Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyer

Las Vegas is one of the largest central hubs of commerce, entertainment, and trade and, as a result, thousands of commercial trucks enter in and out of the city on a daily basis. While we don’t think about it much, the possibility of a truck accident occurring is more likely than you think and it can be catastrophic for everybody involved. 

According to a fatality report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 50% of all fatal traffic accidents involved truck drivers and commercial grade trucks in some way. With such a considerably high fatality rate, becoming involved in a truck accident will surely inflict serious injuries and damages that can affect your livelihood. If you or someone you know have been in a serious truck accident and have sustained severe injuries you may be entitled to financial compensation.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we have a dedicated team of experienced truck accident lawyers in Las Vegas who are available 24/7 to assist you throughout the entire legal process. We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation to our clients who have sustained catastrophic injuries and high medical expenses. With years of experience handling truck accident cases under our belts, we are confident that we will get you the maximum compensation that you deserve for your losses. 

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE case consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700  or by filling out our quick online contact form.

Las Vegas Truck Accident Statistics

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) defines large trucks as any medium or heavy sized commercial vehicle, this includes semi-trucks, cargo vans, utility trucks, and both single-unit and multi-unit trucks. Other commercial vehicles such as buses and motorhomes are not included as they serve a more residential purpose.

According to an infographic report from the National Safety Council, there has been a 49% increase in truck accidents over the past ten years and as of 2021, 117,300 large trucks were involved in crashes and have resulted in an injury. The NHTSA went even further and determined in a 2021 data report that roughly 78% of all fatal truck accidents occurred on weekdays specifically between the hours of 6 a.m. to 5:59 p.m.

The same report also indicated that the chances of truck drivers becoming involved in fatal truck collisions were 20% higher than other vehicles such as motorcycles (at 19%) and passenger vehicles (at 18%). Despite these high numbers, a crash analysis report conducted by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) has indicated that around 2% of all traffic accidents in Las Vegas were reported to be a trucking accident.

While the chances of a truck crash is relatively low in Las Vegas, the chances of sustaining fatal injuries in a truck accident is extremely high and those involved will be held liable in a wrongful death lawsuit. Considering that there are over 13.86 million trucks registered in the United States with a combined total of 327.48 billion traveled miles, according to a economics and industry data report by the American Trucking Association, the chances of getting involved in a trucking accident is more likely than you can imagine.

How Truck Accidents Happen in Las Vegas

When it comes to determining the leading factors of Las Vegas truck accidents, there are a number of factors that could potentially lead to an incident. It is important to note that not all truck accidents are caused by truck drivers, but it can sometimes be faulted to the negligence of another driver.

Factors, such as driver error, mechanical errors, and substance abuse are some of the leading causes of truck accidents. If you have been involved in a truck accident and would like to file a claim, it is important to understand the differences between these causes in order to better understand who is liable for the incurred damages.

Driver Error

A truck accident due to a driver error is arguably one of the most common causes of traffic accidents in the United States due the amount of possible errors that could happen on the road. According to an RTC crash analysis report, the leading causes of all Las Vegas truck accidents are correlated to the failure of following basic driving rules and laws.

Neglecting common driving practices such as yielding the right of way, maintaining appropriate distances from other vehicles, and appropriately changing lanes are the leading factors in truck accidents. While other factors such as distracted driving and speeding are not as high compared to the other, these errors can ultimately happen to anyone, no matter what kind of vehicle you are driving. 

In cases like these, the liability of these trucking accidents will vary between the truck driver and the opposing driver. However, it is primarily determined by who is at the most fault of the accident in question.

Mechanical Failures

As previously mentioned, there are over 13.86 million trucks registered in the United States with a combined total of 327.48 billion traveled miles. With that in mind, maintaining proper truck maintenance is absolutely critical in ensuring that every truck driver is given a fully functioning commercial vehicle that can make those long drives without any problem.

According to a FMCSA causation report, roughly 10% of all truck accident cases were due to mechanical failures and problems. In that same report, brake problems and tire issues were the leading mechanical problems of truck accidents. In cases such as these, the liability would fall either onto the trucking company or its affiliated maintenance manufacturer for approving non-functional and non-optimal vehicles for standard operation.

Impaired Driving

The Center of Disease Control released a Global Road Safety report that indicated more than 28% of all fatal crashes in the U.S. result from impaired driving, and in Las Vegas alone, about 42.7% of all traffic related crashes are derived from impaired driving incidents. This is why semi truck operators must be more cautious of a head on collision, because they are more susceptible to getting hit by a drunk driver.

However, it is important to note that drunk drivers are not strictly reserved for drivers in standard passenger vehicles. According to the FMCSA causation report, about 29,000 truck drivers have caused a truck accident because they were under the influence.

In regards to determining the liability of truck accidents involving drunk drivers, the responsibility would entirely fall onto the drunk driver who has caused the accident because they are not able to make sound decisions when operating a vehicle and would most likely lose control as they attempt to drive sober.

What Are The Most Common Types of Commercial Truck Accidents?

According to the FMCSA large truck and bus accident statistic report, 13% of all fatal crashes in the U.S. involved at least one large commercial truck or bus. Considering how many potential factors there are that can cause a truck accident, there are in fact different types of truck accidents from the simple to the absolute catastrophic. If you are going to hire a truck accident attorney to recover damages, it is important to understand the different types of accidents in order to understand the scale and scope of the damage.  

