Experienced Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyers
An accident between two vehicles can cause damage and personal injury. But an accident involving a commercial truck and a car can be absolutely devastating.
If you have been involved in a traffic accident with a commercial truck, then it is vital for you to work with a Las Vegas truck accident law firm. Only an experienced truck accident attorney like the ones at Accident Attorneys of Southern Nevada will be able to fight for your rights as the injured party. We will get you the compensation you are rightfully owed.
Compensation for Injuries and Property Damage After A Semi-Truck Wreck
While every truck accident case is different, you may be eligible for damages paid to you from the insurance company. Here are some financial benefits you could receive when filing a personal injury claim after a truck accident:
- Medical care, whether it is for an emergency, short-term, or long-term basis
- Compensation for lost wages
- Coverage for miscellaneous expenses
- Disability needs (either partial or full)
- Property replacement
Truck Crashes vs. Other Traffic Accidents
Below are some ways in which a truck collision differs from accidents that only involve cars:
The weight difference of the commercial truck increases damage
Commercial trucks are much heavier than passenger vehicles—up to 30 times more, in some instances. The significant weight difference is the primary reason that a crash with a tractor-trailer or other large truck can cause so much destruction. Additionally, semi-trucks are high enough off the ground that small cars can become stuck underneath, causing more significant injury and damage.
There are more severe injuries
Again, the size of the truck will always inflict more damage, even if the vehicles involved were traveling at lower speeds. While a fender bender with two cars might cause little to no injury, a low-speed crash with a semi-truck can still cause acute injuries that may require long-term medical treatment. Some injuries, like those sustained to the back, neck, or brain, can have lasting and devastating consequences.
You must communicate with multiple parties
To further add to the complexity of the situation, there are numerous third parties to work with beyond the driver of the commercial vehicle. You are also dealing with the trucking company’s legal team and insurance company, neither of whom have your best interests at heart. That is why it is essential to work with an experienced Las Vegas truck accident attorney. You must ensure that you are supporting your personal injury claim with the right information and evidence to help you get the compensation you so rightly deserve.
What Should Drivers Do After Being in an 18-Wheeler Accident in Las Vegas?
In the aftermath of any traffic accident, you should first seek medical assistance for any injuries. Otherwise, if you can do so, you should call for the police to come to the scene. Here are some more steps to take after an accident.
Get a Police Report
The officers at the scene will gather information for an accident report. Their report will be an official record of vital details such as the names of the drivers involved and how the crash ensued. It is your right to ask for a copy of the report, which is a smart move in support of any legal action you take.
Take Photos of the Scene
If you are able to do so, use your cell phone to take pictures of the drivers and their cars. Be sure to take photos of the road and any wreckage left behind. Here are some details you will want to include in your photos:
- The license plate of the commercial truck
- Name and logo of the company (this may be either the trucking company or the name of corporation)
- Skid marks on/off the road to show the trajectory of the vehicles at the point of impact
- The truck’s tires
- Your car and the others involved
- Road conditions (i.e., snow on the ground, broken pavement, etc.)
The more photographic evidence you have, the more you will provide support to your case.
Get Information from the Other Driver and Any Witnesses
Be sure to ask anyone involved for their:
- Name and contact information
- Commercial driver’s license
- Insurance information
Were there any witnesses to your accident? If they have stayed at the scene, get their information as well. Their statements as to what happened will be helpful to include as evidence in the police report.
Avoid Speaking with the Driver’s Representatives
Do your best to avoid speaking to any representatives who may come to the scene on behalf of the company and/or driver. Even if they seem concerned, they do not have your best interests at heart. They help companies settle cases like this quickly. They will try to get you to accept far less money than you deserve. This is why it is so important to first speak with someone on our Las Vegas truck accident attorney team. We will fight to get you all the compensation you need to recover.
Write Down Everything
You have just experienced a traumatic event. Therefore, do not rely on your memory. Even if you have witnesses and plenty of photos, you will need to be able to relate what happens in your own way. Here are some things to take notes on:
The events leading up to the accident
- The number of cars and people involved
- What the driver said to you (if anything) after the accident
- The responding police officer’s name
- The name of the driver and the company for which they work
These details will be necessary to share with your insurance company, as they will help determine who is at fault in the accident. Once that is determined, your insurance company will determine what damages you are owed.
Take Care of Yourself
If you refused medical attention at the accident scene, you should see a doctor. Injuries, particularly internal ones, may take some time to manifest. Do not ignore pain or injuries that appear after the accident. They may be signs of a serious health concern.
If you wait too long to see a doctor, it also might make it more difficult to prove that your injuries are the result of the car accident. It is much better to be safe than sorry, so make an appointment to see a medical professional as soon as possible.
Common Causes of Big Rig Accidents in Las Vegas
There are many reasons that a traffic accident can occur. When it comes to those involving commercial trucks, here are some of the more common causes:
Driver Fatigue
Unfortunately, many truck accidents are caused by drivers falling asleep behind the wheel. Commercial truck drivers are often given strict schedules for delivering their loads. As a result, they often drive for long periods without taking a break.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has laws in place to limit the hours of road time for commercial drivers. This is a move in the right direction for keeping roads and highways safe, but not all drivers abide by these laws. Commercial truck drivers are required by the FMCSA to use electronic logging and electric onboard devices (EOBD) to record their drive time. These EOBDs will provide useful information about an accident.
For this reason, it’s crucial to have a Las Vegas injury attorney represent you if you are in an accident. Your Las Vegas truck accident lawyer will work to get the data from the EOBD and submit it as evidence for your case.
Distracted Driving
This is something that can cause a problem for drivers of any vehicles, but it is especially dangerous for drivers hauling multi-ton loads. There are many reasons that a driver could become distracted: texting or talking on a cell phone, listening to loud music, adjusting dashboard controls in the truck, reading maps or navigation devices, and so on. It only takes half a second to look at a screen, but an awful accident can occur in that brief moment.
Improper Truck Maintenance
Sometimes it’s not a collision that causes a truck accident. It may even be debris or unsecured cargo from a semi-truck that skids onto the road and into the paths of other vehicles. This is considered negligence on the part of drivers and their companies. Pictures of the materials that have fallen, as well as any witness accounts to the condition of the truck or cargo, will be especially important in determining liability in your truck accident case.
Ignoring Road Rules or Conditions
Every driver on the road must obey all local traffic laws and regulations. Commercial trucks must pay attention to them, as they are the largest vehicles on the road. Some roads simply can’t accommodate trucks of their size due to low clearances under tunnels and overpasses. Truck drivers must remain alert and abide by the regulations. If an accident occurs because a commercial driver ignored the rules of the road, a Las Vegas truck accident attorney can help get you the compensation to which you are entitled.
Our Injury Firm Is Here for You
If you are the victim of a traffic accident with a commercial truck driver and need a Las Vegas truck accident lawyer, call on the experienced legal team at Accident Attorneys of Southern Nevada.
Call us today at 702-766-4336 for a free consultation. There is no need to worry about legal costs—we only get paid if you win your case.