If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Fayetteville, Arkansas, you need an experienced attorney from Odom Law Firm. Truck accidents differ significantly from standard car accidents. They involve federal regulations, multiple liable parties, and often result in catastrophic injuries. Our Fayetteville personal injury lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for clients injured in semi-truck collisions and commercial vehicle wrecks. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Why Choose Odom Law Firm for Your Truck Accident Claim
Since 1982, Odom Law Firm has helped Arkansas families and truck accident victims recover after devastating crashes.
Clients trust us for commercial and semi-truck accident cases because:
- We have more than 100 years of experience handling complex vehicle and trucking claims.
- Our record includes high-value truck accident results: $6.75 million in a fatal semi-truck wreck, $4.5 million in a semi-truck crash with family injuries, and $1.4 million in another catastrophic truck collision.
- Our team includes attorneys with proven success in trucking and commercial vehicle litigation.
- Every case receives immediate investigation, full communication, and tireless representation.
- All clients pay nothing unless we secure compensation, and we offer free consultations with appointments to fit your schedule.
We are committed to holding trucking companies accountable, recovering compensation for injuries and losses, and guiding you through every stage of your claim.
Why Truck Accidents Require Experienced Legal Representation
Truck accidents are fundamentally different from typical motor vehicle collisions. When a commercial truck strikes a passenger vehicle, the sheer size and weight disparity create devastating consequences. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds—roughly 16 times heavier than a standard car. This massive weight differential means injuries in truck accidents tend to be far more severe than those in car-to-car collisions.
Beyond the physics of the collision, truck accident cases involve complex federal regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) establish strict rules governing truck driver hours of service, vehicle maintenance, cargo loading, and driver qualifications. When trucking companies or drivers violate these regulations, it establishes negligence and strengthens your claim for compensation.
Truck accident cases also involve multiple potentially liable parties. You may have claims against the truck driver, the trucking company, the vehicle owner, cargo loaders, parts manufacturers, or maintenance providers. Identifying all responsible parties requires thorough investigation and legal expertise. Our truck accident attorneys at Odom Law Firm have handled hundreds of commercial vehicle cases. We understand how to build strong claims against all liable defendants.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Fayetteville
Truck accidents occur through various mechanisms, many of which involve negligence or regulatory violations:
- Driver fatigue and Hours of Service violations – Truck drivers operating beyond legal limits become drowsy and lose focus, causing collisions
- Improper maintenance and mechanical failures – Faulty brakes, tire blowouts, and steering failures cause drivers to lose control
- Overloaded or improperly loaded cargo – Shifting cargo or excessive weight affects vehicle stability and braking ability
- Distracted or impaired driving – Cell phone use, substance abuse, or alcohol consumption impairs driver’s judgment
- Speeding and reckless operation – Excessive speed reduces stopping distance and increases collision severity
- Defective truck parts or equipment – Manufacturing defects in brakes, tires, or coupling systems cause accidents
Each of these causes creates liability for the responsible party. Our attorneys investigate accident scenes, obtain black box data, review driver logs, and consult with experts. We identify the specific cause of your accident and establish negligence.
Injuries Resulting from Truck Accidents
The severity of truck accidents means victims often suffer catastrophic injuries. Common injuries we see in truck accident cases include:
Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma can result in cognitive impairment, memory loss, personality changes, and permanent disability. Spinal cord injuries frequently cause partial or complete paralysis, requiring lifelong medical care and assistance. Severe burns and lacerations occur when vehicles catch fire or victims are ejected from vehicles. Broken bones and fractures often require multiple surgeries and extended rehabilitation. Internal injuries and organ damage may not be immediately apparent but can prove fatal without prompt treatment. In the most tragic cases, truck accidents result in wrongful death, leaving families to cope with the loss of a loved one.
If you’ve suffered any of these injuries in a truck accident, you deserve compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent disability. Our catastrophic injuries team can help you pursue full recovery.
