Between the construction of new homes and businesses, the necessity of bringing shipped items into Reno or sending them out of the city, and being located in a state with highways that link to large cities, commercial trucks are a common feature on streets in our region. While the commercial trucking industry is heavily regulated, accidents still happen. If you’ve been injured in an accident with a big rig truck, you’re likely facing medical expenses that continue to mount. You should speak with a Reno Truck Accident Lawyer from Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC who is knowledgeable about trucking law and can determine your eligibility for compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
Trucks of all sizes and shapes fill Reno roads, playing a vital role in our local economy. However, their activities come with a cost. Truck accidents cause catastrophic injuries and tragic fatalities throughout Nevada, and Reno is no exception.
A Highly Regulated Industry
Because of their large size and high risk of causing catastrophic injuries to others in accidents, commercial trucks and their drivers are held to a higher standard than the drivers of passenger vehicles. Commercial truck drivers or the companies for which they work for are required to purchase a higher amount of insurance than other drivers, must obtain special licenses, and are subject to regulation by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Some of the regulations that they must abide by include:
Ben J. Bingham, Reno Truck Accident AttorneyHours of Service rules . Fatigue is a major concern among lawmakers in regards to long-haul truck drivers whose tight deadlines often force them to drive long distances and through the night. Hours of service regulations require that drivers take an off-duty break of at least thirty minutes every eight hours. Drivers can work no more than 60 hours every seven days or 70 hours every eight days, after which time the driver must take an off-duty break of at least 34 consecutive hours.
Medical fitness for duty testing to ensure that drivers are medically able to meet the demands of the job.
Workplace drug and alcohol testing in accordance with federal law.
Electronic logging devices to record hours of service. Regulators inspect these devices and the information that they provide to ensure that the driver and shipping company are abiding by the hours of service laws. The information from these devices can also be accessed in the event of an accident to determine if a driver was negligent in his or her duty to obey the law and drive safely.
Proper securement of cargo to prevent it from shifting during transport. Shifting cargo is a major source of rollover accidents with big rigs.
Rules prohibiting texting while driving and requiring hands-free cell phone usage.
Safe transportation of hazardous materials that may harm people, wildlife, and the environment should the materials spill during an accident.
In addition to the federal regulations, truck drivers in Nevada are also regulated by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles motor carrier section . The state rules govern the length and weight of trucks permitted to transport goods on roadways in the state, and also how the vehicle should be registered within the state. Trucks from out of state that weigh more than 10,000 pounds that are used for business within the state are required to bear a non-resident business permit within 10 days of commencing operations within the state. Additionally, trucks transporting hazardous materials into or through the state are required to obtain a hazmat permit.
Nevada’s joint and several liability rule allows for truck accident attorneys to hold truck drivers accountable in multi-vehicle crashes, even if the trucker was only one percent responsible for the accident. Joint liability means that each at-fault party is responsible for the full amount of damages; several liability means that each at-fault party is only responsible for their share of the liability in an accident, and the victim is left to collect each responsible party’s share separately. In most cases, including most traffic accident cases, only several liability applies. However, in the case of an accident involving a commercial truck, joint liability is available as well.
Common Causes of Reno Truck Accidents
In spite of the regulations that are in place, commercial truck accidents still occur due to negligence on the part of the truck driver. Some common negligent driving behaviors seen in truck accidents include:
Fatigue. The National Safety Council reports that driver fatigue worsens reaction time, awareness, and ability to sustain attention. Surveys suggest that violations of the hours of service regulations do occur, and that such violations increase the likelihood of fatigued driving.
Distracted driving. Truck drivers spend a lot of time in their vehicles and fall prey to the same distractions that confront other drivers, such as texting or talking on their phones, eating, and adjusting vehicle controls.
Alcohol and drug impairment. Alcohol and illegal drugs aren’t the only substances that can impair a driver. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs can also lead to impaired driving.
Poor maintenance. Trucks transporting goods across the country rack up a lot of miles. Along with those miles comes the need for frequent maintenance.
Improperly loaded or overloaded trucks. Loaded trucks that operate on U.S. highways cannot weigh more than 129,000 pounds. Those that are overloaded or are not loaded properly are harder to control, hence the tight regulations.
Speeding. Pressured to meet deadlines, commercial truck drivers sometimes exceed the speed limit to reach their destination as quickly as possible. While speeding is a major cause of traffic accidents involving any type of vehicle, fully loaded trucks can weigh up to thirty times more than passenger cars and require a lot more distance to come to a safe stop in the event of roadway hazards.
What should I do after I get into a truck accident?
Seek medical attention right away. Even if you feel okay, go see your doctor for a check-up as soon as possible. Many severe, even life-threatening, truck accident-related injuries do not necessarily show symptoms immediately. Seeking medical care ensures that you receive prompt treatment for any hidden injuries, and also creates important records of your treatment that may prove vital to recovering compensation in any legal proceeding.
