Semi-truck accidents are an unfortunate and relatively frequent occurrence in the Benton and Little Rock thanks in part to Benton’s location along with Interstate 30 and Little Rock’s position amid a network of bypassing interstates and state highways, all of which bear heavy commercial truck traffic.
Because Arkansas relies on its freight economy, it’s important to understand both the rewards and risks of our state’s trucking industry.
The Little Rock truck accident lawyers at the Minton Law Firm understand the costly, life-changing injuries often caused by tractor-trailer accidents.
Our attorneys also understand that initial insurance company settlement offers are rarely adequate to cover medical expenses and other damages. That’s why we’re dedicated to fighting on behalf of truck accident victims and their families.
If you were hurt or a loved one was killed in an accident involving a semi-truck or other large commercial vehicle, please call us at 501-794-0001 for a free consultation to help you understand your legal options. You can also contact us online to tell us your story now.
Because of their massive size, weight, and higher center of gravity, large commercial trucks can cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities when they collide with passenger vehicles. Even a relatively low-speed collision involving an 18-wheeler can leave victims with life-altering injuries.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,472 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks in 2023. The vast majority of those killed were occupants of passenger vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists rather than truck drivers themselves.
Arkansas continues to experience a significant number of serious truck accidents due in part to major freight corridors such as Interstate 40 and Interstate 30, which carry heavy commercial traffic through the state every day. Recent Arkansas roadway safety data shows that hundreds of crashes involving large trucks occur statewide each year, many resulting in severe or fatal injuries.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established strict safety regulations for the trucking industry, including rules governing driver hours-of-service limits, cargo securement, maintenance requirements, weight restrictions, and mandatory drug and alcohol testing.
Unfortunately, some trucking companies and drivers ignore these regulations in an effort to increase delivery speed and maximize profits. Fatigued driving, distracted driving, overloaded trailers, poor maintenance, and speeding continue to play major roles in serious semi-truck crashes throughout Arkansas and across the United States.
In a large-truck crash causation study, the FMCSA detailed some of the predominant factors in semi-truck accidents. These factors include but are not limited to:
Roadside inspections at the state level are intended to enforce FMCSA regulations, and they catch many—though not all—potentially dangerous infractions.
In 2016, there were just over 1 million full inspections performed on large commercial vehicles, and nearly a quarter of those inspections resulted in out-of-service (OOS) violations. The most common violations reported by FMCSA in 2016 include:
Commercial motor vehicle drivers must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), which is issued after drivers complete mandatory training and meet other qualifications.
All CMV drivers must be at least 21 years old, and they must pass a physical exam and provide medical history to a certified medical examiner listed on the FMCSA’s national registry.
Truck drivers must also obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) and undergo training before being allowed to drive alone. To obtain a CLP, drivers are subject to a 10-year driving record check in all 50 states.
Finally, drivers must pass a skill test that includes a vehicle inspection, basic controls, and a road test.
In addition to specific qualifications, CMV drivers must obey safety regulations enforced by the FMCSA. For example, CMV drivers are limited by the number of daily and weekly hours they may drive, the roads and highways they drive upon, and a reduced legal tolerance for drinking and driving (a blood-alcohol content threshold of .04 percent compared to .08 percent for non-CMV drivers).
Specific types of CMVs also require special endorsements. For example, large trucks transporting hazardous materials require a Class C license, whereas a delivery truck driver must obtain a Class B license.
States can also impose specific driving regulations for CMVs as well. In Arkansas, for example, the maximum speed limit a CMV can travel is 70 mph on rural interstates and 65 mph on urban interstates.
Accidents involving tractor-trailers and other CMVs are different from passenger vehicle collisions for many reasons, including liability.
CMV crashes may involve multiple responsible parties, including the driver, the trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance personnel, and even parts manufacturers.
At the Minton Law Firm, our truck accident lawyers understand the complexities of truck accident cases as well as the financial needs faced by injury victims and their families.
As a former insurance adjuster, attorney Justin Minton also knows the tricks insurance companies use to attempt to limit what they pay to injury victims.
If you were hurt or a family member was killed in an Arkansas truck accident, please call the Minton Law Firm today at 501-794-0001 to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can help you. You can also contact us online to get started now. We are proud to serve clients from the greater Little Rock and Benton areas.
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