Interstate 40 in Arkansas Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer

When traveling with your family, the number one goal is to reach your destination safely. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. One danger associated with traveling on highways is reckless drivers endangering you and your family. Commercial vehicle operators for instance, are put under extreme pressure to meet specific deadlines. Battling fatigue and extreme weather are just a few aspects that must be taken into consideration when speaking about the hazards associated with commercial vehicle operators.

For more than 20 years, the Law Practice of Ken Kieklak has handled serious motor vehicle accidents caused by large commercial trucks. We understand that difficult situation you and your family are experiencing. We are dedicated to working to make accident victims whole.

The Accident Danger Zones of I-40

I-40 in Arkansas is notoriously known as being one of the most dangerous highways in the United States. This east to west highway stretches from Tennessee to Oklahoma, and sprawls across the beautiful mountainous landscape of Arkansas. I-40 spans approximately 289.64 miles in Arkansas, and has a total of 148 fatal accidents, which include 176 overall fatalities.

Due to the mountainous conditions, and unpredictable weather, most of the accidents occur from around the 240 mile marker to the 289 mile marker. In 2014, a driver was who was traveling east began drifting off into the “westbound” lane where he then impacted an embankment on the western side of the highway. It was not concluded as to why the driver lost control and drifted into the westbound lane, but it was speculated that weather conditions may have played a role in the unfortunate demise of this person. Unlike this fatality, most fatalities that do occur are due to secondary parties impacting the other vehicle. However, single-car accidents show just how treacherous this stretch of roadway can be.

Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents

Many attributes may contribute to a commercial vehicle causing you to get into an accident. Some of these attributes and conditions include:

• Fatigued driving — Commercial vehicle operators, although unfortunate, are constantly driving fatigued, and even possibly impaired by stimulants to help them stay awake. As irresponsible this may be, the fact of the matter is we have seen this numerous times in cases that we have dealt with.

• Road debris and hazards — Have you ever seen a blown tire on the road and thought, ‘Where did that come from?’ The answer is that it probably from a commercial truck. The sheer weight and mass of the truck will actually cause the tire to burst off of its frame. The blown tire may cause you or another driver to swerve in order to avoid the debris, which in turn, could cause a horrific accident.

• Use of Alcohol or illegal drugs — Substance abuse is another huge factor in commercial truck operators causing accidents. As professionals, one would think that this type of behavior would not be a problem among grown adults. Well, unfortunately it is. Popular drugs used by truck drivers include methamphetamine, and other stimulants that help keep them alert for those long hauls across the United States.

• Aggressive driving — Aggressive driving behavior is another major factor. Truck driver operators are required by these companies to maintain a certain distance from other cars traveling in the same lane. This is due to the amount of weight associated with there truck. When this guideline is not followed, a truck’s mass will not allow it to stop in time, which can lead to a vehicle getting rear ended by the truck driver operator.

These are just a few of the possible repercussions that may happen when a truck driver does not adhere to the rules and stipulations that have been put before him.

Rely on Arkansas Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer Ken Kieklak

At the Law Practice of Ken Kieklak, we understand the difficulties one can face following a serious motor vehicle accident. Our firm is experienced in handling an array of commercial vehicle accidents. While past results do not guarantee future success in new matters, Ken Kieklak has helped people in similar circumstances receive compensation for the medical attention and life-altering injuries sustained. To schedule your free legal consultation today, call us at (479) 316-0438. At the Law Practice of Ken Kieklak our clients always come first because we are dedicated to holding careless or reckless truckers responsible for the damages they inflict.