Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Jonesboro
Large trucks travel through Jonesboro every day on Interstate 555, US-167, US-63, and US-49, increasing the danger for drivers in smaller vehicles. Identifying exactly why a wreck happened is one of the most important steps in building a strong claim, especially in cases involving commercial carriers and federal safety regulations.
Hours-of-Service Violations
Truck drivers are subject to strict limits on how long they can stay behind the wheel without rest, but some carriers still pressure drivers to push past those limits or manipulate electronic log records to stay on schedule. Our experienced 18-wheeler attorney team reviews driver logs, GPS data, and related records to uncover fatigue-related violations that may have contributed to the crash.
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Distracted Behind the Wheel
When a truck driver looks away from the road to check a phone, adjust navigation, or handle another distraction, the consequences can be catastrophic. A fully loaded truck can cover a tremendous amount of ground in just a few seconds. We use phone records, onboard footage, and witness statements to show when distraction played a role in a collision.
Mechanical Failures from Neglect
Trucking companies must regularly inspect and repair their vehicles. Neglecting maintenance on brakes, tires, or steering puts others at risk. Our aggressive 18-wheeler lawyers investigate inspection and repair records to prove if a preventable mechanical failure caused your accident.
Cargo Loading Errors
A truck with an overloaded trailer or an improperly secured load can become unstable without warning. That instability may lead to rollovers, jackknife crashes, shifting cargo, or roadway spills. We analyze weight records, loading practices, and shipping documentation to determine whether cargo mistakes contributed to your injuries.
Impaired Operation
A truck driver operating under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or even prescription medication that causes drowsiness can create a deadly situation on the road. In these cases, we pursue evidence of impairment and examine whether the employer failed to follow required testing and safety procedures.
Aggressive Maneuvers
Speeding, unsafe lane changes, following too closely, and running traffic signals are dangerous in any vehicle, but those actions become far more destructive when an 80,000-pound truck is involved. We gather camera footage, witness accounts, and reconstruction evidence to prove how reckless driving led to the collision.
The Harm We Commonly See After a Commercial Truck Crash
A crash involving a commercial truck usually causes far more severe trauma than an ordinary passenger-vehicle collision. Rice & Kendig has represented clients dealing with serious injuries such as:
- Whiplash and serious neck trauma: Sudden impact can damage muscles, ligaments, discs, and surrounding soft tissue.
- Spinal injuries: Back and spinal damage may interfere with movement, work, and day-to-day independence.
- Concussions and head injuries: Head trauma can affect memory, concentration, balance, and normal functioning.
- Traumatic brain injuries: More serious brain injuries may require long-term treatment and can permanently alter a person’s life.
- Internal injuries: Organ damage and internal bleeding may become critical quickly after a violent crash.
- Facial injuries and scarring: Broken facial bones, lacerations, and other trauma can leave lasting physical and emotional effects.
- Damage to major joints: Knees, shoulders, and hips often suffer serious injuries in high-impact wrecks.
- Severe fractures: Broken bones may require surgery, hardware, and extended rehabilitation.
- Psychological trauma: Anxiety, fear, flashbacks, and post-traumatic stress can remain long after the crash itself.
We strive to show the full impact and cost of these injuries on your daily life, your finances, and your future, so your claim reflects more than just the bills you have today.
What to Do Before the Trucking Company Gets Too Far Ahead
Your actions immediately following a truck accident impact both your health and legal recovery. Because insurers and trucking firms start investigations quickly, taking early action helps you preserve evidence and maintain control over the narrative.
Step 1: Get Medical Care Right Away
Your health comes first. Accept emergency treatment at the scene and follow up with a doctor as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor at first. Truck crashes often cause injuries that are not immediately obvious, and prompt medical records can become important evidence later.
Step 2: Report the Crash and Gather Basic Information
Call law enforcement to create an official record of the collision. If you are able, collect the truck driver’s name, the trucking company’s name, the license plate number, trailer number, and USDOT number. Those details can make it much easier to identify the right company and preserve the right evidence.
Step 3: Photograph Everything You Can
Take pictures of the vehicles, skid marks, debris, cargo spills, roadway conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. The more you capture, the better, because scenes change quickly after a truck crash. Photos can later help illustrate the force of the impact, how the wreck occurred, and the conditions at the scene.
