1. Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman L.L.P.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer crashes, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, pedestrian accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, personal injury litigation
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, blind spot accidents, wide turn accidents, underride accidents, tire blowout accidents, cargo spill accidents, brake failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents, distracted driving accidents, impaired driving accidents, improper loading accidents, defective truck parts accidents, maintenance failure accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver log analysis, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, black box data retrieval, vehicle maintenance record investigation, evidence preservation letters, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Reno-based law firm with over a century of combined legal experience among partners. Founding partner R. Shawn Oliphant is a member of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA), reflecting advanced knowledge of federal trucking regulations and commercial vehicle litigation. The firm prepares every case as if it will go to trial and has recovered millions in compensation for accident victims. Licensed in Nevada.
Location: 327 California Avenue, Reno, NV 89509
Contact: (775) 284-8888 | https://www.renonvlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement
2. Matt Dion & Associates
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, trucking accidents, semi-truck collisions, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer crashes, personal injury, auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, slip and fall accidents
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, aggressive driving accidents, DUI/DWI truck accidents, truck rollovers, oversized truck accidents, overloaded truck accidents, tire blowout accidents, brake failure accidents, mechanical defect accidents, poor truck maintenance accidents
Legal Services: Federal trucking regulations investigation, driver log analysis, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims, collaboration with trauma doctors, forensic engineers, mechanics, and collision reconstruction analysts
Background: Personal injury law firm with over 30 years of experience handling truck accident cases in Reno. Matt Dion is licensed to practice in both Nevada and California. The firm has secured millions in settlements for clients. Member of the State Bar of Nevada, California State Bar, Washoe County Bar Association, American Bar Association, and Nevada Justice Association. Martindale-Hubbell Peer Rated for professional excellence.
Location: 140 Washington St. Suite 150, Reno, Nevada 89503
Contact: (775) 737-4500 | https://www.mattdionlaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis (no fee unless case is won)
3. Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, semi-truck crashes, personal injury, car accidents, wrongful death, slip and fall accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, mass tort litigation
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, blind spot accidents, wide turn accidents, tire blowout accidents, defective truck parts accidents, spilled cargo accidents, driver fatigue accidents, hours of service violations, distracted driving accidents, impaired driving accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations analysis, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, accident investigation, evidence gathering, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, loss of consortium claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Nevada trial law firm with offices in Las Vegas and Reno. Attorneys have decades of experience handling truck accident litigation. The firm reports over $2.5 billion in verdicts and settlements through trial, appellate, and consulting work. AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, Super Lawyers selections, and AVVO rated. The firm works with investigators and trucking industry professionals to understand accident causation.
Location: 100 N Sierra St, Suite 220, Reno, NV 89501
Contact: (775) 322-2923 | https://www.claggettlaw.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available, contingency fee basis
4. Battle Born Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler crashes, personal injury, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, brain injuries, catastrophic injuries, slip and fall accidents
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, hours of service violations, distracted driving accidents, speeding accidents, merging errors, failure to yield accidents, unsafe turns, following too closely accidents, unbalanced cargo load accidents, inadequate vehicle maintenance accidents, negligent hiring cases
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations analysis, trucking company negligence claims, accident investigation, evidence preservation, damage assessment and case valuation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, disability compensation, pain and suffering damages, punitive damages claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Nevada personal injury law firm with offices in Reno, Las Vegas, and Henderson. The firm reports over 85 years of combined experience among attorneys and has helped clients achieve results exceeding $100 million in damages. Former insurance defense attorneys on staff who understand insurance company negotiation tactics. Licensed in Nevada.
Location: 245 E. Liberty St Suite 250, Reno, NV 89501
Contact: (775) 252-4219 | https://www.battleborninjurylawyers.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis
5. Richard Harris Law Firm
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, semi-truck accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler crashes, personal injury, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, slip and falls, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation
Case Types Handled: Driver fatigue accidents, impaired driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, speeding accidents, brake failure accidents, rollover accidents, wide turn accidents, following too closely accidents, hours of service violations, mechanical failure accidents
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations investigation, Commercial Driver License (CDL) compliance review, trucking company negligence claims, driver record investigation, evidence preservation, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, property damage claims, medical expense recovery, lost wage claims, pain and suffering damages, wrongful death claims
Background: Nevada personal injury law firm established in 1982 with offices in Las Vegas and Reno. The firm reports billions won for clients and has a team of multiple attorneys. Licensed in Nevada. Available 24/7 for consultations.
Location: 6900 S. McCarran Blvd. #1010, Reno, NV 89509
Contact: (775) 222-2222 | https://richardharrislaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee arrangement (no fee if case is lost)
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Nevada
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Nevada imposes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from truck accidents under NRS 11.190(4)(e). The clock begins running on the date of the accident or, in some cases, the date the injury was discovered.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Property damage claims have a three-year statute of limitations under Nevada law.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years from the date of death under NRS 11.190(4)(e) and NRS 41.085(4), not from the date of the accident.
Government Claims: Claims against government entities (city buses, government vehicles) require a written notice to be filed within six months of the incident with the Nevada State Board of Examiners. Failure to comply with this deadline bars the claim.
