18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers in Sevier County, Arkansas

When an 80,000-Pound Truck Changes Everything on a Sevier County Highway

One moment you’re driving through Sevier County on US-71 headed toward De Queen, or maybe you’re commuting on your way to work in one of the area’s agricultural or timber operations. The next moment, an 18-wheeler drifts across the center line, blows a tire on a rural stretch, or jackknifes on an icy curve near the Ouachita Mountains.

In an instant, your life changes.

At Attorney911, we understand that truck accidents in Sevier County aren’t just bigger car wrecks. They’re catastrophic events that destroy lives, families, and futures. And while you’re dealing with hospitals, surgeries, and the shock of it all, the trucking company already has lawyers working to protect their interests—not yours.

We’ve spent over 25 years fighting for victims of 18-wheeler accidents across Arkansas, Texas, and throughout the South. Our founding attorney, Ralph Manginello, has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families just like yours, including over $5 million for a traumatic brain injury victim and $3.8 million for a client who suffered a partial leg amputation after a commercial vehicle crash.

But here’s what you need to know right now: evidence in Sevier County trucking accidents disappears fast. The truck’s black box data can be overwritten in 30 days. The driver’s logbooks might “go missing.” Witnesses forget what they saw. Every hour you wait makes your case harder to prove.

Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911. We answer 24/7, and we send spoliation letters within hours to preserve critical evidence before the trucking company destroys it.

Arkansas Law Protects Sevier County Truck Accident Victims—But Time Is Critical

If you’ve been injured in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in Sevier County—from De Queen to Lockesburg to Gillham—you need to understand how Arkansas law affects your claim. Unlike neighboring Texas, which gives you only two years, Arkansas provides a three-year statute of limitations for both personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from trucking accidents.

That might sound like plenty of time. It isn’t.

While you technically have three years to file a lawsuit under Arkansas Code § 16-56-105, critical evidence vanishes much sooner. The truck’s Electronic Control Module (ECM) might record over critical data within 30 days. The Electronic Logging Device (ELD) could be reset. Maintenance logs get “updated.” And memories fade—especially in rural Sevier County, where witnesses might be seasonal workers or passing travelers who can’t be found months later.

Arkansas follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 50% bar (Ark. Code Ann. § 16-64-122). This means if you’re found 49% or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages—though reduced by your percentage of fault. But if you’re found 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing. Zero.

This is why having experienced legal representation matters immediately. The trucking company’s insurance adjusters are trained to get you to say things that push your fault percentage higher. They’re not investigating to help you—they’re building a case to pay you nothing.

Our firm includes Lupe Peña, an associate attorney who spent years working as an insurance defense attorney before joining Attorney911. He knows exactly how insurance companies calculate fault percentages to minimize payouts. Now he uses that insider knowledge to fight for Sevier County families, ensuring you don’t get unfairly blamed for an accident caused by a negligent truck driver or company.

The Unique Dangers of Trucking Accidents in Sevier County

Sevier County’s location in southwest Arkansas creates specific risks for catastrophic truck accidents. US-71 runs north-south through the heart of the county, connecting to I-30 near the Arkansas-Texas border. This corridor sees heavy commercial traffic hauling timber, poultry, and agricultural products to and from processing facilities throughout the region.

But it’s not just the volume of trucks—it’s the nature of Sevier County’s roads and industries that create deadly conditions:

Rural Highways and Narrow Shoulders
Many roads in Sevier County, including sections of US-71 and state highways like AR-24 and AR-41, feature narrow lanes and limited shoulders. When an 18-wheeler drifts even slightly, there’s nowhere for passenger vehicles to go. These run-off-road accidents often result in rollovers or head-on collisions with devastating injuries.

Agricultural and Timber Trucking
Sevier County’s economy relies heavily on agriculture and forestry. Logging trucks hauling heavy timber loads pose unique dangers—their cargo can shift unpredictably on curves, causing rollovers or spilled loads that block highways. Poultry trucks transporting thousands of birds create hazardous conditions when drivers rush to meet processing schedules, sometimes violating federal Hours of Service regulations.

