LITTLE ROCK, AR – Commercial truck accidents involving underride collisions, jackknife incidents, and rollover crashes represent some of the most catastrophic wrecks on Arkansas highways, often resulting in traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and other life-altering harm. Little Rock truck accident attorney Joseph Gates of Gates Law Firm, PLLC (https://www.gateslawpllc.com/arkansas-underride-jackknife-and-rollover-accidents/) explains how these complex crashes occur, who may be held liable, and why victims face high-stakes legal claims requiring immediate action.
According to Little Rock truck accident attorney Joseph Gates, these incidents are far more dangerous than routine collisions due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Arkansas highways, including the I-40, I-30, and I-530 corridors, see frequent crashes involving large commercial trucks. The I-30/I-430 interchange in Little Rock consistently ranks among the state’s most dangerous trucking zones, with merging lanes and sharp curves creating hazardous conditions for commercial vehicles.
Little Rock truck accident attorney Joseph Gates emphasizes that underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides beneath the body or trailer of a large commercial truck. Because commercial trucks ride significantly higher off the road than passenger vehicles, their bumpers do not align with those of standard cars. When an underride accident occurs, the roof of the car can be sheared off, destroying the structural integrity of the occupant cabin and disabling airbags. Victims frequently suffer severe head trauma, including traumatic brain injuries, skull fractures, and fatal injuries.
“These crashes aren’t like routine accidents,” explains Gates. “Liability may involve the driver, trucking company, maintenance crews, cargo loaders, or parts manufacturers, and proving fault requires a fast, thorough investigation.”
Attorney Gates notes that underride collisions fall into three primary categories: rear underride accidents when a passenger vehicle collides with the back of a truck, side underride accidents when a smaller vehicle impacts the side of a truck or trailer at intersections, and front underride accidents when a truck drives over a smaller vehicle. Federal regulations require rear underride guards on trucks, but the U.S. Department of Transportation does not include guards for the sides of commercial trucks, and some types of large commercial trucks are exempt from the requirement.
Jackknifing occurs when the trailer of a tractor-trailer folds up against the cab, creating a V shape. This happens when the cab’s tires lock up while the trailer continues moving, or when the drive tires lock but the trailer’s momentum pushes the cab forward. Gates points out that jackknife wrecks are rarely just accidents, often tracing back to specific breakdowns in safety, such as improper braking techniques, excessive speed, hazardous road conditions, improper loading, or equipment malfunction.
“Truck drivers need to be well-trained in braking techniques for various conditions, and an inexperienced driver might apply improper brakes and cause the vehicle to skid,” adds Gates. “When trucks travel too fast, stopping safely becomes exponentially more difficult.”
Rollover accidents can be divided into two categories: tripped rollovers caused by contact with an obstruction in the road, like a curb or guardrail, and untripped rollovers caused by the forces affecting a truck during a turn. A truck is six times more likely to have a rollover accident on a curved road than on a straight road, and three times more likely to rollover in adverse weather than in good weather. Contributing factors include taking curves too fast, adverse weather conditions, driver fatigue, and improper loading and weight distribution.
The injuries sustained in these accidents represent some of the most severe outcomes in personal injury law. Traumatic brain injuries can cause cognitive impairment, memory loss, personality changes, and emotional disturbances. About 12,000 new spinal cord injuries are reported annually, with approximately a quarter-million people living with spinal cord injuries in the United States. These injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, depending on the location and severity of the spinal damage. Victims often receive emergency treatment at Level I trauma centers like UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock before facing extensive rehabilitation.
One of the most challenging aspects of these truck accidents is determining who bears legal responsibility. Potentially liable parties may include the truck driver for violations of federal regulations, the trucking company for negligent hiring or inadequate training, cargo loaders and shippers for improperly secured loads, maintenance companies for failed inspections, parts and vehicle manufacturers for defective equipment, and other motorists whose negligence contributed to the crash.
Arkansas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning liability can be shared among multiple parties. If an accident victim is found to be 49 percent or less at fault for the crash, they can still recover damages proportionally. However, if a victim is deemed 50 percent or more at fault, they are barred from recovering any compensation.
“Insurance companies often try to assign greater fault to victims to reduce their liability exposure,” observes Gates. “This rule makes it critical to work with experienced legal counsel who can effectively counter these attempts.”
Critical evidence in truck accident cases includes electronic logging device data showing hours of service compliance, black box data from the truck’s electronic control module, maintenance records, driver qualification files and training records, cargo loading documentation, witness statements, and accident scene photographs. Trucking companies and their insurers act quickly to protect their interests after a crash, making immediate action essential for preserving evidence.
For those facing the aftermath of an underride, jackknife, or rollover crash, taking the right legal steps early can help secure accountability and the resources needed to rebuild. To schedule a consultation, contact Gates Law Firm, PLLC at (501) 779-8091.
About Gates Law Firm, PLLC:
Gates Law Firm, PLLC, is a Little Rock-based law firm dedicated to giving accident victims and their families focused, client-first representation while pursuing full accountability from negligent drivers, trucking companies, and insurers. Led by attorney Joseph Gates, a 2010 graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law, the firm represents victims across Arkansas in high-stakes injury litigation. For consultations, call (501) 779-8091.
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Company Name: Gates Law Firm PLLC
Contact Person: Joseph Gates
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Phone: (501) 779-8091
Address:2725 Cantrell Rd Ste 200
City: Little Rock
State: Arkansas 72202
Country: United States
Website: https://www.gateslawpllc.com/
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