TRUCK ACCIDENTS Las Vegas is in the middle of nowhere. Everything has to be brought in by railroad or truck. To meet our trucking needs Nevada has a network of major interstate highways. On these major highways there has been a major increase in truck traffic. With this increased truck traffic comes increased danger. Any serious motor vehicle accident is a horrifying experience. But some of the worst collisions are the result of huge trucks crashing into average passenger cars. In these crashes it is common to see severe, everlasting injuries and fatalities. A serious truck accident can be the worst experience of a lifetime. The sound of the impact will be remembered for a lifetime. The sight of the crumpled car is demoralizing. The ride in the ambulance is something no one should ever have to experience. The weight and size of large trucks increase their stopping distances and makes them considerably less maneuverable than passenger cars. Because of these limitations, truck accidents are usually serious. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2005 over 442,000 large trucks were involved in traffic accidents; resulting in 114,000 injuries and 5,212 fatalities. One of every eight traffic fatality in the country resulted from a collision involving a large truck. Because of these alarming statistics truck drivers must exhibit a professional level of competence in the operation of their vehicles, any failure to do so can result in civil damages against the trucking company. Most commercial truck accidents are caused by one of the following reasons: Ø Truck driver fatigue Ø Brake problems Ø Improper securing of loads Ø Overloading trucks Ø Speeding Ø Truck driver alcohol or drug use Ø Trucking company negligent in vehicle maintenance, equipment inspections, hiring, or training Conversely, many truck accidents are caused by negligence of the car driver. Many times, these accidents can be caused by one of the following factors: Ø Driving in the "no-zone" area of the truck (the blind spot in the back of the truck) Ø Swerving or cutting in front of the truck Ø Dwelling too close behind truck Ø Drunk driving Sometimes, even individuals other than any of the drivers can be held liable for the accident. If the owner of the truck company knows or should have known their driver was incompetent or had a proclivity for negligence he could be liable for negligent entrustment. At Shook and Stone our heart goes out to clients who are involved in truck accidents. We know they have suffered amazing hardships and we appreciate how their lives can change in just a few short seconds. Large truck accidents are not only impressive in scale but they are imposing on the individual and the family. The injuries are often life-altering; some of the worst are: paraplegia or quadriplegia, permanent brain damage such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), amputation, chronic pain due to spinal cord injury, and sadly, death. If a member of your family was involved in a truck accident, whether as the driver of the truck or car or as an occupant of a car, you may be dealing with an overwhelming burden of medical treatment, household and medical bills, and concerns about lost wages and the loss of your car at a time when you need to focus on rebuilding your life. Horrifically, it is possible that within days, possibly even hours of the crash, you may be inappropriately approached by a representative of the trucking company to circumvent the legal system and you may be asked to make a statement or sign a settlement form. If this happens to you HANG UP! By their nature commercial trucks pose an abnormal threat to other road users. Therefore, the operations of commercial trucks are federally regulated. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations place safety requirements on owners, operators, lessees and their equipment. The safety requirements include licensing, qualifications of drivers, hiring and supervision, record keeping, maintenance of vehicles, notification of driver violations, alcohol and controlled substances, supervision, insurance requirements and other safety-related regulations. This means accidents involving 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers and other big rig trucks involve the investigation of federal regulations. After an accident involving an 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer or other truck, it is important to act immediately to preserve evidence and determine if there has been compliance with federal law. The legal world is alien to most people. Without excellent legal advice you could easily be lured into signing the wrong papers, you could give up all your legal claims, agree to diminished payment of medical bills, relinquish you payment for lost income, surrender compensation for pain and suffering, or yield to demands of diminished payment for property damages. Before you talk with any insurance company you must consult an experienced truck accident attorney. Remember, even your insurance company may seek to minimize any payment owed to you. Because the trucking companies and their drivers are obligated to adhere to certain state and federal procedures the handling of personal injury cases involving truck accidents demands specific knowledge of the trucking industry. Shook and Stone has this knowledge. At Shook and Stone we gather evidence on a number of different fronts. We: Ø Consult company records pertaining to driver's drug test results Ø Access on-board computer on the truck to determine speed, braking and steering statistics Ø Review driver's log book to see if sleep deprivation or overtime was a factor Ø Use different kinds of accident reconstruction experts Ø Verify if reflector and lighting on the truck were in accord with legal requirements Ø Verify state and federal certifications Ø Examine skid marks Ø Interview witnesses Ø Determine driving conditions and gather other critical accident scene evidence Additionally, our team examines the current lifestyle of our client, and their future dreams to determine what damages have occurred and what damages will possibly occur in the future. We will leave no stone unturned, we will leave no question unanswered. We know it is important to identify all current and future financial needs, and we will determine all possible needs for compensation including: Ø Current medical expenses Ø Future medical costs Ø Lost wages Ø Future earnings Ø Pain and suffering Ø Grief and sorrow Ø Loss of consortium Ø Emotional distress Ø We fight for compensation for the loss of quality of life At Shook and Stone our primary role as your personal injury attorney is to ensure that all your legal issues are taken care of so you can focus on the healing process. We take swift action, we conduct our own investigations, we consult with accident reconstructionists, we interview eyewitnesses, and we obtain company records. Because we diligently collect evidence and facts we are prepared with the truth whether we go to trial or enter into negotiations for a settlement. Most truck accidents involve complicated legal issues. Anyone involved in the accident will have attorneys working to protect their interests. They will all try to prevent you from getting the compensation you deserve. If you or someone you love was badly injured in a Nevada truck accident, you must contact Shook and Stone. We are an experienced truck accident personal injury law firm. Please, fill out a short legal consultation form. It is free. It is confidential. Fight for your legal rights. Get "The Benefits of the Shook & Stone Excellence!" |
