Las Vegas Truck Accident Attorney

Las Vegas Truck Accidents Causes

There are many reasons why a truck accident might occur. Some of the more common reasons include:

• The driver is rushing to meet a tight delivery deadline
• The driver is tired due to driving for long periods
• The driver is stressed and tired, not paying enough attention to the other drivers and the road
• It is difficult to see blind spots from a large truck
• The driver does not leave enough space for his giant vehicle between other vehicles
• Mechanical failure and defective components
• Overloading of the truck
• Gravel or other road hazards

Inadequate training regarding driving technique, safety concerns, and defensive driving also lead to truck accidents.

Establishing Who is at Fault in a Truck Accident

Trucking accidents can be quite complicated, and you need to seek legal representation from the best truck accident lawyer you can find. Semi-trucks are regulated not only on a state level but also on a federal level. Your truck crash attorney must understand all of these additional regulations.

Another thing that must be addressed in a trucking accident is the person at fault for the event. In many cases, several entities may be responsible for the accident. For example, if the truck accident resulted from mechanical failure, the trucking company may be responsible for failing to provide adequate maintenance, or the maintenance company may be to blame for not providing sufficient work.

Establishing fault can become complicated, so you must seek competent representation from a big-rig accident lawyer familiar with these cases.

Free Consultation With A Truck Accident Lawyer In Las Vegas

Contact our experienced Las Vegas attorneys for a free consultation if you’ve been hurt in a truck accident. Let our team explain your rights and options and the process of filing a claim. We can answer your questions and review what’s involved in our representation. In addition to your free consultation, ask how we might represent you with no fees unless you win.

What Are The Most Common Types Of Truck Accidents?

The following are the most common types of truck accidents. Each type is capable of resulting in serious injuries and even fatalities. In many cases, a single truck accident can fit into more than one category of accident. 

Jackknife

Jackknife accidents occur when a truck’s trailer skids at a 90-degree or greater angle to the cab, often moving in front of the hauling vehicle as it loses control to form an L or V shape. This type of accident is called “jackknife” because the truck and trailer resemble a jackknife, which is a pocketknife with a folding blade.

Rollovers

Rollovers are deadly accidents where the truck, trailer, or both rollover one or multiple times. Because trailers and the trucks that pull them are securely connected, the rollover of one typically results in the rollover of the other. 

Tire Blowout

Tire blowouts can occur when parties fail to regularly inspect their tires — regular inspections alert drivers and mechanics to developing problems that can easily be remedied. 

Tire blowouts can also occur due to a faulty tire. Tire makers and manufacturers can be held liable when they place a defective tire in the marketplace, which causes harm. 

Blind Spot Accidents

All motor vehicles have blind spots. Big-rig trucks perhaps have the most. Additionally, their blind spots are larger than other vehicles’ blind spots. Fortunately, truckers can work around blind spots and transit safely with the right safe driving practices. 

Sadly, many truckers fail to properly deal with blind spots. When these truck drivers fail to perceive vehicles transiting near them, the results can be deadly. 

Rear-End Collisions

One of the most dangerous types of crashes involving big-rig trucks is rear-end crashes. Whether the truck is doing the rear-ending or is the victim of a rear-end, the outcome can be catastrophic. 

Distracted driving and speeding are common causes of both types of rear-end collisions. By paying proper attention, rear-end truck crashes can be prevented. 

Common Injuries Caused By Commercial Truck Accidents

As you might imagine, truck accidents can cause a wide range of injuries. In every case, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately following a crash, as some injuries are not always readily apparent. Common injuries from these accidents can include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

A TBI occurs when the brain is damaged due to traumatic forces. Frequently, the damage occurs when the brain impacts the inside of the skull. This occurs when the victim’s body experiences a sudden stop or whipping motion. 

However it occurs, a TBI is generally a medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment. 

Spinal Cord Injuries And Paralysis

Even the slightest damage to the spinal cord can lead to paralysis and a whole host of nerve problems, including:

• Numbness
• Tingling sensations
• Impaired mobility
• Chronic pain and discomfort 

Many spinal cord injury victims are no longer able to live life as they once had, which can brutally affect their finances, relationships, and overall quality of life. 

