Truck Accident Injuries and Fatalities

Semitrucks and other types of large commercial vehicles are a common sight in Little Rock and surrounding areas. These behemoths of the road can weigh as much as twenty to thirty times more than the smaller passenger vehicles that surround them, which makes them capable of causing extensive damage, serious injuries, and even catastrophic fatalities when they are involved in collisions.

Many big rig wrecks happen on I-40 and I-30, interstates where small cars have to share the road with drivers that might be more concerned with getting their freight from Point A to Point B as fast as possible with little regard for others’ safety.

Truck Driver Accident Statistics

• There have been an average of 4,607 fatal truck crashes per year in the US in the last 40 years
• There have been an average of 78,380 crashes that result in injury per year in the US in the last 20 years
• The most likely speed limit at which fatal and injury-causing crashes happen is at 50-55 mph
• Approximately 60 percent of fatal truck crashes occurred on rural roads and 25 percent on urban or rural interstate highways
• The majority of fatal and nonfatal accidents involving large trucks typically occur on weekdays, Monday through Friday
• In 2015, there were 11.2 fatal truck accidents per one million people in the US, an increase of 6 percent from 2010

Information gathered from Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts 2015

Do not hesitate to contact a truck accident lawyer if you have been injured in an accident. At The Brad Hendricks Law Firm, we offer complimentary initial consultations so clients can discuss their situation in greater detail. After investigating the accident and reviewing your medical records, we will begin negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance carrier for you. If trial is necessary, we have extensive courtroom experience.

Who Should Pay For Truck Accident Damages?

Truck accident cases are far more complex than any other type of collision because of their size and the severity of the injuries often associated. They sometimes involve several responsible parties such as the driver, trucking company, freight broker, the vehicle parts manufacturers, and many more faceless entities.

We understand the complexities involved, which is why we promptly put our experience to work to assess and preserve every important piece of evidence. This ensures that our clients will have the most effective path towards a favorable outcome.

Our attorneys may seek compensation in the form of:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Funeral costs
• Loss of affection or companionship
• Emotional distress

Every client deserves attorneys who approach every case with the individual attention it deserves. The Brad Hendricks Law Firm understands many of the challenges faced by those injured by another person or entity. Our award-winning team will work with you every step of the way.

As a nationally-recognized firm with a robust history of successfully achieving high-value personal injury settlements for our clients, we are devoted to protecting the rights of people who have suffered in truck accidents in Little Rock and statewide. Contact us now to discuss your case.

Causes of Truck Accidents

The unfortunate reality of truck accidents is that most of them could have been avoided. It is the duty of your attorney to find out the cause of your accident and to fight on your behalf.

Semitruck accidents typically occur due to a variety of circumstances including:

• Distracted driving
• Driver fatigue
• Speeding and other traffic law violations
• Drug and/or alcohol abuse
• Violation of safety regulations and hours of service limitations
• Overloading or improper loading
• Poor truck maintenance
• Manufacturing defects
• Tire delaminations and explosions

While we begin working on building you a strong case, trucking companies are working to try to defeat your case. Within 24 hours, trucking companies routinely engage the services of insurance carriers, response teams, and accident reconstructionists.

Because trucking companies go on the defensive immediately after the truck wreck occurs, development and preservation of evidence is extremely important. At the Brad Hendricks Law Firm, our Little Rock truck accident attorneys will also help you take appropriate action as soon as possible.

We often retain an accident reconstructionist of our own, including an expert who takes photographs of the scene and vehicles involved as well as experts who conduct interviews with witnesses. By law, trucking companies only have to keep the log book a certain number of days, so we also take measures to make sure that the log book is preserved.

The trucking companies will not make it easy for you to receive the compensation you need, but with the help of The Brad Hendricks Law Firm on your side, you can get the settlement you deserve.

Truck Accidents 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.

Contact Us After a Truck Wreck

When you have been hurt in a truck wreck, investigation and documentation are critical. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to serve our current and potential clients. In addition, all online inquiries are answered within 48 hours. To act quickly, call (501) 550-4090 or toll-free at (866) 534-5284. You can count on us.