Truck Rollover

By far one of the most catastrophic and terrifying wrecks imaginable, a truck rollover is when a truck rolls over onto one side due to the uneven distribution of cargo weight and the truck’s high center of gravity. This type of truck accident usually occurs when a driver is making too many tight turns and begins swerving to maintain control.

A rollover accident may occur due to the negligence of the driver as speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence can all contribute to a truck accident of this scale. However, in some cases, a rollover accident can happen due to tire blowouts and improper maintenance, because should a vital component alter the balance and speed of a truck then it can ultimately cause it to rollover.

Head-on/Rear-End Collisions

Head-on and rear-end collisions are undoubtedly the most straight-forward and common type of truck accident that could ever occur. As this type of accident is entirely dependent on the recklessness and/or negligence of the driver, the range of damage that can occur in a truck accident of this scale is going to be dependent on multiple factors like speed, tailgating length, and the overall surroundings.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife accident is when a large truck with articulated joints makes an improper turn or braking maneuver and the force causes the truck’s trailer to swing inward creating a folding jackknife shape. This is typically in semi truck accidents and it is particularly dangerous due to the unpredictable nature of how or where the trailer might skid to.

In some of the most severe cases, a jackknife accident can strike nearby vehicles and push them towards even more vehicles, ultimately creating a multi-car pileup. Truck accident victims in this scenario would most certainly hire skilled truck accident lawyers in order to receive compensation for all accrued damages. Most of all, the trucking company and the driver involved would be held liable unless the cause of the accident was due to sudden and extreme weather.

T-Bone Accidents

T-bone accidents, or sometimes known as side-impact or broadside crashes, typically occur at intersections when either a truck or a car runs a red light from a perpendicular angle and ends up colliding with the sides of the other vehicle, creating a “T” shape collision.

These types of truck accident claims are devastating for the driver who have been impacted on the side of the vehicle, because that is where the majority of the impact originated. Truck accident victims would seek medical attention for the sustained impact, and the liability of this accident would fall to the negligent party who did not abide by the traffic laws.

Wide Turn Accidents

Wide turn accidents is when a truck driver miscalculates the amount of space they have when making a left or right turn and, as a result, they inadvertently hit the neighboring vehicle in the process. This type of accident is by far one of the simplest types of accident and the liability in this scenario would fall to the driver and the trucking companies who employed them, because it is the company’s responsibility to properly train their drivers to avoid such a scenario from occurring.

Statute of Limitations for Truck Accident Claims

If you have been involved in an accident due to someone’s negligence and would like to file a claim with a skilled truck accident lawyer, it is recommended that you gather as much evidence as possible and file it immediately.

According to Section 171.090 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, all misdemeanors have a statute of limitation of up to two years and according to Section 171.085, all felonies have a limitation of up to four years. This means if you file a claim 2-4 years past the initial date of the accident then you automatically waive your right to file a suit and claim compensation.

How Much Money Can You Receive for a Las Vegas Truck Accident Claim?

The amount of compensation you can receive for truck accident cases is going to be dependent on the upon of factors such as the severity of the accident, incurred injuries, and the overall scale of the accident.

For instance, if your truck accident case has inflicted a traumatic brain or spinal injury that has left you permanently disabled then you are eligible anywhere between the six to seven figure range. However, for more minor to moderate truck accident injuries, those can land anywhere between the five to six figure range.  

Need a Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyer? We Are Here To Help

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a truck accident, you may be able to sue to recover financial damages. As a semi truck accident can potentially leave you with long-lasting injuries it is important to hire a skilled truck accident lawyer who makes sure all of your legal needs are met.

Should you choose to pursue legal action, our trusted and experienced Las Vegas truck accident attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers are readily available to help with your personal injury claim. We are a reputable personal injury law firm that has recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation for our clients and we will continue to do our duty to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.

Our team of truck accident attorneys will handle each case with care and integrity to ensure our clients get the best possible financial compensation. To schedule a FREE consultation, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at (213) 927-3700  or completing our easy online contact form.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Las Vegas Truck Accidents

What Should I Do if I Have Been Involved in a Truck Accident?

If you have been involved in a Las Vegas truck accident, call 911 so first responders can take control of the accident and prevent any more harm or damages from spreading. Should you wish to hire a truck accident attorney afterwards to receive compensation for your damages, then it is vital that you gather enough evidence to support your claim and discuss the case with your attorney for further details.

What Are Common Injuries From Truck Accidents?

Some of the most common injuries from a truck accident will stem from the force of the impact from a crash. However, it is largely dependent on the speed of the initial impact, as in some of the most severe cases, a serious truck crash can result in death. So whether you are the driver of the truck or a standard four door sedan, if you have suffered any of the following injuries, please seek immediate medical attention.

• Brain injuries
• Spinal injuries
• Internal injuries
• Burn injuries
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Broken bones

How Is Liability Determined in a Las Vegas Truck Accident?

According to section 41.1395 of Nevada’s Revised Statutes, liability is determined by whoever is most at fault of the alleged incident and the victim would be eligible to receive compensation for the incurred damages. For example, if a plaintiff is 30% at fault, and the defendant is at 70%, then the plaintiff can financially recover damages because their percent of fault is less than the defendant’s.