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A truck accident can cause severe physical and mental trauma that might last a lifetime. A Las Vegas truck accident lawyer can help you fight for your legal rights while you focus on your recovery. The size and momentum of large commercial trucks increases the odds that even a minor impact will cause a serious injury. High-impact accidents can literally crush a smaller vehicle and the passengers inside. Recovery from truck accident injuries often involves extensive treatment, including surgeries, therapy, and pain management. Even the best healthcare insurance may not cover all your medical costs. Your insurance company will also determine which treatments and medications they will cover and what they will not.
Suffering from serious injuries can keep you from doing activities you enjoy or earning a living wage. Your growing medical bills can add to the worries about paying for necessities and running your household. The only way to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries is to file a truck accident claim against the liable party.
The Las Vegas truck accident attorneys at Bay Law Accident Attorneys understand what you’re going through. We provide personalized attention and compassionate representation throughout every phase of your case. We will address your concerns and answer your questions to help you understand your rights. If someone else is at fault for your injuries, you deserve compensation to pay for your medical care and property damage. We will fight aggressively to get you the financial recovery you need to move forward.
Your life might never be the same again after getting injured in a large-truck crash. You might be living with a disability, limitations, mental anguish, or chronic pain. Every accident victim has a different experience and specific needs. Our attorneys will evaluate your specific case and determine what you need to pay for your current and future expenses. Fair compensation may not restore your health, but it will hopefully allow you to get your life back on track and cope with any residual issues from the accident.
After a truck accident, the different parties often point fingers at one another for blame. No one wants to take responsibility for the devastation a massive-truck accident can cause.
Don’t try to deal with the chaos of a truck accident injury on your own. Bay Law Accident Attorneys has the experience and knowledge to hold the liable parties accountable and make them pay for the pain they’ve caused you.
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Aggressive Las Vegas Trucking Accident Lawyers
It’s not surprising that as the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas would have its fair share of traffic. The city also has a network of roads and interstates that allow easy access for construction vehicles and semi-trucks moving goods in and out of the city. I-15 is one of the most congested roads in Las Vegas, with an average of three auto accidents per day. Semi-trucks and construction trucks are also common on the 215, 95, Summerlin Parkway, and Las Vegas Boulevard (otherwise known as the Strip). As Vegas continues to expand and grow, the number of big trucks on these and other roads in and out of town also increases.
Truck accidents pose a bigger risk to your well-being than those involving passenger vehicles. Commercial trucks are almost always significantly larger and heavier than passenger vehicles, meaning the force you would experience in a collision with a commercial truck is often much higher than a similar collision with a passenger vehicle. Commercial trucks are capable of crushing passenger vehicles, take longer to stop than passenger vehicles, and often have blind spots that can make it difficult for a commercial truck driver to see adjacent vehicles.
The large number of semi-trucks traveling to and from Las Vegas results in numerous truck accidents each year. Often, these accidents are caused by the truck driver’s carelessness, driving distractedly or recklessly. The trucking company that owns the truck and hired the driver can also be to blame. They might fail to follow safety regulations or maintain the trucks, or they practice poor hiring habits.
If you are injured in a collision with a semi-truck, talk with the Las Vegas truck accident lawyers at Bay Law Accident Attorneys. Our truck accident attorneys have extensive experience helping clients in Las Vegas, Henderson, and throughout Nevada successfully resolve their cases. You need the help of an aggressive attorney who is ready to fight for your rights. It doesn’t cost you anything to schedule a free consultation to find out about your case. We work on contingency, so we only get paid if you win.
What Are The Most Common Types of
Truck Accidents
in Las Vegas?
The unique design of semi-trucks causes them to crash in specific ways. Jackknife accidents are one of the most common. A semi-truck is made in two sections, with the cab in front pulling the trailer behind. This design allows the parts of the truck to move independently from each other. When the cab skids, the trailer doesn’t slide or slow down. This results in the trailer pushing the cab to one side and “folding” so that it resembles a folding pocket knife. The driver loses control of the truck and can’t steer or stop it. The driver can’t prevent the truck from crashing into other vehicles before it comes to a stop.
Several situations can lead to jackknife accidents, including driving on wet, slippery roads. Wet or icy surfaces can make turning difficult, causing the cab to skid. Braking suddenly to avoid a vehicle or debris in the road or having faulty brakes can also lead to jackknifing when the axles lock up.
Sometimes jackknifing happens after an accident when the truck driver steers away from the impact. Trying to overcorrect the truck’s path results in causing the cab to skid.
