J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc., more commonly known as JB Hunt, is among the top five largest trucking carriers in the United States. As of 2022, the company had 22,518 vehicles on the roads and 25,749 drivers. With so many trucks on the road, it is not surprising that the company is involved in motor vehicle collisions, including 18-wheeler truck accidents.

How Common Are JB Hunt Accidents?

Collisions with JB Hunt vehicles can occur on just about any road. Between 2021 and 2022, JB Hunt drivers and trucks were involved in 1,325 crashes, including 45 fatal crashes and 546 collisions involving injuries.

In many cases, these crashes are caused by drivers making errors, or even driving dangerously. Between 2021 and 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported that JB Hunt had 2,792 unsafe driving violations, for issues ranging from speeding to failure to obey traffic rules to other violations. Company drivers were cited for using a mobile device while driving, failing to stay in a lane, incorrect lane changes, unlawful parking, tailgating, incorrect turns, failure to yield, distracted driving, and other violations.

It is not just drivers who may be making preventable errors, however. Drivers across the trucking industry are often under pressure to make deliveries on time, even with a nationwide truck driver shortage. Carrier policies may place additional pressure on drivers and there may be incentives for drivers to try to make deliveries as quickly as possible. This can encourage speeding and other risky behaviors. It can also encourage JB Hunt drivers to stay on the road longer than federal guidelines allow. In fact, the FMCSA reported 1,042 Hours of Service violations for the carrier.

What Kinds of Injuries and Damages Can They Result In?

The size and force of the large trucks JB Hunt uses can mean catastrophic injuries for occupants of passenger cars colliding with these trucks. Unfortunately, victims of commercial truck crashes can sustain fatal injuries. In some cases, survivors of these collisions can also suffer from:

The risk with a JB Hunt truck accident or any big commercial truck accident is not just the force. The size of the truck can cause a chain-reaction crash affecting many cars and causing multiple serious injuries. The cargo inside the trucks can also be hazardous and flammable, and in a crash, this cargo can cause serious injuries even to bystanders.

What Should You Do If You’ve Been Hit by a JB Hunt Truck?

If you have been in a crash involving a JB Hunt truck, your first priority is to get medical attention if there are catastrophic injuries at the scene. Call 911. Even if you have been fortunate enough to walk away from the crash, get a full medical evaluation soon after the accident to rule out a serious injury.

Your second priority is to remain calm and document as much as you can at the scene. If you can, take photos of everything, including the truck and surrounding area. Get insurance and company information from the driver. If you have been seriously injured, however, your priority is to get emergency medical help. Documentation can wait in that instance.

A third priority may be to get legal representation. In a crash involving a transportation carrier such as JB Hunt, it’s not unusual for the company to reach out. They may ask you to sign documents or make a statement. They may even make an early settlement offer. If this happens or if you decide to seek financial recovery for your injuries, speaking with an experienced truck accident attorney can help you protect your rights to seek recovery.

What Can the Recovery Look Like for Victims of Such Accidents?

Every truck accident is different, and the potential financial recovery you may seek will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, your costs, and how the injuries you have sustained will impact your life. JB Hunt’s liability and the liable parties involved can also play a role in how much you can recover.

There are two factors that can potentially make financial recovery from a JB Hunt truck collision larger than a typical car accident claim. The first is that the size of big rig trucks, such as those owned by JB Hunt, is more likely to cause significant injuries. The second is that JB Hunt is a large company with many resources. If your case goes to trial, a jury is sometimes more likely to find in favor of a larger reward when the defendant is a large company with deep pockets.

How To Sue JB Hunt for Accident Injuries

The first step to filing a JB Hunt lawsuit is to determine whether you have a claim. One way to decide this is to speak with an experienced truck accident attorney who can review your case and help you make a decision about filing. Working with an attorney also means your attorney can take care of the many steps involved in a JB Hunt lawsuit, including:

  • Filing the lawsuit by filing the correct paperwork
  • The discovery process, which involves gathering and sharing evidence and information about the accident with the other parties
  • Responding to any motions from other parties
  • Reviewing and responding to any offers
  • Negotiating with other parties
  • Taking the case to court if a settlement cannot be reached outside of trial

Through the process, an experienced attorney keeps you informed and takes care of much of the paperwork, using trial experience to ensure all steps are followed correctly. An attorney can also help you make decisions about any offers made.

Where Can Victims Run into Issues?

Larger companies such as JB Hunt have teams of attorneys and good insurance policies. JB Hunt, for example, works with Franklin & Prokopik and ACE American Insurance Company. This means they have experts protecting their interests from the moment a collision happens. JB Hunt also has the resources to delay a trial, while your injuries may put financial pressure on you immediately.

A truck carrier can take steps to claim that their driver was not liable for the accident. They may even blame you or another collision survivor for the accident.

How Can an Experienced Attorney Help?

An experienced attorney understands JB Hunt and how to sue JB Hunt for accident injuries. He or she has trial and negotiation experience to seek the best possible financial recovery for you through the appropriate means.

JB Hunt trucks are equipped with the latest technology, which can capture everything from vehicle speed to airbag deployment. Experienced attorneys know how to secure this data and effectively use it to build a strong case for you.

Why Johnson Garcia?

Daniel Johnson and Juan Garcia founded Johnson Garcia after working for one of the most prestigious law firms in the country, defending corporations. They envisioned a family-friendly law firm where they could use their experience and understanding of big corporations to help those in need. Today, the Johnson Garcia team has over 30 years of combined experience and we’re honored to say we have recovered over $100 million for our clients.

If you have been injured in a collision with a JB Hunt truck, we can’t turn back the clock so the crash never happens. But we can help you understand whether you have a claim and we may be able to help you seek financial recovery for your suffering and injury-related expenses. To get started, contact Johnson Garcia today for a free consultation to find out whether you might have a case.