Weather-Related Hazards
Arkansas weather creates perfect conditions for trucking disasters. Ice storms in winter make US-71 and connecting routes treacherous, especially for trucks that haven’t properly maintained their brake systems. Spring thunderstorms bring sudden flash flooding on low-lying areas near the Little River. Summer heat causes tire blowouts on overloaded trailers.

We understand these local factors because we’ve represented truck accident victims throughout Arkansas and the surrounding states. When we take your Sevier County case, we don’t just know the law—we know the roads, the local industries, and the specific hazards that caused your accident.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle in Sevier County

Not all trucking accidents are the same. Each type involves different mechanics, different liable parties, and different evidence requirements. Here are the accident types we see most frequently in Sevier County and throughout southwest Arkansas:

Jackknife Accidents on Arkansas Highways

A jackknife occurs when the truck’s trailer swings out perpendicular to the cab, often blocking multiple lanes of traffic. On two-lane highways like sections of US-71 in Sevier County, a jackknifed truck creates an immediate wall of steel with nowhere for approaching vehicles to escape.

These accidents typically result from sudden braking—often because the driver was following too closely or speeding for conditions, violating 49 CFR § 392.6 and § 392.11. Empty or lightly loaded trailers are particularly prone to jackknifing. We investigate whether the driver was properly trained to handle emergency braking situations and whether the truck’s brake systems were properly maintained per 49 CFR § 396.3.

Rear-End Collisions in Rural Areas

An 80,000-pound truck traveling at 65 mph needs approximately 525 feet to stop—nearly two football fields. When truck drivers follow passenger vehicles too closely on Sevier County’s highways, they can’t stop in time when traffic slows for turns, intersections, or livestock crossings.

These crashes often cause catastrophic spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and wrongful death. We immediately subpoena ECM data to prove the truck was following too closely and ELD records to show if the driver was fatigued beyond federal limits under 49 CFR Part 395.

Underride Collisions—The Most Deadly Crashes

Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides under the truck’s trailer, shearing off the roof of the car and causing instant decapitation or catastrophic head trauma. These are among the deadliest accidents on Arkansas roads.

While federal law requires rear impact guards (49 CFR § 393.86) for trailers manufactured after January 26, 1998, many older trailers still operate without adequate protection. Side underride guards are not federally mandated, though legislation has been proposed. We investigate whether the trucking company utilized the safest available equipment or chose cheaper, more dangerous options.

Cargo Spills and Shifting Loads

Sevier County’s timber and agricultural industries rely on trucks hauling heavy, often unbalanced loads. When cargo isn’t properly secured according to 49 CFR § 393.100-136, it can shift during transit, causing rollovers or spill onto the roadway.

We recently handled a case where a logging truck’s load shifted on a curve near the Ouachita National Forest, causing a rollover that crushed a passenger vehicle. Our investigation revealed the company had failed to use proper tiedowns and blocking devices required by federal regulations. These cases often involve the loading company and cargo owner as additional liable parties beyond just the driver.

Tire Blowouts Leading to Loss of Control

Summer temperatures in southwest Arkansas regularly exceed 95°F, and the heat on asphalt can reach 140°F or higher. These conditions cause tire blowouts when companies defer maintenance or operate on underinflated tires.

49 CFR § 393.75 requires specific tread depths and tire conditions. When blowouts occur due to improper maintenance (49 CFR § 396.3), the resulting loss of control often causes the truck to swerve into oncoming traffic or rollover. We immediately inspect the failed tire and maintenance records to prove the company knew or should have known the tire was unsafe.

Brake Failures on Mountain Grades

While Sevier County doesn’t have extreme mountain passes, the terrain becomes hilly as you approach the Ouachita Mountains, and trucks traveling from higher elevations into Arkansas face long descents that overheat brakes. This “brake fade” causes complete loss of stopping power.

Federal regulations (49 CFR § 393.40-55) mandate specific brake performance standards. When companies defer brake maintenance or drivers fail to perform required pre-trip inspections (49 CFR § 396.13), catastrophic failures occur. We analyze brake adjustment records and driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) to prove negligence.

Every Party Who Might Owe You Money

Most law firms only sue the truck driver and trucking company. That’s a mistake—one that could cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars in Sevier County cases.

