Premier 18-Wheeler Accident and Injury Attorney – Protecting Las Vegas Drivers

18-Wheelers are a common sight all throughout the bustling city of Las Vegas. However, away from the bright lights of the city epicenter are long stretches of dangerous roads and highways. With hundreds of thousands of drivers coupled by an equally large number of Commercial 18-Wheelers, dangerous and often fatal 18-wheeler accidents are all too common. 18-Wheelers are extremely dangerous vehicles that can change a person’s life in a matter of seconds, or end it. Regardless of how cautious drivers become around large 18-wheelers, vehicle operators themselves can cause heavy damage with little effect on their own persons, while causing devastating injuries to their victims.

Unfortunately, statistics back up what Las Vegas residents already know too well—Nevada’s highways are a dangerous mix of high-speed traffic and heavy commercial hauling. According to the Nevada Department of Public Safety, commercial vehicle crashes have been steadily increasing in Clark County, with many involving multi-axle 18-wheelers along corridors like I-15 and U.S. 95. These massive vehicles pose a unique threat because of their size, weight, and longer stopping distances. In high-traffic zones or construction areas, even a momentary lapse in judgment by a truck driver can lead to multi-vehicle pileups and severe injuries for those in smaller cars. View crash data from Zero Fatalities Nevada.

Beyond driver error, fatigue, and maintenance issues, there’s a systemic issue in the commercial trucking industry: pressure to deliver quickly and cheaply. Federal data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) shows that driver fatigue remains a leading cause of large truck crashes across the U.S.—including those involving 18-wheelers. Long hours, inadequate rest, and rushed schedules create the perfect storm for preventable tragedies on Nevada roads. And when these wrecks happen, it’s everyday families—not the trucking companies—who are left to pick up the pieces. See FMCSA Large Truck Crash Causation Study.

What You Need to Know About the Types of 18-Wheeler Crashes

Not all 18-wheeler accidents are the same. These large trucks are involved in a range of dangerous crash types, each with its own causes, consequences, and legal complexities. Below is a breakdown of the most common types of 18-wheeler collisions on Las Vegas roads—and what typically leads to each one.

Jackknife Accidents

Jackknife accidents happen when the trailer of an 18-wheeler swings out from behind the cab, forming a V or L shape. This motion often causes the truck to skid across multiple lanes, wiping out any vehicles in its path. These crashes are especially dangerous on highways where traffic is moving at high speeds and drivers have little time to react.

Common Causes of Jackknife Accidents:

• Sudden or excessive braking on slick roads
  
• Overcorrecting during turns
  
• Empty or unbalanced trailers shifting weight
  
• Improper braking techniques, especially in downhill stretches

Rollover Crashes

An 18-wheeler rollover occurs when the entire truck tips onto its side, often crushing nearby vehicles and creating highway-wide hazards. These accidents are frequently fatal and can lead to hazardous material spills, fires, or complete roadway shutdowns.

Factors That Contribute to Rollover Accidents:

• Speeding while taking tight turns or freeway ramps
  
• Top-heavy or unevenly loaded trailers
  
• Driver distraction or fatigue
  
• Loss of control due to tire blowouts or brake failure

Rear-End Collisions

Because of their immense weight and length, 18-wheelers need far more distance to come to a stop. When drivers follow too closely or misjudge traffic flow, the result can be a violent rear-end crash that totals the smaller vehicle ahead.

What Leads to Rear-End Truck Collisions:

• Tailgating or aggressive driving
  
• Distracted or fatigued truck operators
  
• Slippery road conditions reducing braking ability
  
• Brake failure or worn-out braking systems

Underride Accidents

Underride crashes occur when a smaller vehicle becomes wedged beneath the rear or side of a truck’s trailer. These accidents are often catastrophic and are one of the deadliest types of collisions involving 18-wheelers.

How Underride Accidents Happen:

• Sudden stops without underride guards
  
• Lack of reflective tape or lights on trailers
  
• Poor nighttime visibility or inadequate lighting
  
• Following a truck too closely during heavy traffic

Wide Turn Incidents

18-wheelers need extra space to make right-hand turns and often swing left before cutting back across. If a driver misjudges the turn—or if other vehicles are caught in their blind spot—serious side-impact collisions can occur.

Reasons Wide Turn Crashes Occur:

• Misjudged spacing and lane use
  
• Failure to check mirrors or signal properly
  
• Vehicles attempting to pass on the right
  
• Urban congestion and narrow intersections

Tire Blowouts

Tire blowouts send shredded rubber flying across the road and can cause the driver to lose control entirely. These incidents not only endanger the truck but create chaos for every vehicle nearby.

Why Tire Blowouts Happen:

• Underinflated or overinflated tires
  
• Worn treads or delayed maintenance
  
• Overloaded trailers increasing tire stress
  
• Long-distance heat buildup in Nevada’s desert climate

Blind Spot (No-Zone) Collisions

18-wheelers have huge blind spots on all sides—particularly on the passenger side and directly behind the trailer. When truck drivers change lanes without checking these areas, smaller vehicles can be sideswiped or crushed.

