White County 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys: When Trucks Change Lives Forever

The impact was catastrophic. 80,000 pounds of steel against your vehicle on I-40 near Searcy. In that instant, everything changed.

If you’re reading this from a hospital bed in White County, Arkansas, or if you’re searching for answers after a loved one was injured on Highway 67 or near the I-40 interchange, you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of families across Arkansas face the devastating aftermath of commercial truck accidents. These aren’t just car crashes—they’re life-altering events that require immediate, specialized legal action.

At Attorney911, we’ve spent over 25 years fighting for trucking accident victims. Ralph Manginello, our managing partner, has recovered multi-million dollar settlements for families just like yours—from a $5 million traumatic brain injury settlement for a logging accident victim to a $3.8 million recovery for a client who suffered amputation following a crash. But here’s what you need to know right now: Evidence in your White County 18-wheeler accident case is disappearing. Black box data can be overwritten within 30 days. The trucking company has already called their lawyers. And the clock is ticking.

Call us immediately at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We answer 24/7. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we win.

Why White County 18-Wheeler Accidents Are Different

Arkansas sees more than its share of commercial truck traffic. I-40 cuts right through White County, connecting Little Rock to Memphis, carrying everything from Walmart merchandise to agricultural equipment across the state. When these massive vehicles collide with passenger cars on rural highways like Highway 64 or the service roads near Searcy, the physics are brutal.

Your car weighs about 4,000 pounds. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh 80,000 pounds. That’s twenty times the weight. An 80,000-pound truck traveling at 65 miles per hour needs nearly two football fields to stop. When something goes wrong on the ice-slicked stretches of I-40 during an Arkansas winter storm, or when a fatigued driver misses a stop sign on Highway 67—there’s no margin for error.

The injuries we see in White County aren’t minor. We’re talking about traumatic brain injuries that change personalities forever. Spinal cord damage that means paralysis. Amputations that require prosthetics costing $50,000 or more. And too often, we’re talking about funeral arrangements.

In Arkansas, you have three years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. But waiting is dangerous. Trucking companies—many of which aren’t based in Arkansas—start protecting themselves within hours. They send rapid-response teams to the scene. They download electronic data. They start building their defense while you’re still in the ER.

That’s why our firm moves fast. We send spoliation letters within 24 hours to preserve black box data, ELD logs, and maintenance records. We don’t give them time to “lose” the evidence that proves your case.

Meet the Attorneys Fighting for White County Families

You’ve probably seen the billboards. Maybe you’ve heard the commercials. But here’s what those ads don’t tell you: Most personal injury firms handle trucking accidents like they’re just big car wrecks. They aren’t. Commercial trucking is governed by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Parts 390-399), a complex web of federal laws that most attorneys don’t fully understand.

Ralph Manginello has made trucking litigation his specialty for over 25 years. Since 1998, he’s been holding motor carriers accountable across the South. He’s admitted to federal court—the Southern District of Texas—which matters because many interstate trucking cases involve federal jurisdiction. When you’re facing a trucking company from Georgia or a carrier headquartered in Dallas, you need an attorney who can navigate federal court if necessary.

But here’s your unfair advantage: Our team includes Lupe Peña, a former insurance defense attorney who used to work for the very companies he’s now fighting against.

Lupe spent years inside the insurance industry. He knows their playbook. He knows that adjusters are trained to ask “How are you?” on recorded calls so that when you reflexively say “I’m fine,” they use that against you to minimize your claim. He knows they run “Colossus” software designed to lowball settlements. And he knows exactly which buttons to push to get maximum recovery for White County families.

As our client Chad Harris put it: “You are NOT just some client… You are FAMILY to them.”

We treat you like family because we know you’re going through hell. Medical bills are piling up. You’re missing work. The pain doesn’t stop. And now you have to fight a multi-million dollar corporation that wants to pay you as little as possible?

Not on our watch.

Arkansas Law & Your White County Truck Accident Case

White County follows Arkansas state law, which provides specific protections for accident victims—but also specific pitfalls you need to avoid.

The Statute of Limitations: You have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Arkansas. For wrongful death claims, you also have three years. That sounds like a long time, but trust us—evidence grows cold fast. Witnesses move away. Black box data gets overwritten. And the trucking companies hope you’ll wait until it’s too late.

