Big Rig Accidents in Fort Smith | Fort Smith Big Rig Injury Lawyer

A big rig is another name for a semi truck, tractor-trailer or 18 wheeler truck, which is a heavy commercial vehicle used in interstate commerce for hauling freight. A big rig is a type of truck with a semi tractor / semi trailer combination and is primarily used for long haul transport of cargo over the interstate highway system such as Fort Smith’s freeway system.

Unlike a small truck, a big rig is a large, heavy and complex piece of equipment and requires special attention and maintenance. It is not uncommon for improper big rig maintenance to be the cause of an accident or major wreck on the roads and highways in Fort Smith, Arkansas such as the I-540, I-40, and Sh-9A

Big rigs are very heavy – weighing up to 70,000 lbs. to 80,000 lbs. fully loaded. For this reason, a big rig can easily become a killing machine if it gets out of control and become involved in a truck crash on the highway. A big rig can do a lot of damage whether in a wreck by itself or with other vehicles – especially smaller, lighter passenger cars. A commercial big rig truck can become involved in a head-on, rear-end or jackknife crash when driving down Fort Smith roads and freeways such as the I-540, I-40,Sh-9A, SH-253, or SH-59.

Fort Smith Big Rig Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one becomes involved in a big rig truck accident on a Fort Smith highway, road or interstate, it is advisable to retain an attorney who specializes in Fort Smith truck accident law. There are special laws and regulations that govern commercial vehicles weighing over 10,000 lbs. that require the expertise of a lawyer or attorney who is experienced in this type of law practice and who knows how to protect your rights. Make sure to contact one of the qualified Fort Smith big rig accident lawyers listed on this page. Hire a qualified Fort Smith big rig accident attorney to help protect your rights.

Head-On Big Rig Accidents in Fort Smith

Oftentimes multiple cars will become involved in a potentially deadly collision with a big rig truck or tractor trailer in Fort Smith because of heavy traffic and congestion along major highways in Fort Smith such as the I-540, I-40,Sh-9A, SH-253, and SH-59. Even though only a fraction of the number of Fort Smith truck accidents are head-on collisions, they often involve a fatality when they do occur, especially where there is a concrete median in the road. When a heavily loaded truck crashes head-on with a passenger vehicle, the results can be devastating. If you or a loved one have been the victim of a Fort Smith head-on collision, contact a qualified Fort Smith truck accident lawyer immediately.

Fort Smith Rear-End Big Rig Crashes

A big rig rear-end collision occurs when the truck strikes another vehicle in the rear. Rear-end truck accidents in Fort Smith can easily happen because of the volume of traffic along Fort Smith freeways, streets and roads. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), about 18 percent of all large truck accidents are rear-end collisions. In all rear-end truck crashes, about 50 percent more happen when the truck strikes another vehicle than when the crash results from another vehicle striking the truck from behind. Contact a Fort Smith truck accident lawyer to learn about victim’s rights and get your lawsuit started.

Fort Smith Big Rig Jackknife Wrecks

A “jackknife” truck accident is when a large big rig truck towing a trailer folds over into an acute angle similar to that of a folding pocket knife. A big rig or semi truck is an articulated vehicle - the trailer is coupled to the tractor and is essentially “hinged”. If a semi tractor towing a trailer crashes or skids, the trailer can spin around and face backwards and, in some instances, the accident can be so severe that the truck and trailer may roll over.

What if a Fort Smith company like Plains All American Pipeline or Enterprise GP Holdings had a semi truck jackknife accident on the Fort Smith I-69? Severe injuries and in the worst case scenario, even death could result from a big rig accident of this nature. A big rig truck accident on Fort Smith roads and highways can be so severe that the injured victim or victims need to be rushed - sometimes even airlifted - to a nearby Fort Smith hospital such as Bayou City Medical Center, Beacon Health West, or Bellaire Medical Center for treatment and emergency medical care.

Fort Smith Truck Repair Shops

Fort Smith truck drivers are required, under both federal law and Arkansas truck regulations, to properly maintain their commercial vehicles. If the big rig driver fails to properly maintain his truck and an accident occurs as a result, then the trucker and the trucking company will be found legally negligent. Fort Smith truck drivers should have their vehicles inspected at a truck repair facility like the ones listed below, which specialize in semi truck repairs in Fort Smith.

Big Rig Accident Attorneys Serve Fort Smith and Surrounding Cities

Serving clients throughout Western Arkansas, including Bloomer, Cedarville, Chester, Clarksville, Concord, Cravens, Dyer, Fort Smith, Greenwood, Mansfield, Mountain Grove, Mountainburg, Mulberry, Muldrow, Poteau, Roland, Sallisaw, Spadra, Tahlequah, West Fork, areas in the vicinity of Fort Smith Regional Airport, and other communities in Sebastian County.

Fort Smith big rig accident attorneys are experienced in handling serious injury truck collision cases and can help you fight the trucking company or its insurer in order to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact a Fort Smith big rig accident lawyer today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION.