Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyer
Semi-Truck & 18-Wheeler Accidents in Vegas
Trucking accidents are among the most dangerous and deadly of all traffic collisions in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada and the nation. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has reported that passenger car occupants are more likely to die in truck accidents than truck occupants. In 2023, of the 4,354 people who died in truck accidents, 65% were in passenger cars.
This high fatality rate is because trucks weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger vehicles, magnifying the impact of a collision. Furthermore, trucks are taller, take longer to brake, are more difficult to maneuver, and have large blind spots that can obscure a truck driver’s view of vehicles behind them. Their greater ground clearance also causes smaller vehicles to slide beneath them in collisions.
At Cohan PLLC, we represent the injured and those who have lost a loved one in truck accidents in and around Las Vegas. These cases are often highly complex because multiple parties may be liable, and truck companies and their insurers work diligently to reduce or avoid liability. Our comprehensive approach includes not only legal representation but also working closely with medical professionals to assess the long-term impact of injuries sustained in truck accidents, ensuring that all aspects of a client's recovery and compensation are considered.
Our firm understands the challenges of personal injury claims against significant corporate interests. Attorney Cohan is an experienced litigator who meticulously investigates accidents and builds claims for optimum results. We can aggressively advocate for your rights and best interests in truck accident claims and lawsuits.
Request a free case analysis with a Las Vegas truck accident attorney at Cohan PLLC by calling (702) 623-3579 or contacting us online. Hablamos español.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Many factors can cause or contribute to truck accidents, such as:
- Braking capability: Fully loaded tractor-trailers need 20 to 40 percent more stopping distance than passenger cars. This becomes even more pronounced when brakes are poorly maintained or when driving on wet or slippery surfaces.
- Driver fatigue: Federal hours-of-service regulations only permit truck drivers to operate their vehicles for specific periods; however, drivers often exceed these regulations to meet tight deadlines.
- Distracted driving: This includes any activity that diverts attention from driving, such as texting, talking on the phone, or eating. With the increasing use of smartphones, distractions are more prevalent, and truck drivers are not immune to these dangerous behaviors, which can lead to catastrophic accidents.
- Speeding: Truck drivers often face strict deadlines, which can tempt them to exceed speed limits. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to react to sudden changes in traffic conditions and increases the severity of a crash. Due to their size and weight, trucks require more time to stop; hence, speeding can have deadly consequences.
- Improper vehicle maintenance: Neglecting regular maintenance checks can lead to mechanical failures, which are significant causes of truck accidents. Issues such as brake failure, tire blowouts, or malfunctioning lights can create hazardous situations on the road. Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are well-maintained to prevent these incidents.
- Adverse weather conditions: Inclement weather, such as rain, snow, or fog, can severely impact driving conditions. Reduced visibility and slippery roads can increase the risk of accidents. Truck drivers must adjust their driving behavior during poor weather, but some may not take the necessary precautions, leading to collisions.
- Inexperienced or untrained drivers: New or poorly trained drivers may not have the skills to handle large vehicles safely. Underestimating the challenges of operating a truck, such as the turning radius and braking distance, can increase the likelihood of accidents.
- Vehicle overloading: Overloading a truck beyond its weight limit can impact its braking and handling capabilities. Excessive weight increases the distance needed to stop, leading to instabilities while driving. Trucking companies must adhere to weight restrictions to ensure safe operation.
- Road conditions: Poor road conditions, including potholes, debris, or road construction, can contribute to truck accidents. Truck drivers must navigate these hazards, and a lack of proper signage or warnings about such conditions can lead to dangerous situations.
If these or other factors contributed to the 18-wheeler accident that you or a loved one suffered, then you might be able to seek compensation from the responsible parties. Before your chance to file a claim expires, be sure to contact one of our big accident attorneys as soon as possible.
A commercial truck accident attorney at Cohan PLLC is ready to talk to you about your case and legal options. Call (702) 623-3579 today.
Truck Accident Injuries & Damages
Truck accidents involve semis, big rigs, tractor-trailers, tankers, and other commercial vehicles. When involved in a truck crash, your injuries can range from whiplash to catastrophic brain injuries, severe burns, spinal cord damage, or loss of limbs.
