As an attorney licensed in both Nevada and California, Raymond E. Areshenko understands the complexities of cases that expand beyond state borders. Some of the most complicated motor vehicle accident cases involve semi trucks because of the many parties involved, as well as the state and federal laws that come into play.
If you’ve been injured or lost a family member in a trucking accident, you need capable, honest representation to pursue the damages you deserve. Start building your case by calling 775-300-7594 (NV) or 916-800-6090 (CA) for a free consultation with REA Law. We serve clients in and around Reno - Sparks and throughout Nevada. REA Law also has offices in Sacramento servicing California.
Interstate 80 spans east to west through Reno-Sparks, Sacramento, and the bay area. As one of the nation’s major trucking routes, we have unfortunately seen a significant number of injuries and fatalities on this road stemming from truck accidents. Learn more about these cases below:
- Common injuries in a semi truck accident
- Causes of tractor trailer crashes
- What is a commercial vehicle?
- Who is responsible in a trucking accident?
- Compensation in truck accident cases
- Why do I need a trucking accident attorney?
- Contact REA Law today
Common Injuries in a Semi Truck Accident
At their maximum weight, big rigs are more than 15 times heavier than the average car. It comes as no surprise, then, that serious injuries are very common in collisions involving 18-wheelers, and in many cases more devastating than those encountered in a car crash.
Injuries frequently sustained in truck accidents include:
- Open head wounds, traumatic brain injury, and other serious damage to the head
- Burns
- Back, neck, and spinal cord injury
- Amputation of limbs
- Internal injury to bones, soft tissues, and organs
The likelihood of fatalities is high in collisions between passenger vehicles and tractor trailers. If you lost a loved one in a truck accident, REA Law is proud to help you and your family pursue a wrongful death claim against all responsible parties.
Causes of Tractor Trailer Crashes
Like other vehicle accidents, a host of factors can lead to collisions involving semi trucks. However, most crashes don’t involve vehicles weighing up to 40 tons.
Some of the most common reasons truck accidents occur are:
- Excess speed
- Following other vehicles too closely
- Failure to check blind spots before lane changes and during turns
- Failure to stop at red lights and stop signs
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Distracted driving
- Failure to modify speed and driving habits for bad weather
In some cases, trucking accidents occur because of factors outside of the driver’s action leading up to and during the crash. If the company fails to ensure that the driver has the right qualifications, skill, and safety record to handle a semi truck, the problem began with the trucking company’s negligence in the hiring process.
Other factors that can contribute to or cause a semi truck accident include:
- Poor maintenance of the truck and/or trailer
- Defective vehicle parts
- Overloading the truck or failing to ensure the cargo is loaded properly
- Failure to conduct regular drug and alcohol screening to ensure drivers aren’t impaired when they are on the road
- Excess pressure on the driver to make deliveries within an unfeasible time frame
Attorney Raymond E. Areshenko understands the complex laws and federal regulations governing the trucking industry. After your complimentary consultation, he will investigate the violations that took place, as well as the parties liable for your injuries.
What Is a Commercial Vehicle?
In both Nevada and California, truck drivers are required to carry a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Vehicles used for commercial purposes are defined by state law as follows:
- Weight: Commercial vehicles have a gross weight of 26,001 pounds or more; drivers are licensed to tow vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or more (Nevada and California)
- Passenger capacity: A commercial driver’s license is required to operate vehicles that hold 16 or more passengers (Nevada) or 10 or more passengers (California)
- Hazardous materials: Drivers must have a CDL in order to haul hazardous materials; signage must be displayed on the vehicle
Based on weight, passenger capacity, and other factors, a commercial driver’s license is required to operate vehicles beyond 18-wheelers. Therefore, you might have a commercial vehicle accident case even if the vehicle involved isn’t a semi truck
At minimum, a CDL signals that the driver has demonstrated the ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely. After the accident, it is important to check the truck driver’s license to ensure that he or she has the qualification to be behind the wheel of the rig. Driving a truck or other commercial vehicle with a suspended license, revoked license, or otherwise restricted license is a sign of negligence that may bolster your truck accident claim.
Who Is Responsible in a Trucking Accident?
The majority of car accident cases tend to include just two parties: the injured driver and the driver liable for those injuries, with both of their respective insurance companies trying to pay out as little as they possibly can. Truck accident cases are often more complicated, which is why it’s so important to find qualified representation.
Multiple parties may have played a part in the accident that led to your injuries. REA Law will investigate all causes of the crash, including:
- Negligence or misconduct on the driver’s part
- Impairments such as alcohol, drugs, sleep deprivation, and distractions
- Maintenance records for the rig
- Cargo manifests, including how the trailer was loaded and what and how much it was carrying
- The role of the company that hired the driver and dispatched the truck
- The company that manufactured the truck, trailer, and/or parts
Ultimately, your truck accident claim will likely boil down to more than just one injured driver pursuing compensation from a negligent driver. Tractor trailer crash lawsuits can also involve the truck driver’s employer, outside companies that service and load the truck, and others.
Find out how Ray Areshenko can help with your 18-wheeler accident case. Contact REA Law for a complimentary case review to receive honest, hands-on assistance with your claim.
Compensation in Truck Accident Cases
Most victims in tractor trailer crashes sustain extensive and severe injuries. You likely incurred significant medical costs for initial treatment, and you may be looking at additional expenses for physical and occupational rehabilitation. At the same time, you might be unable to perform your job duties, placing additional burdens on you and your loved ones.
At REA Law, we are dedicated to pursuing the maximum compensation you deserve after a truck accident. You may be entitled to damages for:
- Your costs for medical care, both billed and projected
- Lost income
- Anticipated loss in wages, should your ability to work be diminished
- Pain and suffering
- Adjustments to your home and/or vehicle, in the event of disability after the accident
If the actions of the driver, commercial trucking company, or other parties were particularly heinous, REA Law may be able to pursue punitive damages on your behalf as well. While compensatory damages like the ones above are intended to compensate victims for the losses they’ve suffered as a result of an accident, punitive damages are designed to punish the liable party or parties. These damages are only available in cases of extreme misconduct.
Why Do I Need a Trucking Accident Attorney?
Commercial truck accident cases can be complicated. There can be more than one defendant, and claims require knowledge of both state laws on traffic accidents and regulations established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and other agencies.
If you’re injured in a truck accident, you need a lawyer with the experience and knowledge to navigate this complex web of litigation and regulation. You also need an attorney who understands how to take action when insurance companies with moneyed interest in the case are involved.
Attorney Raymond Areshenko was formerly hired by insurance companies to represent policyholders and other insured drivers when they were sued for auto accidents. Today, he relies on this experience to help accident injury victims, including those who have been hurt in cases involving semi trucks.
REA Law will work with experts who can reconstruct the accident to illuminate conditions and causes, testify to the nature and extent of your injuries, and more. Should your case go to trial, Mr. Areshenko is ready and able to advocate on your behalf. And, during settlement negotiations, he will always act in your best interests to ensure that the offer meets your needs and provides just compensation for what you’ve suffered.
Contact REA Law Today
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, REA Law can help. Your initial case evaluation is complimentary, and Mr. Areshenko will provide you with honest, hands-on service and support throughout the duration of your claim.
Start building your case by calling 775-300-7594 (NV) or 916-800-6090 (CA) for a free consultation with REA Law. We serve clients in and around Reno - Sparks and throughout Nevada. REA Law also has offices in Sacramento servicing California.