Jackknife accidents are not the only common type of truck accidents we see in Las Vegas. Some other types include:
Head-on Collisions
Head-on collisions are among the deadliest of all truck accidents. While front-end crashes account for only a small percent of truck accidents, they are over-represented in fatalities. In a head-on crash, the front end of the passenger vehicle receives the main impact of the semi. The passengers in the lighter vehicle often suffer from serious injuries or death.
Front-end crashes can occur when drivers fall asleep, ignore or disobey traffic signs, or are driving drunk or under the influence of drugs. They usually happen on undivided highways when one vehicle crosses the center line and enters the lane going in the opposite direction.
Rollovers
A truck rollover is an overturn of a large commercial vehicle. Semi-trailers, weighing as much as 80,000 pounds when loaded, might roll multiple times and crash into or on top of other vehicles. All types of large trucks — including semi-tractor trailers, bobtails (tractors without a trailer), and single-unit trucks — are susceptible to rollovers.
Most truck rollovers are caused by human error, and they are preventable. Drivers cause their trucks to roll when they are speeding, taking sharp turns, or jerking the steering wheel to correct their vehicle. Any of these actions can throw the vehicle out of balance, along with driving on wet, icy roads. These driving behaviors might be due to negligence or being an inexperienced or poorly trained driver.
The department that is responsible for loading cargo can also be to blame when a truck rolls over. They must distribute the loads evenly and follow weight limits to ensure the load is balanced. Overloading or distributing the load incorrectly can lead to an imbalance that throws the truck out of line.
Rear-End Collisions
Large trucks carry a lot of weight, making it more difficult to stop than a passenger vehicle. If the truck driver doesn’t follow a safe distance behind the vehicles in front of them, it can result in a rear-end collision. If an accident happens because the truck driver is speeding, tailgating, or driving distractedly, they are liable for the other driver’s damages, injuries, or death.
Sometimes drivers don’t realize how much space it takes for these trucks to stop and might pull in front of them. This action cuts the truck driver off, causing the truck to crash into the back of the passenger car. If the truck driver was partly at fault for the accident, you might still be able to pursue compensation.
Tire Blowouts
A tire blowout is when a tire comes apart while on the road. Blowouts are sudden, often causing the driver to lose control of the truck and cause terrible accidents. There are several reasons that a tire might blow out, but three of the most common are:
- Overinflated or underinflated tires
- Overloaded trailers
- Worn or damaged tread
Often, improper maintenance leads to worn and improperly inflated tires that make a large truck a hazard on the road. When these accidents happen, the trucking companies can be held liable.
At Bay Law Accident Attorneys, we have experience dealing with the catastrophic injuries that truck crashes and collisions cause. Our Las Vegas truck accident attorneys are here to help you secure damages for your injuries and other losses.
You’ve Just Been Involved in a Truck Accident.
What Should You Do Next?
Being in a truck accident is a traumatizing experience. You might feel a range of emotions and have problems remembering what to do.
Your first priorities after a truck accident are to make sure everyone is okay, call the police and ambulance, and exchange information with the truck driver. Calling to police is very important because a police report can greatly help your claim. If you do not feel you need emergency medical treatment following a crash, you should still go to a family doctor or quick care location to get checked out as soon as possible. Your injuries might not be immediately apparent.
Proving liability and showing the cause of your accident can be challenging. There are some steps you can take to help your semi-truck accident lawyer build a stronger case, including:
- Gather the names and contact information of the other drivers and passengers involved in the wreck, along with that of eyewitnesses.
- Get the name and contact information of the trucking company the driver works for. They might have liability for the accident and for your injuries.
- Take photos of the accident scene and write down what happened in your accident. Include details about the direction you were driving, which lane you were in, the weather, if there was traffic congestion, etc. This information will help a tractor-trailer accident attorney prepare your case.
- Expect an adjuster from the insurance company to show up at the scene or to contact you soon after the accident. Never accept an offer from the insurance company and don’t sign any documents. They want you to agree to a lowball settlement so they can pay you as little as possible.
- Speak with an experience trucking attorney. Trucking companies have extensive resources available to protect their interests after an accident. You need an experienced Las Vegas truck accident lawyer to represent you and stand up for your rights. Bay Law Accident Attorneys has the experience necessary to help you navigate the claims process and to represent you if you need to file a lawsuit.
