Las Vegas Truck Accident Attorney

Big rigs. Semi-trucks. Tractor-trailers. Large trucks. No matter what you call them, there is no denying that sharing the road with big commercial vehicles is dangerous.

In 2022, the National Safety Council (NSC) reported that 5,873 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash, and another 120,200 trucks became entangled in accidents resulting in injuries nationwide.

If you’ve been involved in a truck wreck, you already know firsthand just how serious the situation can be. You may be dealing with severe injuries, mounting medical bills, missed paychecks, lingering physical pain, emotional trauma, and other ongoing economic and noneconomic damages.

You need help, and you need it now. Contact us for a free case consultation. Meeting with a Las Vegas truck accident lawyer in our office is free.

Truck Crash Statistics

Las Vegas is one of two cities that make up 90% of Nevada’s population. In our mostly rural state, our roads have earned a C rating, up from a C– in 2014, according to the Nevada Infrastructure Report Card. While the roads and infrastructure in big cities like Las Vegas are typically considered to be in better condition than in other areas in our state, they do not shield residents from the dangers posed by big trucks.

Let’s take a closer look at some information about the transportation industry and trucking accidents:

Most trucks travel around the outskirts of Las Vegas unless they are making deliveries directly to local businesses.
Facilities like the Blue Diamond Business Center and a TravelCenters of America truck stop encourage truck traffic near certain residential areas.
I-15, which runs through Las Vegas, has some of the highest truck traffic in the state.
There were 5,821 nationwide truck accident fatalities in 2022, per National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

The Most Dangerous Roads for Truck Accidents in Nevada

Situated within less than a single day’s drive to at least five major ports, Nevada plays a crucial supporting role in the transportation of commercial goods. Las Vegas is also a major cultural and tourist hub, so we see a great number of trucks traveling through or nearby every day.

Some of the roads with the most truck traffic include:

I-515
S. Highway 93
S. Highway 50
Nevada SR 582
Nevada SR 431

While our beautiful desert scenery affords unrivaled views that you won’t find anywhere else in the state or country, twisty mountain roads and long stretches of flat roadway both pose a risk to motorists.

Truck drivers traveling through mountainous regions must contend with steep drop-offs, sharp curves, and, at times, icy or snowy roads. Driving for long periods on flat, open roads invites boredom and fatigue.

What Are Causes of Tractor-Trailer Collisions and Other Trucking Wrecks?

State and federal regulations are intended to strengthen the safety of the trucking and transportation industries.

These regulations cover a wide range of topics, including how long a truck driver may be on duty (hours of service regulations), what endorsements are needed on a commercial driver’s license to carry dangerous cargo, how often maintenance must be performed, what to do if a problem is identified during a pre-trip inspection, and more.

Unfortunately, violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations remain a common contributing factor in truck collisions in and around Las Vegas.

These violations can include:

Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
Driving recklessly or aggressively
Following too closely (tailgating)
Distracted driving (such as using smartphones while driving)
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Failing to perform pre-trip inspections

The truck drivers’ actions may not be the only contributing factors in truck accidents, either.

A trucking company that fails to perform sufficient or proper maintenance, creates unreasonable delivery schedules, or hires unqualified drivers also puts everyone on the road at risk.

Cargo that isn’t properly loaded or secured, defective auto parts, and negligent mechanics can also be liable in truck accident cases.

No matter what factors you believe contributed to your crash; you should reach out to a Las Vegas truck accident lawyer to discuss any legal options that may be available to you.

What Are the Most Common Types of Truck Crashes in Las Vegas?

An empty truck weighs around 35,000 pounds and up to 80,000 when fully loaded. In a collision with smaller passenger vehicles, a big truck will win out almost every time.

A Las Vegas truck accident can take many forms.

Many accidents happen when a truck driver loses control, is engaged in distracted driving, or is tired behind the wheel. Mechanical defects, weather, and road conditions can also play a role in some of the most common types of truck crashes.

For example, a trucking accident may take the form of a:

Don’t see the type of semi-truck accident you were injured in listed above? There’s no need to worry. Our Las Vegas truck accident lawyers have the experience and investigative prowess needed to build a strong truck accident case on your behalf.

What Types of Injuries Can Happen in Semi-Truck Accidents?

It is no secret that injuries associated with trucking accidents tend to be much more severe than in accidents between cars. What you may not know is that the most serious of these injuries typically occur among passenger vehicle occupants.

The reality is that cars, SUVs, vans, and lightweight trucks simply cannot stand up to the weight and heft of a commercial truck during a crash.

