How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, the statute of limitations for most truck accident and personal injury claims is three years from the date of the accident. However, evidence in commercial trucking cases can disappear quickly, so it is vital to act fast.

Who is liable in a Little Rock commercial truck accident?

Liability in Arkansas truck accidents may fall on the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loaders, or the vehicle manufacturer. Determining fault requires investigating federal logbooks and black box data.

What compensation can I recover after a semi-truck crash?

Victims can seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, future rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering. Commercial trucks carry high-limit insurance policies, which often allow for more significant recoveries than standard car accidents.

ARKANSAS
TRUCK ACCIDENT
LAWYERS

If you’ve been injured in a collision on I-40, I-30, or any of Arkansas’s busy freight corridors, The Brad Hendricks Law Firm provides the aggressive, local representation you need to take on powerful trucking companies. Our Arkansas truck accident attorneys understand the complexities of federal motor carrier regulations and the specific challenges of navigating the Natural State's legal landscape. From Little Rock to Northwest Arkansas, we specialize in securing maximum compensation for victims of semi-truck, 18-wheeler, and commercial vehicle wrecks. Whether your accident involved driver fatigue, improper loading, or mechanical failure, our team is ready to investigate your claim and protect your rights.

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Have you been injured because of the careless or intentional actions of semi truck driver?

Tragically, vehicles colliding with large trucks often sustain the brunt of the damage, frequently resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. Prompt legal investigation is crucial in establishing the truck driver's liability. Major trucking corporations typically secure legal representation within a day of a significant accident. Therefore, swift action is vital. Evidence can vanish, witnesses relocate, recollections fade, and your ability to substantiate your claim can deteriorate. Our specialized Trucking Litigation Team is highly proficient in cases involving devastating injuries or fatalities caused by commercial vehicle accidents. The semi trucking sector is highly organized and can impede your efforts to obtain compensation for injuries and property damage. These intricate cases demand a law firm equipped with the expertise, experience, and resources to manage such complexity. Avoid attempting to confront these large trucking companies independently.

We help people who are suffering from the following injuries:

Head injuries/brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Burns
Lost limbs
Scarring and disfigurement
Wrongful death

Each tractor trailer truck wreck case is unique. The Trucking Litigation Team at The Brad Hendricks Law Firm understands that families who have lost a loved one are primarily concerned with holding the trucking company accountable. We also understand that survivors, and their families, are concerned with protecting their rights and receiving compensation for medical bills, property damage, and lost wages. Our team of talented attorneys can talk to you about the options available in your situation.

Matthew Hartness • Personal Injury Attorney

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Navigating Arkansas Trucking Laws & Regulations

Arkansas serves as a primary hub for the nation’s logistics, with major carriers like J.B. Hunt and ArcBest headquartered right here. Because of this, truck accident claims in the Natural State involve complex layers of state and federal law.

Modified Comparative Fault:

Arkansas follows a 50% fault rule. You can recover damages as long as you are less than 50% responsible for the wreck.

Statute of Limitations:

Generally, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Arkansas.

Black Box Data:

We act quickly to preserve Electronic Logging Device (ELD) data, which is critical for proving hours-of-service violations on long stretches like I-40.

Truck Accident

DOs and DON’Ts

If you are involved in a collision with a semitruck, tractor trailer, bus, construction vehicle, or emergency response vehicle…

DO:

Stay at the scene – We know that it can be a scary situation, and you might be eager to remove yourself from it, but we urge you to remain at the scene of the crash until the police arrive. They can conduct a thorough report which could be valuable to your case.
Get contact information – Get the contact info of not just the driver of the truck, but witnesses who observed the collision and anyone else who might have been involved. Getting in touch with them afterwards might be necessary if you need someone to give an account of the events. Witness information is not always gathered by law enforcement, especially if the witness does not stay at the scene.
Take pictures – Take pictures of everything, including any injuries you sustained, any injuries of those in your party, your damaged vehicle, the truck or commercial vehicle, etc. Scene/roadway photos of debris, skid marks etc. can also be important, but do not endanger yourself in the process.
See a doctor – It’s important for your health, as well as the success of your claim, to get checked out by a doctor. Even if you believe your injuries are only slight or you’re uninjured altogether, some potentially serious complications may not have immediate symptoms. Plus, getting checked out as soon as possible after an accident makes it more difficult for the trucking company to claim that your injury was not related the collision.
Obtain a copy of the police report – A lawyer may be able to help with this.
Call your attorney – It is just as important, if not more urgent, to call a lawyer after a truck accident than any other type of collision. The trucking companies are always prepared to represent their drivers with a team of lawyers at their disposal. You need to get in contact with a seasoned truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after an accident to get started on building your case.

DO NOT:

Remove anything from the scene until the police arrive.
Say anything that could be construed as admitting fault.
Speak to or provide a statement to the trucking company’s insurance representative without first consulting with your attorney.
Sign anything given to you. This could include a release that would allow their insurance carrier to apprehend your personal medical records.
Get your vehicle repairs at the facility chosen by the trucking company until you find out your other options.

Sometimes, accidents happen while you are on the job. We also represent people who were injured at work in worker’s compensation claims. We have handled all types of cases from construction accidents to toxic injury claims to railroad accidents. Our lawyers have a firm understanding of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) and Water Law to help those workers injured on waterways such as rivers and lakes.