Step 4: Talk to Witnesses
If anyone saw the collision, get their names and contact information before they leave. Independent witnesses can be especially valuable in truck accident cases, where the trucking company may quickly begin building its own version of events. A neutral witness account can help support your side if liability is later disputed.
Step 5: Do Not Give a Recorded Statement Too Soon
The trucking company’s insurer may contact you quickly, sometimes before you fully understand the extent of your injuries. Do not guess, speculate, or agree to a recorded statement before you understand your rights. Something said too early can be used later to minimize your injuries or shift blame onto you.
Step 6: Preserve Records and Speak with a Lawyer Early
Keep your discharge papers, medical bills, prescriptions, repair estimates, receipts, and photos in one place. In truck accident cases, early legal action by our experienced 18-wheeler attorneys can help preserve critical evidence such as electronic logs, inspection reports, maintenance files, and onboard data that may not be available later.
Damages We May Recover in a Jonesboro Truck Accident Claim
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the financial losses resulting from a truck accident. These are the out-of-pocket and measurable financial losses tied to the crash, such as:
- Ambulance and ER charges
- Hospital bills, surgery, imaging, and rehabilitation
- Prescription costs and follow-up care
- Future medical treatment and long-term support
- Lost wages from missed work
- Reduced future earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or replacement
Louisiana’s general fault article states that a person who causes damage to another is obliged to repair it. In fatal cases, Louisiana also recognizes survival actions and wrongful death actions for qualifying family members.
Non-Economic Damages
Not every loss shows up on a bill. These are the human losses that do not come with a receipt, including:
- Physical pain
- Suffering and mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of normal life
- Permanent impairment
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of independence
- Impact on daily activities and relationships
Louisiana’s survival and wrongful death statutes identify who may recover after a death caused by another’s fault, and those claims can include non-financial harm suffered by eligible survivors.
Punitive Damages
These damages are more limited in Louisiana than compensatory damages. In motor-vehicle cases, Louisiana Civil Code art. 2315.4 specifically allows exemplary damages when the injuries were caused by a defendant’s wanton or reckless disregard for the rights and safety of others, and the defendant’s intoxication while operating a motor vehicle was a cause-in-fact of the injuries.
The Trucking Laws and Liability Issues That Can Shape Your Case
Louisiana Deadlines and Fault Rules
Two timing rules matter right away:
- Most Louisiana truck-accident injury claims must be filed within 2 years of the date of injury — La. Civ. Code art. 3493.11.
- Survival and wrongful death claims generally run 1 year from death or 2 years from the date of injury, whichever is longer — La. Civ. Code arts. 2315.1 and 2315.2.
- Under Louisiana’s modified comparative fault rule, a person who is 51% or more at fault cannot recover damages; below that, recovery is reduced by that percentage — La. Civ. Code art. 2323.
Federal Trucking Rules That Often Supply the Evidence
Commercial truck cases often rise or fall on federal safety rules, including:
- 10 consecutive hours off duty before driving — 49 C.F.R. § 395.3(a)(1).
- No driving after the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
- No more than 11 hours of driving in that work window.
- Carriers must systematically inspect, repair, and maintain their vehicles — 49 C.F.R. § 396.3(a).
- Cargo must be secured to prevent it from leaking, spilling, blowing, or falling — 49 C.F.R. § 393.100(b).
Evidence That Can Strengthen a Claim
The most important evidence may include crash-scene photos, the police report, witness information, medical records, the truck’s company name and USDOT number, electronic logging data, inspection and maintenance records, cargo records, and driver qualification materials. In serious truck cases, securing these records early can make a major difference.
Multiple Liable Parties
Many truck accident claims involve more than one negligent party. Depending on the facts, responsibility may extend to:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A maintenance provider
- A cargo loading company
- A manufacturer of defective parts or equipment
We investigate every possible source of liability so no responsible party is overlooked.
A Serious Truck Crash Calls for a Serious Legal Response
Commercial vehicle claims are different from ordinary wrecks. Let our team investigate the logs, records, and evidence that can make the difference.
or Call Us
(318) 222-2772
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