18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys in St. Francis County, Arkansas: Fighting for Maximum Recovery

If an 80,000-pound truck has changed your life in St. Francis County, you’re not alone. Every year, commercial vehicles barrel through our stretch of Eastern Arkansas on I-40, hauling freight between Memphis and Little Rock. When these massive machines collide with passenger vehicles, the results are catastrophic. We’re Attorney911, and we’ve spent over 25 years holding trucking companies accountable for the devastation they’ve caused.

Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has been fighting for injury victims since 1998. He’s admitted to federal court in the Southern District of Texas, has litigated against Fortune 500 corporations like BP, and has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families just like yours. Our associate attorney Lupe Peña spent years working inside the insurance defense industry—now he uses that insider knowledge to fight against the very tactics he once employed. Together, we form a team that trucking companies fear.

The Reality of 18-Wheeler Accidents in St. Francis County

St. Francis County sits at the crossroads of major freight corridors. Interstate 40 cuts through our county carrying thousands of commercial trucks daily—these aren’t just big cars; they’re 20 to 25 times heavier than your sedan. When the loaded poultry trucks from nearby processing plants, the tankers heading to Memphis refineries, and the cross-country freight haulers meet Arkansas weather—whether it’s ice on the interstate or fog rolling off the Mississippi River—disaster follows.

Every 16 minutes in America, someone is injured in a commercial truck crash. On St. Francis County’s stretches of highway, those accidents often involve unique local factors: improperly secured agricultural loads coming from the farms surrounding Forrest City, overloaded logging trucks on rural routes, and fatigued drivers pushing through the night to hit distribution centers. The physics are brutal. A truck traveling at 65 mph needs nearly two football fields to stop. That stopping distance increases dramatically on wet pavement or when brakes aren’t maintained properly.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We See in Eastern Arkansas

Jackknife Accidents on I-40

When an 18-wheeler’s cab and trailer fold into an angle, they sweep across multiple lanes. This happens frequently on St. Francis County’s portion of I-40 when drivers brake suddenly for traffic backing up near the Forrest City exits or when they encounter slick spots during winter ice storms. These accidents typically involve violations of 49 CFR § 393.48 regarding brake systems or 49 CFR § 392.6 regarding speeding for conditions.

The cargo securement standards under 49 CFR § 393.100 require loads to be immobilized to prevent shifting that affects vehicle stability. When poultry processors or cotton gins load trailers improperly in our area, the weight shift causes the trailer to swing violently during braking. We’ve seen these jackknifes crush smaller vehicles against guardrails and barrier walls along the interstate corridor.

Rollover Crashes on Rural Routes

St. Francis County’s rural roads aren’t built for 80,000-pound trucks taking curves at speed. When drivers fail to adjust for the sharp turns on Highway 70 or the narrow shoulders on Highway 79, rollovers happen. These accidents often involve cargo loading errors—if a trailer is top-heavy with equipment or liquids are sloshing unsecured in tankers, the center of gravity shifts dangerously.

Federal regulations under 49 CFR § 393 specifically address cargo securement for different commodity types. Agricultural commodities have specific requirements for blocking and bracing. When local farmers or commercial haulers cut corners on these requirements to save time near the St. Francis County line, they’re breaking federal law—and creating deadly conditions.

Underride Collisions at Intersections

Perhaps the most horrific accidents we handle involve underrides—when a passenger vehicle slides under the rear or side of a trailer. The rear impact guards required by 49 CFR § 393.86 are supposed to prevent these tragedies, but many trailers have worn, damaged, or improperly maintained guards that fail in crashes.

Intersections along Washington Street and the crossing points at I-40 exits see these accidents when trucks stop suddenly or make unexpected maneuvers. Side underride guards aren’t federally mandated yet, making wide turns particularly dangerous for smaller vehicles caught in the truck’s path. The injuries in these cases—decapitation, traumatic brain injury, spinal severance—are almost always fatal or catastrophic.

Rear-End Collisions on the Interstate

Following too closely is a violation of 49 CFR § 392.11, but it’s common on the congested stretches of I-40 through St. Francis County. When traffic slows near the Forrest City commercial corridor or during rush hour congestion heading toward Memphis, truck drivers distracted by cell phones or suffering from fatigue often can’t stop in time.

The Event Data Recorder (EDR) or “black box” data in these trucks tells the real story. It captures speed, brake application, and throttle position in the seconds before impact. This data often contradicts what drivers claim happened—but it can be overwritten in as little as 30 days if we don’t act quickly to preserve it.

Tire Blowouts and Equipment Failures

The extreme heat of Arkansas summers and the heavy loads passing through St. Francis County take a toll on truck tires. When blowouts occur, the driver often loses control, causing multi-vehicle pileups. Federal regulations under 49 CFR § 393.75 mandate minimum tread depths and tire condition standards, while 49 CFR § 396 requires systematic inspection and maintenance.

