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In 2018, 24 people lost their lives on Nevada roads in accidents with large commercial trucks as per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Most of them were occupants of other vehicles and not the commercial truck. Thousands of other people sustained injuries in these accidents.
If you were recently injured or had a family member die in a commercial trucking accident in Nevada, you could be trusting that your compensation will eventually come, and the insurance company will do the right thing. In an ideal world, you should be able to trust that. Sadly, insurance companies do everything they can to protect their bottom line, including stalling your claim hoping that you grow weary and stop contacting them or offering you much less than what your case is worth. You need a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer on your side who isn’t afraid to hold insurance companies accountable.
Commercial trucks are usually much larger than other vehicles on the road. It takes them longer to stop and with a different center of gravity more likely to tip over. Being aware of what causes commercial truck accidents can help all motorists avoid these often-deadly crashes.
Federal law limits the amount of hours truck drivers can log at a time and requires rest periods in between those hours. To increase their productivity and salary or at the pressures of their employer, some truckers ignore these regulations causing them to drive while they are tired and fatigued.
The federal government also regulates the maintenance of commercial big rigs. The trucking company and the driver are responsible for ensuring their trucks are correctly inspected and maintained. If an accident occurs that is attributable to poor truck maintenance or faulty equipment, the truck driver and the trucking company could be held liable.
Truck drivers must have a certain number of hours of training and driving a truck with other experienced truck drivers. However, sometimes they lack the experience and training required to operate such a large vehicle safely. Instead of opting to get the training and experience they need, they put others at risk on the road.
There are also regulations that address how much weight a commercial truck should carry. Trucks that weigh more than they should or are loaded incorrectly are more likely to experience tire blowouts and jackknife accidents.
Truck drivers drive so much that they can become too relaxed when it comes to safety on the road. They might also lose their patience quickly. Unsafe truck driving practices that often cause accidents include:
When driving long hours, truck drivers can be tempted to multitask and become distracted easily. They may text and drive, open apps on their phone, frequently adjust their radio or music on their phone or take other actions that cause distraction.
Truck drivers may forget that they are operating a large vehicle that holds the potential to cause significant damage and loss of life. When this happens, a Las Vegas truck accident attorney can hold them liable for their negligence.
Liability in commercial truck accidents is not always readily apparent. Liability will depend on the status of the truck driver, whether they were employed by the trucking company and driving a company owned big rig or if they rent or own their truck and were working independently. It can also depend on the circumstances of the accident. If other drivers were involved in the accident or if the road was not properly maintained, the driver or the trucking company may not be the only liable parties. To determine who is liable for your injuries, hire a Las Vegas personal injury attorney to represent your case.
Our lawyers have the legal skills and knowledge required to thoroughly investigate commercial truck accidents and determine how much your case is worth. We can identify the people or parties who are liable for your injuries and hold them accountable for their negligence and careless actions.
Additionally, understanding the intricacies of truck accidents is crucial. For instance, the role of expert witnesses can be pivotal in such cases, shedding light on technical aspects. Moreover, being aware of certain truck driver habits can provide insights into potential causes of accidents. For a comprehensive overview of related topics, you can explore our truck accidents category.
Preserve your legal rights and options by meeting with a Las Vegas truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. Contact Gina Corena & Associates at 702-680-1111 or complete our online contact form to schedule your legal consultation.
As founder of Gina Corena & Associates, she is dedicated to fighting for the rights of the people who suffer life-changing personal injuries in car, truck and motorcycle accidents as well as other types of personal injury. Gina feels fortunate to serve the Nevada community and hold wrongdoers accountable for their harm to her clients.