Causes of No-Zone Accidents:

• Failure to check blind spots before lane changes
  
• Drivers lingering in the truck’s blind zones
  
• Lack of side-mounted safety mirrors or tech
  
• Inadequate driver training or rushed maneuvers

Lost Load and Cargo Spills

When improperly secured cargo shifts or spills onto the highway, it creates a sudden, dangerous obstacle for every vehicle behind. These accidents are common with flatbed or open-trailer trucks.

Factors Behind Cargo Spill Accidents:

• Unsecured or poorly distributed cargo
  
• Overloaded trailers beyond legal weight limits
  
• Equipment failure (broken straps, faulty trailer doors)
  
• Failure to inspect load before departure

Let me know if you’d like each section enriched with government links, Nevada-specific crash data, or internal anchor links for page navigation.

How Jerez Law Proves Guilt in 18-Wheeler Accidents

After a serious 18-wheeler accident, you’re not just dealing with the immediate damage—you’re up against a trucking industry that moves quickly to protect itself. While victims are left recovering in hospitals, commercial carriers are already deploying legal teams, investigators, and insurance adjusters to minimize their liability. That’s why proving fault isn’t just important—it’s everything. At Jerez Law, we use a combination of technology, legal expertise, and deep industry insight to hold trucking companies accountable for the harm they cause.

How Jerez Law Proves Guilt in 18-Wheeler Accidents

After a serious 18-wheeler accident, you’re not just dealing with the immediate damage—you’re up against a trucking industry that moves quickly to protect itself. While victims are left recovering in hospitals, commercial carriers are already deploying legal teams, investigators, and insurance adjusters to minimize their liability. That’s why proving fault isn’t just important—it’s everything. At Jerez Law, we use a combination of technology, legal expertise, and deep industry insight to hold trucking companies accountable for the harm they cause

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Compliance

All commercial truck drivers and carriers are required to follow strict federal safety regulations outlined by the FMCSA. These rules govern everything from driver rest periods to maintenance schedules and inspection procedures. When a trucking company fails to follow these standards, they’re not just negligent—they’re breaking federal law.

How We Use FMCSA Violations to Prove Liability:

• Analyze driver logbooks for Hours-of-Service violations
• Investigate maintenance records for skipped inspections
  
• Review hiring practices and driver training certifications
  
• Use FMCSA Safety Measurement System data to uncover patterns
  
• Subpoena internal audits or compliance reports filed with the DOT

Explore FMCSA Safety Regulations

Multiple Layers of Insurance Coverage

18-wheeler accident claims are rarely handled by a single insurer. Large carriers often carry multiple policies—from liability coverage to umbrella and cargo-specific policies. Identifying all insurance providers is critical to maximizing compensation and uncovering who is responsible for paying damages.

How We Navigate Insurance Complexities:

• Investigate all insurance policies held by the driver and carrier
  
• Determine whether any third-party contractors are separately insured
  
• Review insurance agreements for coverage limits and exclusions
  
• Strategically file claims against overlapping policies
  
• Fight back against insurance bad faith practices with documentation and expert support

Black Box and Telematics Data

Most 18-wheelers are equipped with event data recorders—also called “black boxes”—that track critical metrics such as speed, brake use, and steering input leading up to the crash. Accessing this data can often make or break a liability case.

How We Use Technology to Build a Case:

• Retrieve black box data before it’s overwritten (often within 30 days)
  
• Analyze vehicle telemetry via Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs)
• Match data with traffic camera footage or witness statements
  
• Detect patterns of speeding, late braking, or erratic driving
  
• Partner with experts in crash reconstruction and digital forensics

Learn how black boxes work in trucking

Out-of-State Trucking Companies

Many 18-wheeler operators passing through Las Vegas are based out of state, which adds layers of legal complexity to your claim. These companies may be subject to different laws, court jurisdictions, and insurance regulations, all of which can complicate litigation.

How We Handle Out-of-State Defendants:

• Establish legal jurisdiction in Nevada to keep the case local
  
• Navigate multi-state regulatory issues involving driver certification
  
• Access DOT registration and compliance databases
  
• Subpoena out-of-state driver logs, personnel files, and inspection records
  
• File cross-jurisdictional claims when necessary to pursue full compensation

FMCSA Licensing and Insurance Search

Quick-Response Legal Teams Hired by Carriers

Trucking companies often deploy aggressive legal teams immediately after a crash. Their goal is simple: protect the company’s bottom line. That means gathering evidence in their favor and downplaying or disputing your injuries. If you wait too long, key evidence could be lost or manipulated.

