Trucks make up a big part of our lives as we navigate the city roads and highways around Fayetteville. Most drivers operate with safety as a priority, but not all drivers put the same effort into the process, and that is when accidents resulting in injuries happen. When injuries occur, hiring a Fayetteville truck accident lawyer could be a critical step you take in minimizing further loss.
When you contact Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, you get a free consultation from a dedicated Fayetteville personal injury lawyer who is ready and willing to work to meet your needs in pursuing full and fair compensation.
Why Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer in Fayetteville Is So Critical
Each day, Attorney Alan Levar sees clients who are facing life-changing complications to their health and well-being thanks to the mistakes of others. When those mistakes are made by a fast-moving, 80,000-pound truck, the risk of serious losses and fatalities is quite high. Other reasons, though, make it critical for victims to hire a truck accident attorney.
- Truck accident cases often involve more than one liable party, making it critical for victims to have access to comprehensive evidence to hold all of those who caused injuries accountable.
- Trucking companies have a lot on the line when an accident occurs, including potential reputational harm. They work overtime to minimize how much compensation is paid out to victims.
- Proving fault can be challenging without access to all available evidence, but much of that evidence is not available to the general public, often requiring legal action to retrieve it.
When you hire a truck accident lawyer in Fayetteville, AR, you gain the knowledge and confidence you need to pursue fair compensation no matter who you have to go up against. Our Fayetteville car accident lawyer is always available to help you navigate any type of big rig accident.
Why Truck Accidents Happen in Fayetteville
Victims of truck accidents may be unsure what caused the incident unless they have a full investigation completed on their behalf. Learning the cause – including any underlying factors that could contribute to your accident – is critical to recovering full damages. Your attorney’s objective is to always uncover all aspects of the injury so you can pursue fair legal action against them.
In our experience, the most common causes of truck accidents include:
- Fatigued drivers: When a semi-truck driver is on the road for numerous hours at a time, they are at a high risk of fatigue, making them much more likely to be involved in an accident.
- Distraction: Drivers operating the vehicle while distracted may find it challenging to focus on road conditions, which can ultimately lead to accident risks. Eating and drinking, using a phone, or using a navigational device can commonly lead to accidents.
- Poorly maintained vehicles: There are some situations in which a truck does not receive the proper maintenance and upkeep necessary to ensure it operates safely. Tire blowouts, engine failures, and braking issues can all contribute to accident risks.
- Impaired driving: The operation of a truck requires careful focus and attention to the roadway. Alcohol, drugs, and other types of chemical use, including prescription medications that alter a person’s ability to operate a vehicle, can be a high risk.
- Cargo mistakes: Overloaded cargo, cargo that shifts, or cargo that falls out of the vehicle are all common causes of serious injury on roadways.
- Reckless driving: Speeding to make delivery timeframes or aggressive driving, such as tailgating, can create a significant impact on others on the road when something goes wrong.
From this information, your truck accident attorneys in Fayetteville, AR, will determine who is to blame and help you file a truck accident lawsuit. Many times, the truck driver is solely at fault, especially if that driver was intoxicated or distracted at the time of the accident. Cargo-related accidents may be due to a cargo company that failed to secure the loads properly. Other times, the truck driver’s employer could be responsible if they failed to maintain the truck or pushed the driver to work in unsafe conditions.
How Your Truck Accident Lawyer Gets Evidence to Prove Your Case
When you work with a truck accident attorney in Fayetteville, you get a comprehensive level of service. A big component of what we do is to analyze the details of the police reports to determine if there is any insight that could indicate that another party was responsible for your accident and losses. Some of the types of evidence we seek out to do this include:
- Driver logs: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires drivers to take breaks at various lengths of time depending on the number of hours they were behind the wheel. They must keep accurate logs of this information that we can verify.
- Black box data: Many commercial trucks have a black box that monitors and keeps track of driver and vehicle actions prior to the accident, which could shed light on what happened.
- Witness statements: Witnesses can provide a great deal of helpful information in many accident cases. We talk to them to find out what details may have been missed by police that contributed to the accident.
- Maintenance records: The maintenance records of a truck can also shed light on how well the owner maintained it and if that caused any type of injury or loss.
- Medical records for the driver: This may make it possible to determine if the truck driver was at fault for the accident due to impairment or a health risk.
Each of these factors is a critical component in the process of determining who is to blame. With this information, your truck accident lawyer in Fayetteville will be able to pursue legal action against any party that is responsible, holding them accountable for any losses you have.
