Arkansas Truck Accident Lawyer

Meet Our Team of Arkansas Truck Accident Lawyers

Keith Law Group is led by skilled attorneys Sean T. Keith and Brynna Barnica, who bring nearly 50 years of combined legal experience, offering compassionate and effective representation for clients seeking compensation in truck accident cases.

Sean T. Keith, the founding attorney and lead counsel, has spent over 30 years advocating for injured individuals, specializing in tractor-trailer crashes, trucking accidents, and product liability cases.

His extensive experience has resulted in multimillion-dollar verdicts, earning him the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and recognition as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers.

Brynna Barnica, with 17 years of diverse legal experience, transitioned from her roles as a defense attorney and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney to focusing on personal injury law, particularly advocating for victims of truck accidents.

Her background in criminal litigation and negotiation empowers her to secure the compensation her clients deserve.

Together, Sean and Brynna lead Keith Law Group with a deep commitment to providing expert legal representation and fighting for justice in truck accident claims across Arkansas.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire an Arkansas Truck Accident Lawyer?

Hiring an Arkansas truck accident lawyer doesn’t have to be financially burdensome, as many law firms, including Keith Law Group, operate on a contingency fee basis.

This means you don’t pay any upfront costs or hourly fees. Instead, your attorney only gets paid if they successfully secure compensation for you, either through a settlement or a verdict in your favor.

Contingency fees ensure that you can pursue your truck accident claim without worrying about legal fees while you focus on recovering from your injuries.

The fee is a percentage of the compensation you receive, and it’s agreed upon before you sign any contracts.

This arrangement allows you to get the legal support you need without the immediate financial burden, making it easier to seek fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and more.

Reach out to Keith Law Group today for a free consultation to discuss your truck accident case and learn more about how we can help you without any upfront costs.

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident

After being involved in a truck accident in Arkansas, it’s essential to take the right steps to protect your health, legal rights, and potential truck accident claim.

Steps to take include:

1. Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel fine, it’s important to see a doctor right away, as some injuries may not appear immediately. Get a full medical evaluation and document any injuries.
2. Call the Police: Report the accident to law enforcement, and ensure a police report is filed. This official documentation will be vital when dealing with insurance companies and proving fault.
3. Document the Scene: Take photographs of the accident scene, including vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Make note of weather conditions, traffic signs, and other important factors that could have contributed to the crash.
4. Exchange Information: Obtain the contact and insurance details of the truck driver, any witnesses, and the trucking company involved in the accident. This information will be crucial for your case.
5. Avoid Admitting Fault: Even if you’re uncertain, do not admit fault at the scene. Let your lawyer and insurance investigators determine liability.
6. Consult an Arkansas Truck Accident Lawyer: Contact an experienced truck accident attorney as soon as possible. They can help you navigate the legal complexities, communicate with insurance companies, and start gathering evidence to build your case.

Gathering Evidence for Truck Accident Claims

Gathering strong evidence is critical to building a successful truck accident claim.

The more comprehensive your evidence, the better your chances of securing fair compensation.

Evidence to collect includes:

• Police Report: The official accident report will contain vital details like the cause of the accident, the parties involved, and any citations issued. This report is essential for your case.
• Medical Records: Documentation of your injuries from healthcare professionals is crucial. These records will prove the extent of your injuries and connect them to the truck accident.
• Photographs: Photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and visible injuries can provide powerful evidence of the crash’s severity and the conditions surrounding it.
• Witness Statements: Eyewitness accounts can help corroborate your version of events. Gather contact information from anyone who saw the accident occur.
• Driver and Trucking Company Information: Collect the truck driver’s information, including their license, insurance details, and the trucking company’s information. This is vital for identifying the responsible party.
• Black Box Data: Large trucks are often equipped with electronic data recorders or “black boxes” that record the truck’s speed, braking, and other critical information. Your attorney can request this data to help prove fault.
• Expert Testimonies: In complex cases, expert witnesses such as accident reconstruction specialists may be needed to establish the cause of the accident and who is at fault.

Damages in Truck Accident Claims

When involved in a truck accident, the damages you can seek typically fall into two categories: economic and non-economic damages.

Types of damages you may be entitled to includes:

1. Medical Expenses: This includes past and future medical costs, such as hospital bills, surgeries, medication, physical therapy, and any other treatment directly related to your injuries.
2. Lost Wages: If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost income during your recovery. If you’re unable to return to your previous job, you could also pursue damages for diminished earning capacity.
3. Pain and Suffering: Non-economic damages can compensate you for the physical pain, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life resulting from the accident. This is harder to quantify but is still a significant aspect of your claim.
4. Property Damage: You can seek compensation for the repair or replacement of your vehicle and any other property damaged in the truck accident.
5. Punitive Damages: In cases of gross negligence, such as truck driver fatigue or intentional misconduct by the trucking company, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter future misconduct.
6. Wrongful Death: If the truck accident resulted in the death of a loved one, surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim to recover damages for funeral expenses, lost companionship, and emotional suffering.
7. Mental Anguish: Truck accident victims may also be able to claim damages for the psychological toll the accident has taken, including anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

An experienced Arkansas truck accident lawyer from Keith Law Group can help you assess the full extent of your damages, ensuring you pursue the maximum compensation for your injuries and losses.

The Legal Process for Truck Accident Lawsuits in Arkansas

The legal process for a truck accident lawsuit in Arkansas typically involves several stages.