Broken Bones

Broken bones are among the most common types of injuries truck accident victims face. Some experience fractures and even bone-crushing injuries that effectively remove them from normal life. Unable to work, they can face financial ruin without compensation for their injuries. 

Burns

Fuel and certain types of cargo can be extremely inflammable, which is why truck accidents commonly involve fires and burn injuries. Even without fire, heated vehicle parts can easily char the skin.

Disfigurement

The powerful forces involved in a truck accident can wreak havoc on victims’ bodies. All types of disfigurement are possible in accidents of this nature, as is scarring. Fortunately, damages for disfigurement and scarring are often available in Las Vegas truck accident cases. 

Internal Injuries

Destructive accident forces can leave victims with serious internal injuries and bleeding. Organs may be damaged, along with:

• Soft tissue
• Connective tissue
• Veins
• Nerves

Some internal injuries may not appear as serious as they really are immediately after an accident. This makes it crucial to seek medical attention for even injuries you think are minor. 

Amputated Limbs

A truck accident injury may be of such a nature that it requires amputation. Victims who must undergo this procedure have a tough road ahead and deserve substantial damages for their immense losses. 

Who Can Be Held Responsible For A Truck Accident?

Trucking Company

A trucking company can be held to account when its driver negligently causes a crash. It can also be held liable for its own acts of negligence, such as irresponsible hiring.

Cargo-Loading Company

Improper loading of cargo can be a danger on the highway. Cargo can end up on the road and cause an accident. As a result, failure to load cargo and packages correctly can mean liability for a cargo-loading company. 

The City Of Las Vegas

The City of Las Vegas may be responsible for poor road construction and maintenance. Poor road conditions include missing signage, faulty or missing guardrails, and other road hazards under the control of the city. 

What To Do After A Truck Accident

If you have been in an accident with a truck, you will want to make sure you take these steps:

• Get to safety and seek medical evaluation and care
• Take pictures of the scene and vehicle
• Document any obvious negligence, such as an overloaded truck
• Gather witness statements

You will also want to ensure that you file an accident report, which is required when an accident results in an injury or more than $750 in property damage. No report is necessary if an officer of the law takes one at the scene. 

Maximizing Compensation In Truck Accident Lawsuits

To maximize compensation in a truck accident lawsuit, it’s essential to start by reaching out to a truck accident lawyer in Las Vegas for answers and representation. 

While insurance companies may use adjusters and insurance defense lawyers to prevent you from collecting full damages, a truck accident lawyer can fight to compel them to pay out a proper sum. 

Victims can aid in this process by gathering important documentation and evidence for their attorney to review, such as:

• Medical records
• Medical bills
• Work schedule and income information
• Receipt of expenses caused by the accident, such as medical travel

Your lawyer can help ensure all potential losses are accounted for in your lawsuit. 

Nevada’s Statute Of Limitations On Truck Accident Claims

In Nevada, a statute of limitations for truck accidents runs for two years, beginning on the date the accident occurred. After two years, you can lose the right to pursue compensation. 

However, accident victims under the age of 18 are not subject to the statute of limitations until they turn 18 years old. Once a minor turns 18, the statute of limitations begins running and expires on their 20th birthday.

Keep in mind that filing a Las Vegas truck accident lawsuit stops the statute of limitations. Filing an insurance claim does not, though. So, while you are waiting for an insurance settlement, the clock is still ticking. 

Because of the statute of limitations, it’s vital for truck accident victims to speak with an attorney as quickly as possible after an accident. 

What If I Was Partially Responsible For The Accident?

If you share some responsibility for the truck accident you have been in, you may still be entitled to seek compensation for your damages. In Nevada, plaintiffs may recover compensation even when the plaintiff was negligent.

The only caveat is that a plaintiff in a personal injury case may not be more than 50% responsible for their own injuries. They cannot recover compensation if they are more than 50% responsible. 

In cases where a plaintiff is partially responsible and still able to seek damages, the court may reduce the plaintiff’s compensation based on their percentage of fault.

For example, a person who suffers $100,000 in damage but is 30% at fault for the incident that caused the damages will receive $70,000 in compensation. A plaintiff who is 51% at fault or more may not receive any compensation.