Fault vs. No-Fault State: Nevada is a fault-based (tort) state for auto insurance, meaning the at-fault driver is responsible for damages caused by the accident.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence rule under NRS 41.141. A plaintiff can recover damages as long as their share of fault is not greater than 50%. If the plaintiff is found to be 51% or more at fault, they are barred from recovering any compensation. Damages are reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage of fault.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Nevada requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 for property damage (25/50/20).
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Federal regulations require commercial trucks to carry minimum liability insurance based on cargo type. Trucks transporting non-hazardous freight in interstate commerce must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage. Trucks carrying hazardous materials may require $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 in coverage depending on the type of hazardous cargo.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: UM/UIM coverage is optional in Nevada but is recommended. Claims against one’s own UM/UIM policy follow the policy terms, and disputes may be subject to the four-year contract limitations period.
Damage Caps: Nevada does not impose caps on economic or non-economic damages in truck accident or general personal injury cases. The only damage cap applies to medical malpractice cases ($350,000 on non-economic damages).
Punitive Damages: Punitive damages are available in Nevada if the defendant’s conduct was malicious, oppressive, or fraudulent, or if the defendant displayed a conscious disregard for the plaintiff’s safety. Punitive damages are generally capped at three times compensatory damages if compensatory damages are $100,000 or more, or $300,000 if compensatory damages are less than $100,000.
Vicarious Liability and Respondeat Superior: Nevada recognizes vicarious liability for trucking companies under the doctrine of respondeat superior. Trucking companies may be held liable for the negligent acts of their employee drivers committed within the scope of employment.
Independent Contractor vs. Employee: Complications can arise when a truck driver is classified as an independent contractor rather than an employee. In such cases, the trucking company may argue it is not vicariously liable, though insurance should still cover the accident. Courts examine the level of control exercised over the driver to determine classification.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR): Federal trucking regulations apply to commercial vehicles operating in interstate commerce. Violations of hours of service rules, drug and alcohol testing requirements, vehicle maintenance standards, and cargo securement regulations can be used as evidence of negligence in Nevada courts.
Hours of Service Regulations: FMCSA hours of service rules limit how long commercial drivers may operate without rest. Property-carrying drivers are generally limited to 11 hours of driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty and may not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. Violations are admissible in Nevada litigation.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Requirements: Commercial trucks subject to hours of service rules must use electronic logging devices to record driving time. ELD data is critical evidence in truck accident cases and may be overwritten if not preserved promptly through legal preservation letters.
Black Box Data Preservation: Modern commercial trucks contain event data recorders (black boxes) that capture speed, braking, and other operational data before and during crashes. Nevada courts recognize the importance of this evidence, and spoliation rules may apply if a party destroys or fails to preserve relevant data.
Dram Shop Liability: Nevada has dram shop liability under NRS 41.1305, but liability is limited. Bars and restaurants may be held liable for serving alcohol to an obviously intoxicated person who subsequently causes injury, but only if the establishment willfully and unlawfully sold alcohol to the person.
Seat Belt Evidence: Under Nevada law, seat belt use cannot be used as evidence of negligence or to reduce damages in a personal injury case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing a truck accident lawsuit in Nevada?
Nevada law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from truck accidents, beginning from the date of the accident or injury discovery. Property damage claims have a three-year deadline. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period starts from the date of death, not the accident date. If the accident involved a government vehicle or entity, a written claim must be filed with the Nevada State Board of Examiners within six months of the incident, or the right to sue may be lost entirely.
How does Nevada’s comparative negligence rule affect truck accident compensation?
Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence system under NRS 41.141, which allows accident victims to recover compensation as long as they are not more than 50% at fault. If a jury or court finds the plaintiff 51% or more responsible for the accident, the plaintiff is barred from recovering any damages. For plaintiffs found partially at fault below the 50% threshold, their damages award is reduced by their percentage of responsibility. For example, a plaintiff awarded $500,000 but found 30% at fault would receive $350,000.
Which parties may be held liable for a truck accident in Reno?
Multiple parties may share liability for a Reno truck accident depending on the circumstances. Potentially liable parties include the truck driver (for negligent driving), the trucking company (under vicarious liability or for negligent hiring, training, or supervision), cargo loading companies (for improper load securement), maintenance providers (for inadequate repairs), truck or parts manufacturers (for defective components), and trucking brokers (for arranging shipments with unqualified carriers). Nevada’s fault-based system requires identifying all responsible parties to pursue appropriate claims.
What types of compensation can truck accident victims recover in Nevada?
Nevada truck accident victims may recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses (current and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and rehabilitation costs. Non-economic damages include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and loss of consortium for family members. If the defendant’s conduct was malicious, oppressive, or showed conscious disregard for safety, punitive damages may also be available, though they are subject to statutory caps in Nevada.
How do federal trucking regulations apply to truck accident cases in Nevada?
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations govern commercial trucks operating in interstate commerce and are admissible in Nevada state court litigation. Key regulations include hours of service limits (restricting driving time to prevent fatigue), drug and alcohol testing requirements, vehicle inspection and maintenance standards, and cargo securement rules. Violations of federal regulations can establish negligence or negligence per se in Nevada truck accident cases. Electronic logging device (ELD) data documenting hours of service compliance and event data recorder (black box) information capturing vehicle operation before a crash are critical evidence that must be preserved promptly through legal preservation letters to prevent automatic overwriting.