In addition to seeking medical help, also consider the following steps:
At the accident scene, immediately call 911. Remain there until first responders arrive. Tell them what happened, but take care not to say anything that someone could misinterpret as you taking the blame for what happened.
Report any property damage to your auto insurance company. Again, be careful about the language you use. Do not engage in any discussions with anyone else’s insurance company.
Contact an experienced Reno truck accident injury attorney right away. The sooner you have knowledgeable legal counsel looking out for your interests, the better your chances of recovering any compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses
Injuries From Truck Accidents
Accidents that involve commercial trucks often involve severe injuries and fatalities. Those who survive such accidents are often left with debilitating and sometimes permanent injuries. Some common injuries that are involved in truck accidents include:
Internal bleeding** or hemorrhaging, generally caused by the truck rolling over or falling onto a passenger car.
Cuts or impalement from pieces of broken glass or metal.
Neck, head, or spinal injuries that may leave a victim paralyzed or suffering from severe head or brain trauma.
Burns from the airbags or from fuel or hazardous materials that the truck is carrying. Fires started by a fuel tank that ruptures in an accident can also cause burns.
Broken bones, which are often severe due to the impact of colliding with a large vehicle.
Well, it depends. As a general rule, victims of Reno truck accidents have the right to take legal action seeking compensation from anyone whose actions or decisions caused them harm. Truck accidents have a wide variety of causes, and so, lots of individuals or entities might have legal liability for the damages they cause.
Typically, experienced Reno truck accident lawyers will evaluate whether an injured client has a legal claim against:
The truck driver or any other motorists whose actions led to the crash;
The employer of any of those drivers, if they were working at the time of the crash;
Any mechanic or maintenance contractor who may have failed to keep a truck or other vehicle in working order, leading to the crash;
Anyone who improperly loaded or secured cargo on the truck, causing it to crash; and
The manufacturer of any defective car or truck part that failed, leading to the crash.
These are just some of the parties who may have a legal liability to a Reno truck crash victim. Working with an experienced Reno truck accident lawyer is the most reliable way to figure out who may have liability to you for your injuries.
How much is my truck accident claim worth?
Every Reno truck accident has its own facts and circumstances, so the size of a victim’s potential injury claim can vary widely. The amount of money you might receive for injuries and losses you sustained in a Reno truck accident will likely depend on:
The extent and severity of your injuries, and your prospects for making a full physical recovery.
The amount of time and energy making a full recovery will take.
The amount of money you have spent, and will need to spend, on medical care and other services, because of your injury.
The amount of income you have lost, and will lose, because of your injuries.
The negative impact your injuries have had on you physically, emotionally, and socially.
The number of individuals or entities who have a legal liability to you for your injuries.; and
The financial resources available, either through insurance or assets, to pay you the compensation you deserve.
The most reliable way to determine how much money you should hope to receive for your Reno truck accident injuries is to work with an experienced Reno truck accident injury lawyer who knows how to evaluate your condition and determine the full financial scope of the harm you have suffered.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
Under Nevada law, in most cases, you have just two years from the date of your injuries in a Reno truck accident to take legal action for compensation. That is why it is so important to hire an experienced Reno truck accident injury attorney as soon as possible. Two years might seem like a long time, but for lawyers, it is not. Experienced attorneys know that to ensure a Reno truck accident victim has the best possible chance at recovering maximum compensation, getting to work right away after an accident can make a world of difference in the final outcome.
What should I look for in a Reno truck accident attorney?
Truck accidents often saddle victims with extensive injuries, significant medical expenses, tens of thousands of dollars of lost income, and a diminished quality of life. An experienced Reno truck accident lawyer aims to remedy as many of those harms as possible by seeking maximum compensation for an injured client.
After a Reno truck accident, look for an attorney who has represented victims of truck accidents who suffered injuries similar to yours. Do not make the mistake of hiring an attorney who handles car accidents only. Truck accidents often involve far more legal and factual complications than crashes between passenger vehicles.
Find a Reno truck accident lawyer who has the know-how and resources to track down all of the parties who might have a legal liability to you, and the determination to hold as many of them accountable as possible.
Also, favor an attorney who has a track record of success in and out of the courtroom. Many personal injury lawyers spend their lives negotiating settlements, but shy away from taking a case to trial. Skilled truck accident injury attorneys have the confidence to prepare and pursue a case as if it will end up in front of a Reno judge and jury. Make a lawyer with those skills your pick to represent you after a Reno truck accident leaves you injured.
If you sustained an injury or lost a loved one due to a truck accident in Reno, let us help you determine your legal options. We also serve clients in Lake Tahoe, Sparks, and Carson City. Schedule your free consultation today by contacting Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC online or by calling us at (775) 600-6000.
“Best law firm! Thank you Benson & Bingham. I did my own research and found Benson & Bingham online. They lived up to their reviews. Special thank you to Cassidy for managing my case and my attorney Danielle.”
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