Driving a truck is a stressful job that requires significant skill. Trucks are cumbersome to handle and drivers are under pressure to deliver their loads on time. This combination can lead to unsafe practices that cause accidents.
If you suffered injuries in a wreck involving a big rig or another large commercial vehicle, our dedicated attorneys at LVNV Legal | Injury Law Firm can help you seek monetary damages to compensate you for your losses. A North Las Vegas truck accident lawyer can help you and your family get the support you need to move forward.
In a lawsuit seeking damages, the person who sustains injuries (plaintiff) must prove that another party’s negligence contributed to the incident that injured them.
Proving negligence requires you to establish that the defendant violated a duty and that your injuries resulted from the violation.
Trucks are common carriers under federal transportation law, and they have the duty to use the highest degree of care to ensure the safety of others on the road. Our skilled local lawyers at LVNV Legal can seek evidence of trucker negligence such as a driver’s:
These items could show that the trucker was violating federal work rules, driving while distracted, or has a history of reckless driving. Securing the truck’s black box and any in-cab video could also yield useful evidence.
If a truck driver received a citation for a moving violation in relation to the accident, the ticket might establish negligence per se. Negligence per se means that you do not need to prove a breach of duty—the fact that the trucker violated the law is sufficient evidence of negligent conduct. If there was negligence per se, you only need to prove that the trucker’s actions caused your injury.
Truck crash cases are complicated because there are often multiple potentially liable parties. In addition to the truck driver, other drivers might have been negligent. The injured plaintiff also might have been negligent, but unless they were more than 50 percent at fault for the crash they could still collect reduced damages.
A trucker’s employer could be liable under the theory of vicarious liability, which makes an employer responsible for the negligence of their employees. The trucking company could also be liable if there is evidence they flaunted work rules or engaged in negligent hiring. If poor maintenance was a factor in causing the crash, the maintenance company might have liability. Additionally, a manufacturer could be liable if mechanical failure was an issue.
If an on-duty public employee was involved in the accident, or if the road was poorly maintained, stoplights malfunctioned, or road markings were unclear, a municipal or government entity might bear some liability. There are many special rules regulating claims against local governments, so it is critical to have the assistance of a knowledgeable North Las Vegas attorney.
Damages could compensate you for the expenses you incurred because of the tractor-trailer accident. However, you must present evidence supporting your plea for damages.
Economic damages include out-of-pocket expenses related to treating the injury and its aftermath. Lost wages and fringe benefits also are included in an award of economic damages.
Non-economic damages include sums for your diminished quality of life. You could receive payments for disfigurement, physical impairment, pain, emotional suffering, inconvenience, and lost enjoyment of life.
Nevada Revised Statute §42.005 allows you to seek punitive damages in some rare cases. In a truck accident case, punitive damages might be available if the trucker was drinking alcohol or using drugs at the time of the crash. An experienced North Las Vegas attorney could advise you on whether the circumstances of your semi-truck crash support a claim for punitive damages.
If you are recovering from injuries you suffered in an accident with a tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle, having the right representation is critical. The trucking industry and their insurers do not hesitate to take advantage of people injured by their vehicles.
A North Las Vegas truck accident lawyer can investigate the incident, secure the evidence, interview witnesses, and communicate with the trucking company insurers. Make an appointment at LVNV Legal today to speak with a trustworthy advocate.
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