Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyer
Explains Liability Claims
Truck accident lawsuits
In Las Vegas, commercial truck accidents usually occur on freeways/highways, such as the 215 Beltway, I-15, and I-95. The combination of a large truck and the high speeds on freeways often results in enormous amounts of damage and serious personal injury.
If you got hurt in a truck accident, call us at 702-432-1000 to talk to our truck accident lawyer. We have helped many clients involved in truck and semi-truck accidents get their fair and full compensation to pay for their medical bills and other damages.
When is a truck accident indeed an "accident"?
In Nevada, to win a lawsuit, the truck accident attorney has to prove that:
- The negligence of the truck driver contributed to the accident or
- The truck (or a part of the truck) was malfunctioning.
Government regulations for truck drivers
When it comes to large commercial vehicles - large trucks, semi-trucks or - large trucks, semi-trucks or tractor-trailers, big rigs, or 18-wheelers - the truck driver and truck companies must comply with many government regulations and take extra safety precautions. These regulations, among other things, include:
- Special driving licenses,
- Federal trucking safety regulations,
- Inspections at the weight stations and
- Keeping sleep and break logs ("sleeper-berth time" regulations).
Truck drivers and truck companies sometimes disregard these laws to maximize efficiency and profits.
If the driver neglected all or some of these rules, the driver (or the driver's insurance company) is financially responsible for all damages. It includes past, current, and future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other costs.
Truck malfunctions
In Las Vegas and Nevada, proving that the truck part was defective and that the defective part caused an accident is enough to file a lawsuit. Common truck malfunctions include bad breaks, faulty tires, and failed electric systems.
How much time do I have after the accident to file a claim?
In Las Vegas and Nevada, you have 2 years to file a personal injury claim for a truck accident and demand compensation for your injury.
Who is liable for a truck accident in Las Vegas and Nevada?
Although the accident itself was the start of your legal battle, the causes of that accident may have started months or even years before the crash took place. Multiple parties may be responsible for the accident, including:
- The truck driver
- The truck owner
- The trailer owner
- The truck company
- The truck company management
- The truck manufacturer(s)
- The truck parts manufacturer(s)
- The trailer manufacturer(s)
- The trailer parts manufacturer(s) or trailer
- The people responsible for loading the truck or trailer
- The people responsible for maintaining the truck
In Nevada, you can file a lawsuit against some or all defendants accountable for the crash. The party responsible for the accident (or their business insurance) is financially liable for injury compensation.
When multiple parties involved
Truck and semi-truck accidents can be complex and include numerous victims and vehicles. Under Nevada law, the at-fault party must compensate ALL victims who filed a claim.
What to do after a truck accident?
- If you have been in a truck accident, first and foremost, seek medical help. Can you move?
- Gather all relevant information about the accident and ask somebody to do it. We want to know the location of the accident, date and time, driver's and driver's car information (including insurance), police incident report, and eyewitness information.
- Take as many pictures and videos as possible from different angles of the damaged vehicles, surrounding area, and injured victims' positions.
- Gather information about the truck owner and the company that hired the truck driver - we want to know who the defendant is.
- Get information about the cargo on the truck. Truck weight is a significant factor in truck-related accidents. Also, there may be a heightened duty to drive safely if the load contains dangerous or hazardous materials.
- Collect additional evidence, including traffic signals and road conditions. Trucks are especially vulnerable to accidents on slippery roads.
What truck accident compensation should I expect?
The compensation amount depends on many variables, mainly the accident's facts and the injuries' severity.
The injury compensation includes the compensation for the incurred medical bills, damaged property, lost wages, pain and suffering, and, in some cases, the cost of future medical care. Some truck accidents get compensation in five, six, or seven figures.
Most truck accident compensation reflects the changes in a victim's life before and after the accident.
How long should I wait for my truck accident to settle?
Depending on the severity of the injuries and the amount the victim demands, it may take six months to two or three years. The cases when multiple victims or multiple vehicles are involved may take longer.
Can I represent myself in a truck accident injury claim?
You can represent yourself in a truck accident injury case. Doing it successfully and getting fair and full compensation is a different story because it requires knowledge of the law, an in-depth understanding of government safety regulations for trucking companies, and knowing what you are entitled to.
We recommend speaking with an experienced truck accident lawyer before accepting a settlement check from any insurance company.
Can I re-open an old truck accident case?
Yes. If you accepted a settlement without the aid of an attorney, then within 60 days of taking the check, the victim or their attorney can re-open the case. For more information or questions if your truck accident case can be re-opened, call our office at 702-432-1000.
If you are partially at fault
Nevada accepts the comparative negligence law, which means if you are less than 51% at fault for an accident, you are still entitled to the settlement.
A truck accident lawyer can help
Getting full compensation from the insurance company can be challenging in truck accident cases. The trucking companies have commercial insurance with a higher per-accident limit than regular cars, but they also have many insurance attorneys to fight back and reduce the compensation amount for the victim. Furthermore, driven by profits, the trucking companies are not always complying with all safety government regulations, but proving it can be NOT so simple. Finally, a truck accident in Nevada may involve drivers and commercial motor carriers from every state.
Our law firm successfully handled many truck accident cases in the past, and we have the knowledge and the resources needed to win the most challenging truck accident compensation disputes.
We work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay if we get settlement money for you.
To discuss your case, call our truck accident lawyer at 702-432-1000.
Your consultation will be informative and free.
We represent clients in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Summerlin South, Boulder City, Laughlin, Mesquite, Clark County, and other Nevada cities.
Last updated on February 3, 2024.