Here’s a general overview of the process:

1. Initial Consultation: The process begins with an initial consultation with an experienced Arkansas truck accident lawyer. During this meeting, your attorney will review the details of your case, discuss your injuries, and explain the legal options available to you.
2. Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Once you decide to move forward, your lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation. This includes obtaining the police report, collecting medical records, photographing the accident scene, and obtaining black box data from the truck if available. Your attorney may also speak with witnesses and experts to build a strong case.
3. Filing the Claim: Your attorney will file a formal claim with the trucking company’s insurance provider or directly with the trucking company if they are self-insured. This will lay the groundwork for negotiations or settlement talks.
4. Negotiation: Insurance companies often seek to settle claims quickly, but it’s important to ensure the settlement fully covers your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement that reflects the true extent of your injuries.
5. Filing a Lawsuit: If a settlement isn’t reached through negotiations, your attorney may file a lawsuit in court. The lawsuit will initiate a process of discovery, where both parties exchange evidence and take depositions.
6. Trial: If the case cannot be settled before trial, the case will go to court. During the trial, both sides will present their evidence, and a judge or jury will determine liability and the appropriate amount of compensation.
7. Settlement or Verdict: If the case proceeds to trial, the court will issue a verdict. However, it’s still possible for a settlement to be reached before the trial ends. Once a settlement or verdict is reached, you’ll receive compensation for your injuries, medical costs, and other losses.

An experienced truck accident lawyer will guide you through each step of the legal process, ensuring you understand your options and receive the best possible outcome for your case.

How Long Do I Have To File a Truck Accident Claim in Arkansas

In Arkansas, the statute of limitations for filing a truck accident claim is generally three years from the date of the accident.

This means you have three years from the crash to file your personal injury lawsuit and seek compensation for your injuries.

If you fail to file within this timeframe, you may lose your legal right to pursue compensation.

There are some exceptions to this rule, such as when the injured party is a minor or if injuries were not immediately apparent.

In cases involving wrongful death, the statute of limitations may also differ.

It’s essential to contact an experienced Arkansas truck accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your case is filed within the legal time limit.

By acting quickly, your attorney can begin investigating the incident, gathering evidence, and preserving crucial documents that may be needed to strengthen your claim.

Important Truck Accident Claim Laws in Arkansas

When filing a truck accident claim in Arkansas, there are several key laws and regulations that can impact your case.

Understanding these laws is crucial for protecting your rights and ensuring that you seek compensation you deserve.

Important truck accident claim laws include:

1. Comparative Fault: Arkansas follows a comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover compensation even if you are partially at fault for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% responsible for the crash, your compensation will be reduced by 20%.
2. Insurance Requirements: Arkansas is a fault-based insurance state, meaning the party who is determined to be at fault for the accident is responsible for covering the damages. Trucking companies are required by both federal and state laws to carry minimum liability insurance, but these limits may be higher for accidents involving commercial vehicles.
3. Federal Regulations: In addition to Arkansas state laws, truck accident cases often involve federal regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules govern the trucking industry, including hours of service (HOS) for drivers, vehicle maintenance, and safety standards. Violations of these regulations can play a significant role in determining fault in a truck accident.
4. Vicarious Liability: Under the legal doctrine of vicarious liability, a trucking company can be held responsible for the actions of its drivers if the driver was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the accident. This means that even if the truck driver was negligent, the company may be held accountable for damages resulting from the accident.
5. Wrongful Death Claims: If a truck accident results in death, the deceased’s family may file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of income, and the emotional impact of the loss. Arkansas law allows certain family members, such as spouses, children, and parents, to bring wrongful death claims.
6. Damages Available: Victims of truck accidents in Arkansas can seek both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, and property damage, while non-economic damages may cover pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded if the truck driver’s actions were especially reckless.

An experienced Arkansas truck accident attorney can help navigate these laws, ensuring that your case is handled appropriately and that you seek the full compensation you are entitled to.

Do You Qualify for an Arkansas Truck Accident Lawsuit?

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Arkansas, you may qualify for a lawsuit.

To qualify, you must show that the truck driver or trucking company was at fault, such as by proving negligence or violation of regulations that led to the accident.

You must also demonstrate that you sustained actual injuries or damages, such as physical injuries, emotional distress, or property damage.

Evidence like police reports, witness statements, and truck maintenance records can help establish liability, especially if factors like speeding, fatigue, or substance use were involved.

You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering, especially if the accident has led to long-term or life-altering consequences.

Arkansas has a statute of limitations, typically three years, for filing truck accident claims, so it’s important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible.

If you meet the criteria, an experienced truck accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Keith Law Group: Arkansas Truck Accident Lawyers

At Keith Law Group, our Arkansas truck accident lawyers are dedicated to providing experienced and compassionate legal representation for those injured in truck accidents.

With nearly 50 years of combined legal experience, our team is committed to securing maximum compensation for truck accident victims, helping them recover from the physical, emotional, and financial impacts of their injuries.

Whether you’ve been involved in a tractor-trailer accident, semi-truck crash, or any other type of truck-related collision, we have the expertise to handle your case.

Our lawyers are well-versed in the complexities of trucking regulations, negligence claims, and the legal strategies required to hold trucking companies and their drivers accountable for their actions.

We understand the significant challenges truck accident victims face, from dealing with serious injuries to managing mounting medical bills and lost wages.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash, don’t navigate the legal process alone.

Let our team of skilled accident lawyers handle the legal details while you focus on recovery.

Call us today or use our online chat feature for an instant case evaluation.

Let us put our expertise to work for you and secure the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.