Because Arkansas follows modified comparative negligence with a 50% bar, and because trucking accidents often involve multiple contributing factors, we investigate every potentially liable party to maximize your recovery:

1. The Truck Driver
Direct negligence including speeding, distracted driving (cell phone use violates 49 CFR § 392.82), fatigued driving (49 CFR § 392.3), impairment, or failure to inspect.

2. The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)
Vicarious liability under respondeat superior doctrine, plus direct negligence for negligent hiring (failure to check the driver’s record under 49 CFR § 391.51), negligent training, negligent supervision, or pressuring drivers to violate Hours of Service rules.

3. The Cargo Owner/Shipper
Companies loading poultry, timber, or manufactured goods onto trucks in Sevier County may provide improper loading instructions or require overweight loading that violates 49 CFR § 393.100.

4. The Loading Company
Third-party loaders who physically secure cargo may be liable for improper securement, unbalanced distribution, or failure to use required tiedowns.

5. Truck and Trailer Manufacturers
Design defects in brake systems, stability control, or fuel tank placement can create liability for the manufacturers.

6. Parts Manufacturers
Defective brake components, tires, or steering mechanisms that fail under normal use create product liability claims.

7. Maintenance Companies
Third-party shops that perform negligent repairs—common in rural areas where specialized truck mechanics are limited—may be liable for returning unsafe vehicles to service.

8. Freight Brokers
Brokers who arrange transportation but don’t own the trucks may be liable for negligent carrier selection if they chose a company with poor safety scores or inadequate insurance.

9. Truck Owner (if different from carrier)
In owner-operator arrangements, the individual owner may be liable for negligent entrustment or failure to maintain equipment.

10. Government Entities
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT) or Sevier County may be liable for dangerous road designs, inadequate signage, or failure to maintain roads—though sovereign immunity limits apply and notice requirements are strict.

Each of these parties carries separate insurance coverage. By identifying all liable parties, we create multiple insurance pools to draw from, ensuring you receive full compensation even if one defendant is underinsured.

The 48-Hour Evidence Emergency: Why You Can’t Wait

If you’re reading this days or weeks after your Sevier County accident, you need to understand: the trucking company is already winning.

Within hours of a serious truck accident, motor carriers deploy rapid-response teams consisting of lawyers, insurance adjusters, and accident reconstruction specialists. Their goal is simple: gather evidence to minimize liability and destroy anything that proves their fault.

Here’s what’s happening right now while you focus on recovering:

Black Box Data/ECM (Engine Control Module)
Records speed, brake application, throttle position, and fault codes. This data can be overwritten in 30 days or with subsequent driving events. It proves whether the driver was speeding or failed to brake before impact.

ELD (Electronic Logging Device) Data
Since December 18, 2017, federal law (49 CFR § 395.8) requires ELDs in most trucks. These devices record Hours of Service compliance, showing whether the driver exceeded the 11-hour driving limit or 14-hour on-duty window. Proof of fatigue is often the key to proving negligence.

Dashcam Footage
Many trucks now have forward-facing and driver-facing cameras. This footage often shows the driver’s eyes closing, cell phone use, or dangerous maneuvers—but it gets deleted within 7 to 14 days if not preserved.

Driver Qualification Files
Federal regulations (49 CFR § 391.51) require trucking companies to maintain files containing employment applications, driving records, medical certifications, and drug test results. These prove whether the company hired an unqualified driver or failed to conduct proper background checks.

Maintenance and Inspection Records
Proof of deferred brake repairs, ignored tire warnings, or skipped inspections (49 CFR § 396.3). These records must be kept for specific periods but can “disappear” once litigation is anticipated.

Physical Evidence
The truck itself may be repaired or sold within weeks. Skid marks fade. Debris gets cleaned up. Weather conditions change.

When you hire Attorney911 immediately after your Sevier County accident, we send spoliation letters within 24 hours to the trucking company, their insurer, and all potentially liable parties. These letters put them on legal notice that they must preserve all evidence. If they destroy evidence after receiving our letter, courts can impose sanctions, adverse inference instructions (telling the jury to assume the destroyed evidence was bad for the defense), or even default judgment.