Comparative Negligence: Arkansas uses a “modified comparative negligence” rule with a 50% bar. This means if you’re found 49% or less at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages—but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you’re 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing.

Trucking companies and their insurers LOVE to blame victims. They’ll say you were speeding. They’ll claim you were in their blind spot. They’ll argue you braked suddenly. Don’t let them shift blame onto you. We gather the ECM data, the ELD logs, and the maintenance records to prove exactly what happened—and who was truly at fault.

No Damage Caps: Unlike some states, Arkansas does not cap non-economic damages (pain and suffering) in personal injury cases involving commercial vehicles. That means if a jury awards you $5 million for pain and suffering because a trucking company’s negligence destroyed your life, you get $5 million. This is crucial for catastrophic injury cases.

How FMCSA Regulations Prove Negligence in White County Cases

Every 18-wheeler on Arkansas highways must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. When trucking companies break these rules—and they often do—it creates automatic evidence of negligence.

Hours of Service (49 CFR Part 395): This is the big one. Federal law limits how long truckers can drive:

• 11-hour driving limit: Cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty
• 14-hour duty window: Cannot drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty
• 30-minute break: Mandatory break after 8 cumulative hours of driving
• 60/70 hour limits: No driving after 60 hours in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days

Fatigue causes approximately 31% of fatal truck crashes. And here’s the scary part: Many trucking companies pressure drivers to violate these rules to meet delivery deadlines. They falsify logs. They disable Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs). They create dangerous situations on I-40.

When we handle a White County trucking accident, we immediately subpoena the ELD data. We compare it to fuel receipts, toll records, and GPS data. If the driver was on hour 13 of a 14-hour shift when he jackknifed on Highway 64, that’s negligence. Period.

Driver Qualification (49 CFR Part 391): Trucking companies must maintain a Driver Qualification File for every driver, including:

• Medical certification (renewed every 2 years minimum)
• Driving record checks
• Pre-employment drug testing
• Annual reviews

If the driver who hit you had a history of DUIs the company ignored, or if his medical certificate was expired, that’s negligent hiring—and the company is liable.

Vehicle Maintenance (49 CFR Part 396): Trucks must undergo systematic inspection and maintenance. Every driver must perform a pre-trip inspection. Brake problems contribute to 29% of truck accidents. If we find deferred maintenance records showing the company knew brakes were failing but kept the truck on the road anyway, that’s gross negligence.

Cargo Securement (49 CFR Part 393): Cargo must be secured to withstand 0.8g forward deceleration forces. Tiedowns must be adequate for the weight. Improperly secured loads shift during turns—causing rollovers on the curves near Searcy or jackknifes on I-40.

Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents We Handle in White County

Not all trucking accidents are the same. The specific type of collision determines what evidence we preserve and which regulations were likely violated.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings perpendicular to the cab, often sweeping across multiple lanes. On I-40 near White County, where traffic moves at 70+ mph, a jackknifed trailer blocks the entire interstate.

Why it happens: Sudden braking on slick surfaces (common during Arkansas ice storms), worn brakes, or improper brake adjustment. Empty trailers are more prone to jackknifing because there’s less weight on the drive axles.

The evidence: We download the ECM to see brake application timing. We check if the driver was speeding for conditions—a violation of 49 CFR § 392.6. We examine the brake maintenance records under 49 CFR § 396.3.

Underride Collisions

Among the most deadly accidents. A smaller vehicle slides under the trailer, shearing off the roof and often causing decapitation or catastrophic head trauma.

Why it happens: Missing or inadequate rear underride guards. Under 49 CFR § 393.86, trailers manufactured after January 26, 1998, must have rear impact guards rated to prevent underride at 30 mph. Many Arkansas trucking companies run with damaged or non-compliant guards. Side underride guards aren’t federally mandated yet, but lack of them contributes to deadly accidents at intersections in White County.

Your case: If the guard was damaged or missing, or if the rear lighting was inadequate (49 CFR § 393.11), the trucking company is liable for the enhanced injuries caused by the underride.

Rear-End Collisions

An 18-wheeler needs 40% more stopping distance than your car. When a trucker follows too closely or is distracted by a cell phone (violating 49 CFR § 392.82), they can’t stop in time.