How Jerez Law Levels the Playing Field:

• Launches a parallel investigation within hours of case intake
  
• Preserves scene evidence and requests crash recon support
  
• Sends spoliation letters to prevent destruction of data
  
• Coordinates with law enforcement and DOT officials to secure reports
  
• Assembles a timeline of events to show corporate negligence

In a high-profile example, Reuters reported that many trucking firms continue to operate despite repeated safety violations, putting countless drivers at risk.

Compensation for 18-Wheeler Accident Victims

Recovering from an 18-wheeler accident isn’t just about healing—it’s also about rebuilding. Victims are often left with a combination of physical injuries, emotional trauma, and financial strain that can affect every part of their lives. Unlike typical car accidents, crashes involving 18-wheelers often result in catastrophic damage due to the sheer size and weight of the vehicles involved. Victims may require months or years of medical treatment, lose their ability to work, or face a complete change in their quality of life. Nevada law allows victims to pursue compensation for both their direct economic losses and the more intangible ways their lives have been impacted. At Jerez Law, we work with medical experts, economic analysts, and accident reconstruction professionals to build a full, detailed picture of the damages our clients have suffered. This comprehensive approach ensures that nothing is overlooked—because when you’re going up against a commercial carrier, you need a legal strategy that’s just as aggressive as theirs.

Medical Bills (Past and Future)

One of the most immediate and overwhelming burdens after an 18-wheeler crash is the cost of medical treatment. Whether it’s emergency surgery, ongoing rehab, or lifelong care, victims are entitled to recover the full cost of medical services related to the accident. These damages include both what’s already been spent and what may be required in the future.

Why Victims Receive Compensation for Medical Expenses:

• Emergency transportation and trauma care
  
• Surgical procedures, hospital stays, and intensive care
  
• Ongoing therapy, rehabilitation, and recovery treatment
  
• Follow-up care, specialist visits, and diagnostics
  
• Prescription medication and assistive devices
  

Learn more about medical billing and patient rights in Nevada

Lost Income and Future Earning Capacity

Injuries sustained in an 18-wheeler accident can prevent victims from working for days, weeks, or even permanently. Lost income compensation is intended to help victims recover wages they couldn’t earn due to the crash—and in many cases, also accounts for the long-term reduction or loss of earning potential caused by disability or job restrictions.

Why Victims Can Claim Lost Income:

• Missed work during recovery or hospitalization
  
• Reduced hours or job responsibilities due to physical limitations
  
• Inability to return to the same occupation post-injury
  
• Early retirement forced by permanent disability
  
• Missed bonuses, promotions, or freelance work opportunities

Review Nevada employment rights and wage claims

Ongoing Care and Rehabilitation

Severe injuries often require much more than a one-time medical procedure. Victims with spinal injuries, brain trauma, or chronic pain may need ongoing care for the rest of their lives. Nevada law allows victims to recover compensation for future care and the long-term financial toll these injuries create.

Why Ongoing Care Is Compensable:

• Need for home health aides or live-in nursing care
  
• Regular physical, occupational, or speech therapy
  
• Use of medical equipment (wheelchairs, braces, prosthetics)
  
• Home or vehicle modifications for accessibility
  
• Psychological therapy for PTSD, anxiety, or trauma recovery

See disability and long-term care resources from Nevada DHHS

Vehicle and Property Damage

In a collision with an 18-wheeler, the smaller vehicle is often completely destroyed. But beyond the car itself, victims may also lose valuable personal property or face unexpected transportation costs. Compensation for property damage helps make victims whole again after the physical destruction of the crash.

What Property-Related Damages Include:

• Cost of repairing or replacing a totaled vehicle
  
• Reimbursement for damaged items inside the vehicle (e.g., laptops, phones)
  
• Rental car or transportation expenses during vehicle repair
  
• Towing and vehicle storage fees
  
• Loss of sentimental or irreplaceable property

Check official Nevada DMV property damage guidance

Legal Help When You Need It Most

An accident involving an 18-wheeler isn’t just a traffic incident—it’s a life-changing event. From the wreckage left behind on I-15 or the 215 Beltway to the quiet recovery rooms of local hospitals, the toll these crashes take on victims and families is often immeasurable. And while the trucking companies move quickly to protect themselves, you deserve someone moving just as quickly to protect you. The legal process can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to focus on healing. That’s where we come in. At Jerez Law, we understand what you’re going through—and we know what it takes to fight back.

Talk to Someone Who Understands 18-Wheeler Accidents in Las Vegas

You shouldn’t have to figure all of this out on your own. From medical bills and lost income to holding the right parties accountable, there’s a lot at stake after a crash with an 18-wheeler. At Jerez Law, we’ve helped victims across Las Vegas and Clark County stand up to powerful trucking companies and win. We know the roads, we know the regulations, and we know how to build a case that gets results. You don’t pay us unless we win—and we don’t stop until we’ve gotten you the compensation you deserve.

Talk to someone who actually understands what you’re going through.
👉 Schedule your free consultation today → https://www.jerezlaw.com/contact-us/