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Serving All of Arkansas: From the Delta to the Ozarks

We provide localized legal support across the entire state. Our firm is deeply familiar with the specific traffic patterns and court systems in:

Central Arkansas: Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, and Benton.

Northwest Arkansas (NWA): Fayetteville, Rogers, Bentonville, and Springdale.

Northeast Arkansas: Jonesboro and West Memphis (the "Crossroads of America").

The River Valley: Fort Smith and Russellville.

How Arkansas Trucking Laws Differ

from Federal Regulations

Arkansas is a critical hub for American logistics. With I-40 and I-30 cutting through the heart of the Natural State, thousands of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) traverse our borders daily. While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the baseline, Arkansas-specific statutes often introduce nuances thatcan impact liability and compliance.

The Jurisdictional Landscape: FMCSA vs. ARDOT

For most interstate carriers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) are the
"Law of the Land." However, when a truck operates solely within Arkansas borders (intrastate), the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) and the Arkansas Highway Police take the lead. Even for interstate drivers, state-specific rules regarding weight limits and "Rules of the Road" apply the moment you cross the state line.

Following Distance: The "Reasonable and Prudent" Rule

While federal guidelines suggest a 1-second gap per 10 feet of vehicle length, Arkansas Code §27-51-305 is more specific. It mandates that motor trucks or motor vehicles drawing another vehicle shall not follow within 200 feet of another such vehicle on highways outside of business or residence districts, except when overtaking. Arkansas law enforcement is particularly vigilant regarding following distance and lane changes in high-congestion zones like the I-630/I-430 interchange in Little Rock and the I-49 corridor in Northwest Arkansas.

More Questions About Truck Accidents? Visit the FAQ Page.

Types of Commercial Vehicle Wrecks We Handle in Arkansas

Commercial truck accidents involve much more than standard semi-trucks. Our Little Rock truck accident attorneys handle complex injury and wrongful death claims involving all types of commercial vehicles across Arkansas, including:

Logging & Timber Trucks: Common on Arkansas highways, overloaded or improperly secured log trucks pose extreme hazards to nearby motorists.
Tanker & Fuel Trucks: Carrying hazardous or liquid cargo, fuel and tanker trucks require specialized handling and strict compliance with hazardous material (HazMat) regulations.
Construction & Dump Trucks: Heavy construction equipment, cement mixers, and dump trucks frequently navigate tight urban streets in Little Rock, leading to severe blind-spot collisions.
Delivery Vans & Freight Trucks: With the surge in e-commerce, Amazon, UPS, and FedEx delivery truck collisions have become increasingly frequent in Central Arkansas.
Garbage & Municipal Vehicles: Large sanitation trucks operate in residential zones and often suffer from inadequate maintenance or poor rear visibility.
Commercial Buses & Passenger Vans: Accidents involving charter buses or transit vehicles present unique liability structures and multi-party insurance claims.

Common Causes of Big Rig & Semi-Truck Crashes

Proving fault in a commercial vehicle collision requires identifying the exact cause of the crash. Our legal team investigates all crash dynamics, including:

Truck Driver Fatigue & Hours-of-Service Violations: Truck drivers under pressure to meet tight delivery deadlines may bypass mandatory rest breaks, resulting in dangerous fatigued driving.
Underride Collisions: When a smaller vehicle slides underneath the side or rear of a trailer, the resulting underride crash often causes catastrophic injuries or fatal head trauma.
Commercial Hit-and-Run Accidents: If a commercial driver flees the scene or fails to yield after a collision, our firm acts swiftly to subpoena highway surveillance, toll logs, and eyewitness reports.
Brake Failure & Mechanical Hazards: Poorly maintained brakes, tire blowouts, and steering mechanism failures put everyone on Arkansas interstates at risk.
Rollover & Jackknife Accidents: Sudden braking or improperly loaded, top-heavy cargo can cause a tractor-trailer to jackknife across multiple lanes of traffic.

Understanding Arkansas Commercial Truck Accident Settlements & Claims

Because commercial trucks carry higher liability insurance limits than standard passenger vehicles, truck accident settlements are significantly more complex. Factors that impact the value of your claim include:

Current & Future Medical Expenses: Coverage for emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term rehabilitation.
Lost Wages & Reduced Earning Capacity: Compensation for missed work and long-term impact on your career.
Pain, Suffering & Permanent Disability: Damages awarded for severe physical pain, emotional trauma, and disfigurement.
Wrongful Death Damages: If you lost a loved one in a fatal 18-wheeler wreck, eligible family members may seek funeral costs, loss of financial support, and loss of consortium.

Our attorneys carefully evaluate insurance policy limits and negotiate aggressive settlements to ensure Arkansas accident victims receive full financial recovery.

Who is Liable in an Arkansas Trucking Accident?

Unlike standard car accidents, multiple parties can be held liable in a commercial trucking collision. Depending on the circumstances, liability may extend to:

The Commercial Trucking Company: For negligent hiring practices, inadequate driver training, pressuring drivers to break hours-of-service laws, or deferred fleet maintenance.
The Truck Driver: For reckless driving, speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence.
Cargo Loaders & Logistics Providers: For improper weight distribution or failure to secure heavy cargo.
Parts Manufacturers: For defective brake systems, tires, or hitch mechanisms that caused a mechanical failure.