We’ve seen cases where trucking companies deferred maintenance to save money, allowing tires with worn tread or improper inflation to stay on the road. The debris from these blowouts—sometimes called “road alligators”—creates secondary hazards for other drivers.

Federal Regulations That Prove Trucking Company Negligence

Commercial trucking is governed by strict federal regulations under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These aren’t just suggestions—they’re laws that trucking companies in St. Francis County must follow when their vehicles cross state lines on I-40 or conduct intrastate commerce within Arkansas.

Part 390: General Applicability

Every motor carrier operating in St. Francis County must comply with federal safety standards if they’re engaged in interstate commerce. This includes maintaining proper insurance minimums—$750,000 for general freight, up to $5 million for hazardous materials.

Part 391: Driver Qualification Standards

Before a driver can operate an 18-wheeler, they must pass strict medical examinations, maintain a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), and have their background checked. The Driver Qualification (DQ) File must contain employment applications, motor vehicle records, road test certificates, and medical examiner’s certificates.

When trucking companies hire drivers with poor records or fail to verify qualifications, they’re liable for negligent hiring. We’ve handled cases where companies hired drivers with suspended licenses or histories of drug violations—violations that show up in the DQ file we subpoena immediately after being retained.

Part 392: Safe Operating Rules

Drivers cannot operate commercial vehicles while fatigued, distracted, or impaired. Section 392.3 prohibits operation while ability is impaired by fatigue, illness, or any cause making it unsafe. Section 392.4 and 392.5 prohibit drug and alcohol use—testing must occur after accidents involving fatalities or when the driver shows signs of impairment.

Section 392.82 specifically bans hand-held mobile phone use while driving. When we subpoena cell phone records after a St. Francis County accident, we often find drivers were texting or calling in the moments before the crash.

Part 393: Vehicle Safety and Cargo Securement

This section covers everything from brake systems to lighting to how cargo must be secured. The performance criteria require securement systems to withstand specific force levels: 0.8g deceleration forward, 0.5g acceleration rearward, and 0.5g lateral. When loads shift during emergency maneuvers on Arkansas highways, violating these standards proves negligence.

Part 395: Hours of Service (HOS)

This is where we find the most violations. Drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They cannot drive beyond the 14th hour of coming on duty. Mandatory 30-minute breaks are required after 8 hours of driving time.

Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) became mandatory in December 2017 to prevent drivers from falsifying paper logs. These devices connect to the truck’s engine and record driving time automatically. When we download ELD data, we can prove drivers were operating beyond legal limits—often because trucking companies pressured them to meet unrealistic delivery schedules between Memphis and Little Rock.

Part 396: Inspection and Maintenance

Trucking companies must systematically inspect and repair their vehicles. Drivers must conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections, documenting any defects. Annual inspections are mandatory. When maintenance records show deferred brake repairs or ignored defects, the company is liable for resulting accidents.

All Liable Parties in St. Francis County Truck Accidents

Unlike car accidents where usually only one driver is at fault, 18-wheeler crashes involve multiple potentially liable parties. We investigate every angle to maximize your recovery under Arkansas law.

The Truck Driver: The individual operator is liable for negligent acts—speeding, distracted driving, hours violations, or impairment. We obtain their driving history and employment records through subpoenas.

The Trucking Company: Under the doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are responsible for their employees’ actions within the scope of employment. But we also look for direct negligence: negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance. Companies that push drivers to violate HOS regulations are directly liable for resulting accidents.

Cargo Owners and Loaders: When agricultural products, manufactured goods, or hazardous materials aren’t secured properly, the shipper or loading company is liable. St. Francis County’s agricultural economy means many local accidents involve improperly secured farm equipment or livestock feed.

Truck and Parts Manufacturers: If brake systems fail due to manufacturing defects, tire blowouts occur from defective rubber, or steering mechanisms malfunction, the manufacturer is liable under product liability law.

Maintenance Companies: Third-party mechanics who perform repairs improperly or return trucks to service with known safety issues share liability for resulting crashes.

Freight Brokers: These intermediaries who arrange transportation can be liable for negligent selection—choosing carriers with poor safety records or inadequate insurance to save money.

Government Entities: When poor road design, inadequate signage, or dangerous intersections on county roads contribute to accidents, the governmental entity may share liability—though Arkansas has strict notice requirements and sovereign immunity limits that require immediate action to preserve these claims.

The 48-Hour Evidence Preservation Protocol

Critical evidence in trucking accidents disappears quickly. At Attorney911, we send spoliation letters within 24-48 hours of being retained. These formal legal notices inform trucking companies that they must preserve:

• ECM/Black Box data (overwrites in 30 days)
• ELD logs (only retained 6 months under FMCSA rules)
• Driver Qualification Files
• Maintenance and inspection records
• Dashcam footage (often deleted within weeks)
• GPS and telematics data
• Cell phone records
• Dispatch communications

Once we send these letters, destruction of evidence constitutes spoliation—a serious offense that can result in adverse inference instructions (the jury is told to assume destroyed evidence was unfavorable), monetary sanctions, or default judgment.

