Semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles are common sights on Fayetteville’s roads. While they play an essential role in picking up and delivering goods, they can also pose a major risk to other motorists.
At the Law Offices of Alan LeVar, we understand the immense impact a truck accident can have on your life. Our team of experienced Fayetteville truck accident lawyers is here to support you and your family through these challenging times.
Our goal is to help you recover the compensation you rightfully deserve following a serious truck accident so that you can meet your medical and financial needs while you recover.
Why Choose Our Fayetteville Truck Accident Lawyers?
After a truck accident in Fayetteville, you must hire the proper legal representation for your case.
Levar Law Injury and Accident Lawyers stands out as a leading choice for many reasons, several of which include:
- Experienced Legal Team: Our personal injury attorneys have extensive experience in handling truck accident cases. This means we understand the specific trucking laws and regulations that apply to these cases and know how to build a strong claim on your behalf.
- Dedicated Attention to Your Case: You are not a number to us. You’re a person who was injured because someone else was negligent. Our legal team takes the time to understand your specific situation and make our strategy meet your needs.
- Proven Track Record: Our firm has a proven track record of securing favorable client outcomes. We have secured thousands of dollars in compensation for our clients, and while every case is different, we will pursue the best possible results from your case.
- Strong Investigation Skills: We investigate thoroughly to uncover all the facts. Our approach ensures no stone is left unturned in pursuing justice for you.
- Strong Negotiation Skills: Our car accident lawyers are skilled negotiators who know how to deal with insurance companies. We strive to secure a fair settlement that covers all your damages and are prepared to go to trial if necessary.
- Compassionate Service: We understand that dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident can be stressful. Our legal team is committed to providing support and understanding throughout the process.
At the Law Offices of Alan LeVar, we know that truck accident victims can face an uphill battle. Your injuries tend to be more severe, and insurers will fight to save money by offering a lowball settlement or finding ways to deny your claim. We will use our experience and resources to make sure you get the financial recovery you are entitled to.
Truck Accident Statistics in Arkansas
The risk of truck accidents is a constant concern, whether you’re traveling alongside 18-wheelers on Interstate 49 or driving on the busy streets of Fayetteville. Due to their size and weight, these large vehicles can cause devastating damage and severe injuries in collisions.
Arkansas faces an exceptionally high risk: recently, the state ranked third in the nation for fatal truck crashes per 100,000 residents, surpassed only by Wyoming and Mississippi.
This high ranking is not just a statistic. It represents real dangers on Arkansas roads. The state’s extensive highway system and position as a major logistics hub means a high volume of truck traffic.
In recent years, Arkansas has seen hundreds of truck-related crashes annually, resulting in numerous injuries and fatalities. Factors contributing to these accidents often include driver fatigue, distracted driving, poor vehicle maintenance, and challenging weather conditions.
Source: experience.arcgis.com
Who is Liable in a Truck Accident Case?
Determining liability in a truck accident case in Arkansas can be difficult, as multiple parties are often involved. Every accident is different, and understanding who is at fault is key to securing fair compensation.
In Arkansas, several parties could bear responsibility in a truck accident, so you need a lawyer to examine how to hold each one liable.
- Truck Driver: The truck driver is usually the first party investigated for liability. If the accident was caused by driver error, such as speeding, distracted driving, driving under the influence, or fatigue, the driver could be held responsible.
- Trucking Company: The company that employs the truck driver can also be liable, especially if the accident was caused by inadequate driver training, failure to maintain vehicles, or pushing drivers to work beyond the legally allowed hours.
- Truck Owner: If the truck is owned by a different entity than the trucking company, the owner can be held liable for negligence in maintaining the vehicle, especially if a mechanical failure contributed to the accident.
- Cargo Loaders: The party responsible for loading the truck’s cargo could be liable if an improperly loaded or secured cargo led to the accident. Overloading or uneven loading can cause the truck to be unbalanced, contributing to accidents.
- Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers: If the accident was due to a defective part, the manufacturer, or the specific part could be held responsible. This includes defects in brakes, tires, steering components, or any other critical part of the truck.
- Maintenance Providers: Companies responsible for the truck’s maintenance could be liable if their failure to maintain the vehicle properly caused the accident.
In any truck accident case in Arkansas, it’s important to thoroughly investigate all potential liability sources. This ensures that all responsible parties are held accountable and victims receive fair compensation for their losses.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
Truck accidents can inflict severe injuries due to their sheer size, and they can cause chain-reaction style collisions like multi-vehicle pileups.
You’ll want to take specific steps to protect your well-being and collect evidence for a future lawsuit.
- Move to a safe area if possible. If you’re driving and the vehicle is causing a hazard, move it to the side of the road if you can safely do so. If not, turn on your hazard lights.
- Assess yourself and others for injuries. Do not attempt to move if you are severely hurt.
- Report the accident to the police immediately. A police report can be vital for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
- Get medical treatment, either by calling an ambulance or going to the nearest emergency room. Even if you feel fine, some injuries may not be immediately apparent. It’s important to be examined by a medical professional to identify, document, and treat any injuries you may have suffered.
