Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyer
Every year there are hundreds of accidents in Nevada that involve large trucks.
Motor vehicle accidents happen many times a day in Las Vegas. While each of these accidents can be devastating and may result in death, truck accidents can be especially horrific. These collisions involve vehicles that weigh substantially more than a passenger car, and they can injure many victims. You need experienced help if you or a family member have been hurt or killed in a truck accident.
As Las Vegas truck accident lawyers with decades of experience, Paul Padda Law understands how difficult your life can be after a terrible wreck. We take a comprehensive approach to every case and our personal injury law firm will take the necessary time to get you all of the help you need after a serious truck accident. From there, we will fight to ensure you recover the compensation you are entitled to, so a single accident does not limit your entire life.
Contact us at (702) 707-7000 or through our online form to speak with an experienced and compassionate Las Vegas truck accident lawyer about your case, and how we can help. At Paul Padda Law, we offer free, no-risk consultations and there will be no up-front costs involved in your case. We are only paid when you win.
Types Of Truck Accidents That Are Common In Nevada
Every year there are hundreds of accidents in Nevada that involve large trucks. Many of these wrecks result in catastrophic injuries and some result in harm that only becomes apparent in the weeks and months that follow. Dozens of people are also killed each year in Nevada truck accidents, and the victims were not surprisingly almost always traveling in smaller vehicles.
Some of the most common types of collisions include:
Rollovers
These can happen for a variety of reasons, but most commonly due to the truck driver losing control due to being inattentive or careless.
A truck that suddenly slams on the brakes can be especially dangerous since smaller passenger cars can become lodged under the trailer. This is called an under-ride, and it can also happen on the side of the truck’s trailer.
These commonly happen when trucks fail to stop for red lights or stop signs, or when they lose control of their trailers.
Blind spot crashes
Trucks have large blind spots, and they can create deadly wrecks when failing to notice vehicles or pedestrians as they are turning or making a lane change.
Jackknife collisions
A truck braking too hard can cause it’s trailer to skid outwards and to the side, hitting something in another lane.
Head-on collisions
Being in a head-on collision with a large truck will often result in horrific injuries or death.
Wide turning accidents
Trucks will often swing in one direction as they begin their turn towards to opposite direction. These wide turns take up a huge part of an intersection, and they can trap cars between the truck and the curb.
Spilled load accidents
Lost cargo can cause serious accidents, and sometimes the type of cargo being hauled is hazardous or sharp.
Many people think that serious truck accidents usually happen on busy highways. However, deadly wrecks are more likely to be on smaller roads. This might be because drivers are less attentive on rural or neighborhood roads. Paul Padda Law and our Las Vegas truck accident attorneys have seen a great variety of truck collisions and know how to help injured victims.
Investigating Trucking Companies And Your Accident
There are many state and federal laws and regulations that specifically relate to the trucking industry. These rules and requirements will have a significant impact on your case. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees all trucking regulations within the United States. They work alongside state governments and various safety groups to make sure that there are reasonable and strong requirements that truck drivers and companies must follow.
An investigation into a truck accident will involve looking at the FMCSA’s rules when we are seeking to establish who was responsible. Of the many regulations that are specifically applied to trucks by state and federal governments, some would include:
- Driver licensing and fitness – Driver’s must acquire appropriate commercial licenses, and having too many incidences on their record can keep them off the road.
- Hours of service – Unlike normal motor vehicle drivers, the driving hours of truckers are regulated and closely monitored.
- Vehicle fitness – Trucks must undergo regular inspections, and failure to meet certain scores can penalize the owners or keep them from driving.
- Hazardous materials – Cargo that is deemed to be dangerous must be identified and properly hauled. Insurance requirements are more demanding for trucks hauling hazardous material.
Every truck accident is different. In some cases, the driver was clearly at fault, but other times it might be uncertain who holds responsibility. Perhaps the company that owns the truck acted carelessly, or a third party who loaded the vehicle did so against established safety standards. The background of every party must be investigated. Sometimes trucking companies routinely send out unqualified drivers, or dangerous vehicles, onto the roadways. Your tractor trailer accident lawyer will have to be able to identify each party involved in your case, and know what their responsibilities were.
An experienced 18 wheeler truck accident lawyer understands what trucking regulations will come into play in your case. If there is a clear violation of a trucking industry standard, it might be easier for you to get the proper financial help you need in a quick settlement. However, truck accident law can be very technical and complex, and you must have a lawyer who knows how state and federal regulations will apply to your case. Our firm has a deep knowledge of truck accidents, and we have successfully used our extensive background to help many clients recover.
A Skilled Attorney Can Recover The Compensation That You Need
Paul Padda Law is well known for recovering damages that other firms often leave behind. This is due to our efforts to fully understand each case, and then to aggressively pursue the financial help that our clients need. Truck accident injuries commonly result in the need for significant medical care and treatment. You will not only need help with your current bills, but you might need expensive medical attention for years or the rest of your life.
Trucking companies and their insurance providers can become very aggressive when they are facing the possibility of a large payout. However, you have the right to pursue compensation for your losses, and these damages can be substantial. Fortunately, federal law requires that interstate trucks have increased insurance policies. Vehicles that are at least 10,000 pounds must have at least $750,000 in coverage. However, this requirement can go up to $5,000,000 in coverage if there are hazardous materials onboard. Our truck accident lawyers can help you recover sufficient compensation for the following after a truck wreck:
- Medical bills
- Future medical and therapy needs
- Physical rehabilitation equipment costs
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages and future earning potential
- Training for necessary change in career
- Equipment and modifications to make your life easier at home or work
- Steps to Take After Being In A Serious Truck Accident
Truck wrecks are chaotic, and they can happen when we least expect. You might not know exactly what hit you when you are first colliding with an out of control truck. You or your passengers can be seriously injured, and you might not be able to move. Truck accidents are always different, but some steps to follow if you ever find yourself in one of these wrecks would be:
Get yourself to safety – The scene of your accident will be very dangerous since there can be sharp debris and passing vehicles may fail to slow down. If possible, move to a safe location before doing anything else.
Call for emergency help – Call 911 and get help for yourself and everyone present. Stay on the line if possible.
Call your truck accident attorney – The sooner your attorney gets involved, the easier it will be to figure out exactly what happened as you seek compensation.
Give the police a full report if possible – Tell the responding officers everything that you witnessed. A good police report will help your attorney understand what happened, and it will put your version on record.
Write down everything you recall – Be sure to write down a timeline of events as you remember, and a list of people who were there. Writing things down as soon as possible helps you preserve memories, and this written testimony will be of great help to your lawyer.
Keep up with your medical treatment – Closely following your doctors’ orders can help your recovery, and it prevents the other side from arguing that your injuries are not that bad. Ask questions about how your injuries will impact your life going forward.
A Truck Accident Lawyer From Paul Padda Law Can Help You
Truck accidents kill innocent motorists every year. Furthermore, many more people are severely injured. If you or a loved one have been hurt in one of these collisions, your life can be changed forever. The lawyers with Paul Padda Law have spent decades fighting for the victims of trucking accidents and are ready to help you too. These cases are not like normal car crashes. There are many technical factors involved, and the insurance companies have significant resources to fight against being held liable. Your lawyer must be knowledgeable on how truck accident victims can realistically achieve damages through the Nevada legal process.
Paul Padda Law is dedicated to getting a full understanding of how an accident affects each one of our clients. Knowing everything that has happened to your life after an accident can help us make sure that we recover every bit of financial compensation that you deserve. To speak with a skilled and compassionate Las Vegas truck accident lawyer today, call us at (702) 707-7000 or through our online form.