White County risk factors: Heavy traffic merging onto I-40 from Highway 67 or Highway 64 creates stop-and-go conditions. Fatigued drivers approaching the Searcy area after long hauls from Memphis or Little Rock may not react in time to slowing traffic.

The smoking gun: ECM data showing the truck was traveling at 65 mph with zero braking for 5 seconds before impact. That’s either asleep at the wheel or distracted driving—both violations of 49 CFR § 392.3 (operating while impaired or fatigued).

Rollover Accidents

Trucks have a high center of gravity. When they take curves too fast—especially on rural Arkansas highways with uneven banking—or when cargo shifts, they roll.

Agricultural factor: White County is farm country. Rice, soybeans, and poultry move through these roads. Improperly loaded grain trucks or poultry transports that shift weight mid-turn cause rollovers. Under 49 CFR § 393.100, cargo must be secured to prevent shifting that affects stability.

Weather factor: Arkansas ice storms in winter make rollovers common on I-40. Truckers must reduce speed for conditions under 49 CFR § 392.6. Failure to do so is negligence.

Tire Blowout Accidents

Blowouts cause immediate loss of control. “Road gators”—shredded tire debris—cause thousands of secondary accidents.

Maintenance failures: Under 49 CFR § 393.75, tires must have minimum tread depth (4/32″ for steer tires, 2/32″ for others). They cannot have exposed belt material. Pre-trip inspections required under 49 CFR § 396.13 must include tire checks.

When we see a blowout case from White County, we subpoena the tire maintenance records. If the tires were bald and the driver signed off on a pre-trip inspection claiming they were fine, that’s falsification of records—and evidence of a safety culture that puts profit over lives.

Wide Turn Accidents (“Squeeze Play”)

18-wheelers need extra space to turn. They swing left before turning right, creating a gap that other drivers enter—only to be crushed when the truck completes its turn.

Rural Arkansas danger: Intersections in White County, particularly where Highway 64 meets local farm roads, often lack proper signage or turning lanes. Truckers must check mirrors and signal properly under 49 CFR § 392.2. Failure to do so creates liability.

Who Can You Sue? More Defendants = More Recovery

Most accident victims think they can only sue the truck driver. Wrong. In commercial trucking cases, multiple parties may be liable—and that means multiple insurance policies available to compensate you.

The Truck Driver

Direct negligence: speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, impairment, or traffic violations. We pull their driving record, cell phone records, and hours of service logs.

The Trucking Company (Motor Carrier)

This is usually your primary target. Under respondeat superior (let the master answer), employers are liable for employees’ negligent acts within the scope of employment.

Plus direct negligence:

• Negligent hiring: Did they check his CDL status? Did they know about prior DUIs?
• Negligent training: Did they teach him proper cargo securement? Do they have a history of HOS violations?
• Negligent supervision: Did they monitor his ELD compliance? Did dispatchers pressure him to drive tired?

We subpoena the company’s CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores from FMCSA. If they have a pattern of violations—brake problems, hours of service breaches, drug test failures—that proves a corporate culture of negligence that supports punitive damages.

The Cargo Owner/Shipper

Companies shipping goods through White County may be liable if they:

• Required overweight loading (exceeding 80,000 lbs)
• Failed to disclose hazardous materials
• Provided improper loading instructions that caused cargo shifts

The Loading Company

Third-party warehouses or agricultural loading facilities that physically loaded the cargo. If they failed to use proper tiedowns per 49 CFR § 393.102, causing a load shift that led to a rollover on Highway 67, they’re liable.

The Truck/Parts Manufacturer

Defective brakes, steering failures, or tire manufacturing defects create product liability claims. We work with engineers to analyze failed components.

The Maintenance Company

Third-party mechanics who performed negligent repairs or failed to identify critical safety issues during inspections.

The Freight Broker

Brokers who arrange transportation but don’t own trucks may be liable for negligently selecting carriers with poor safety records. If a broker hired a carrier with a history of fatal accidents to haul through Arkansas, they share the blame.

Government Entities

White County or the State of Arkansas may be liable for dangerous road design—such as inadequate signage, poorly designed interchanges, or failure to maintain safe road conditions. These claims have special notice requirements and shorter deadlines, so act fast.

The 48-Hour Evidence Emergency

If you remember nothing else, remember this: Evidence in trucking cases disappears fast.

