Can I sue a trucking company for running me off the road?

Getting run off the road by a truck is terrifying. In Nevada, if this happened to you, you may be able to sue the trucking company. But not every case leads to a successful lawsuit. It depends on what caused the incident, what proof you have, and whether the truck driver, or their company, acted negligently.

When can you sue a trucking company?

You can sue a trucking company in Nevada if:

• Their driver was negligent
• The company was negligent in hiring, training, or maintaining the vehicle
• The driver was acting within the scope of their job when it happened

Let’s say the driver was distracted, speeding, or changed lanes without checking their blind spot. If that reckless driving caused you to swerve off the road and crash, that’s negligence. The trucking company can be held responsible under something called vicarious liability, they’re legally on the hook for what their employee did while working.

Proving negligence after being run off the road

The hardest part is proving the truck driver caused your crash. Unlike a typical rear-end accident, there may not be visible contact between your car and the truck. That doesn’t mean you can’t win your case. It just means evidence is crucial.

You or your lawyer may need to gather:

• Dashcam or traffic camera footage
• Eyewitness accounts
• GPS or electronic logging data from the truck
• Police reports
• Expert accident reconstruction

In Nevada, the burden is on you to show the truck driver caused your crash, even without a direct hit.

What if the truck didn’t stop?

If the truck didn’t stop, it’s a phantom vehicle situation. This is often treated like a hit-and-run. You may still be able to file a claim through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. But if you identify the truck and the company, then yes, you can sue them.

It helps to:

• Report the crash to police right away
• Write down any identifying details of the truck (logos, colors, numbers)
• Check for nearby surveillance cameras or witnesses

Even if the truck didn’t stop, the company can still be found and held liable.

Suing for injuries, not just damage

These types of accidents can cause serious injuries even without a collision. If you swerved to avoid the truck and hit a barrier, rolled over, or crashed into another car, you can sue for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Long-term care or therapy

In Nevada, you generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. The sooner you act, the better chance you have of preserving evidence and building your case.

When the trucking company is directly at fault

Sometimes the company itself does something wrong beyond just employing the driver. That’s called direct liability.

You can sue the company directly if:

• They hired a driver with a history of crashes or DUIs
• They pushed the driver to violate rest rules or speed
• They failed to inspect or repair their trucks

If poor company practices contributed to your accident, that strengthens your case.

At Wooldridge Law Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped clients across Nevada who were injured in crashes involving commercial trucks. If you were run off the road by a truck, you don’t have to go through it alone. We’re here to listen and help you understand what steps to take next. Call us now (702) 867-8900 for a free, no obligation consultation.