“Big Rig,” 18-Wheeler and other types of commercial truck accidents can cause massive damage to persons and property.  Because these types of collisions almost always result in severe, permanent and life-threatening injuries or death to motorists and vehicle occupants alike, you need an attorney who is experienced in the laws governing the trucking industry.   With hundreds of thousands of commercial vehicles traveling our nation’s roadways every day, unfortunately, these collisions are a frequent occurrence.  Truck owners and operators only profit when their trucks are on the road,  transporting goods, products and services to vendors and end users as quickly as possible.  Unfortunately, in their effort to meet tight schedules and deadlines that maximize their profits, some companies push their drivers to remain on the road for longer periods of time, which can result in driver exhaustion and bad judgment.  Commercial truck drivers will oftentimes text others, or use their cell phones while driving, which further reduces their concentration.  Sometimes, poor service and maintenance of the commercial vehicle itself can result in tragic collisions that could have easily been avoided by the owner through regular maintenance practices.   

When the operator of the truck is responsible for a collision, the owner must provide commercial insurance coverage for all of the company’s vehicles.  Typically, these policies start at $1,000,000.00, with additional excess and “umbrella” coverage that oftentimes exceeds $10,000,000.00. 

When a company driver causes an accident, the company and its insurance carriers may also be responsible for paying all of your medical expenses, the damage to your vehicle, your pain and suffering, any permanent disabilities, surgeries, or future medical treatment you may need, as well as all of your lost wages and any additional monetary damages to make you whole again.

There may also be other insurance available to cover medical bills, such as medical payment coverage ( i.e. “med pay” ) on your own motor vehicle insurance policy. You should also know that Nevada law protects you when you use your own med pay in two very important ways.

First, when your claim is resolved, your insurance company cannot seek full reimbursement from your settlement for the medical costs that were incurred.  Second, as long as you were not at fault in the collision, your insurance company cannot raise your insurance rates.  For most people who live in Nevada, increasing the amount of their med pay coverage is a very smart move.

In addition to recovering your own damage, if you were married at the time of the crash,  your spouse is entitled to assert a separate claim for loss of consortium because of the negative effects the accident has had on your relationship.

Oftentimes, insurance companies will attempt to obtain a recorded statement from you shortly after the collision.  You need to understand that this is for THEIR benefit, not yours.  Always speak with an experienced attorney first.

With offices in Nevada and California, our firm is well qualified to handle your case if you’ve been involved in any type of serious motor vehicle collision.  You can reach us at (702) 734-3936.  We can usually tell you over the phone if you have a good case.  If you’re outside Nevada, dial (888) 734-6789. 

Edward J. Achrem & Associates has been representing injured clients for more than 43 years.  We have the training, personnel and financial wherewithal to go up against major trucking companies – and win for our clients.