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Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyer

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Tractor-trailers are an essential part of the economic and distribution networks in the United States, but these large vehicles are inherently the most dangerous on the road. Large truck accidents can cause severe and fatal injuries and enormous property damage. If you or a relative suffered injuries in a Las Vegas truck accident, contact DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo today to schedule a free case evaluation with a Las Vegas truck accident lawyer.

Why Choose Our Law Firm?

  • DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo has more than 40 years of experience, handling a wide variety of cases since 1979.
  • We believe in close and direct communication with clients. If you need an update on your case, you will speak directly with your attorney.
  • Our law firm offers free consultations so potential clients understand the risks and potential benefits of pursuing a claim with no obligation to hire our law firm.
  • We believe everyone should have access to legal representation when they need it most, but the assumed cost of legal fees deters many people from seeking legal representation. We offer contingency fee billing, meaning we only take legal fees after we win a settlement or jury verdict for a client, and those fees are a percentage of the award.

DAM firm legal team

Meet Our Experienced Attorneys

Our Las Vegas truck accident lawyers at DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo have been helping their clients receive the compensation and justice they deserve since 1979. Our team, led by partners Jess J. Araujo, John A. Montevideo, and Anthony Modarelli, is licensed in both California and Nevada, which allows us to represent a wide range of clients across state lines. As a testimony to their commitment to excellence, the legal community has awarded the firm an AV rating on Martindale-Hubbell – the highest rating attorneys can receive for their ethical standards and legal ability. The firm has also earned an A+ rating on Better Business Bureau (BBB) and were selected as Preeminent Lawyers, which less than 5% of all attorneys in the United Sates receive.

Client Testimonials ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“Everyone I spoke with was extremely patient and helpful. They were happy to explain the things I did not understand, which was quite a bit, and they always responded quickly. Fabulous 5 star service”

YeLonda G.

“A very professional firm, Excellent communication and 100% reliable. I really recommend them!

Lourdes R.

How Can an Attorney Help With a Truck Accident Claim?

Large truck accidents often involve trucking companies with the resources to handle long-term, intense litigation. Proving fault for a truck accident can also be difficult depending on the number of vehicles involved and the type of accident. In some truck accident cases, multiple parties bear liability for the resulting damages.

A personal injury attorney in Nevada can help a client prove another party’s negligence and secure compensation for the damages resulting from that negligence. Trucking accidents have a very high chance of causing severe injuries that may lead to permanent disability and loss of ability to work. A Las Vegas auto accident attorney will help a client prove the extent of his or her damages and prove the link between those damages and the defendant’s negligence.

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?

You can afford a truck accident lawyer in Las Vegas. At DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo, we handled these claims on a contingency fee basis. This means a few things for the clients that we assist.

First, under a contingency fee system, we handle all of the upfront costs related to the case. This includes the costs of investigating, filing, and litigating the case. Our clients pay absolutely no legal fees until after we successfully recover compensation for their losses. If we do not win, our clients pay absolutely nothing. The final legal fee will be a percentage of the overall settlement or jury verdict awarded.

Securing Compensation for a Truck Accident

A Las Vegas truck accident lawyer can help a client secure compensation for any and all damages resulting from a large truck accident caused by negligence. A truck driver, trucking company, product manufacturer, third party, or combination of defendants could be liable for the plaintiff’s losses. At DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo, our goal is to recover both economic and non-economic damages on behalf of truck accident victims. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Economic damages

These damages include measurable losses a truck accident victim will likely incur after the incident. By examining receipts, bills, and invoices, the following can be calculated:

  • Emergency medical expenses
  • Follow-up doctor and hospital costs
  • Surgical needs
  • Rehabilitation or physical therapy costs
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earning capacity
  • Household out-of-pocket expenses
  • Property damage expenses

Non-economic damages

These damages include more immeasurable losses that a truck accident victim will likely incur. As opposed to the economic damages just discussed, non-economic damages will likely not have receipts or bills that can be gathered and simply added. However, non-economic damages seek to help compensate a person for their physical pain and suffering, emotional and symbological pain and suffering, as well as loss of quality of life caused by the incident.

