Big Rig and Truck Accident Lawyer Serving Las Vegas – Free Case Review

The city of Las Vegas is an epicenter of Big Rig and Commercial trucking vehicles coming in and out of the city. Unfortunately, one of the consequences of heavy commercial traffic is the prevalence of Big Rig accidents resulting in bodily injury or death. Big Rig drivers are notoriously overworked and under intense pressure to deliver loads throughout the Las Vegas area, which leads to tragic situations often injuring bystanders rather than the Big Rig drivers themselves. Many of our residents often encounter similar dangerous situations with Big Rig drivers with statistics showing 7% of ALL Big Rig Accidents in the state of Nevada are fatal Big Rig Accidents.

Large Truck Accidents Are Heavily Regulated—but That Doesn’t Always Prevent Negligence. Big rig crashes are among the most devastating accidents on Nevada roads. Because of the immense weight and size of commercial trucks, the state and federal governments impose strict rules on how these vehicles are maintained and operated. For example, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) sets weight and size limits, oversees permitting for oversized loads, and tracks commercial vehicle safety data (NDOT Commercial Vehicle Info). Despite these safeguards, trucking companies and drivers often cut corners—whether through skipped inspections, overloaded cargo, or pushing drivers beyond legal hours. When these violations lead to injury, victims have the right to demand accountability.

If you’ve been injured in a big rig collision, it’s important to understand your rights under Nevada law. The Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) lay out liability standards and personal injury claim procedures, including the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit—which is generally two years from the date of the accident (NRS Chapter 11 – Statutes of Limitation). Moreover, the state’s comparative negligence rules can impact how much compensation you receive if you’re found partially at fault. An experienced truck accident attorney can walk you through these nuances, help preserve key evidence, and make sure the responsible parties—including out-of-state trucking companies—are held fully liable. 

Understanding Big Rig Accidents in Las Vegas

The danger posed by Big Rigs on Nevada’s highways is more than just anecdotal—it’s statistically backed and increasingly alarming. According to data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Nevada consistently ranks among the top states with a high rate of fatal large truck crashes per capita. These massive commercial vehicles often barrel through I-15, the 215 Beltway, and U.S. Route 95 with minimal regard for smaller passenger vehicles. Drivers behind the wheel of 18-wheelers are often pushed past safe driving limits by employers trying to meet shipping deadlines. This creates a volatile combination of fatigue, impaired reaction time, and poor decision-making—all of which lead to collisions that devastate Las Vegas families. View FMCSA truck crash statistics.

What makes Big Rig accidents especially dangerous in the Las Vegas Valley is the mix of high-speed freeway traffic and crowded urban intersections. From Tropicana Avenue to the Spaghetti Bowl interchange, everyday commuters are forced to navigate alongside freight carriers hauling tens of thousands of pounds of cargo. And when these rigs are involved in collisions, it’s the everyday driver—not the commercial operator—who pays the price. In fact, according to the Nevada Department of Public Safety, hundreds of commercial vehicle accidents occur annually across Clark County, with a disproportionately high number of them causing critical injuries or fatalities. Many of these incidents could have been avoided with proper rest, vehicle maintenance, or simply more cautious driving. See Nevada crash data here.

What You Need to Know About the Types of Big Rig Crashes

The roads in and around Las Vegas see a constant flow of commercial trucks, and with that comes a wide variety of serious accident types. Big Rig crashes aren’t limited to one type of collision—they can involve everything from rollovers to tire blowouts, each with unique risks and consequences. Understanding how these accidents happen can help victims, loved ones, and the public recognize the dangers and potentially avoid life-altering situations. Below are the most common types of Big Rig accidents we see on Nevada roads and highways.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife occurs when the trailer swings out at an angle from the cab, forming an L or V shape. These incidents are extremely dangerous and can wipe out multiple lanes of traffic in seconds. Jackknife crashes often result in multi-vehicle pileups and serious injuries due to the truck’s loss of control.

Common Causes of Jackknife Accidents:

• Sudden braking or improper brake use on slick roads
• Excessive speed during turns or lane changes
• Improperly loaded or unbalanced cargo
• Inexperienced or fatigued drivers

Rollover Accidents

Big Rig rollovers are among the most catastrophic crashes, often causing lane closures, serious injury, and fatalities. These accidents typically happen when a truck loses balance, tipping over onto its side or roof—sometimes crushing nearby vehicles.

How Rollover Accidents Occur:

• Taking curves too fast or overcorrecting
• Driving with overloaded or unbalanced cargo
• Sudden evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision
• Driving while drowsy or distracted

Tire Blowouts

When a truck tire explodes at high speed, it can send the entire rig swerving across the highway. Blowouts can also cause dangerous flying debris, leading to secondary crashes involving passenger vehicles.