For this reason, truck accident victims often suffer traumatic and catastrophic injuries, including:

Spinal cord injuries
Permanent total or partial paralysis
Loss of limb (amputation)
Broken or shattered bones
Deep cuts or lacerations
Burns
Head injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
Neck injuries
Back injuries
Chest injuries (especially broken ribs)
Internal organ damage and bleeding

A truck crash victim may be faced with a lifetime of medical attention, a new or worsening disability, mental health disabilities, and a variety of other lasting medical conditions.

Filing an Insurance Claim After a Truck Crash

There are multiple steps involved in the filing of truck accident claims—and the first step begins much earlier than you may realize. Let’s go over what’s involved in filing a claim for a truck wreck in which you were injured.

Seek Medical Attention

Truck accident injuries tend to be severe or life-threatening, so there is no time to waste—if you’ve been involved in a crash with a semi-truck, you should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible.

Any delay in seeking or receiving medical treatment may be purposely misconstrued to mean that you were not seriously injured, giving the insurance company footing to lower your overall compensation.

Notify Your Insurer and the Police

There are two main entities that you should notify following a commercial truck accident: your insurer and the police. It is best to inform your auto insurer of any accident you’ve been in as soon as possible, but your policy will specify exactly how much time you have.

Additionally, state law requires you to submit an SR1 Report of Traffic Crash to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days of the collision if any of the following occurred:

Bodily injury
Death
$750 (or more) of property damage

We also recommend calling 911 and requesting that police be sent to the accident scene regardless of whether you think it may be necessary. When an officer responds to the scene, they will create the necessary police report and file it on your behalf.

Collect and Document Evidence

Investigating and collecting evidence is a key function performed by truck accident lawyers.

At Trucking Injury Law Group, we regularly collect and analyze evidence such as electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs), event data recorders (EDRs), engine control modules (ECMs), maintenance records, driving logs, hiring and training records, results from post-crash drug tests, accident reconstruction results, and more.

You can help your truck accident attorney by providing them with copies of as much of the following evidence as possible:

Pictures and videos of the accident scene
Names and contact information of witnesses
Copy of the police report
Any medical bills you’ve received
Medical records documenting diagnoses and injuries
Documented time off requests from work
Bank statements and past pay stubs

Your lawyer will work closely with you to build the strongest possible claim using the evidence we compile and analyze on your behalf.

Meet With a Truck Crash Attorney in Las Vegas

Unlike car accidents, insurance claims involving large trucks are much more challenging. There may be multiple at-fault parties, meaning there will be multiple insurance companies involved in the legal process. As mentioned, injuries tend to be more serious, too, and financial losses associated with medical treatment, property damage, and time off work are normally greater than in crashes involving only passenger vehicles.

Your truck accident lawyer will put their history of pre-litigation, litigation, and trial experience to work for you, making sure that those at fault are held liable for the harm you’ve suffered.

Your attorney will also:

File an injury claim on your behalf
Collect and analyze evidence
Investigate the crash and identify all liable parties
Negotiate with the insurance company
Elevate matters to court if a reasonable settlement cannot be reached

What Makes 18-Wheeler Collision Cases So Complex?

Filing a claim for a commercial truck accident can be exceptionally complex.

From the moment the crash occurs, you will be facing the monumental task of holding a large trucking company responsible for its actions. These are big corporations that aren’t worried about your well-being or how you’re doing—they’re worried about minimizing their liability, shifting blame, and protecting their bottom lines.

As a joint venture law office made up completely of truck accident lawyers, we are all too familiar with the complexities associated with these types of claims.

Evidence Disappears Quickly

Every truck accident victim needs to understand just how quickly evidence can disappear in a Las Vegas truck accident. Time is of the essence in the minutes and days following a crash, as accident debris is cleaned up, damaged signposts and other property are fixed, and skid marks are worn away by traffic.

For the best chance of capturing and preserving as much evidence as possible, contact an attorney about filing a truck accident lawsuit or claim as soon as possible.

Truck Companies Have Their Own Attorneys

Big or small, truck companies and their insurers all have their own team of attorneys who are ready to discredit truck accident claims at a moment’s notice. This means that your legal right to recover maximum compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, and other losses may be far from a fair fight.

Get the Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyer You Deserve

The maze of liability in these types of accidents can make it incredibly difficult to know if you are being treated fairly.

At Trucking Injury Law Group, our experienced truck accident lawyers will be your steadfast guides and legal representatives through this process, ensuring that you’re not taken advantage of by the trucking company or any other at-fault party.

Contact us today for a free consultation with a Las Vegas truck accident lawyer so we can get started fighting for your rights.

Truck crashes can be catastrophic.