The dangers of semi-truck accidents in Nevada

Accidents involving semi-trucks on the road are particularly deadly. We recently witnessed just how dangerous they can be in a recent fatal accident involving a semi and passenger vehicle when they collided just outside the valley on U.S. 93 near where it meets with I-15.

Despite extensive federal oversight and trucking laws, with the trucking industry being one of the most regulated industries in the country, it can make it even more complicated to pursue any type of insurance or civil claim in the event of an accident.

Nevada sees more than its share of semi-truck accidents

Here in Nevada, we are a vital link between the West Coast and the Midwest, East Coast, and Southern states for the transportation of goods and, consequently, see more than our fair share of these catastrophic accidents.

The 181-mile stretch of pavement between Clark County and San Bernardino County in California has led the nation in highway accidents and fatalities, with these large trucks contributing significantly to this deadly reputation. In addition, U.S. 95, the longest-running major highway in Nevada, most of which is a two-lane rural highway, has also been a notorious site for these serious collisions.

Driver error

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver error is the number one cause of semi-truck accidents, with fault lying with truckers and drivers of passenger vehicles alike. But truckers have their own unique set of responsibilities that often factor into these collisions.

Driver fatigue

Because they are tasked with hauling large loads across the country, truckers spend an inordinate amount of time behind the wheel of their rig.

Consequently, fatigue is a common denominator in many semi-truck accidents, even though the FMCSA has specific hours of service regulations in place. Hours of Service (HOS) regulations were put in place for this very issue, but because of tight scheduling constraints, many drivers find themselves fudging logged hours behind the wheel.

Transported goods

Loads that aren’t properly secured are another unique issue for the trucking industry. When the weight of cargo isn’t evenly distributed and secured, and loads shift in transit, it can throw the equilibrium of the semi off, particularly when making turns or braking. Unsecured cargo may also come off the sides or end of a rig into other traffic during transport.

Liquid loads can be equally problematic. Tankers designed for liquid freight can cause catastrophic accidents, especially those carrying flammables or other hazardous materials. Low-filled tankers create a swaying effect that can cause imbalance and rollovers when moving, turning, and braking.

In addition, the materials being transported can lead to leaks, spills, fires, and explosions, making tanker accidents one of the most dangerous collisions on the road.

Underride collisions

Another unique accident in the trucking industry is the underride collision. This is when a passenger vehicle runs under the rear or side of a semi-trailer. While these have many different causes, underride collisions with a passenger vehicle are usually fatal. While rear guards are mandatory in the industry, side guards, although proven safety features are still only optional.

Driver impairment

In 2017, only 3.6 percent of truck accident fatalities were caused by impaired truck drivers. Comparatively, 23.9 percent of passenger vehicle fatalities involved driver impairment. This may have something to do with the consequences of drunk driving for commercial drivers.

Commercial drivers are held to stricter DUI laws than drivers of passenger vehicles. The legal limit for commercial drivers is a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 percent compared to 0.08 percent for drivers of other vehicles. In addition, a commercial driver’s license can be suspended for a year or even for life depending on the circumstances. That is not to say that all semi-truck drivers are diligent about not drinking and driving, but their consequences are far greater.

Semi-truck black boxes

Proving negligence in a semi-truck accident in Nevada can be complex. Fortunately, most large rigs today are equipped with an event data recorder device, otherwise known as the truck’s “black box.” Similar to a recorder device on an aircraft, the black box on a semi records information about the truck’s status throughout its trip.

The data that is recorded depends on the specific truck’s device, but most often, it will track a truck’s speed, travel time when brakes were applied and steering utilized, and routine diagnostics such as oil pressure, tire pressure, and other important information to a driver.

Consequently, after an accident, the truck’s black box is an essential wealth of information telling what happened right before the point of impact. Unfortunately, the trucking company or owner/operator may try to resist anyone getting that information. This is when it is critical to have the assistance of an experienced Las Vegas semi-truck accident attorney advocating for you if you have been injured in a collision.