Las Vegas is the most populous city in Clark County, Nevada. It’s a leading commercial center and therefore a major transportation hub. As such, trucks are a common sight, and so are truck accidents.
The Federal Motor Carrier Association (FMCA) reported that in 2019, 5,237 trucks collided fatally with buses. It’s also reported that 72 percent of people killed in truck accidents are usually occupants of the other vehicle.
Contrary to popular belief, some of the deadliest truck accidents don’t happen on busy thoroughfares, they happen on smaller roadways. Reason being that drivers on neighborhood roads may not be too cautious since there’s less traffic.
Trucks are heavy vehicles (about 35,000 lbs when unloaded and up to 80,000 lbs when loaded), so the results can be catastrophic.
There’s a high probability that when an 18-wheeler rams full force into a smaller vehicle it will demolish it, leaving seriously injured occupants or fatalities.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a truck accident in Las Vegas, you need compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial damage incurred.
You need Vegas Valley Injury Law attorneys to help you navigate the process of getting your compensation.
As we educate you on the causes of Las Vegas truck accidents, we’ll also look at these important aspects of the compensation process:
- How liability is determined to find out who is responsible for the accident
- The legal rights you have that you can use to seek truck accident compensation
- The process of seeking a legal representative for a truck accident claim
Let’s start by looking at what contributes to these truck accidents.
Causes of Truck Accidents in Las Vegas
Truck accidents in Las Vegas are caused by reasons ranging from environmental factors, such as poor weather, to cargo-related issues.
At Vegas Valley Injury Law, we’ve seen every crash scenario imaginable and we’ve observed that the factors leading to the horrific events often include one, or sometimes two of the following:
- Driver fatigue: Truck drivers experience exhaustion due to working for long hours without adequate rest, which causes them to doze while driving and cause accidents.
- Speeding: Trucks traveling at high speed have reduced maneuverability, which can lead to rear-end collisions if the truck can’t stop in time to avoid a hazard.
- Distracted driving: Texting or talking on the phone while behind the wheel makes drivers lose concentration and crash into other vehicles.
- Poorly maintained trucks: Poor maintenance of trucks cause problems such as brake or tire malfunctions, which are a significant risk on the road.
- Improperly loaded cargo: If the cargo is not properly loaded and secured, the truck becomes unstable and the cargo falls off, a recipe for an accident.
- Drivers with little or no training: Drivers with inadequate training don’t have the knowledge to maneuver a truck on narrow roads or handle other complex road situations safely.
- Poor weather: Rainy or foggy weather can affect a driver’s ability to see ahead. The wet road also becomes slippery and together with the foggy weather they contribute to accidents.
- Driving under the influence (DUI): Driving when impaired by drugs or alcohol affects a driver’s ability to make sound decisions or coordinate their hands on the steering wheel.
Your Advocate: Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyer
The Different Faces of Truck Accidents in Las Vegas
The type of accidents arising from these situations vary. For example, if a truck driver doesn’t leave enough braking distance between the truck and the vehicle in front, it crashes into that vehicle, resulting in a rear-end collision.
T-bone accidents happen when the front of a truck crashes into the side of another vehicle. This type of collision is also known as a side impact accident..
Jack knife accidents are named so because they happen when a truck’s trailer swings out of angle in a manner that resembles a folded knife. As the truck shifts to this angle, the trailer has a high probability of “sweeping” vehicles in the other lanes.
Other accident types are caused by cargo spilling from a moving truck, while others happen when the truck makes a turn (which is usually wide for trucks) and invades the other traffic lanes.
These are just a couple of examples of the types of truck accidents that happen in Las Vegas.
The number of accidents can decrease if truck drivers and truck companies take the necessary measures to ensure safety. This includes proper vehicle maintenance and training and following all traffic laws.
Drivers of smaller vehicles should also be careful of how they interact with trucks. They should drive at a safe distance, avoid the truck driver’s blind spots, and be aware that trucks have a wide turning radius.
Impact of Truck Accidents on the Victims
Truck accidents impact the victims far beyond injuries. The emotional and financial impact can lead to a diminished quality of life.
Our law practice treats every case with utmost concern and well-being so that you or your loved one can focus on recovering from the impact of a truck accident.
Some of the injuries that affect truck accident victims include:
- Whiplash injuries
- Nerve and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Paralysis
- Organ damage
- Amputations or complete loss of limbs
After the accident, some people may develop emotional trauma and experience flashbacks, nightmares, depression, and survivor’s guilt (why they survived and others didn’t).
In addition to physical and emotional effects, truck accidents also have a devastating financial impact on victims. Medical bills can quickly add up, and the loss of income due to the inability to work is tragic.
Unfortunately, insurance companies may not always provide the coverage necessary to cover all of these costs, but fortunately, truck accident victims may be entitled to a range of financial compensation for their losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and suffering.
For compensation to happen, you need a team like Vegas Valley Injury Law. We are experienced in navigating the complexities of insurance coverage and comparative negligence, a difficult process to navigate on your own.
We begin the case by investigating the accident scene and consulting with doctors to identify the care you will receive.
Then, we determine if there’s a loss in earnings and account for the pain and suffering caused by the accident.
Lastly, we aggressively pursue insurance companies and leverage our experience in Nevada courts to get you every dollar that is due for the compensation of your medical, emotional, and financial losses.