In rare cases, punitive damages may be available. These damages, also referred to as exemplary damages, are reserved for situations where the actions of the defendant are found to be intentional or grossly negligent. Punitive damages are designed to act as a punishment to the defendant as well as a deterrent to others to prevent this type of action from occurring in the future.

The total amount of compensation paid to truck accident victims in Nevada will vary depending on several factors related to their claims. Each case must be evaluated independently, and some of the factors that influence a claim amount can include:

  • The overall severity of the injury or injuries
  • How long it takes a person to recover
  • The level of missed work or loss of future earning capacity
  • Total insurance company policy limitations
  • The overall assets of the at-fault party or parties
  • Whether or not there was any shared fault for the incident

Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyers

How Long Do You Have to File Your Claim?

Truck accident victims in Las Vegas have a limited amount of time to file their claims in civil court. The personal injury statute of limitations in Nevada is two years from the date an injury occurs. If a personal injury victim fails to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent party within this two-year time frame, they will likely lose the ability to recover any compensation for their losses.

In addition to the personal injury statute of limitations, it is important to file a claim as promptly as possible in order to meet insurance company deadlines. In almost every truck accident situation, an insurance company will be involved, and they will have their own, often vague, reporting deadlines related to the case. We encourage you to reach out to a skilled Las Vegas truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after an incident occurs so they can begin the filing process on your behalf.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Las Vegas

Tractor-trailers are much larger and heavier than standard passenger vehicles. They are also more difficult to maneuver and require much more time and distance to slow down to a stop than a smaller vehicle. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) oversees the American trucking industry and promotes safety on the road by collating and analyzing truck crash data.

Driver error is one of the most commonly cited causes of large truck crashes in the U.S. Truck drivers require special licensing and extensive training to safely operate tractor-trailers and therefore have a higher duty of care on the road than individual private citizens driving for their own purposes. When drivers speed, drive aggressively or fail to act appropriately in a given situation on the road they can easily cause a serious crash. Additionally, the FMCSA upholds hours of service requirements to ensure drivers do not drive while fatigued. Drivers who do not allow themselves adequate rest, or who abuse drugs or alcohol to stay awake for long shifts endanger all other drivers around them.

Mechanical failures are another common cause of large truck accidents in the U.S. If a trucking company fails to ensure proper servicing and required maintenance on a truck, a malfunction could cause a driver to lose control. Defective vehicle parts may also cause accidents, opening the possibility of product liability claims against the responsible manufacturers.

Injuries Commonly Sustained in Truck Accidents

Large commercial trucks weigh much more than traditional passenger vehicles. Unfortunately, when there is an impact between a larger commercial truck and a smaller passenger vehicle, those inside the smaller vehicle are at a high risk of sustaining severe traumatic injuries. Some of the most common injuries associated with truck accidents in Las Vegas include:

Emotional and Psychological Trauma

One often overlooked aspect of severe truck accidents involves emotional and psychological injuries a victim could sustain as a result of the incident. It is not uncommon for Las Vegas truck accident victims to experience extensive and long-lasting feelings of fear, anxiety, stress, and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

These types of injuries are more immeasurable than visible trauma that a person seeks medical care for. These immeasurable injuries often require extensive medical treatment as well from therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists. Unseen emotional and psychological trauma can affect an individual long after their physical trauma heals, and they can alter a person’s ability to carry out day-to-day or work-related activities.

Steps to Take After a Truck Crash in Las Vegas

Unfortunately, what happens at the scene of the accident does not stay at the scene of the accident. Crash victims are often left dealing with complex claims, but there are various steps they can take to help not only improve their chances of recovery but also improve their chances of receiving a settlement. We know that not all of these steps will necessarily happen in this order, but we encourage you to speak to your attorney if you have any questions about what you should do in your particular situation.