Common Triggers for Tire Blowouts:

• Worn-out or improperly inflated tires
• Overloaded trucks putting extra strain on tires
• Heat buildup from long hauls in the Nevada desert
• Negligent maintenance or ignored inspections

Underride Collisions

Underride accidents occur when a passenger car slides beneath the rear or side of a trailer, often with deadly consequences. These crashes are particularly horrific, frequently resulting in decapitation or instant fatalities.

How Underride Crashes Happen:

• Sudden stops without proper rear underride guards
• Poor visibility in low-light conditions
• Lack of reflective tape or lighting on trailers
• Tailgating or following a truck too closely

Blind Spot Accidents

Also known as “no-zone” crashes, these happen when a truck changes lanes or turns without seeing a car in its large blind spots. These zones exist on all sides of a Big Rig and are particularly hazardous for smaller vehicles.

Causes of Blind Spot Collisions:

• Failure to check mirrors or use turn signals
• Passenger vehicles lingering in no-zones
• Inadequate driver training
• Fatigued or distracted operation

Wide Turn Accidents

Big Rigs require extra space to make turns—especially right turns. When drivers misjudge that space, they can trap, sideswipe, or crush nearby cars, cyclists, or pedestrians.

Why Wide Turn Crashes Occur:

• Turning without checking for nearby vehicles
• Swinging too wide into another lane or sidewalk
• Ignoring urban road design or turn radius limits
• Rushing turns to beat a light or meet delivery times

Lost Load or Cargo Spill Accidents

If cargo isn’t properly secured, it can shift, fall out, or spill across the road—posing a threat to every motorist behind the truck. This is especially dangerous with hazardous materials or heavy industrial freight.

Typical Reasons for Lost Load Crashes:

• Improperly secured cargo or open trailer doors
• Overloaded trailers stressing containment systems
• Broken restraints or worn equipment
• Lack of safety inspections before departure

Common Types of Injuries from Big Rig Crashes

Las Vegas is no stranger to the dangers of Big Rigs. With thousands of commercial vehicles passing through the city daily—especially along I-15, U.S. 95, and the 215 Beltway—the risk of devastating collisions is ever-present. Unfortunately, when a crash occurs between a Big Rig and a passenger vehicle, it’s rarely the truck driver who walks away with injuries. It’s everyday people—commuters, tourists, families—who suffer the consequences. The massive weight of these trucks, combined with high speeds and tight delivery schedules, often results in violent impacts that leave victims with catastrophic or even fatal injuries. These aren’t just numbers on a chart—they’re life-changing events that affect people across Clark County every single day. Understanding the most common injury types can help victims and their families prepare for the medical, emotional, and legal challenges that follow.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Brain injuries are some of the most life-altering outcomes of a Big Rig crash. Even with airbags, the force of impact can cause the head to violently jolt, resulting in concussions, brain bleeds, or cognitive impairments.

Common Big Rig Crash Scenarios:

• High-speed rear-end collisions
• Rollover accidents
• Impact with loose cargo or trailer debris

Learn more about TBI symptoms and long-term impact from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal trauma can leave victims partially or completely paralyzed, depending on the injury’s severity and location. These injuries often require intensive rehabilitation and, in many cases, lifelong care.

How Big Rig Accidents Cause Spinal Injuries:

• Crushed or collapsed vehicle cabins
• Sudden deceleration after side-impact collisions
• Roof intrusions from truck rollovers

For detailed information, visit the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Broken Bones

The sheer force of a Big Rig impact can easily shatter bones, especially in the limbs, ribs, and pelvis. These fractures may require surgical pins, rods, and extended recovery times.

Typical Scenarios Leading to Fractures:

• T-bone collisions at intersections
• Rear-end crashes causing dashboard impact
• Ejection from vehicle due to improper restraints
  

See trauma and orthopedic fracture facts from MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine).

Internal Organ Damage

Not all injuries are visible. Internal bleeding, punctured lungs, or lacerated organs can be fatal if not diagnosed immediately after a crash. These injuries often occur silently.

How Big Rig Accidents Lead to Organ Damage:

• Crushing impact from underride collisions
• Seatbelt or airbag force against the abdomen
• Chest compression from steering wheel impact
  

Learn more about internal injuries from the National Library of Medicine.

Wrongful Death

Tragically, some victims do not survive the impact of a Big Rig crash. When fatalities occur, families are left grieving and often without financial stability due to lost income and funeral expenses.

