Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyer

As one of Las Vegas’ leading firms, our Las Vegas truck accident attorneys believe that cases involving large trucks will continue to rise. Large trucks are involved in over 3,700 fatal accidents, 88,000 injury accidents, and 346,000 property damage accidents in an average year! These numbers are expected to rise as we continue the miles traveled by large trucks is expected to increase.

Why Are Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers Your Choice For a Truck Accident Case?

When you have been injured and are recovering from a truck accident injury, it is vital that you secure an attorney you can trust. Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers have been representing clients in the Las Vegas area for over 15 years.

  • Our truck collision attorneys make sure to have an open line of contact with our clients so they understand what is happening every step of the way.
  • We will never recommend that you settle for less than we feel your personal injury case is worth, and we will not hesitate to go to trial on your behalf.
  • Our personal injury law firm has a success rate of 99% and have secured over $100 million for our clients.
  • Our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will never pay any legal fees until our law firm wins your case.

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What Will Your Truck Accident Attorney Do To Help Your Case?

Truck collision cases can become incredibly complex comma, and it can be difficult to determine liability. In most truck accident claims, there are many parties involved. In order to secure the maximum compensation for your truck accident injuries, there will need to be an extensive investigation into the crash. Most individuals do not have the expertise or resources to do this by themselves. Your truck collision attorney in Las Vegas will be responsible for:

  • Gathering all the evidence from the crash scene. This includes the police report, video surveillance from traffic cams or businesses, photographs from the scene, eyewitness statements, and more.
  • Ensuring that you are evaluated by a trusted medical professional who can assess the full extent of your injuries.
  • Obtaining all records related to the truck driver and trucking company, as well as maintenance logs of the truck, in order to determine liability for the crash.
  • Negotiating with every party involved in order to reach a settlement that will cover all of your accident-related expenses.

How Much Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?

While attorneys in other practice areas may charge hefty hourly rates, truck accident lawyers are different. Reputable truck crash lawyers do not charge an upfront fee or make you pay for any case expenses out-of-pocket. Your Las Vegas truck accident attorney will advance all costs related to the case, and their legal fees will be dependent on how much you are awarded in your settlement or verdict.

Most Las Vegas law firms will deduct between 33 to 40 percent of your recovery, plus court costs. This arrangement, or what is known as a contingency fee agreement, makes it far easier for injured truck accident victims to obtain representation. If you do not receive any compensation, neither does your trucking accident lawyer. You will owe nothing.

Compensation for Injured Victims of Truck Accidents

When you are harmed because of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or misconduct, then you have the right to pursue compensation for your damages, which encompass all your economic and non-economic injuries.

By working with experienced truck accident lawyers, you may obtain compensation for your:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost income
  • Lost employment benefits
  • Reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental distress
  • Disfigurement
  • Disability
  • Property damage

Every truck accident is different, and there is no guarantee of a specific minimum settlement amount. How much money you can claim hinges on a variety of factors, including the nature and extent of your injuries and other damages, the investigation and its findings, the relevant insurance policy limits, the laws governing fault and negligence, and more. When and if a settlement is offered, it will typically be negotiated in proportion to the recoverable damages listed above.

Nevada Damages Caps

Some states place caps on personal injury damages, meaning, an amount that cannot be exceeded. In Nevada, there are typically no damage caps on compensatory damages in truck accident cases, which is compensation for medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages. The only exception is if the claim involves a government employee that acted within the scope of their employment (NRS 41.035).

Punitive Damages

Nevada law does, however, limit the amount of “punitive damages” that can be awarded. Punitive damages are used as a means to punish a defendant for egregious behavior and deter others from committing similar acts. The caps are as follows:

  • $300,000 if compensatory damages are less than $100,000.
  • Three times the amount of compensatory damages if they total $100,000.00 or more.

Punitive damages are not recoverable when a claim of negligence involves a public employee.

What is Considered a Large Truck?

Truck classifications, ranging from class 1 through class 8, are used to identify the size and registration requirements of commercial vehicles traveling on our roadways. Typically, any accident involving a class 3 vehicle or higher, is considered a large trucking accident. Some examples of large vehicles include:

  • Walk-in Vans
  • Sprinter Vans
  • Box Trucks
  • Big rigs
  • City Delivery Trucks
  • Heavy-Duty Pickup Trucks
  • Bucket Trucks
  • Recycling / Garbage Trucks
  • Logging Trucks
  • Cement Trucks
  • Semi Trucks
  • City Transit Buses and School Buses
  • 18 Wheelers, 5 Axle Tractor Trailers, and Sleeper Cabs

Accidents involving commercial trucks of this size are much more dangerous given their size and weight. Property damage statistics and medical records show that accidents involving large commercial trucks are more costly than those only involving passenger vehicles.