We also deploy accident reconstruction experts to St. Francis County scenes immediately. They photograph tire marks, measure crush damage, and analyze debris patterns before rain washes them away or traffic obliterates them.

Catastrophic Injuries Common in St. Francis County Truck Accidents

The force differential between an 80,000-pound truck and a 4,000-pound passenger car means injuries are rarely minor.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): From concussions to severe cognitive impairment, TBIs require lifetime care. Symptoms include memory loss, personality changes, mood disorders, and inability to work. Our firm has secured multi-million dollar settlements for TBI victims, including over $5 million for a logging accident victim with vision loss.

Spinal Cord Injury: Paralysis—whether paraplegia or quadriplegia—requires extensive home modifications, wheelchairs, and 24/7 care. The lifetime cost can exceed $5 million. In Arkansas, these damages are recoverable without statutory caps.

Amputation: When crushed limbs cannot be saved, victims face prosthetics, rehabilitation, and permanent disability. We’ve secured settlements ranging from $1.9 million to $8.6 million for amputation cases, including a $3.8 million recovery for a client who lost a limb after a car accident led to medical complications.

Severe Burns: Tanker explosions and fuel fires cause disfiguring burns requiring multiple skin grafts and reconstructive surgeries.

Wrongful Death: When trucking accidents kill loved ones, Arkansas law allows recovery for lost future income, loss of consortium, mental anguish, and funeral expenses. We’ve recovered millions for families in fatal 18-wheeler crashes.

Arkansas Law: What You Need to Know

Statute of Limitations: Arkansas 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. While this is longer than some neighboring states, waiting is dangerous—evidence degrades and witnesses disappear.

Comparative Negligence: Arkansas follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 50% bar. If you’re found 49% or less at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. But if you’re 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing. This makes thorough investigation and evidence preservation critical—trucking companies will try to shift blame to avoid paying.

Punitive Damages: Unlike some states that cap punitive damages, Arkansas allows juries to award these damages when trucking companies act with reckless disregard for safety—such as knowingly hiring drivers with DUIs or falsifying maintenance records to save money.

Insurance Coverage in Trucking Cases

Federal law requires commercial carriers to carry substantial insurance:

• $750,000 minimum for non-hazardous freight
• $1 million for oil and large equipment
• $5 million for hazardous materials

These policies are much larger than personal auto insurance, meaning there’s actually money available to cover catastrophic injuries. However, accessing these funds requires proving the full extent of your damages—past medical bills, future care needs, lost earning capacity, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

As Glenda Walker, one of our clients, told us after her case settled: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.” That’s our commitment to every St. Francis County family we represent.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I really have to file a claim?
Three years in Arkansas, but don’t wait. We recommend contacting us immediately so we can secure black box data and witness statements before they disappear.

What if the trucking company calls me with a settlement offer?
Don’t accept it. These early offers are designed to get you to sign away your rights before you know the full extent of your injuries. As Donald Wilcox discovered after another firm rejected his case: “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.”

Can I still recover if I was partially at fault?
Yes, as long as you’re less than 50% at fault. But trucking companies will argue you were primarily responsible. We’ll use ECM data, ELD records, and accident reconstruction to prove what really happened.

What makes Attorney911 different from other firms?
We have a former insurance defense attorney on staff—Lupe Peña knows every tactic adjusters use because he used to train them. We also have federal court experience, admit to the bar in multiple states, and have recovered over $50 million for families. As Chad Harris said: “You are NOT a pest to them and you are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

Do you handle cases in Spanish?
Sí. Hablamos Español. Luque Peña provides direct representation without interpreters. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911.

Your Next Steps

Evidence in your St. Francis County trucking accident case is disappearing right now. The trucking company has already contacted their insurer. Their rapid-response team may already be at the scene. Black box data could be overwritten within weeks.

You need a team that moves just as fast. At Attorney911, we offer free consultations and work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win. No upfront costs. No hourly fees. We advance all investigation expenses.

With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve trucking accident victims across Arkansas and beyond. Ralph Manginello has spent over two decades making trucking companies pay for their negligence. From the BP Texas City explosion litigation to our current $10 million lawsuit against the University of Houston for hazing injuries, we’ve proven we can take on the biggest defendants and win.

If you’ve been hurt in an 18-wheeler accident anywhere in St. Francis County—from Forrest City to Colt to Haygood—call us now at 1-888-ATTY-911. Or reach us at (888) 288-9911. The call is free. The consultation is free. And you pay nothing unless we recover for you.

Don’t let the trucking company push you around. Don’t let their insurance adjuster minimize your suffering. Get a team that knows their playbook—and knows how to beat them.

1-888-ATTY-911. Call now.