Truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries that change the lives of crash victims and their families. The Arkansas truck accident attorneys at McDaniel Law Firm, PLC often see crash victims sustain severe, long-term injuries that keep them from working or engaging in activities they enjoy. What's worse, we sometimes see the devastation caused to victims' families after fatal truck crashes.
Truck drivers and trucking companies have a duty to uphold on Arkansas roads. Truckers are expected to drive sober and alert, obey the posted speed limits, and drive in a manner that is safe and prudent. Trucking companies are expected to:
- Hire experienced and qualified drivers who hold commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) and have a clean driving history.
- Ensure that drivers comply with the federal hours-of-service law and electronic logging of miles.
- Ensure that all commercial vehicles are properly maintained and pass inspection.
In far too many cases, truck drivers behave irresponsibly. Many truck crashes are the result of distracted driving, impaired driving, drowsy driving and speeding. Trucking companies often put profits ahead of safety by pushing their drivers to make deliveries faster and take fewer rest periods.
Large commercial trucks often weigh as much as 80,000 lbs. when loaded with cargo. Due to their sheer size and weight, they are more likely to cause catastrophic and fatal crashes than passenger cars. That's why truck drivers, and the companies that employ them, must comply with strict state and federal safety regulations.
What should I expect from my truck accident case?
Truck accident cases are far more complex than two-car crashes. Without an experienced attorney on your side, you're up against a trucking company with deep pockets and insurance companies with some of the best attorneys representing them. Here are the reasons why it's critical that you hire an experienced attorney:
There are more insurance companies involved
In truck accident cases, there are far more parties who are either liable or entitled to compensation. For example, the cab, trailer, and cargo of a semi-truck are often insured separately. That means you would need to recover damages from potentially three different insurance companies. Recovering damages from one insurance company is difficult enough. In addition, there are often multiple parties who are injured in truck crashes. That means multiple parties could be pursuing damages from the trucking company's insurer(s).
You need an attorney who has experience negotiating with insurance companies and holding them accountable when they're reluctant to do the right thing. The legal team at McDaniel Law Firm, PLC has nearly a decade of experience dealing directly with insurance companies on behalf of our clients.
There is too much at stake
Trucking companies and their insurers stand to lose millions of dollars in a catastrophic crash and they will fight tooth and nail to protect their bottom line. Trucking companies often deploy their own team of investigators and adjusters to the scene of a crash. The evidence that they collect is often biased and skewed to favor the trucking company and cover up wrongdoing.
Our attorneys know how to investigate truck crashes. We work with crash reconstruction experts to gain a clear picture of how the truck crash occurred. We also:
- Interview witnesses
- Check surveillance camera footage if any is available
- Check the number of miles and hours logged by the driver by gaining access to the truck's black box
- Look for evidence that the driver and/or trucking company violated state and federal law
Never accept a settlement without an accurate value
The trucking company or its insurer will likely offer you a quick settlement in order to move your case along. Indeed, a settlement may sound promising when you're facing steep medical expenses and financial hardship while you're unable to work. But you may not realize that you're eligible for greater compensation than the lowball settlement offered to you. By accepting a settlement without first consulting with an attorney, you waive your right to pursue additional compensation.
The truth is, neither the trucking company nor its insurer is aware of the extent of your losses. They don't know how much your current and future medical care will cost. They don't know how much money you are losing by being out of work. Nor do they understand the pain and suffering you're enduring as a result of the crash. Only an experienced Arkansas truck accident attorney can determine how much compensation you're entitled to recover in damages.
The types of damages you can recover after a truck crash include:
- Current and future estimated medical expenses
- Lost wages while you're out of work
- Property damage or loss of property
- Pain and suffering, emotional anguish and mental trauma linked to the crash
- Long-term disability benefits if you sustained a lifelong injury
- Personal care and assistance with daily tasks
- Wrongful death benefits if you lost a loved one
The attorneys at McDaniel Law Firm, PLC will fight to recover it all through a settlement or court verdict. We offer free and confidential legal consultations to our clients. Our law firm will not charge you a dime for our legal services unless your case is resolved and you're fully compensated. To get started, contact us online.
