According to the Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS), 199 people were injured in Nevada truck accidents in the year 2010. Understanding the common causes of truck accidents can help motorists avoid being injured in one. All Nevada drivers should remember that trucks have large blind spots, are tough to slow down, and are difficult to maneuver. Keeping a safe distance from semi-trucks, big rigs, and tractor-trailers is an important part of staying safe on the roadway. However, truck accidents are not always the fault of drivers of passenger vehicles.
Truck driver negligence is perhaps the most common cause of Nevada truck accidents. Truck drivers who violate federal “hours-of-service” regulations and fail to get adequate rest before getting on the road are at risk of falling asleep at the wheel. Other forms of truck driver negligence that can lead to an injury accident include driving drunk, making unsafe lane changes, making a turn without checking blind spots, exceeding the speed limit, and following too closely. Nevada truck accidents are also often caused by poor vehicle maintenance which could lead to mechanical issues such as brake failure or tire blowouts.
In cases involving negligence or wrongdoing, at-fault truck drivers, truck owners, and trucking companies can be held liable for the damages they cause. Truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries that can have a significant impact on the victim for the rest of his or her life. The experienced Las Vegas truck accident attorneys at Shook & Stone fight hard to protect the rights of their injured clients. If you have been injured in a Nevada car accident, please call our offices at 1(877) 910-2220 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
The sheer size and weight of a tractor trailer makes any large truck-related accident serious, but when the truck has been overloaded and it exceeds the legal weight limit, it can be disastrous. When a big rig has more weight than it can safely carry, even common actions like turning, braking, and changing lanes can be compromised. Increased truck weight also results in greater force of impact, which then increases the risk of causing catastrophic injuries. Despite the dangers of overloading tractor trailers, trucking companies continue to do so in order to maximize profits.
Overloading a truck is illegal. Commercial vehicle weight limits have been established by the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Freight Management and Operations department. All commercial trucks are required to obey these limits if they travel on the Interstate Highway System. Most state regulations for truck weight limits align with federal limits, however each state may set their own weight standards for intrastate travel.
The federal weight limit of commercial trucks is 80,000 pounds, with a limit of 20,000 pounds on a single axle. The distribution of weight on axles and wheels is just as important as the total weight of the truck. These limits are in place for safety. Overloading a big rig defeats the purpose of these limits and compromises the structural stability of the truck as well as the driver’s ability to safely operate the truck. An overloaded truck can cause brake failure, out of control downhill speeds, bridge or overpass collapse, tire blowouts, longer stopping distance, and rollovers.
When a trucking company does not obey the legal truck weight limit, and one of their overloaded trucks causes an accident, the company, and even the truck driver may be held liable for damages and losses. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Clark County truck crash as the result of overloading, the skilled Las Vegas truck accident lawyers at Shook & Stone can help you understand your legal rights and options. Call us today at 1-877-910-2220 for a free consultation.
Nevada is a major thoroughfare for long-haul truckers. The addition of huge and heavy big rigs, tractor-trailers, and semi-trucks to Nevada roads can be very intimidating to other motorists, which is why many drive uneasily when a large truck or two pull up alongside them on a multi-lane highway. The distinguishing size features of a truck also make them very dangerous. A Nevada truck accident can easily cause serious injury or death to the occupants of a smaller vehicle. Though defective manufacturing or design sometimes plays a part in truck accidents, the most common cause is driver negligence or error.
Fatigued driving is a very frequent form of driver negligence. Although truck drivers are required to abide by strict federal regulations concerning the number of hours they are allowed to drive without sleep or rest, many do not. Oftentimes, this is done in an effort to make delivery deadlines that may be unreasonable. Driving while fatigued threatens the safety of both the truck driver and other motorists on the road. An exhausted truck driver can be just as dangerous as a drunk or intoxicated truck driver. A truck driver that does not follow federally mandated work hour limits may be considered negligent, and thus responsible for any injuries that result.
Nevada big rig accidents may also be caused by a truck driver who improperly loads (overloads) the truck, is speeding, or driving distractedly or recklessly. Federal regulations determine the maximum weight a truck may be loaded, as well as the distribution of that weight. If a driver does not follow these rules, they may be held liable for any accident caused by the overloading. Likewise, if a truck driver causes an accident due to the non-compliance of speed limits and state traffic laws, they may also be held liable.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Nevada truck crash caused by truck driver negligence, you could seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering by filing a personal injury claim with an experienced attorney. At Shook & Stone, our skilled Las Vegas truck accident lawyers have handled many truck accident cases and will investigate the details of your accident to determine the validity of your claim. Call us today for a free consultation at 1-877-910-2220.
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