Semi-Truck and Car Accident Claims in Las Vegas
Approximately 500,000 semi-truck accidents occur in the U.S. each year, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Commercial trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds, which means that when accidents happen, the results can be disastrous. Roughly one in five truck accidents result in severe injury or death.
Due to the significant difference in size and weight, accidents involving large trucks, such as 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and other commercial vehicles, often result in catastrophic injuries and substantial financial losses for the victims of these accidents.
At THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, we focus on helping accident victims of severe road trauma, including complex semi truck and car accident claims in Las Vegas. Our law firm understands the immense physical, emotional, and financial burdens that victims of truck accidents face.
We are dedicated to providing clear, factual, and aggressive legal representation to pursue a legal claim and ensure our clients recover compensation for their immense losses. If you have been injured in an accident involving a large vehicle, you need a strong legal partner on your side right away.
Call a Truck Accident Lawyer in Complex Las Vegas Truck Accident Cases
A crash involving a truck accident is rarely a simple fender-bender. These incidents introduce complex legal layers that are not part of a standard car accident claims process. Because strict federal and state regulations govern commercial trucks, the liability investigation in a Las Vegas truck accident is more involved. This is why having an experienced truck accident attorney from the start is critical.
Our team of truck accident lawyers at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys specializes in handling truck accident cases and has the knowledge to investigate every detail of an accident scene thoroughly. We look beyond the truck driver to identify multiple liable parties. Targeting all responsible entities increases the potential for maximum compensation.
Furthermore, our law firm prepares every case as if it is going to trial, giving us a strong position when negotiating truck accident settlements with powerful insurance companies. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe us no attorney’s fees unless we win your case. If you need immediate assistance or would like to understand your legal options, we encourage you to contact us for a complimentary consultation.
Role of an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney in Recovering Compensation
Determining liability in accidents involving a commercial vehicle accident is complex, often requiring the resources and legal knowledge that only an experienced law firm can provide. A skilled truck accident attorney will:
- Conduct a Detailed Investigation: They collaborate with accident reconstruction experts and investigators to determine the cause of the truck collision, whether it was due to driver fatigue, distracted driving, or an equipment failure in one of the other vehicles.
- Identify All Liable Parties: Your attorney will look beyond the truck driver to hold all responsible entities accountable, including the large trucking companies, to ensure there is adequate insurance coverage to provide full financial recovery.
- Calculate Full Damages: Truck accident claims must cover the full scope of your losses. Your attorney will meticulously calculate all damages, including past and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, property damage, and non-economic damages for pain and suffering.
- Negotiate Maximum Compensation: Your lawyer will handle all communications with the insurance companies, rejecting low settlement offers and fighting for maximum compensation. This negotiation often leads to the settlement amount in truck accident settlements.
- File a Lawsuit: If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair compensation amount, your attorney will be prepared to take the case to court. They will represent you in the truck accident lawsuits process, including handling wrongful death claims for cases involving serious or fatal injuries.
Common Reasons Why Serious Truck Accidents Happen in Las Vegas
The demanding schedule and immense pressure placed on commercial truck drivers often lead to dangerous situations on Las Vegas roadways. While the causes of semi-truck accidents are varied, many result from negligence or direct violations of safety rules.
Here are some of the most common factors that lead to serious truck accidents involving semi trucks and passenger vehicles:
Driver Fatigue
This is one of the leading causes of commercial truck accidents. Truck driver hours are strictly regulated to prevent this, but some drivers or large trucking companies push the limits, resulting in dangerous mistakes or slow reaction times.
Distracted Driving
Just like in car accident incidents, the use of cell phones or other distractions can cause a truck driver to lose control, leading to a catastrophic truck collision.
Improper Maintenance
Failing to inspect and maintain brakes, tires, or lights regularly can cause a truck to malfunction. The truck owner and trucking company are responsible for ensuring their fleet of commercial trucks is safe to operate.
