Semi-trucks are an intimidating presence on Nevada roads. The massive size of tractor-trailers makes any truck accident particularly dangerous — and usually, the occupants of the smaller vehicles suffer the worst injuries. The physical, financial, and personal consequences for these victims are often staggering.
If you’re in pain and worried about paying your bills after a Nevada truck accident, contact Sam & Ash Injury Law immediately. Our accomplished lawyers are committed to doing What’s Right for injured people just like you. Over the past two decades, our award-winning team has recovered more than $400 million for our clients.
No matter how bleak your situation may seem, we can help you pick up the pieces after a crash. Call or contact us today for a free consultation with a Summerlin truck accident lawyer.
Complexities of a Truck Accident Case
Several elements make truck accident cases more complex than car accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes strict regulations on truck drivers and trucking companies. Nevada also has separate state trucking laws. Understanding the intersection between state and federal laws is essential when building a strong truck accident claim.
Truck accident cases are also more complex because multiple parties may share liability for a wreck. In the average car accident case, an injured driver might file a claim against another driver’s insurance company. But with a semi-truck collision, victims could have valid claims against the truck driver, trucking company, repair shops, cargo loaders, automakers, or other parties. A case involving multiple defendants is always more complicated.
Finally, truck accidents are more complex because they tend to involve severe injuries and bigger insurance policies. The greater the injury, the larger a case value may be. Insurance companies fight hard to prevent victims from recovering the compensation they deserve for an accident, often by trying to pin the blame on the victims or others involved in the crash. Untangling who should be held liable and arguing over determinations of fault can make truck accidents messy without the help of a highly skilled truck accident attorney.
What To Do After a Summerlin Truck Accident
If you sustained injuries in a Summerlin truck accident, do your best to say calm. Follow these steps:
- Call 911. Someone, including you, may need emergency medical treatment. You will also want to summon the police so officers can begin an investigation.
- Take pictures of the accident. Get photos of your injuries, the vehicles involved, the damage each vehicle sustained, and anything that may have contributed to the wreck.
- Get the truck driver’s information. Collect the driver’s name, address, driver’s license number, employer’s name, personal insurance information, and company insurance information. You will need all of these things to file a truck accident claim.
- See a doctor right away. If you are not taken to a hospital, see a doctor as soon as possible. You must rule out any hidden injuries and waiting to start treatment could worsen your condition. Delaying treatment could also affect the value of your truck accident settlement. By not seeking prompt treatment, the insurer could argue that another incident — not the truck accident — caused your injuries.
- Stay off social media. Anything you post could end up in the insurance companies’ hands and damage your case.
- Do not give any statements to insurance companies. You can report the accident to your insurer, but it’s best not to provide a detailed statement until you have spoken to an attorney.
- Talk to a truck accident attorney in Summerlin. Because truck accident claims are so complex, you want to get started on a personal injury claim immediately. While you recover, your attorney can begin gathering evidence, identifying responsible parties, contacting experts, and making sure your claim is filed promptly.
Types of Truck Accidents
Common types of truck accidents include:
- Head-on collisions – Catastrophic head-on truck accidents occur when a truck crosses from its lane into the path of traffic coming in the opposite direction. Front-end collisions are often linked to drunk driving, distracted driving, and driver fatigue.
- Rear-end accidents – A rear-end accident happens when a truck collides with the back of a vehicle traveling in front of it. Following too closely is one of the most frequent causes of rear-end accidents.
- Sideswipe – A sideswipe accident occurs when an 18-wheeler moves sideways and collides with the side of the vehicle next to it. These accidents often happen if truck drivers do not check their blind spots before changing lanes.
- T-bone accidents – These collisions happen when the front of a truck strikes the side of another vehicle, forming a “T” shape. Most T-bone truck accidents result from a driver failing to yield the right of way at an intersection.
- Underride accidents – These horrific crashes happen when another car rear-ends a truck and becomes lodged under the trailer’s body. Underrides can occur if the truck driver has to stop suddenly and is not aware of anyone behind them.
- Right-turn accidents – Trucks must take right turns at a wide angle because of their size and length. Often, truck drivers will swing their cabs to the left before completing their right-hand turn, but this can create a collision with other vehicles if a trucker is careless.
- Rollover accidents – Trucks have a higher center of gravity than many other vehicles. For this reason, it is crucial that a truck’s cargo is balanced correctly and does not shift in transit. If the load is not correctly placed or comes loose while the truck is in motion, the rig can roll over while turning.
- Jackknife accidents – Jackknifes happen when a truck’s trailer swings to one side and continues forward toward the cab. This motion resembles someone closing a pocketknife. Jackknife accidents often occur when a truck driver brakes suddenly, and the sudden change in momentum swings the trailer forward. Anyone in the trailer’s path may sustain serious injuries. Even if the trailer avoids hitting another vehicle, the resulting road blockage can cause accidents.
Proving Fault in a Truck Accident in Summerlin, NV
One of the most important tasks of a truck accident attorney is to identify all the parties who may be liable for a crash. Potentially responsible parties in a truck accident lawsuit include:
- The truck driver – Many truck accidents are due to truck driver negligence, such as driving while fatigued, speeding, and distracted driving.
- The trucking company – It is up to truck companies to ensure drivers are fully qualified and have the necessary experience to handle a commercial motor vehicle safely. Failure to perform background checks can result in a company being held liable for a truck accident.
- Vehicle and parts manufacturers – Some truck accidents are caused by equipment failures. When a poorly designed part leads to a semi-truck crash, the automaker or parts manufacturer may be held responsible for the accident.
- Maintenance personnel – Maintenance crews should check trucks for worn or damaged parts and make timely repairs. If this maintenance work is not done correctly, the truck could experience a sudden mechanical failure and crash.
- Cargo workers – If a truck’s cargo is not properly distributed and locked down, it can throw off the truck’s balance or come loose in transit.
What Must Be Proven in a Truck Accident Case?
To recover compensation for a Summerlin truck accident, you must show that someone other than you acted negligently and caused the wreck. You will also have to show that the other party’s negligent behavior directly led to your injuries.
Finding the evidence to prove another party is liable for your injuries is one of the primary goals of a trucking accident attorney. Examples of evidence include:
- The police accident report
- Your medical records
- The truck driver’s medical records
- The truck’s electronic data recorder
- Photos from the crash scene
- Surveillance photos or video footage
- Cell phone records
- Toll receipts
- Employment records
- The truck driver’s prior driving record
- The truck’s maintenance records
- Company hiring materials
While you recover from your injuries, a truck accident attorney from Sam & Ash Injury Law can gather the evidence necessary to build a persuasive claim on your behalf.
Types of Compensation in a Truck Accident Case
It’s essential to pursue all avenues of financial recovery following an accident to address your losses and future needs. A truck accident attorney in Summerlin, NV can help you demand compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation
- Lost income
- Reduced future earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Lost quality of life
At Sam & Ash Injury Law, we demand full and fair compensation for every client, every time.
Time Limitation To File a Truck Accident Lawsuit
You have two years to file a truck accident lawsuit in Nevada, but don’t wait until the last minute to get started. Truck companies work fast to protect themselves after a wreck. You want your lawyer to collect important evidence before it is lost, destroyed, or erased.
Contact a Summerlin, NV, Truck Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Summerlin, you need an experienced truck accident lawyer who will listen to your concerns and fight for What’s Right. Contact Sam & Ash Injury Law today for a free case review. There’s no fee unless we win.
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