Determining Liability in Truck Accident Cases
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Truck accident liability extends beyond the driver. Multiple parties may share responsibility for your injuries:
The truck driver may be liable for negligent operation, speeding, distracted driving, or violating hours of service regulations. The trucking company can be held liable for negligent hiring, inadequate training, failure to maintain vehicles, or pressuring drivers to violate safety regulations. The vehicle owner or lessor may be responsible if they failed to maintain the truck or knew of mechanical defects. Cargo loaders bear liability if the cargo was improperly loaded or secured, causing the truck to become unstable. Manufacturers of defective truck parts—brakes, tires, coupling systems—can be sued for design or manufacturing defects under product liability law. Maintenance providers who failed to properly repair or inspect the vehicle may also be liable.
Identifying all liable parties requires a comprehensive investigation. Our attorneys work with accident reconstructionists, engineers, and industry experts. We determine exactly what went wrong and who bears responsibility.
How We Investigate Your Case
Our investigation process is thorough and systematic. We document the accident scene through photographs and video, capturing road conditions, vehicle positions, and debris patterns. We retrieve black box data from the truck’s electronic control module, which records speed, braking, acceleration, and other critical information. We obtain driver logs, maintenance records, and inspection reports to identify regulatory violations or mechanical failures. We consult with accident reconstructionists and engineers who can testify about how the accident occurred. We review federal and state regulations to identify compliance violations that establish negligence.
This comprehensive approach ensures we build the strongest possible case for full compensation.
Truck Accident FAQs
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Arkansas?
Arkansas law provides a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims and a three-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims. However, evidence deteriorates quickly after accidents. Witness memories fade, accident scenes change, and crucial evidence may be lost. We recommend contacting an attorney immediately after your accident to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
What compensation can I recover in a truck accident case?
You may recover compensation for medical expenses, including past treatment and future medical care. Lost wages and lost earning capacity compensate you for income lost due to your injuries. Pain and suffering damages account for physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. Permanent disability or disfigurement damages compensate for lasting effects of your injuries. In wrongful death cases, family members may recover damages for loss of companionship and financial support. Similar compensation principles apply to motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and bicycle accidents.
Will my truck accident case go to trial?
Most truck accident cases settle before trial. Insurance companies often prefer settlement to avoid the uncertainty and expense of litigation. However, we prepare every case for trial and are ready to take your case to court if necessary to secure fair compensation. Our trial experience and willingness to litigate give us leverage in settlement negotiations. We also handle insurance disputes when insurers deny or undervalue claims.
What should I do immediately after a truck accident?
First, seek medical attention for any injuries, even if you feel fine. Some injuries appear hours or days after accidents. Document the scene by taking photographs and videos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and debris. Collect contact information from witnesses who saw the accident. Report the accident to the police and obtain a copy of the police report. Avoid discussing fault or accepting blame at the scene. Contact an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.
How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?
Odom Law Firm handles truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay no upfront costs or attorney fees. We only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you through settlement or verdict. We offer free initial consultations to discuss your case and answer your questions.
What makes truck accidents different from car accidents?
Truck accidents differ in several critical ways. The severity of injuries is typically far greater due to the truck’s size and weight. Federal regulations and compliance issues create additional liability theories. Multiple liable parties—driver, company, owner, loaders, manufacturers—complicate the investigation. Complex insurance coverage involving commercial policies requires knowledge of commercial vehicle law. Investigation requires expertise in commercial vehicle mechanics and federal regulations. These distinctions also apply to drunk driving accidents, hit-and-run accidents, and uninsured driver accidents.
Can I still recover if I was partially at fault?
Arkansas follows a comparative negligence rule. You can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, as long as you were less than 50% responsible for the accident. If you were 40% at fault and the truck driver was 60% at fault, you can recover 60% of your damages. However, insurance companies will argue you bear more responsibility than you actually do. Experienced representation ensures your percentage of fault is accurately determined.
Contact Odom Law Firm for Your Free Truck Accident Consultation
Truck accidents cause devastating injuries and financial hardship. You shouldn’t face insurance companies and trucking companies alone. Odom Law Firm has spent over 40 years fighting for truck accident victims in Fayetteville and throughout Arkansas. Our experienced attorneys understand the details of commercial vehicle cases and know how to hold negligent trucking companies accountable.
We’re committed to securing full compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We offer free consultations and are available for evening and weekend appointments.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Fayetteville, don’t wait. Contact Odom Law Firm today at 479-442-7575 for your free consultation. Let our experienced truck accident lawyers fight for the compensation you deserve.