Common types of injuries and damages associated with truck accidents include:
- Severe physical injuries
- Long-term medical care
- Significant financial loss
- Non-economic damages
Your damages can include medical expenses for hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitative therapies, ongoing medical care, and needed renovations to your home or vehicle due to permanent disability. Loss of wages, income, or lost earning capacity may also be awarded along with pain and suffering. To understand the damages pertinent to your case, you need to consult with one of our truck accident attorneys, who can review your circumstances. Additionally, the emotional impact of these injuries can be profound, affecting mental health and family dynamics. It is essential for victims to seek not only physical healing but also psychological support to navigate the aftermath of a traumatic accident.
It is critical to work with a commercial truck accident attorney who can ensure that all aspects of compensation reflect your needs for both current and future care. For families navigating these injuries, understanding your legal rights can be the difference in accessing the full range of medical, economic, and personal support available under Nevada law.
How a Commercial Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You in Las Vegas
Navigating the legal system after a collision with a large vehicle like a semi-truck can be highly complex, especially when dealing with corporate trucking companies and their insurers. Choosing an experienced commercial truck accident attorney means that you have an advocate who understands not only Nevada accident laws but also the regulations and industry practices specific to operators traveling through Las Vegas.
A commercial truck accident attorney supports your claim in several important ways:
- Thorough investigation: Gathering driver logs, company safety records, and on-board data from commercial vehicles.
- Local legal insights: Understanding Nevada’s comparative fault laws and local court expectations.
- Negotiation experience: Handling aggressive insurers and negotiating settlements that reflect the full impact of your losses and injuries.
An attorney who focuses on truck accidents ensures the legal process is handled while you are freed up to prioritize and focus on recovery. This partnership allows you to pursue justice and safeguards your ability to move forward after a life-changing event.
Federal & State Trucking Regulations in Nevada
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) established hours-of-service regulations for driving 18-wheelers. These rules restrict the hours a commercial truck driver can be on the road and require truckers and trucking companies to keep detailed records for review.
Under the current regulations, a commercial truck driver can be on the road for:
- No more than 11 hours of daily driving with a 14-hour workday cap;
- No more than a minimum average of 70 hours a workweek; and
- If the weekly limit is reached, they may continue driving after 34 hours of consecutive rest.
Truckers must also take a 30-minute break within the first 8 hours of their shift. These regulations were formulated by scientific testing.
Who Is Required to Comply with Regulations?
Most commercial truck drivers are required to comply with the hours-of-service regulations.
Generally, these federal hours-of-service (HOS) regulations apply to truck drivers operating large trucks that:
- Weigh more than 10,000 pounds;
- Have a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 10,000 pounds; or
- Transport materials requiring placards.
Truckers are required by law to keep a log to record their hours. Any person subject to these regulations must complete this log every driving day. Unfortunately, logbooks can be fabricated, falsified, or altered by truckers who violate the rules.
Far too many trucking accidents have been revealed to be caused by a driver who was simply on the road for too long. In instances like this, the trucker and even the trucking company can be held liable if it is proven that the company encouraged the driver to violate hours-of-service regulations. Furthermore, technological solutions, such as electronic logging devices (ELDs), have been mandated to mitigate logbook tampering, ensuring a more accurate record of work hours.
The Difference Between Interstate & Intrastate in Truck Accidents
Slight distinctions often make significant differences when analyzing legal matters. Whether discussing commerce, trucking, or driving, the prefix intra- means "within," and inter- means "between."
Where driving is concerned, interstates are freeways or highways that cross state lines. Intrastate is a state highway that begins and ends in the same state. In these matters, interstate trucking means a professional driver licensed to drive a commercial motor vehicle across state lines, and intrastate trucking involves permission to drive a commercial motor vehicle only within a state's boundaries.
Why Is the Difference Between Interstate vs. Intrastate Trucking Important?
The distinction between interstate and intrastate trucking is essential because the laws governing the drivers, vehicles, and trucking companies differ in interstate vs. intrastate trucking.
Because of this distinction, commercial drivers are licensed differently, depending on the circumstances. Additionally, trucking companies may face regulatory and insurance issues if they allow one of their intrastate drivers to cross state lines. If an intrastate driver gets into an accident in another state, the penalties are severe for the trucking company and any related parties.
