Trucks move through Bentonville as they traverse the region, carrying as much as 80,000 pounds of cargo with them. Throughout that process, drivers must remain attentive and operate their vehicles in accordance with the law. When they fail, the risk of catastrophe for victims is high. If you are that victim, a trucking accident attorney from LeVar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers becomes your best advocate.
Set up a free consultation with our truck accident lawyers in Bentonville, AR to discuss your case with a legal team passionate about supporting victims. Put your trust in our Bentonville personal injury lawyers today.
Truck Accidents Cause Serious Losses and Long-Term Implications
Truck crashes lead to serious injury and the loss of life for thousands of people each year. In Arkansas alone, the state reports a total of 2949 people suffered serious injuries in 2024 involving large trucks and buses. Of those, 82 people died in the crashes, with over 1218 people suffering life-threatening injuries. In 2023, 114 people were killed in such accidents, and in 2022, 121 lost their lives.
Semi-truck accidents in Bentonville, AR carry a significant risk of loss of life and serious injury because of the rate of speed, size, and challenges these trucks create on roadways. Drivers are often tired and face ongoing stress in their efforts to reach their next destination as quickly as possible.
Due to the high volume of big rigs on the road, it can be highly challenging for victims to recover fair damages. Insurance companies work aggressively to try to minimize the amount of compensation paid out. Fines associated with highway accidents from the federal and state governments also make trucking companies aggressive in trying to reduce the compensation paid.
All of these factors make it far more challenging for victims to recover fair damages in a truck accident case. By working with a truck accident attorney in Bentonville, AR, victims learn what their rights are in these cases.
Causes of Large Truck Accidents
A great deal of truck accidents happen for preventable reasons. This means someone is negligent in the accident. The cause of such accidents can often be attributed to operator error. According to the American Trucking Association data for 2023, 80% of all truck accidents are due to driver mistakes. In many of those cases, the truck driver is responsible rather than the car owner.
Common causes of truck driver mistakes include:
- Speeding: Excessive speed due to rushing from one location to another is a common reason for a serious injury to occur.
- Reckless Lane Changing: Mistakes made while changing lanes are also common. Notably, many of these accidents occur when a vehicle is in one of the truck’s blind spots, or areas difficult for drivers to see.
- Improper Turns: Turns can be challenging for trucks because they require more space. If a driver tries to pass a car, the risk of an accident can be significantly higher.
- Merging Mistakes: Truck drivers who make mistakes while merging can cause serious accidents, including rollovers and jackknifing, if they stop too quickly.
- Crossing the Center Line: Drivers involved in a head-on crash with a truck may face a significant risk of loss of life when a head-on collision occurs.
Driver mistakes can happen when a truck operator is tired, rushing, or distracted. It is not uncommon for truck drivers to be fatigued while behind the wheel on long-haul trips across the state or country.
Other causes of truck accidents include:
- Mechanical Failures: This may be due to a lack of maintenance and upkeep on the truck, mistakes made by technicians, or design and manufacturing flaws
- Cargo-Related Accidents: In some cases, a truck driver may lose control over the vehicle due to a cargo shift, especially when cargo loading and securing best practices are not followed
- Road Conditions: Poor road conditions, especially during winter conditions, can increase the risk of serious accidents if a driver loses control of the vehicle
In each of these situations, one of our truck accident attorneys in Bentonville, AR will work carefully with victims to understand what occurred. From there, you can expect our lawyer to pursue evidence to substantiate what took place. This includes commercial truck logs, witness statements, and other evidence. Learn how to file a truck accident lawsuit today.
Determining Fault in a Truck Accident
Understanding the cause of a truck accident is the first step in navigating the faults in truck accidents. As noted, drivers cause the majority of truck accidents; however, that does not mean they are the only parties at fault in these accidents. Through a thorough investigation, it will be possible to determine whether other parties share some or all of the fault. Examples of parties that could be responsible for the truck accident include:
The Truck Driver
Drivers may be solely responsible if they acted intentionally to cause an accident, were speeding, or were intoxicated at the time of the accident. Drivers who are distracted behind the wheel are also accountable.
Trucking Company
A truck company employs the truck driver and could be found liable for the truck driver’s actions. Trucking companies must ensure that all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration laws are met, including those related to:
- Hours of service regulations that limit the number of hours that a truck driver may operate the vehicle within a set amount of time
- Transportation workplace alcohol and drug testing to determine a pattern of negligence
- Hazardous material regulations are not being followed
- Unsafe loading and cargo management strategies
- Vehicle maintenance and inspection failures
Your truck accident lawyers in Bentonville, AR will uncover any potential fault held by the trucking company. This can extend the availability of compensation to cover losses incurred by the victim.
Semi-Truck Manufacturers
In some cases, an accident may be due to mistakes made during the truck’s manufacturing process. Other times, a fault in the truck’s design may be to blame. Your big rig accident attorneys in Bentonville, AR will work to determine if this is the case by investigating other accidents like your own to determine if there is any indication of repeated risks.
