7 Availability
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 anytime, day or night. We answer.
Call Attorney911 Today: Your Hempstead County 18-Wheeler Accident Experts
If you’ve been hurt in a trucking accident on I-30, US-67, or any Hempstead County roadway, the trucking company is already protecting themselves. You need someone protecting you.
Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) for a free consultation. We’ll come to Hempstead County, or you can meet us at our Houston, Austin, or Beaumont offices.
Hablamos Español. Lupe Peña está disponible para consultas en español.
Don’t wait. Evidence disappears. Memories fade. And the trucking company’s lawyers are already working. Level the playing field with Attorney911.
Attorney911. Legal Emergency Lawyers™. Serving Hempstead County, Arkansas, and the entire Southwest with offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont.