Don’t let the trucking company destroy the evidence you need to prove your case. Call 888-ATTY-911 today.

Catastrophic Injuries and Real Settlement Values

Trucking accidents don’t cause fender-benders. They cause life-altering, catastrophic injuries requiring lifetime care. Based on our experience handling trucking cases in Arkansas and across the South, here are the injuries we see most often and the settlement ranges they command:

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Concussions may heal, but moderate to severe TBIs cause permanent cognitive impairment, personality changes, and inability to work. Our firm has recovered $1.5 million to $9.8 million for TBI victims, depending on the need for lifelong care and loss of earning capacity.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
Paraplegia (loss of leg function) and quadriplegia (loss of all four limbs) require wheelchairs, home modifications, and 24/7 care. Lifetime medical costs alone can exceed $5 million. We’ve secured settlements ranging from $4.7 million to $25.8 million for spinal cord injury victims.

Amputations
When an 18-wheeler crushes a limb beyond repair, victims face prosthetics (costing $5,000-$50,000 each), multiple surgeries, and permanent disability. Our amputation cases have settled for $1.9 million to $8.6 million.

Wrongful Death
When a trucking accident takes a loved one in Sevier County, Arkansas law allows recovery for lost income, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. While no amount brings them back, we’ve recovered $1.9 million to $9.5 million to ensure families are financially secure.

Severe Burns
Fuel fires from ruptured tanks or hazmat spills cause third and fourth-degree burns requiring skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and ongoing pain management. These cases often settle in the high six to low seven figures.

Internal Organ Damage
Liver lacerations, spleen ruptures, and kidney damage may not show immediate symptoms but can be life-threatening. These cases require emergency surgery and long-term monitoring.

As client Glenda Walker told us after her case settled: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” That’s our commitment to every Sevier County family we represent. We don’t settle for lowball offers that don’t cover your future medical needs.

Federal Insurance Requirements and Your Recovery

One reason trucking accidents result in higher settlements than car accidents: the insurance requirements are much higher.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandates minimum liability coverage based on cargo type:

Many commercial carriers carry $1 million to $5 million in coverage, with additional excess policies. But here’s the catch: insurance companies don’t volunteer this information, and they certainly don’t offer policy limits without a fight.

Our experience comes into play here. Ralph Manginello has been admitted to federal court (U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas) since 1998, giving our firm the ability to handle complex interstate commerce cases that touch on federal regulations. We’ve gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 companies during our involvement in the BP Texas City Refinery explosion litigation, where we fought for victims of the 2005 disaster that killed 15 workers and injured 170 more. That experience taught us how to extract maximum value from corporate defendants who initially refuse to take responsibility.

Currently, we’re litigating a $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston and Pi Kappa Phi fraternity regarding hazing injuries—demonstrating we have the resources and tenacity to handle complex, high-stakes litigation while maintaining the personal attention Sevier County families deserve.

Why Sevier County Families Choose Attorney911

When you’re looking for an 18-wheeler accident attorney in Sevier County, you have options. Here’s why clients across Arkansas and Texas choose our firm:

Former Insurance Defense Experience
Lupe Peña, our associate attorney, used to work for insurance companies defending trucking accident claims. He knows their playbook—the formulas they use to calculate settlements, the tactics they use to deny claims, and the pressure points that make them pay. As he told ABC13 Houston during a recent interview: “If this prevents harm to another person, that’s what we’re hoping to do… Enough is enough.” That insider knowledge now works for you.

Multi-Language Services
Sevier County has a growing Hispanic population working in agriculture and manufacturing. Lupe Peña is fluent in Spanish, providing direct representation without interpreters. Hablamos Español—no interpretation needed. Call 1-888-288-9911 to speak directly with an attorney who understands your language and culture.

Three Offices Serving the Region
With offices in Houston (1177 West Loop S, Suite 1600), Austin (316 West 12th Street), and Beaumont, we’re never far from Sevier County. We can meet you in De Queen, at your home, or at your hospital bed. We also offer video consultations if travel is difficult due to your injuries.