- Exchange information with the truck driver. This includes names, contact details, insurance information, and trucking company details. Note the truck’s license plate and the driver’s license number. Be careful not to admit fault or make statements that could be used against you later.
- Take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle positions, damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and any injuries.
- If there were any witnesses to the accident, get their contact information. Their testimony could be crucial if there are disputes about what happened.
- Contact a Fayetteville truck accident lawyer. Although insurance adjusters will soon be calling you, don’t speak to them until you’ve had the chance to retain a lawyer. Anything you say could be used to diminish or deny your claim, so talk to an attorney who can negotiate with them on your behalf while you recover.
Following these steps can help ensure your safety and protect your legal rights after a truck accident.
Compensation in a Fayetteville Truck Accident Case
Truck accident compensation is intended to cover the losses and damages suffered by the victims. It is typically categorized into two main types: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
These are the tangible financial losses that can be calculated and documented. They include:
- Medical Expenses: This covers all medical-related costs, from immediate treatment following the accident to long-term care, including surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages: This refers to compensation for the income you lost due to time taken off work for recovery. It also covers loss of earning capacity if the accident leads to long-term disability affecting your ability to work.
- Property Damage: This includes the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle and any other personal property damaged in the accident.
- Other Financial Losses: You can be compensated for any other out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident, like travel costs for medical appointments.
Non-Economic Damages
These more subjective and hard-to-quantify damages address the non-financial impact of the accident on your life:
- Pain and Suffering: This is compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident. It can also include ongoing discomfort, chronic pain, and mental anguish.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: This type of compensation may apply if the injuries prevent you from engaging in hobbies, sports, or other activities that were a part of your life before the accident.
- Emotional Distress: You can be compensated for the psychological impact of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, and trauma.
- Loss of Consortium: This is related to the impact on your relationship with your spouse or partner due to the injuries.
In Fayetteville, determining the value of these damages often requires thorough documentation and sometimes expert testimony, especially for non-economic damages. An experienced truck accident attorney can be instrumental in accurately assessing all damages and ensuring that you receive fair compensation for all your losses.
How Much of a Settlement Can I Expect?
Several key factors determine how much of a settlement you can expect from a truck accident claim. Each case is different, and the amount you ultimately receive will depend on the specific circumstances of your accident.
Here are the main factors that influence the settlement amount:
- Severity of Injuries: Generally speaking, more severe injuries result in higher settlements. This is because serious injuries often lead to higher medical bills, longer recovery times, and greater pain and suffering.
- Medical Expenses: The total cost of your medical treatment is a significant factor. This includes all medical bills from the accident and projected future medical costs for ongoing treatment.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be compensated for lost wages. If the injuries impact your future earning potential, that will also be considered in the settlement.
- Property Damage: The extent of damage to your vehicle and any other personal property affected by the accident.
- Pain and Suffering: This non-economic damage plays a vital role in the settlement. It covers the physical and emotional distress caused by the accident.
- Impact on Quality of Life: If the accident results in long-term or permanent disability, affecting your ability to engage in daily activities, hobbies, or personal relationships, this can increase the settlement amount.
- Insurance Policy Limits: The at-fault party’s insurance coverage plays a significant role. The settlement cannot exceed the policy’s maximum coverage limits unless the at-fault party has additional assets to pursue.
Having an experienced Fayetteville truck accident attorney can significantly affect the settlement amount. Skilled lawyers are adept at negotiating with insurance companies and presenting a solid case for maximum compensation.
How Much Does a Fayetteville Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a truck accident lawyer in Fayetteville can vary, but most work on a contingency fee basis.
Here’s what you should know about this payment structure:
- No Upfront Fees: With a contingency fee arrangement, you don’t pay any upfront fees when you hire a lawyer. This makes legal representation accessible for those who don’t have the funds to pay a lawyer at the beginning of their case.
- Percentage of the Settlement: The lawyer’s fee is typically a percentage of your settlement or award. If you win the case or obtain a settlement, the lawyer’s fee will be a portion of that amount.
- No Win, No Fee: If the lawyer does not win the case or secure a settlement for you, you generally owe nothing for their services. This arrangement aligns the lawyer’s interest with yours, as they are incentivized to achieve the best possible outcome.
Discuss fees and costs with any potential lawyer at the beginning of your case, so you clearly understand what to expect. Remember, a good truck accident lawyer will not only aim to win your case but also maximize the compensation you receive, even after legal fees are deducted.
Questions? Get a Free Consultation With a Fayetteville Truck Accident Lawyer
Don’t deal with the outcome alone if you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Fayetteville. Let the Law Offices of Alan LeVar stand by your side.
We’ve helped many injured victims hold big trucking companies and their insurers accountable and will spare no effort in getting the results that you need to move forward.
For more information or to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our Fayetteville personal injury lawyers, call (479) 244-2772 or contact us online today.
Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers – Fayetteville Office
2961 Point Cir #103
Fayetteville, AR 72704
P: (479) 244-2772