Our truck wreck attorneys have an in-depth understanding of the trucking industry regulations and whether any violations contributed to your accident. We’ve worked with clients in Las Vegas, Henderson, and other parts of Nevada who have been injured in a truck crash. Reach out to us today; we can investigate your case, gather evidence, and help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
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What To Expect
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Bay Law
Practice Areas
Accident Attorneys
Las Vegas
Truck Accident FAQs
01. What is unique about car-truck accidents?
You see tractor-trailers and semis rolling down the highway every time you travel on Nevada’s major roads. One of the biggest differences between these two types of vehicles and passenger vehicles is easy to see. There is an exponential difference between the size and weight of big trucks and passenger vehicles. Loaded trucks weigh as much as thirty times that of automobiles. The occupants of the smaller vehicle always have the greatest disadvantage in any crash with a large truck.
Truck crashes between large trucks and smaller passenger vehicles are most likely to cause fatalities to people in the passenger vehicle. The smaller vehicles also receive the greatest degree of property damage.
Truck accidents are more likely to involve multiple vehicles than crashes where trucks are not involved. This is due partly to the large surface area of a truck and to its need for space to get stopped. Once the truck driver begins to brake or tries to steer away from the crash, there is a high chance of the truck coming into contact with other vehicles.
Truck wrecks involving multiple vehicles make it more difficult to prove your claim and get fair compensation. Your attorney must show which parties were liable for the accident. Having multiple parties also increases the opportunities to pass the blame for the accident to someone else. You need a Las Vegas truck accident lawyer with a proven record of handling complex truck accident cases successfully. Contact Bay Law Accident Attorneys to learn more about getting a fair settlement for your case.
02. What is the process in determining fault in a big rig accident?
Determining fault in a truck accident is critical to your claim. The courts and insurance companies assign fault based on the principles of negligence. Nevada observes a comparative negligence law that allows more than one party to be at fault. As long as you are not more than 50 percent to blame for the crash, you can still pursue compensation.
One reason that truck accidents are so complex is that there might be multiple parties included in your claim, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The truck manufacturers
- The maintenance company
- The loading company
Ultimately, the courts will determine who is liable for the injuries and other damages. Regardless of who is determined at fault, you have the legal right to file a claim against the parties who caused the accident that harmed you. In the state of Nevada, you have 2 years from the date of incident to file a lawsuit. Your truck accident lawyer will investigate the accident and identify the liable parties.
A Las Vegas truck accident attorney from Bay Law Accident Attorneys will gather information from eyewitnesses and citations given at the accident scene. The police will examine the details of the accident and talk with eyewitnesses at the scene. Once they form an opinion of the cause of the accident, they will include it in the report. Although the police report does not definitively determine fault, citations given after the accident help to indicate which driver was acting carelessly.
03. Can I sue the truck driver for recovery damages?
If it looks like the truck driver might be at fault for causing your accident, you can pursue a claim against them and sue them if necessary. If the truck driver was working at the time of the accident, the truck company is usually liable for the truck driver’s negligence under the doctrine of respondent superior. This doctrine typically applies in tort cases and holds employers responsible for their employees’ wrongful acts.
The doctrine is often invoked in truck accidents where the plaintiff holds both the employer and employee liable. Since the doctrine only applies to employees and not independent contractors, trucking companies might deny coverage based on the employment relationship between the driver and the company.
The trucking company is often the responsible party, but proving their liability is difficult. Therefore, it is important to hire a reputable truck accident attorney in Las Vegas. The attorneys at Bay Law Accident Attorneys know how to find and expose certain details that contributed to the accident. For example, the company might have cut corners that prevented the truck from being safe or pushed the driver to meet unrealistic deadlines.
To have a valid claim against the trucking company, you must be able to prove that:
- The driver was an employee of the trucking company
- The driver was performing his lawful duties
- The accident occurred while the driver was working in the employment of the company
The final determination of who is liable depends on multiple factors. The driver might have been using drugs, drinking alcohol, or driving distractedly or while fatigued. Someone other than the trucking company might have owned the truck. The manufacturer might have created faulty parts. It takes the skills of an experienced truck accident lawyer to uncover the details that will point to all liable parties.
04. What should I do if the police on the scene or the other parties involved try to blame me for causing the truck accident?
It isn’t unusual for attorneys to hear from potential clients that there are mistakes in the police report. Police report errors can cause the accident victim to get blamed for causing a terrible truck accident when they weren’t at fault. Omissions in the report, such as a failure to document the accident victim’s injuries, can also cause problems. Being accused of causing the accident makes the event more overwhelming and challenging to prove.
While the police report is an important piece of evidence, it isn’t law enforcement’s opinion that determines who caused the wreck. It is the evidence that they record — such as witness contact information, weather conditions, or statements by various parties — that impact a case. Police officers include their opinion based on immediate findings on the report, but this information isn’t allowed as evidence in court.