Speeding or Reckless Driving
Due to the long stopping distance required for fully loaded commercial vehicles, speeding is especially dangerous. Failing to obey traffic signs or driving aggressively increases the risk of accidents.
Improper Cargo Loading
If cargo is not secured correctly, it can shift during transit, causing the semi-trucks to jackknife or overturn, which can lead to rollover accidents. This can involve the loading company as a third-party defendant.
Severe Impact of Injuries on Truck Accident Victims
The force of a truck crash on a passenger vehicle often causes devastating, life-altering injuries. These truck accident injuries require extensive medical treatment and can leave many truck accident victims facing years of recovery. Common injuries resulting from these collisions include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): These range from concussions to severe brain damage that affects cognitive function, memory, and personality.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spine can lead to temporary or permanent paralysis, requiring lifelong care.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: The force of impact can cause multiple and complex fractures that require surgery and lengthy physical therapy.
- Internal Injuries: Organ damage and internal injuries often require emergency surgery and are a significant contributor to serious or fatal injuries.
- Catastrophic Injuries: This general term includes any injury that results in long-term disability, disfigurement, or chronic pain, completely altering the victim’s quality of life.
Why Truck Accident Cases Are More Complex Than Car Accident Claims
The complexity of truck accident cases stems from two main factors:
- Multiple Liable Parties: In a simple car accident, fault typically rests with one driver. In a truck collision, liability may extend beyond the truck driver to the trucking company, the truck owner, the cargo loader, or even the manufacturer of a defective part. Identifying multiple liable parties is a critical step in building a successful legal claim and is key to recovering full compensation.
- Federal and State Regulations: Commercial trucks and their drivers must follow specific rules set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Violations of these rules, such as exceeding legal driver fatigue limits, failing to perform required maintenance, or improperly loading cargo, can be direct evidence of negligence in a truck accident lawsuit. An experienced truck accident attorney knows how to investigate these records, including driver logs and the truck’s “black box” data, to prove fault.
How to Protect Your Claim After a Las Vegas Truck Accident
If you or a loved one is involved in a Las Vegas truck accident, your actions immediately following the incident are vital to protecting your legal claim.
- Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Your health is the first priority. Even if you do not feel immediate pain, seek medical attention right away. Some common injuries, like internal bleeding or brain injuries, may not show symptoms until later. Your medical records will be crucial evidence in your claim.
- Call the Police and File a Report: A police report (also known as a police accident report) officially documents the incident. Make sure a report is filed and request a copy.
- Gather Evidence at the Accident Scene: If you are physically able, take photos of the vehicles, the accident scene, traffic signs, and your injuries. Collect the contact and insurance coverage information from all parties involved, including the truck driver, the truck owner, and the trucking company.
- Do Not Speak to Insurance Companies: The insurance companies for the trucking company will likely contact you quickly. They are trained to minimize the value of your truck accident claims. Do not give a recorded statement or sign anything without first speaking to a knowledgeable truck accident attorney.
- Contact a Skilled Truck Accident Lawyer: The moment you contact a legal professional, you put a powerful advocate between you and the insurance companies. Your Vegas truck accident attorney will immediately begin the process of evidence preservation, which is vital in these time-sensitive cases.
Get the Dedicated Legal Help You Need for Car Accident and Semi-Truck Accident Lawsuits
As you focus on recovering from your severe injuries, let THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys handle the legal battle for your truck and car accident claims. We are proud to serve Las Vegas and are committed to holding negligent parties accountable for the devastation they cause. Our dedication to our clients is the foundation of our work.
We offer a free consultation to review the specifics of your case and outline a strategy to help you recover compensation. Victor Morales, a former client, shared his experience, stating,
Madlen and Tammy were great! They did an amazing job on my case and got me a settlement FAST!
This is the level of dedicated, effective service you can expect when you choose THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys to represent you in your personal injury claims. Contact us today to begin your path to recovery and justice.