Learn More: Uninsured Coverage
Determining Liability in Truck Accidents
Liability simply means fault. Whose fault is it that the accident occurred?
Determining liability in truck accidents requires a comprehensive analysis of the evidence and the truck accident liability laws that are applicable to the situation.
The process is a complex one since it involves multiple parties such as doctors, legal representatives, insurance companies, and a court.
With any truck accident case, we are involved with, our attorneys must review the evidence, then law enforcement will do the same to confirm whether any state or federal laws have been violated.
The following laws and regulations will be evaluated as to whether they’ve been adhered to:
- Trailer capacity laws
- Hours of service regulations
- Hazardous load regulations
- Driver’s licensing and fitness standards
- Vehicle maintenance and condition requirements
Whether the accident was a result of negligence by the driver or the transport company, our firm leaves no stone unturned when looking for evidence.
What Could Possibly Affect Liability?
You may be wondering what factors influence liability in a truck accident. Our experienced attorneys at Vegas Valley Injury Law can help you understand why.
Several key elements determine liability in a truck accident, they include:
- Comparative negligence: The degree of fault assigned to each party. If you, the victim, is at fault, the compensation may be reduced accordingly.
- Expert witnesses: The insight of medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists who testify in court.
- Insurance coverage: The insurance policies of the insurance companies covering the truck driver, truck company will influence the compensation you receive.
- Settlement negotiations: The amount the truck company, legal representatives, and insurance companies may negotiate and settle for outside the court.
- Burden of proof: The proof you present to indicate that the other party was at fault. Lack of proper evidence will affect the outcome.
- Statute of limitations: Every state has a statute of limitations for filing a personal injury or wrongful death suit. If you delay you might lose your opportunity to receive compensation.
Vegas Valley Injury Law understands the importance of a strong case and we are committed to exploring each of these options to help you build a strong case that will help you receive compensation.
Once liability is established, our attorneys will then help you with settlement negotiations and other legal proceedings.
It’s clear at this point that the insurance company wouldn’t have paid nearly as much (or anything at all) without Vegas Valley Injury Law representing me.”
— Jill S, Verified Client, Las Vegas
You Have Legal Rights—Use Them
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, know that you have legal rights, and it’s important to be aware which they are in order to get the compensation you deserve.
Truck companies—just like the insurance companies we deal with—are multi-billion dollar industries yet they’ll do all they can to avoid compensating you even when they’re at fault.
We don’t withstand their tactics but go toe-to-toe with these companies to ensure you get the full compensation available under Nevada law.
Our experienced and dedicated team of truck accident attorneys in Las Vegas will help you understand the legal rights of truck accident victims. These rights include:
- The right to seek compensation for injuries, medical expenses, loss of wages, suffering, and other losses.
- The right to be represented by an attorney who will help you navigate the whole truck accident legal process.
- The right to gather evidence such as photographs, medical reports, and witness statements to support your claim.
The Proper Way to Seek Legal Representation for Truck Accident Claims
It’s important that you seek legal representation for truck accident injury claims right after the accident in order to protect your compensation rights.
You need to research and find experienced personal injury lawyers who handle truck accident cases, then schedule to meet them.
Before the consultation, gather what you’ll present, such as medical records, witness statements, photographs, and insurance policies.
During the consultation, use your time well to ask questions and evaluate the attorney’s experience in providing truck accident legal advice.
Talk about your case in detail and discuss payment arrangements. You need to inquire everything about the process so that you’re not left in the dark.
Bear in mind that there is a statute of limitations for filing a claim related to a truck accident. If you don’t act within the specified time, you may be unable to receive any compensation for your damages.
That’s why it’s important to contact Vegas Valley Injury Law right away to discuss your case and determine the best course of action.
We’ll provide a free consultation to discuss your case and our team will also stay in contact with you throughout the entire process to ensure your needs are being met.
We’ll ensure you’re compensated for damages related to:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical and therapy
- Lost wages
- Medical device costs
- Burial and funeral expenses
- Diminished work capacity
One more thing from Vegas Valley Injury Law—pay nothing until we win.
Trusted Advice: 4 Top Considerations When Choosing a Truck Accident Attorney in Las Vegas
From Injuries to Justice: Vegas Valley Injury Law Can Help You After a Truck Accident
Truck accident causes in Las Vegas range from driver fatigue to improperly loaded cargo or poorly maintained trucks.
These accidents impact their victims physically by causing injuries, and they also cause emotional trauma and financial losses.
You have a legal right to representation by an attorney and to seek compensation for the losses you incurred due to the accident.
You don’t have to face the aftermath alone. With the right legal representation, you can hold the liable parties responsible, get the compensation you deserve, and take back control of your life.
Vegas Valley Injury Law attorneys make it happen. We are a Las Vegas Law firm made of dedicated and compassionate local lawyers helping their community, the one we call home.
Whether you’re involved in a truck accident, a hit-and-run accident, a drunk driving accident, or a taxi cab accident, we’ll aggressively pursue and obtain the compensation you deserve.
These guys are the best of the best. The settlement was not looking good after I had my accident, but after hiring this law firm they refused to stop until I got a fair settlement. If anything else happens in my life or my children’s where we need an attorney, I will without a doubt be contacting Garrett”
— Jeffrey H, Verified Client, Las Vegas
Contact us for a free case review. Our team is available 24/7 to answer your questions.
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