Las Vegas Semi Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyers
Accidents involving large trucks are usually more devastating than any other accidents on the road. Any truck weighing over 10,000 pounds is considered “large.” Semis, buses, tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers carrying heavy loads easily weigh 10,000 pounds and routinely up to 80,000 pounds. When a large truck crashes into the average car or SUV, the impact is enormous, generally demolishing the car and seriously injuring the passengers. An estimated 10% of people injured in large truck collisions die.
The trend of trucking deregulation that started over 20 years ago has not materially changed original regulatory schemes governing required insurance and financial responsibility. Motor carriers operating under federal permits and intrastate carriers operating under state authority must still secure liability coverage in order to maintain an operating permit or otherwise provide proof of ability to self insure. Typically statutory coverage of this nature is implemented through a two-part process which involves a public filing and an endorsement. Motor carriers or their insurers will make a filing with the appropriate agency as proof that insurance coverage has been issued conforming to the applicable regulation or statute. The endorsement conforms the motor carrier's coverage to the relevant requirements of the law governing the truckers' operations. In this manner, the insurance is extended to protect the public from accidents or negligent operations.
