Las Vegas Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accidents in Nevada often require an in-depth investigation to determine fault. After the incident, a Las Vegas semi truck accident lawyer will investigate all of the circumstances surrounding the accident. This investigation is not limited to how the actual accident occurred, there are many more details that can play a role in who was at fault. Unlike your average car accident case, a truck driver may also be liable for violating one of the many regulations that dictate when and how truckers can operate safely in the state of Nevada.

It’s not uncommon for trucking companies to sometimes encourage drivers to slightly violate regulations in order to complete a job. But the smallest oversight can lead to liability claims against the trucking company itself. The manufacturer of the vehicle can also be liable if it failed to comply with all necessary regulations. When injured in an 18 wheeler accident, it’s essential to hire a Las Vegas truck accident lawyer who is well versed in Nevada’s commercial vehicle laws. Commercial vehicle laws include regulations such as license requirements, the duties of employers, proper equipment of vehicles, and vehicle size/weight requirements.

At the Spartacus Law Firm, we vow to use our legal knowledge and experience to ensure a proper liability investigation after a trucking accident. For example, in a commercial vehicle or semi-truck accident, there is usually video evidence and other data recorded by the commercial vehicle. We understand the urgency needed to request and secure this information, and we will take the necessary measures to obtain this evidence before it’s too late.

Chapter 706 of the Nevada Revised Statutes discusses motor carrier laws in the state which are relevant to trucks such as tractor trailers, 18-wheelers, and other commercial trucks like those used by U-Haul and FedEx. The State of Nevada prioritizes road safety and preventing harmful truck accidents which is evident in the following statutes:

NRS 706.246 – Places limitations on the use of unsafe vehicles. This statute declares it a state violation to allow or permit the driver of a motor carrier to drive or tow a vehicle that has been regarded by inspection to be unsafe or hazardous on the road. The vehicle is required by law to pass a vehicle inspection if it is to be operated on the highway. Motor carrier vehicles must be able to prove adequate mechanical condition to be considered safe for highway travel. This statute is important in truck accidents because if the motor carrier fails to prove the safety of their vehicle, they will likely be deemed at fault for the accident. Proving this can significantly improve your chances of a successful truck accident case.

NRS 706.251 – Requires the driver of a motor carrier vehicle to report any crashes that occur on the public highway. The statute specifically states that “Every person operating a vehicle used by any motor carrier under the jurisdiction of the Authority shall forthwith report each crash occurring on the public highway, wherein the vehicle may have injured the person or property of some person other than the person or property carried by the vehicle, to the sheriff or other peace officer of the county where the crash occurred.” This ensures that all truck accidents are properly reported and all necessary authorities are notified. This can also help your case as it provides direct access to information regarding the crash that may be useful when seeking compensation.

NRS 706.491 – Requires all motor carriers to be properly licensed. Motor carriers must obtain special licensing to operate in the State of Nevada. Motor carriers must have a valid driver’s license, just like any other motorist, but they are also required to obtain a license endorsement that proves their ability to operate a larger motor vehicle. Bus drivers, big-rig drivers, and other commercial truck drivers need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate. Drivers who operate their vehicle’s under this sort of licensing are held to higher standards on the road and face more serious repercussions if they do not follow all the listed regulations. A motor carrier with improper licensing can face serious penalties and this may also affect a truck accident case.

• Distracted or impaired driving
• Speed
• Poor judgment
• Failure to follow traffic rules
• Lack of experience and training
• Improper cargo loading
• Maintenance negligence
• Industry demands
• Driver fatigue

• Driving in a truck driver’s blind spot
• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Illegal maneuvers
• Texting or under the influence while driving
• Cutting off a truck
• Following too closely

• Maximum driving time
• Loading procedures
• Cargo weight limits
• Overloaded cargo
• Preventing driver fatigue
• The condition of the trucks
• Regular safety inspections
• Careful operation of the vehicles

• Are not permitted to begin a shift without having had at least ten consecutive hours off duty;
• May not operate a truck after having been on duty for 60 hours within the last seven consecutive days, or 70 hours in an eight day time period;
• Cannot drive more than 11 hours during a 14 hour work shift; and
• Are not permitted to drive for more than eight hours without a 30 minute rest break

• Box Trucks
• Big Rigs
• City Delivery Trucks
• Heavy-Duty Pickup Trucks
• Bucket Trucks
• Garbage Trucks
• Logging Trucks
• Cement Trucks
• Semi-Trucks
• 18 Wheelers
• Sleeper Cabs
• 5 Axle Tractor Trailers

• According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were at least 112,000 injury-related crashes and 414,000 property damage crashes involving large trucks in 2018.
• Semi-trucks caused 46% more fatalities than single-unit trucks in 2018, per data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
• 4,136 people died in large truck crashes in 2018, which was 31% higher than in 2009, when truck fatalities were the lowest ever recorded (IIHS).
• Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) notes that 97% of vehicle occupants who were killed in crashes involving a passenger car and a large truck in 2019 were occupants of the car. Only 3% of the truck drivers were killed.
• U.S. FARS data also shows that 64% of the truck drivers killed in multiple vehicle crashes in 2019 occurred due to collisions involving another large semi.