Big Rig Crash Conditions Leading to Fatalities:

• Direct collisions with pedestrians or cyclists
• Head-on crashes at highway speeds
• Fires or explosions following impact

Review fatal crash data at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Compensation for Big Rig Accident Victims

When you’re hit by a Big Rig in Las Vegas or anywhere in Clark County, the physical injuries are only the beginning. Medical bills stack up quickly. You may be unable to work. You might need long-term rehabilitation—or face a permanent disability. That’s why Nevada law allows victims of truck crashes to seek full financial compensation for what they’ve lost. These cases aren’t just about property damage; they’re about protecting your future. And with the high severity of injuries often caused by Big Rigs, the financial stakes can be substantial.

Here’s a breakdown of the types of compensation you may be entitled to—and what certain cases may be worth based on real-world outcomes and injury types.

Medical Expenses

Medical bills are often the most immediate and overwhelming cost after a Big Rig crash. From emergency response and trauma care to months—or even years—of recovery, these expenses add up fast. Nevada law entitles victims to recover every dollar spent on medically necessary treatment caused by the crash.

Why you receive compensation for medical costs:

• Hospital stays and surgeries due to crash-related injuries
• Diagnostic testing (MRIs, CT scans, X-rays)
• Prescription medications for pain, infections, or recovery
• Physical therapy, chiropractic care, and rehabilitation services
• Follow-up visits, specialists, or mental health support

Lost Wages

When your injuries prevent you from returning to work, the law allows you to seek compensation for the income you would have earned. Even if you used paid leave or sick days, you’re entitled to reimbursement for time missed due to someone else’s negligence.

Why lost wages are part of compensation:

• Missed workdays during hospitalization or recovery
• Inability to perform your regular job duties due to injury
• Short- or long-term disability affecting your career
• Lost promotions, bonuses, or freelance income opportunities
• Use of vacation or sick time to cover absence caused by the crash

Ongoing Care Costs

Serious injuries often don’t stop at the emergency room. Victims may need continuous medical attention for months or even years after the crash—especially those with spinal cord injuries, brain trauma, or chronic pain conditions. These long-term costs are compensable under Nevada personal injury law.

Why ongoing care is covered:

 

• In-home nursing care or assisted living services
• Long-term use of medical equipment (wheelchairs, mobility aids)
• Repeated surgical procedures or pain management therapy
• Home modifications to accommodate a disability
• Ongoing mental health or trauma counseling

Property Damage

When a Big Rig collides with a passenger vehicle, the result is often total destruction. Victims can claim the full cost of repairing or replacing their vehicle, as well as any other damaged property—such as phones, laptops, car seats, or personal items.

Why property damage is recoverable:

 

• Repair costs for collision-related vehicle damage
• Replacement of totaled vehicles (based on fair market value)
• Rental car expenses while your vehicle is being repaired
• Reimbursement for damaged personal property inside the vehicle
• Towing and vehicle storage fees

Wrongful Death Compensation after Big Rig Accident

In the aftermath of a fatal Big Rig accident, families are often left not only grieving, but also facing substantial financial burdens. The unexpected costs of laying a loved one to rest—combined with the loss of financial support and increased living expenses—can be overwhelming. Nevada law permits surviving family members to pursue compensation for these direct financial impacts through a wrongful death claim, helping them recover and find stability during an emotionally devastating time.

Compensation you are entitled to in Wrongful Death Cases:

• Funeral home and burial or cremation costs
• Casket, urn, headstone, and memorial service expenses
• Transportation of the deceased (especially in out-of-state cases)
• Loss of household income and financial contributions
• Childcare or eldercare expenses now borne by surviving family
• Out-of-pocket costs for grief counseling or support services

Potential Case Value Examples

Below are estimated compensation ranges based on typical Big Rig accident scenarios in Nevada. These values are illustrative and depend heavily on case details, liability, insurance coverage, and jurisdiction.

We’re Here to Help After a Big Rig Accident in Las Vegas

If you’ve been affected by a Big Rig crash—whether through serious injury or the loss of someone you love—we understand how overwhelming everything can feel. Between medical care, insurance calls, and trying to make sense of what happened, it’s a lot to carry on your own. At Jerez Law, we’ve walked beside families and individuals throughout Las Vegas during some of their most difficult moments. Our job isn’t just to handle the legal process—it’s to support you in finding a way forward.

You don’t have to make any big decisions right now. If you simply want answers, we’re here to listen and help. There’s no cost to talk with us, and no pressure—just a conversation.

👉 Reach out anytime for a free, no-obligation consultation: https://www.jerezlaw.com/contact-us/