Truck Accidents

Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyer

Trucking accidents are among the most dangerous and deadly of all traffic collisions in Las Vegas, Nevada, and across 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 2022, of the 4,764 people who died in truck accidents, 66% 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 him. 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 are often highly complex cases because multiple parties may be liable, and truck companies and their insurers work diligently to reduce or avoid liability.

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 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.

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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.

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 our attorney, who can review your circumstances.

Trucking Regulations

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.

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. We immediately secure the truck 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.

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 our services, you can benefit from our experience, knowledge, and aggressive advocacy in pursuing 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.

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