Contingency Fee Representation
You pay nothing unless we win. Zero upfront costs. We advance all investigation expenses, expert witness fees, and court costs. Our fee is 33.33% if settled before trial, 40% if we go to trial—standard for the industry, but with expertise that gets you higher settlements.

Documented Results
We’ve recovered over $50 million for our clients across all practice areas, including multi-million dollar settlements for traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and wrongful death cases specifically involving commercial trucks.

Client-First Philosophy
As our client Chad Harris said: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.” We return calls promptly, keep you updated every 2-3 weeks, and give you Ralph Manginello’s cell phone number for emergencies.

We Take Cases Other Lawyers Rejected
Donald Wilcox came to us after another firm refused his case. We took it and won. Greg Garcia had another attorney drop him—our firm stepped in and got results. If you’ve been told you don’t have a case, get a second opinion from experts who understand trucking law.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sevier County Truck Accidents

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a truck accident in Sevier County?
Arkansas law gives you three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. For wrongful death claims, you also have three years from the date of death. However, you should never wait this long. Evidence disappears within days or weeks. Call us immediately at 888-ATTY-911.

What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Arkansas follows modified comparative negligence with a 50% bar. If you were 49% or less at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover. This is why we immediately investigate to prove the truck driver or company was primarily responsible—often by uncovering FMCSA violations they committed.

How much is my Sevier County truck accident case worth?
It depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and available insurance. Trucking cases typically have higher values than car accidents because commercial policies range from $750,000 to $5 million. We’ve recovered settlements from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars for clients with catastrophic injuries.

Will my case go to trial?
Most settle, but we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. Insurance companies offer better settlements when they know your lawyer is willing and able to go to court. Ralph Manginello has 25 years of trial experience, and we have federal court admission for complex interstate cases.

What if the trucking company is from another state?
Federal law regulates interstate trucking, and we can pursue cases in federal court or Arkansas state court. Our dual licensure (Texas and New York) and federal court experience allow us to handle complex jurisdictional issues that confuse less experienced firms.

Can I afford an attorney?
Yes. We work on contingency. You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. Consultations are always free.

What if I don’t have health insurance for my injuries?
We can help you find medical providers who will treat you under a Letter of Protection (LOP), meaning they get paid when your case settles. Don’t delay treatment because of money—your health comes first, and we’ll handle the financial arrangements.

How do I know if the truck driver violated federal regulations?
You don’t—that’s why you need us. We subpoena ELD data, driver qualification files, maintenance records, and inspection reports to uncover violations of 49 CFR Parts 390-396. Common violations include exceeding 11-hour driving limits, failing to conduct pre-trip inspections, and operating with unsafe brakes or tires.

What is a spoliation letter and why does it matter?
It’s a legal notice demanding preservation of evidence. Once we send this letter, the trucking company is legally prohibited from destroying ECM data, driver logs, or maintenance records. If they do, courts can sanction them or instruct the jury to assume the destroyed evidence was damaging to their case.

Do you handle cases in rural Sevier County areas, not just De Queen?
Yes. We represent truck accident victims throughout Sevier County, including Lockesburg, Horatio, Ben Lomond, Gillham, and rural areas. We travel to you, and we understand the unique challenges of rural trucking accidents, including limited emergency services and long response times that can exacerbate injuries.

Don’t Let Them Get Away With It

Trucking companies have teams of lawyers. They have insurance adjusters trained to minimize your claim. They have rapid-response investigators who show up at accident scenes before the ambulance leaves.

What do you have?

You deserve to have someone fighting just as hard for you. Someone with 25 years of experience. Someone who knows their playbook because he used to work for them. Someone who treats you like family, not a case number.

At Attorney911, we don’t just handle cases—we fight for justice. We’ve stood up to BP and won. We’ve secured millions for families devastated by catastrophic injuries. We currently have a $10 million lawsuit pending against a major university, proving we have the resources to take on any defendant, no matter how large.

If you’ve been hurt in an 18-wheeler accident in Sevier County, don’t wait. Evidence is disappearing. The trucking company is building their defense. You need someone building yours.

Call 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911) right now. We answer 24/7. Se habla Español. And remember: you pay nothing unless we win.

Attorney911
Legal Emergency Lawyers™
Because trucking companies shouldn’t get away with it.