It is imperative that individuals involved in a large truck accidents reach out to Harris and Harris Injury Lawyers. Our accident lawyers in Las Vegas will fight to ensure that you are appropriately compensated for any serious injuries and property damage.

Who is At-Fault in a Large Truck Accident?

Every accident involves its own unique set of circumstances that will determine who is at fault. Truck accidents will often involve third parties that weren’t present at the time of the accident. Many truck drivers are hired to drive a company truck but are not responsible for the maintenance of the vehicle. In the event of an accident, the liability falls on the trucking company. Determining the key cause of negligence in these cases is complicated and requires a thorough understanding of trucking laws. You will always be put first by our Las Vegas truck accident lawyers at Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck drivers are under pressure to perform and meet delivery deadlines. The trucking companies are under similar pressures to spend the least on vehicle maintenance. This further complicates the already dangerous and difficult job of driving a large truck safely. Common causes of large trucking accidents include:

  • Driver fatigue – Not all truck drivers follow the FMCSA’s drive time rules
  • Distracted driving – A truck driver may use cell phones or other items while driving
  • Tailgating – Longer stopping distance than passenger cars
  • Wide turns – Difficult navigating narrow streets and intersections
  • Rollovers – Trucks are prone to tipping over in adverse weather and driving conditions
  • Brake problems – Brake failures and other general maintenance negligence
  • Jack-knifing – Trailer uncontrollably swings forward perpendicular to the cab
  • Blind spots – A truck driver may fail to notice vehicles or pedestrians when turning or making lane changes

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accident injuries are often severe. It is not uncommon for Las Vegas truck accident attorneys to help clients who are suffering from the following:

These injuries will undoubtedly lead to victims incurring major medical expenses and life changes. Truck accident victims often carry heavy financial, emotional, and psychological burdens after a crash. The injuries discussed above can prove very serious and will cost a fortune in medical bills. If a loved one was killed due to negligence of another party, speak with a wrongful death attorney in Las Vegas. If a negligent operator was responsible, you have the right to secure fair compensation for your injuries with the help of an established personal injury law firm.

Who Regulates Truck Drivers?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for regulating all trucks that conduct business in more than one state, which is most large trucks in our area The FMCSA regulates things such as how many hours a driver can operate a day/week as well as truck maintenance requirements and maintenance records.

Trucks that operate only in Las Vegas will be regulated by various Nevada agencies and subject to similar safety requirements.

What To Do After a Truck Accident

There are specific steps to take after an injury accident with a large truck:

Get Medical Treatment

Truck accidents often result in severe injuries or death, which means many victims will be transported by emergency services to the hospital. If you have not suffered any apparent injuries, it is still necessary to be fully evaluated by a medical professional. Some serious injuries may not be immediately evident and can take time to show symptoms. Seek medical attention first and foremost after a commercial truck collision.

Preserve Any Evidence from the Crash

If possible, collect any potential evidence from the crash, including photos and video of the scene, items from inside your vehicle, and contact information for every party involved. Some evidence can appear irrelevant at first, but may prove to be critical in the final resolution of your claim.

Don’t Give a Recorded Statement

Your case could be compromised if you offer information to the trucking firm’s insurance company. Commercial insurance companies are primarily focused on resolving your claim for as little money as possible. Hiring legal representation could be pivotal in the amount of compensation you are able to recover.

Connect with our Firm

Contact a Las Vegas truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Trucks have a “black box,” which records data and may contain the information you need to prove your claim. Without us involved, this crucial data can be lost, misplaced, or purposely destroyed by the trucking companies.

Once hired, our experienced truck crash attorneys will secure the scene of the accident, preserve vital pieces of evidence, as well as take necessary photographs and witness statements. We can help you hold the trucking company and their insurance company accountable for your injuries.

Side mirror showing an approaching semi-truck

How Long Do You Have To File a Truck Accident Lawsuit?

In Nevada, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit is two years. This means that any truck accident injury victim who wishes to file a lawsuit against those responsible for their injuries must do so within two years from the date the crash occurred.

Failing to file a lawsuit within that time frame will result in the case being dismissed by the court. Please keep this time frame in mind as you move forward. A skilled Las Vegas truck accident attorney will be able to help you through this process.

Contact a Truck Accident Attorneys in Las Vegas Today

If a company is acting negligently, resulting in injury or wrongful death, that company should and will be deemed liable for the person’s injuries. The best way to take advantage of the law and gain compensation for your damages is to call a qualified Las Vegas truck accident attorney from a reputable law firm!

If you have been injured in a truck accident, Call Harris & Harris Lawyers in Las Vegas today for a free consultation: (702) 384-1414 or toll-free 1 (800) 393-2350. Or reach out to us online. Our law firm can help you fight the insurance company to recover the compensation you rightfully deserve through a truck accident claim.