What to Do After a Truck Accident
After a truck accident in Fayetteville, the steps you take to protect yourself can be critical. Your first priority is to be safe and to ensure others are safe. However, once you do that, realize that the data, information, and evidence you capture now, right after the accident, can make a big difference in how your case moves forward.
The following steps are typically ideal – if you can take these steps after an accident, you protect your case.
- Call 911 and wait for help. If you are in danger where you are right now, move yourself to a safe place. You can also check on others who may need help. Do not leave the scene of the accident. Follow all directions provided by the dispatcher.
- Provide factual information to the police officer responding to the scene. Only provide information that is based on what you specifically experienced without implying any level of fault. Do not apologize for what happened, do not state that you were not paying attention, and do ensure that you provide any statements about what you saw the other driver doing.
- Take photos of the surrounding area. It is critical to capture as much detail as possible, including the damage to your vehicle, the truck, and the surrounding area. Take photos of the street and surrounding area as well.
- Ask witnesses to provide you with their contact information, which can help you verify details later. Even if a witness does not think they saw anything, they may be able to verify key points later.
- File a police report. If the police did not respond to the accident itself, it may be necessary to go to the police station in the city where the incident occurred and file a report.
- Contact your insurance company. You will need to alert your own insurance company to the accident as soon as possible. This does not mean you will file a claim – and you should not provide that information to the insurance company. Instead, alert them to the accident.
Get medical care as soon as possible after your accident. Medical care is necessary for treating injuries and documenting what happened to you. Going to the emergency room as soon as possible is critical to this process. Once there, be sure you agree to a full workup. Follow up with all specialists as recommended. That shows you are doing your part in recovering.
When to Contact a Fayetteville Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me
As soon as it is safe to do so and you are on your way to getting the medical care you need, contact a truck accident attorney near you. Our firm is available to you right away, providing fast access to answers to all of your questions. You should contact an attorney after any truck accident, especially in cases like the following:
- You have serious injuries, disfigurement, or other substantial losses. Your attorney will work with you, your doctors, and the at-fault party’s insurance to maximize your claim. Your losses could be severe, requiring ongoing financial support.
- You filed a claim against the truck driver’s insurance, but they are denying it. In any situation where you have pushback from the trucking company, it is beneficial to seek legal representation.
- There is no question about the truck driver being at fault. Comparative negligence is applicable in Arkansas under A.C.A. § 16-64-122. That means you can still file a claim even if you are at fault. Your attorney will ensure you are not being blamed for more than your fair share.
Hiring a Fayetteville truck accident lawyer near you is not something to wait to do. It is better to act quickly to protect your rights to fair compensation. Remember, the insurance company for the truck company is not your ally in this fight. Your truck accident lawyer in Fayetteville, AR, is your trusted advocate.
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
Trucks are heavy vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed. It is not uncommon for accidents to result in serious losses. Some of the most common injuries after a truck accident include:
- Head injuries: Traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, and concussions
- Neck and back injuries: Muscle strains, whiplash, and fractures
- Spinal column injury: With or without paralysis, chronic pain development, and loss of range of motion
- Broken bones: Complex and simple fractures
- Amputations: Loss of the arm, leg, or digits due to the accident
- Disfigurement: This includes both psychological and physical impact related to scarring, burns, and other forms of disfigurement
- Emotional trauma: The onset of conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety
Any of these losses can be critical to your health and well-being. They can also be expensive to treat and maintain over time. Having a truck accident attorney in Fayetteville, AR, can make an incredible difference in this process.
Types of Damages You May Be Owed in a Truck Accident Case
With the guidance of truck accident lawyers in Fayetteville, AR, you will learn what your case may be worth. Your lawyer will assess each detail and loss you have and build a strong, evidence-based case for all of the losses you incurred. Through this process, you may be able to recover:
- Medical bills
- Ongoing healthcare costs for injury-related needs
- Lost wages at work
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and pain
- Property damage
In situations where your family member died as a result of a truck accident, do not wait to contact your truck accident attorneys in Fayetteville, AR. This is a tremendous loss that requires careful consideration for all the losses your family member suffered, as well as you will continue to suffer. Our attorneys will provide you with insight into your legal rights throughout this process.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Fayetteville Truck Accident Attorney Now
At Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, we empower you to receive the care and attention you need after a truck accident. Our Fayetteville truck accident lawyer near you provides you with a free consultation as a starting point. We can explain your rights, build a strong case against those at fault, and begin working on a comprehensive claim that supports your recovery. Learn more by contacting us now for a free consultation.
Levar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers – Fayetteville Office
2961 Point Cir #103
Fayetteville, AR 72704
P: (479) 244-2772