  1. Check for injuries. We know that it may seem obvious to check for injuries after a vehicle accident, but the reality is that not all injuries are immediately visible or felt. The signs and symptoms of some truck accident injuries do not appear for hours or even days after the incident occurs, which is why it is so important for any person involved in these incidents to seek prompt medical treatment. Medical professionals are often able to spot hidden injuries before they become more severe. Additionally, prompt medical treatment can help establish a solid link between the incident and the injuries that arise.
  2. Call 911 immediately. Law enforcement officials must come to the scene of any truck accident that occurs in Las Vegas or the surrounding areas. These are serious incidents, even if the injuries or property damage seem minor or nonexistent. The police need to investigate and generate an accident report.
  3. Gather evidence. There may be plenty of evidence to gain at the scene of a vehicle accident, but that may also not be possible to gather, depending on the safety of the surrounding area. Some of this evidence can include photographs taken by those at the scene, video surveillance footage from nearby cameras, and statements from eyewitnesses. Additional evidence for a truck accident claim can be harder to obtain. We strongly encourage you to speak to an attorney very soon after these incidents occur so they can begin the process of gathering the information needed from the trucking companies and regulatory agencies.
  4. Call an attorney. A Las Vegas truck accident lawyer can get involved quickly so you can focus on your health and well-being, and they can focus on the claim. The sooner an attorney gets involved, the quicker they can begin the investigation and the evidence preservation process.
  5. Continue medical treatment. Truck accident victims must continue medical treatment recommended by their medical professionals until they have reached what a doctor would consider “maximum medical recovery.” Discontinuing care against the advice of medical professionals could seriously jeopardize any claim against the trucking company or other parties involved.

Truck Accident Case Process and Timeline

Victims harmed due to the negligent actions of a truck driver or trucking company want to know how long this claims process will take. Unfortunately, there is no “one size fits all” situation concerning these claims. The reality is that no one can predict the exact timeline, but some of the possible scenarios are as follows:

  • A relatively quick insurance settlement. If a truck accident claim is straightforward, meaning fault is not in dispute, a settlement could come quickly. However, do not count on this. Even though a settlement could happen within a few weeks or months after the incident, it is likely to take longer than this. 
  • Filing a personal injury lawsuit. In the event the insurance carrier or trucking company refuses to offer a fair settlement, your attorney will need to file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf in Nevada civil court. Filing a lawsuit simply puts the case into the court system and initiates the discovery process.
  • The discovery process. The discovery process begins when a claim is filed, and this means the legal teams for all parties involved will exchange evidence and information. Attorneys will have a chance to take depositions of potential witnesses. The discovery process for a truck accident claim in Las Vegas can take quite some time, even up to a few years.
  • Mediation or continued negotiations. There may be a point during the discovery process when negotiations continue due to new evidence or information, or a judge may order mediation in an attempt to resolve the claim before a jury trial becomes necessary.
  • Jury trial. If the parties involved cannot reach an agreement at any point along the way, a jury trial will be scheduled. It is not uncommon for truck accident jury trials to begin years after the actual incident occurred. As we mentioned above, the vast majority of claims get settled with insurance carriers. Most do not make it to trial, but trial should remain an option at all times.

Can You Handle Your Claim Without an Attorney?

It is certainly possible for truck accident victims to proceed forward without an attorney to handle their claim. However, accidents involving commercial trucks are much more complicated than traditional vehicle accident claims. Not only will injury and property damage victims be dealing with their own insurance carrier, but they will also have to deal with the insurance carrier and, most likely, the legal teams for the trucking company.

Large trucking carriers and their insurance companies have a vested interest in limiting how much compensation they pay out. It is not uncommon for these other parties to use delay tactics or even try to shift some or all of the blame onto the victims of the incident. These other parties have the resources to delay a claim for quite some time, and they can take advantage of an injury victim’s lack of legal experience.

When a truck accident victim has a Las Vegas truck accident lawyer by their side, they can level the playing field. An attorney with experience handling complex truck accident cases will understand the steps needed to maximize the chances of recovering compensation for your losses. Your attorney will be responsible for handling every aspect of the claim, not you. You can focus on recovering from your injuries and getting your life back to normal while your attorney proceeds forward with the claim on your behalf.

Contact Our Skilled Truck Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving a large commercial truck in the Las Vegas area, reach out to an attorney as soon as possible. At DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo, we have an extensive and successful track record of handling immensely complex personal injury claims throughout Nevada. We have the resources needed to fully investigate your incident and help you recover compensation for your losses. When you need a Las Vegas truck accident attorney, contact DiMarco | Araujo | Montevideo to schedule a free case evaluation, and we can go over your legal options. You do not have to handle this process on your own. 

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