The moment you hire Attorney911, we send spoliation letters to every potentially liable party. These letters legally obligate them to preserve:

• Electronic Control Module (ECM) data showing speed and braking
• Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records proving hours of service
• Driver Qualification Files showing hiring and training history
• Maintenance and inspection records
• Cell phone records
• Dispatch communications
• The physical truck itself

Once that letter hits their desk, destroying evidence becomes “spoliation”—and courts can impose sanctions, adverse inference instructions (telling the jury to assume the destroyed evidence was against the trucking company), or even default judgments.

Without this evidence, proving fatigue or maintenance negligence becomes nearly impossible. That’s why you can’t wait.

Catastrophic Injuries: The Real Cost

Trucking accidents don’t cause “soft tissue injuries.” They cause catastrophic, life-changing trauma.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The force of an 80,000-pound truck impact causes the brain to collide with the skull. Moderate to severe TBI cases typically settle for $1.5 million to $9.8 million depending on lifelong care needs. Symptoms include memory loss, personality changes, seizures, and inability to work.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Paraplegia and quadriplegia require wheelchairs, home modifications, and 24/7 care. Lifetime costs easily exceed $4 million to $25 million. The first year alone costs an average of $1 million.

Amputations

Crush injuries from trucking accidents often require surgical amputation. Prosthetics cost $5,000-$50,000 each and need replacement every 3-5 years. Settlement ranges from $1.9 million to $8.6 million.

Wrongful Death

When a trucking accident kills your loved one in White County, you file a wrongful death claim. Arkansas allows recovery for:

• Lost future income
• Loss of consortium (companionship)
• Mental anguish
• Funeral expenses

Settlements typically range from $1.9 million to $9.5 million, depending on the decedent’s age, earning capacity, and dependents.

Internal Injuries

Liver lacerations, spleen ruptures, and internal bleeding require emergency surgery and may cause lifelong complications.

Why you need a lawyer: These injuries require future medical care costing millions. Insurance companies want to settle fast before you know the full extent of the damage. We wait until you’ve reached maximum medical improvement—so we know what your life will actually cost.

Insurance: The Good News and the Bad News

Good news: Commercial trucks carry much higher insurance than cars.

• Non-hazardous freight: $750,000 minimum federal requirement
• Oil and equipment: $1,000,000 minimum
  -Hazardous materials: $5,000,000 minimum

Many carriers carry $1-5 million or more in coverage.

Bad news: They won’t offer it to you without a fight.

Why trucking insurance is different: Trucking companies typically carry multiple policies—motor carrier liability, trailer interchange, cargo insurance, and excess/umbrella coverage. We identify and access every available policy.

Their tactics:

1. The quick lowball: Offering $25,000-$50,000 within days, hoping you’ll sign before you know your injuries are permanent.
2. The delay: Dragging out the process until you’re desperate and take less.
3. The blame shift: Claiming you were partially at fault (remember Arkansas’s 50% rule).
4. The surveillance: Hiring investigators to film you mowing your lawn or carrying groceries, then using it to claim you’re not really hurt.

As Glenda Walker, one of our clients, told us: “They fought for me to get every dime I deserved.”

That’s what we do. We don’t let them get away with the first low offer. We document everything. We use former insurance defense attorneys who know the Colossus software algorithms they use to calculate their “final offer.” And we prepare every case for trial—so they know we mean business.

18-Wheeler Accident FAQ for White County Families

How long do I have to file a lawsuit in Arkansas?
Three years from the date of the accident for personal injury or wrongful death. But waiting risks evidence destruction. Call us today at 1-888-ATTY-911.

What if the trucking company is from another state?
Even better. Interstate commerce means federal jurisdiction, and we’re admitted to federal court. Plus, out-of-state companies often carry higher insurance limits and hate the publicity of an Arkansas jury trial.

Can I get money if I was partially at fault?
Yes, if you were less than 50% at fault. But the trucking company will try to blame you. We gather ECM data and ELD logs to prove who was really responsible.

What is a “nuclear verdict” and could my case be one?
A nuclear verdict is an award exceeding $10 million. Recent trucking verdicts include a $730 million award in Texas and a $462 million award in Missouri for underride fatalities. While every case is different, if the trucking company showed gross negligence—like hiring a driver with multiple DUIs or falsifying maintenance records—punitive damages can push verdicts into eight or nine figures.

