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If you are dealing with injuries and other damages in the aftermath of a truck accident, work with a Reno truck accident lawyer at Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers. Our attorneys know how to aggressively handle insurance company negotiations and fight for compensation. Truck accident cases can be highly complicated, especially when multiple drivers are involved. A knowledgeable attorney can provide you with guidance and support.

Reno Truck Accidents

Reno and its surrounding areas are no strangers to truck accidents, which often lead to severe consequences for those involved. Due to the high volume of commercial vehicles on Nevada’s highways, collisions involving semi-trucks are a significant risk. The size and weight of these commercial vehicles can result in severe property damage, injuries, and in some cases, even fatalities.

Recent incidents highlight the dangers of truck accidents. In April 2024, two people died in a tragic crash involving an ambulance and semi-truck. Just one month later, another truck accident took a life when a car and a semi-truck collided.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Reno

Truck accidents in Reno are caused by a variety of factors, some of which include:

• Driver fatigue: Driving without adequate sleep causes slower reaction time, making stopping or controlling a vehicle more difficult.
• Distracted driving: Actions like eating while driving, changing channels on the radio, or using a cell phone can all lead to accidents.
• Improper vehicle maintenance: Tire blowouts and mechanical failures resulting from poor or neglected maintenance can result in accidents.
• Poor weather conditions: Low visibility due to rain or fog, slick roads, and drivers who are not well-versed in these conditions can all contribute to dangerous roadways.
• Inadequate training: Truck drivers must undergo tractor-trailer training to get a commercial driver license. However, not all training is equal, and some truck drivers are under-trained.
• Speeding: Speed restrictions are in place for a reason, but sometimes truck drivers push past those limits to meet delivery deadlines. It is difficult to stop quickly when driving at higher speeds, which can lead to losing control of the vehicle.
• Improperly loaded cargo: If cargo is not balanced correctly or is above weight limits, it can lead to loss of control and rollovers.

Truck Accident Statistics

In 2023, there were 157,158 crashes involving large trucks nationally, resulting in 74,336 injuries and 4,981 fatalities, according to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Semi Truck vs. Car Accident Statistics

Large trucks, including semi-trucks and others with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds, accounted for just 10% of all vehicles involved in a fatal crash and 5% of those involved in accidents resulting in property damage and injury in 2022. However, these trucks were also more likely to be involved in fatal multi-vehicle crashes than passenger cars. According to the NHTSA, 81% of all fatal large truck crashes in 2022 were multi-vehicle crashes, compared to just 63% for passenger cars.

Reno Truck Accident Statistics

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal crashes involving commercial vehicles are thankfully rare in Reno, with only two reported between 2016 and 2022. However, there were a total of 56 fatal commercial vehicle crashes across the entire state of Nevada during the same time period.

Truck Accident Injuries

Tractor-trailer accidents can cause a range of severe, life-changing injuries that may include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): The blunt force of heavy-impact accidents can cause significant head trauma, which can be life-altering. These injuries sometimes cause personality changes, cognitive impairments, and memory loss.
• Spinal Injuries: Injuries to the spine range in severity and include those resulting in paralysis.
• Loss of Limbs: Severe crashes can cause loss of limbs or an injury that requires amputation.
• Severe Burns: Fires or explosions sometimes occur in a truck accident, especially if the vehicle is transporting hazardous materials.

Other injuries like whiplash, broken bones and fractures, and emotional or psychological trauma are not to be understated and can carry a significant burden to the injured party.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Reno

There are a few critical things to remember after a truck accident in Reno.

• Call 911. Police should be on the scene to collect evidence, conduct interviews, and create a report. Emergency medical services should also respond to the accident scene to evaluate and treat injuries.
• Go to the emergency room. If you are not treated at the accident scene, you should still see a medical professional to be assessed. Severe injuries are not always immediately apparent, so a thorough exam is necessary.
• Contact a Reno truck accident attorney. Contacting a lawyer is in your interest during this stressful time to help preserve evidence and build a strong case for compensation.

How Do Truck Accident Lawsuits Work?

Truck accident lawsuits are a complex yet often necessary step to obtaining fair compensation after a crash. They require a formal court complaint that details the legal arguments and specifies the damages being sought.

Accident lawsuits involve many steps, including the discovery phase, which might consist of depositions, expert witness testimonies, medical record reviews, and accident reconstruction. Settlement negotiations are often successful, but the lawsuit moves to trial when negotiations fail or do not occur. In a trial, a judge or jury will decide the outcome of the case, including fault and potential compensation.

How Do Federal Regulations Impact Reno Truck Accident Lawsuits?

Federal trucking regulations disperse liability between the truck driver, trucking company, and even the manufacturers or cargo loaders. Truck accident lawyers are responsible for identifying violations and assigning liability to parties in a lawsuit.

Some violations could include the time the truck driver was on the road (hours of service), cargo securement, driver qualifications, maintenance, inspections, and electronic logging devices.

How Long Does a Truck Accident Lawsuit Take?

A truck accident lawsuit timeline varies considerably depending on a multitude of factors. The timeline can range from months to a few years, depending on the complexity of the case and how cooperative the other side is. If a case goes to trial and either party appeals the decision, the lawsuit timeline will be significantly longer.

Factors to consider when contemplating how long a tractor-trailer accident lawsuit might take include the number of liable parties, severity of injuries, court schedule, and whether a settlement is able to be reached.

How Much Will a Truck Accident Lawsuit Cost Me in Reno?

At Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. Our fee is collected if we win the case for you and is calculated as a percentage of the settlement or verdict.

When deciding on a Reno truck accident lawyer, consider these criteria:

• Transparency on Fees: A reputable lawyer always provides upfront information on their fee structure.
• Standard Contingency Fees: Always ask what percentage the fee is.
• No Win, No Fee: If you work with a law firm like Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers and they fail to win a settlement or verdict, you will not owe any legal fees, minimizing your financial risk.

Reno Truck Accident Compensation

Truck accident victims in Reno can receive two types of compensation: economic and non-economic damages.

• Economic damages cover medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, property damage, etc. They are calculated based on the financial impact of the accident and are quantifiable.
• Non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate. Examples include pain and suffering and emotional distress. These damages factor in the long-term effects severe truck accident injuries may have on a person.

There are a number of factors that determine a verdict or settlement amount in truck accident cases. These include degree of fault, severity of injuries, loss of employment or ability to work, medical expenses, and emotional toll. Compensation settlements in truck accident cases can be complex and involve multiple parties, including the trucking company, the insurance company, and the truck driver.

Our Nevada Truck Accident Settlements and Verdicts

At Sierra Injury Lawyers, we have secured substantial settlements and verdicts for truck accident victims. For instance:

• A $1.2 million settlement for a client who suffered catastrophic injuries after an accident involving multiple tractor-trailers on Interstate 80 east of Reno.
• A confidential 7-figure settlement for family members of a victim killed in a head on collision involving a tow truck and gasoline tanker truck.

We are committed to getting results for those who have been impacted by devastating truck accidents. We will fight for you.