Summerlin may not be as congested as other parts of Clark County, like Las Vegas, but it still sees its fair share of large trucks. If you have been injured because of the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company, you need the experienced support and representation of an H&P Law Summerlin personal injury lawyer.
Our Summerlin truck accident lawyer is part of a team with more than 60 years of combined experience. We take pride in our commitment to our clients and provide comprehensive legal strategies to help them recover the maximum compensation possible. When you choose H&P Law, you choose a compassionate approach to legal representation.
Recourse After a Summerlin Truck Accident
You may not be sure what to do following a truck accident or even what you can do. Ideally, you are familiar with your basic rights before the situation occurs, but if you aren’t, know that you have a few options available to you. These are:
- You are allowed to seek compensation for injury and damages caused by someone else’s negligence
- You have the right to secure representation to help in your endeavor to recover compensation
- You have a right to have your valid case heard in court
The aftermath of an accident can be confusing and overwhelming. When in doubt, call our team at H&P Law for a consultation. You may work with our truck accident lawyer in Summerlin to determine the appropriate legal steps for you.
Causes of Summerlin Truck Accidents
Truck drivers are generally required to obtain a commercial driver’s license to drive vehicles of a certain size and weight. The Nevada Department of Transportation requires individuals to complete coursework and a skills test to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). In most situations, this makes truck drivers more prepared than most, but that does not make them immune to some of the many causes of accidents, such as:
- Distracted driving
- Driving in violation of Hours of Service (HOS) requirements
- Improperly loaded or secured cargo
- Failure to check the blind spot
- Following too closely
- Mechanical failure
- Failure to maintain lane
- Wide turns
Some accidents are unavoidable, but the National Safety Council’s most recent data on large trucks shows that most accidents happen off the highway, where driving is less predictable than on the interstate. Additionally, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Fatality Facts 2023 report shows that most fatal truck accidents involved head-on collisions, followed by collisions with the truck’s side and with the truck’s rear.
Liability in a Summerlin Truck Accident Case
Liability in an accident refers to who is responsible for the accident. One of the first concerns is determining who is liable in a commercial truck accident. Cases involving large trucks can be more complicated because multiple parties may be liable for various reasons.
Driver negligence is a very common cause of trucking accidents in our area. It is fully preventable and can mean that victims suffer injuries because of the driver’s recklessness.
If the driver is blatantly at fault, this could be due to violating traffic laws or failing to comply with safety standards. In situations like this, the liability can be attributed to the driver. Often, the officer on the scene will provide the driver with a citation that can be used as evidence in your case.
Third-Party Involvement
The driver has only so much influence over the truck and cargo’s overall care and maintenance. An example of third-party negligence could be poor or absent maintenance. For example, this may put liability on the truck owner or mechanic if the brakes are ineffective.
Another situation involving third-party involvement is the unfortunate event of cargo shifting or falling, which can cause the truck to lose control. In such circumstances, third-party dock workers or the managing company may be responsible for unsafe loading or improper cargo securing.
Generally, if a company is being pursued for compensation, it will also involve attorneys and insurance companies. You need an attorney ready to fight for you in these cases. Our Summerlin truck accident lawyer becomes your advocate.
Types of Truck Accidents We Handle
Our Summerlin truck accident attorney can help you navigate your rights in all types of truck accidents. If you are suffering injuries and financial losses due to the actions of a truck driver or trucking company, reach out to us. Some examples of the types of truck accidents we see include the following:
- T-Bone accidents often occur at intersections when one vehicle strikes the side of the other
- Rear-end accidents, whether the truck strikes the back of another vehicle or a car strikes the back of the truck
- Jackknife accidents, resulting in the trailer swinging out next to the tractor, creating a V shape, often as a result of speeding or cargo mistakes
- Rollover accidents are often the result of high rates of speed or aggressive actions by the trucking company
- Head-on collisions are often due to the mistakes of the driver crossing the center line, such as due to distractions or fatigue
- Mechanical failures, including tire blowouts and brake failures due to poor maintenance
- Cargo loss or dislodging, resulting in the driver losing control
In these cases, our Summerlin truck accident lawyer will work hard to gather all the evidence available in your case. We use that information to determine who is at fault and to determine who should pay for your losses. Expect us to be aggressive in that process.
Summerlin Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accidents can mean catastrophic injuries to those involved. The National Safety Council has reported almost 6,000 fatalities nationally in recent reporting years. In the cases of individuals who survive accidents, some of the more common injuries are:
- Lacerations
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Internal bleeding
- Limb amputation
Physical injuries are the primary concern for ensuring your safety and receiving treatment. However, many people may also experience symptoms of anxiety and depression following a truck accident. Any of the aforementioned injuries has the potential to disrupt your life and functioning significantly, making it more difficult to cope with trauma after an accident.
Summerlin Truck Accident Compensation
If you have been significantly injured after your truck accident, compensation and damages are likely a focus of your work with our Summerlin truck accident attorney. Many truck accident victims are curious about what to expect regarding their damages in a large truck accident in Nevada. Some of the things you may expect to claim in damages are:
- Current medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Costs for necessary home modifications
- Medical equipment costs
- Lost wages due to missed work
- Loss of income should you be unable to return to work
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
These damages may be determined with your attorney using medical invoices and receipts, calculating lost wages based on hours missed from work due to your injury, or household support expenses. Pain and suffering or emotional anguish expenses may be based on the total of the actual costs of your injury.
When You Are Partially to Blame
Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence rule. That means that your compensation may be lowered if you are found at fault. You can still seek compensation as long as you are no more than 50% to blame for the incident.
How to File a Claim After a Truck Accident
Now that you know what your truck accident claim may be worth, set up some time to speak to our legal team. The sooner you take action, the faster we can begin working on your case and claim. Consider what typically occurs during this legal process:
- We will investigate your case. Our goal is to identify all parties at fault and gather as much evidence as possible to prove that their actions caused the incident.
- Our attorneys then calculate all of your losses and build your claim to its maximum value.
- We negotiate your claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Our experience in building evidence-based claims and negotiating on our client’s behalf allows us to settle most claims out of court.
When the insurance company refuses to settle the claim, expect us to fight for a fair recovery in court. We will seek a lawsuit, go to court to fight for you, and provide you with the legal representation you deserve.
Call a Truck Accident Attorney in Summerlin Today
Recovering from injuries is hard work, and at H&P Law, a Summerlin truck accident attorney wants to ease some of that pressure by handling the day-to-day legal matters and allowing you more time and energy to focus on your recovery. If you are unsure whether you want an attorney, you can contact us for a free case consultation with no obligation.
We value helping our clients make informed decisions. During your free consultation, we can discuss the details of your case and help you understand the options available to you at this stage. Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to feel empowered in your decision to use our services.