The police officer might make a decision without having adequate information or training. They have no personal knowledge of what happened. After listening to everyone’s statements, they might make a guess about what happened.
It is normal for the insurance companies and the other parties in the wreck to try and shift the blame. No one wants the financial obligation of paying for the substantial injuries that often occur during a truck accident. It is essential to have a Las Vegas truck accident lawyer to help you fight against incorrect assumptions and erroneous assignment of blame. Bay Law Accident Attorneys will gather evidence to help prove who was at fault in the accident. We will even challenge the opinion of the police officer in the police report if needed. You can count on our law firm to get to the truth and back up your claim in court.
05. What kind of compensation can I expect?
Trucking accidents can cause devastating damage and catastrophic or fatal injuries. The actual amount of compensation you get depends on the ability of the liable party to pay and the estimated cost of your current and future damages.
Truck accident attorneys in Las Vegas use a formula to calculate an estimate that includes your medical bills, property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Medical bills include everything — past and future — needed for your recovery, including:
- Emergency transportation
- Hospital and surgical bills
- Prescription costs
- Home health care
- Outpatient doctor visits
- Cost of rehabilitation
Lost wages for time missed from work because of your injuries. Your attorney will keep records of your salary and any bonuses, tips, or other additional earnings to calculate past and future earnings.
Property damage is usually significant in truck accidents involving 18-wheelers and semis. Your attorney will rely on professionals and industry guides to estimate how much it will cost to repair or replace your vehicle.
Pain and suffering are non-economic damage. Unlike the economic damages listed above that you can put an actual price tag on, putting a value on pain and suffering is more difficult to calculate. The value is often estimated by multiplying the sum of economic damages by a number between 2 and 3. Your semi-truck accident attorney will fight to get the highest possible recovery of non-economic damages. The number will depend on the severity of your injuries, your prospects for a complete and quick recovery, the impact your injuries have on your day-to-day life, and the clarity of fault for the accident.
06. What causes truck accidents?
Truck drivers cause the majority of truck accidents. The reason might be driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, distracted driving, or failing to account for poor weather conditions.
Sometimes the drivers make poor judgment calls due to the influence of the trucking company. They might speed to try and make deadlines or drive poorly maintained vehicles that create safety hazards on the road. Failing to enforce break periods can result in driver fatigue. Some trucking companies also fail to screen new hires or provide proper training to ensure they are prepared for the job.
The trucking company can cause truck accidents in other ways too. They might push the drivers to make their deliveries faster and causing them to speed. Overwork or encouraging drivers to exceed limited driving hours can cause fatigue. Failing to follow safety protocols or cutting corners on new equipment or maintenance can also result in mechanical failures that cause accidents.
07. Do truck accidents differ from auto accidents?
The difference in weight between a truck and a passenger vehicle results in much more forceful impacts than between two smaller vehicles. A semi-truck can literally crush a passenger vehicle. An accident involving a large truck and a lighter vehicle has a much higher chance of causing extensive property damage, serious injury, and death.
In 2020, 97 percent of passengers killed in two-vehicle crashes involving a large truck and a passenger vehicle were occupants of the passenger vehicles. There are many opposing opinions about the biggest contributing factors to these crashes and who is to blame. Some experts claim the biggest problem is mechanical, while others are adamant it is unsafe practices by the trucking companies. There are also instances where drivers causing wrecks have a long history of previous charges against them.
Determining liability in truck accidents is more difficult than in auto accidents involving two passenger vehicles. Getting compensation for your injuries and damages is also more complex. An experienced truck crash attorney from Bay Law Accident Attorneys can help you get to the bottom of what caused your accident and get you the compensation you need.
08. Who regulates the trucking industry in Nevada?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the leading federal government agency responsible for regulating and providing safety oversight of commercial vehicles. The organization works to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving semi-trucks. The FMCSA regulates things like cargo weight limits, driving time limits, hauling hazardous materials, driver fitness, and the use of mobile phones while driving.
The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) regulates trucking operations according to the Nevada Revised Statutes, the Nevada Administrative Code, and the NDOT Letter of Instruction. Truckers are the third largest group of drivers on Nevada’s highways, behind commuters and tourists. As Las Vegas, Henderson, and the southern region of Nevada continue to see an increase in the number of large trucks coming and going, regulation of trucking operations is even more important.
Talk to A Las Vegas
Truck Accident Lawyer
Never leave your truck accident compensation to chance — there is too much at stake. Find out what you’re entitled to, what to expect during the claim process, and the next steps you need to take. Let us protect your legal rights. Contact us today if you have been in a truck accident and suffered any injury.