How much does it cost to hire Attorney911?
Nothing upfront. We work on contingency. Standard fee is 33.33% if we settle before trial, 40% if we go to trial. You pay nothing unless we win. We advance all investigation costs.

Do you really come to White County?
Yes. While our offices are in Texas, we handle serious trucking accident cases throughout the region. We offer virtual consultations and travel to Arkansas for depositions, mediations, and trial. Distance doesn’t weaken your case when you have experienced federal court litigators on your side.

What if the driver was an independent owner-operator?
We sue both the driver and the motor carrier that contracted them. Under federal regulations, motor carriers are vicariously liable for the actions of drivers operating under their authority, even if they’re “independent contractors.”

How long will my case take?
Simple cases with clear liability: 6-12 months. Complex cases with catastrophic injuries: 1-3 years. Wrongful death cases requiring extensive discovery: 2-4 years. We move as fast as possible while maximizing your recovery.

Will my case settle or go to trial?
95% of cases settle, but we prepare every single one for trial. Insurance companies offer better settlements to lawyers they know will actually go to court. With Ralph Manginello’s 25+ years of trial experience and federal court admission, they know we will.

Hablamos Español?
Sí. Lupe Peña es bilingüe y puede ayudarle directamente sin intérpretes. Llame al 1-888-ATTY-911 para una consulta gratuita en español.

Video Resources

Learn more about your rights:

• “The Victim’s Guide to 18-Wheeler Accident Injuries” – Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxEHIxZTbK8
• “Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi Truck?” – Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0MT3CKbUb4
• “The Definitive Guide To Commercial Truck Accidents” – Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEEeZf-k8Ao
• “Truck Tire Blowouts and When You Need a Lawyer” – Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCTumr1looc

Why Choose Attorney911 for Your White County Truck Accident

You have choices. Here’s why White County families choose us:

We Take Cases Other Firms Reject: 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.” We don’t turn away complex cases. We turn them into wins.

Former Insurance Defense Attorney on Staff: Lupe Peña knows exactly how the trucking company’s insurer will try to minimize your claim—because he used to work for them. Now he uses that insider knowledge against them.

Federal Court Experience: Ralph Manginello is admitted to the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas. When your case involves interstate commerce or requires federal jurisdiction, you need an attorney who can practice in federal court.

Multi-Million Dollar Results: We’ve recovered millions for TBI victims, amputees, and families who lost loved ones. We didn’t just handle these cases—we maximized them.

Family-First Approach: As Chad Harris said, “You are NOT a pest to them… You are FAMILY.” You’re not a case number. We know your name, your story, and your kids’ names. We check in weekly. We return calls within 24 hours. We treat you like family because that’s who we are.

Currently Litigating High-Profile Cases: We’re not a settlement mill. We’re currently litigating a $10 million hazing lawsuit against a major university, and we’ve gone toe-to-toe with Fortune 500 companies like BP in the Texas City Refinery explosion litigation. We have the resources to handle complex, high-stakes litigation.

Three Offices, National Reach: With offices in Houston, Austin, and Beaumont, we serve clients across the South and beyond. We handle truck accident cases in Arkansas, Texas, and throughout the region.

Your Next Step: Call Before Evidence Disappears

The trucking company has lawyers working right now to protect them. Their insurance adjuster has already started the clock on their “investigation”—which means finding ways to pay you less.

Black box data is overwriting. Witnesses are forgetting. The truck is getting repaired or sold.

You need an attorney who moves just as fast.

Call Attorney911 now at 1-888-ATTY-911 (1-888-288-9911). We answer 24/7.

You’ll speak directly to an attorney, not a call center. We’ll evaluate your case for free. If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to White County—or we can handle everything remotely while you focus on healing.

Remember: You pay nothing unless we win. Zero upfront costs. We advance all investigation expenses.

Your family has been through enough. Let us fight the trucking company. You focus on getting better.

Call 888-ATTY-911. Today. Before the evidence is gone.

Attorney911 – The Manginello Law Firm, PLLC
Houston: 1177 West Loop S, Suite 1600
Austin: 316 West 12th Street, Suite 311
Beaumont: Available for meetings
Calls answered 24/7: 1-888-288-9911
Spanish: Hablamos Español – Llame a Lupe Peña