Colliding with a large truck can cause devastating damage to both body and property. When these large truck accidents occur, occupants of smaller vehicles often have to deal with life-changing consequences. Seeking compensation may help victims adjust to life after an accident, but the process can be complicated and overwhelming.
Due to complexities of the law and liability, large truck accident settlement determination is best accomplished through a personal injury attorney. If you have suffered injuries in a large truck accident, reach out to Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys. Your initial consultation is free, and there is no fee until we win your case.
Share the Road with Large Trucks
Of course, the best way to avoid suffering severe injury from a truck accident is to effectively share the road with larger vehicles. If you find yourself cruising alongside a big rig, make sure to give it space. Also, never tailgate a truck, and remain aware of blind spots by staying where the driver can see you.
Furthermore, you should always pass a slower truck on the left side, where the driver expects to see a passing car. Upon re-entering their lane, leave extra space between you in case the driver needs to slow down. Finally, should you notice a truck moving erratically on the highway, give it a wide berth. These tips will help you keep you and your loved ones safer on Nevada roads.
Causes of Common Large Truck Accidents
Sometimes, no matter how well you share the road with a truck, accidents can happen. 18-wheelers, construction trucks, and moving trucks are much larger than the average passenger vehicle, meaning one small mistake may lead to terrible consequences and catastrophic injuries. There are many causes of accidents involving large trucks, including:
- A wide left turn that strikes another vehicle or pedestrian.
- The mere weight of the truck, which makes it impossible to accomplish a sudden slow down or stop.
- Negligent actions, such as failing to maintain the truck, which can lead to equipment malfunctions and more.
- Fatigued drivers that spend too many hours on the road without a break.
- Poor weather, which worsens already less than optimal road conditions.
- Those behind the wheel that may have had too much to drink, leading to impaired driving.
- Cell phone use, eating, drinking, or using a navigation system that may distract the driver.
Of course, there are many more causes of common large truck accidents. In order to seek maximum compensation, it is of utmost importance to determine what action caused the collision. Be sure to do what you can after a Las Vegas truck accident to help build an effective case. Then, reach out to our legal team so that we can assist you with handling the injury claim process. We are here to help take the emotional weight off your shoulders so that you can focus on your recovery.
What to Do Immediately Following a Truck Accident
Immediately after a large truck accident in Las Vegas, there are certain steps to follow to help set your truck accident settlement up for success.
- First and foremost, seek any medical help necessary and move to a safe spot out of the road.
- Then, swap insurance information with the other driver.
- From there, take pictures of the damage done to your vehicle.
- When authorities arrive, ask for a copy of the statement you give to them.
- Then, collect any eyewitness testimony that is available to you.
- After following up with any medical care, make sure to save doctor’s notes, labs, and medical bills as they may be used to determine the extent of your injuries.
- It also may help to keep a log of any symptoms you may experience, as some injuries may take days or weeks to appear.
Finally, reach out to a legal representative at Lerner and Rowe by calling (702) 877-1500, using LiveChat, or filling out this online form. These seven items will help build a strong case for seeking the maximum compensation through a truck accident settlement.
Determining Liability for Large Truck Accidents
After an initial consultation to learn more about your accident, our award-winning legal team will have a better understanding on who was potentially liable for your accident. Determining fault is a key element in seeking compensation after an accident. Doing so can also be a complicated process, so it’s important to have a knowledgeable legal team on your side.
To start, our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys will review road conditions that may have contributed to your accident, such as pavement buckling, loose or missing guardrails, or broken road signs.
We will also investigate if the company that owns the truck may be at fault through negligence by choosing unqualified drivers, pushing their drivers to unrealistic deadlines, or not following safety protocols. On the other hand, the company may argue that their driver caused the accident if they were acting recklessly of their own accord outside of company policy.
Just know that large truck companies have bigger insurance policies than individual drivers, so more cash is at stake during a settlement. But, with a personal injury attorney from Lerner and Rowe on your side, you won’t need to worry about fighting the big guys for the assistance you deserve.
Construction Truck Accidents
Construction truck accidents can be even more complex, as these accidents may involve cranes, bulldozers, cement mixers, dump trucks, compactors, and other heavy vehicles.
Your attorney will look into company policies and their follow-through to determine if there was any negligence involved with the construction company itself. For instance, the load may have been too heavy or loaded improperly. Perhaps the driver was not qualified to operate this machinery, or not trained to check the larger blind spots in these vehicles.
Whatever the case, your attorney will aggressively seek the truth to work towards winning compensation for your family.
A Note on Liability Involving Moving Truck Accidents
Many people move to Las Vegas each year from out of state. Many rent moving trucks. As long as the truck is a rental, leased by a company that typically leases these vehicles, nationwide law states the company most likely cannot be held liable.
However, the company might be liable if they allow someone to lease the truck who is not capable, unlicensed, or unfit to drive. A moving truck rental company may also cause an accident if they did not maintain the vehicle correctly.
Moving truck accidents can be just as devastating as 18-wheeler accidents and construction truck accidents, so make sure to contact us if you or a loved one is injured.
Determining Your Amount of Compensation
Determining compensation may feel like putting a price on your suffering. The attorneys at Lerner and Rowe do not take this difficult task lightly. The extent of injuries, missed work days, mental and emotional anguish, and loss of companionship will all be taken into account.
After a truck accident settlement, you may be entitled to:
- Economic damages, like replacing the cost of medical treatment, hospital stays, and emergency responses. Future medical expenses may be included, as well as any current or future lost wages.
- Non-economic damages, which compensate you for your pain and suffering, mental anguish, humiliation, and even reputational damage. Compensation for loss of consortium will help with any expenses or lost wages if a loved one is no longer able to work and assist in supporting the family.
- Punitive damages, which awards money to victims, and punishes the negligent party for their actions.
This monetary compensation can’t begin to completely cover the toll a large truck accident can take. However, it may assist your family in moving forward through the recovery process and into the next chapter of life.
Wrongful Death
18-wheeler accidents and other large truck accidents cause bigger injuries, and sometimes death. If your family has had to cope with a wrongful death due to a truck accident, reach out to Lerner and Rowe as soon as possible.
Your personal injury attorney may be able to help you by proving that another person or company’s negligence caused this death. The victim will also need to be represented by an heir or other personal proxy, and show that they suffered monetary damages from the loss.
The most valuable non-legal service we provide is to carry the emotional burden of our clients so that they can focus on recovery. Once a decision is reached, your family may have the financial security necessary to move forward.
How to Get Compensation
Seeking compensation can feel overwhelming if you attempt to represent yourself. The truck driver, trucking company, or insurance carrier may try to shift the blame to you. Thankfully, even if the accident was partially your fault, Nevada has comparative negligence laws that may help you recover some monetary compensation anyways. However, this can get complicated quickly.
Your truck accident attorney at Lerner and Rowe understands the complexities of liability, compensation, and insurance. They will spend time listening to the details of your case, investigating the evidence, and negotiating on your behalf for the maximum compensation.
Call Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys Today
When wondering how to get compensation for your injuries, look no further than Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys. Our team has received thousands of five star reviews, so you know you will be in good hands as we handle your complicated case.
In Nevada, the statute of limitations for truck accidents indicates that victims have just two years to file a claim. So, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. The legal representatives at Lerner and Rowe are available to call or chat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Use our LiveChat feature or call (702) 877-1500 to speak with a representative immediately, or fill out our online form. Our representatives are ready to listen, and eager to help you and your family move forward on the road to recovery.