With the guidance of expert witnesses and industry leaders, it may be possible to pursue legal action against manufacturers who knew of risks and failed to mitigate them. Seek out a consultation before you agree to any compensation in a case like this.
Third-Party Organizations
Some truck accidents occur as a result of a third-party organization that makes mistakes. For example, a company may be hired to handle the cargo loading and unloading. If they are found to be the cause of the accident, that organization could be held responsible. If a third-party technician fails to provide safe repairs or uses inferior parts, that could lead to these companies being held liable for injuries and losses.
Types of Injuries Common in Truck Accidents
Victims of large truck and 18-wheeler accidents often face incredible losses. A fast-moving truck that does not brake before striking a car in an intersection can easily cause the loss of life. Our Bentonville, AR truck accident lawyer has helped victims facing serious injuries such as the following from tractor-trailer accidents:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations and disfigurements
- Burns from chemicals or fires
- Broken and crushed bones
- Catastrophic injuries causing permanent disability
- Emotional trauma
After an accident occurs, victims should seek legal guidance as soon as possible, once they have received medical care. Doing so enables your attorney to begin gathering evidence to substantiate your case, including the extent of your injuries.
Wrongful Death in Truck Accidents
As noted, many truck accidents result in fatalities. The immediate family members of victims have the legal right to pursue financial compensation from the at-fault party for the loss of their loved one’s life. In these situations, families will need to demonstrate the fault involved and the impact that death will have on their family, both emotionally and financially.
We strongly recommend working with a Bentonville, AR truck accident attorney from our law firm if your family member lost their life in such an accident. If the insurance company approaches you with a settlement, seek out legal support even sooner. It is very common for this to be a fraction of what they owe you for the loss of your loved one. Our legal team is here to fight for you.
Compensation Related to Truck Accidents
Victims of truck accidents have the right to pursue compensation for any losses they have suffered as a result of the accident. The burden of proof is on the victim, and that means your truck accident attorney. In these situations, it is crucial to thoroughly document all losses, as your recovery may depend on your ability to cover the costs of advanced medical care and ongoing expenses.
Some of the types of compensation you may be owed in such an accident may include the following:
Medical Costs
Any medical costs associated with the accident and recovery may be a part of your claim. This includes:
- Emergency medical care
- Hospitalizations
- Surgeries and other treatments
- Medications
- Rehabilitation
- In-home supportive care
- Adaptations to accommodate restrictions
- Transportation costs to and from medical care
- Future medical needs
Medical costs can be extensive in situations where victims suffer catastrophic losses, such as those resulting in permanent disability. By working with a Bentonville, AR truck accident attorney at our law office, you will know what your losses may include now and in the future.
Wage Losses
Lost wages and a reduction in earning potential are critical factors for most victims. If you cannot go to work for some time, due to your injuries or medical restrictions, you can apply for coverage for all losses, including any long-term impact on your ability to earn a living wage.
Property Damage
Victims can seek compensation for any documented property loss suffered in the accident. This might include damage to their vehicle, phones, and any other valuables present at the time of the accident.
Noneconomic Damages
These damages include losses associated with factors that are complex to put a value on. Examples that may apply include:
- Pain and suffering from the injuries sustained
- Emotional distress, including the resulting depression, anxiety, and trauma from the incident
- Disfigurement, including scars and amputations
- Loss of enjoyment in life if you cannot engage in activities you enjoy as a result of your injuries
- Loss of companionship and loss of consortium
The objective of your trucking accident lawyer in Bentonville, AR will be to carefully look through all components of your life to understand best how this accident is impacting your health and well-being. Depending on the implications, we may advise you to pursue a claim or consider litigation to advocate for your right to fair compensation. Browse our verdicts and settlements to learn more.
Getting a Settlement for Your Tractor-Trailer Accident
Most of the truck accident cases we handle will settle. As your attorney, we understand the laws and the likely outcome of any claim you file. Our experience enables us to help you pursue fair compensation through a settlement.
If the insurance company for the at-fault party approaches you with a settlement offer, though, they are not working in your best interests, as your attorney will. For that reason, we do not encourage you to settle your case until you speak to our legal team about your rights to fair compensation.
In situations where the at-fault party will not treat you fairly, we will pursue legal action through a lawsuit. The goal of this action is to ensure victims have access to the medical care and financial support they need to match the intensity of their injuries and losses.
Request a Free Consultation with Our Truck Accident Attorneys in Bentonville, AR
Our trucking accident lawyers are available to discuss your case with you and provide you with guidance on how to navigate the process of damage recovery. There is no obligation to work with us, and consultations are free of charge. You also do not pay anything upfront for legal support—we only get paid if and when you get paid through a settlement or a successful jury verdict.
Contact LeVar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers to discuss your case with our legal team. Our decades of experience and dedication to our clients make a big difference in your rights. We offer free consultations as an opportunity for you to learn more.