If you were injured in a truck accident with an intrastate truck driver outside of their state of licensure, the insurance carrier may try to refuse to pay for your accident. In this unfortunate scenario, you must understand your rights and options by discussing your case with our Las Vegas truck accident lawyer.
Experienced Legal Representation in Las Vegas Truck Accident Cases
We are highly experienced in gathering evidence and building claims in truck accident cases we represent. Our truck accident attorneys immediately secure the driver’s logbook, black box, and Electronic Control Module (ECM) records. ECM records provide crucial information about the truck’s operation before, during, and after the accident. We also send accident reconstruction experts to inspect the scene and the vehicles involved in the crash.
Our process for building a strong truck accident claim in Las Vegas includes several key steps:
- Securing time-sensitive evidence: Collecting driver logbooks, electronic data, accident scene photos, and police reports.
- Engaging experts: Working with accident reconstruction professionals.
- Analyzing compliance: Reviewing company records to confirm compliance with Nevada and federal trucking regulations.
- Identifying all liable parties: Evaluating the roles of drivers, trucking companies, and even third-party contractors involved in the shipment.
We know what to look for and analyze to determine liability, whether it involves the driver, the trucking company, or a third party. We can build claims that get results through our extensive investigation process and evidence analysis. By retaining a tractor trailer accident attorney Las Vegas knows and trusts, you can benefit from proven experience, knowledge, and aggressive advocacy that can help you pursue the justice you need and deserve.
Reach us online or at (702) 623-3579 for a free case evaluation with a Las Vegas truck accident attorney.
Las Vegas Truck Accident FAQ
What Should I Do Immediately After a Truck Accident?
After a truck accident, your priority should be safety. First, ensure that you and others involved are out of harm's way, if possible. Check for injuries and call 9-1-1 to report the accident and request medical assistance. While waiting for help, gather evidence if it is safe to do so. Take photos of the scene, the vehicles involved, and any visible injuries. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other party, but avoid discussing details about the accident as this could affect your case later. Once the authorities arrive, they will collect vital information and create an official accident report, which will be important for your case process. Consult a truck accident lawyer in Las Vegas who is experienced in handling such matters. At Cohan PLLC, we offer guidance on preserving evidence and navigating the legal maze following a serious truck accident, helping you firmly establish your case.
Why Are Truck Accidents More Dangerous than Car Accidents?
Truck accidents are often more severe than car accidents due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks. A fully loaded 18-wheeler can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, drastically intensifying the impact of a collision compared to a standard passenger vehicle. This significant disparity can lead to more severe injuries and higher fatality rates. Furthermore, the design of trucks, particularly their height and ground clearance, creates situations where smaller vehicles can underride trucks during crashes, resulting in catastrophic events. Trucks also have more extensive blind spots, increasing the likelihood of collisions, especially during lane changes. The stopping distances for trucks are also much longer than those of regular cars, which adds to the risk of rear-end collisions. The legal and financial ramifications are often more complex, involving multiple liable parties such as trucking companies, insurers, and freight owners, thus necessitating specialized legal intervention.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?
Liability in a truck accident can extend beyond the truck driver to include multiple parties such as trucking companies, vehicle manufacturers, and sometimes loading companies or maintenance providers. The truck driver could be liable due to negligent actions like speeding or distracted driving. The trucking company may also share liability if they were negligent in their hiring practices, failed to provide adequate training, or pressured drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines that violate safety protocols. Additionally, if a mechanical issue contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of truck parts or the company responsible for truck maintenance might also be liable. Proper legal guidance is necessary to examine all potential causes and parties involved, ensuring that you pursue the maximum compensation available. At Cohan PLLC, we thoroughly investigate each accident, collecting relevant evidence to help accurately determine all liable parties involved and strategically manage the case process.
If you have any further questions about your accident, reach out to a Las Vegas truck accident lawyer today by calling (702) 623-3579.
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Results-Driven Representation You Can Trust
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"Highly recommend."He was very informative, helpful, and knowledgeable. Everything was explained to me so that I could understand.- S.D.
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"5 stars!"Very capable lawyer who made the process easy and got me the maximum settlement. 5 stars!- A.A.
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"I highly recommend Chasen Cohan to anyone in need of a top-tier personal injury attorney."Choosing Chasen to represent me was one of the best decisions I made, and I am incredibly grateful for his outstanding service.- E.N.
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