Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Las Vegas

The most common causes of truck accidents in Las Vegas include driver fatigue, distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving. Other factors like improper cargo loading, poor truck maintenance, and blind spot errors also play a role. Inexperienced drivers and aggressive driving, especially in heavy traffic or on I-15, contribute significantly to these often serious accidents.

Truck accidents in Las Vegas can lead to devastating injuries, costly damages, and life-altering consequences.

The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks make even minor collisions incredibly dangerous for everyone involved. Unfortunately, many of these accidents are preventable and often stem from negligence—whether by the driver, the trucking company, or others on the road.

In this article, our truck accident lawyers explore some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Las Vegas.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Las Vegas

With its constant influx of tourists, busy commercial zones, and 24/7 traffic, Las Vegas sees a high volume of large trucks and big rigs navigating its streets.

Major highways like I-15, the 215 Beltway, and US-95 are heavily trafficked by commercial vehicles, often creating dangerous conditions for other motorists—especially near interchanges, construction zones, and congested areas. When truck drivers or trucking companies cut corners on safety, serious crashes can occur involving tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and other large commercial vehicles.

Our truck accident attorneys have handled countless truck accident claims in the Las Vegas area. From our experience, some of the most devastating cases involve driver fatigue and improperly secured cargo—two issues that are all too common on Nevada roadways.

Here are some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Las Vegas.

Driver Fatigue

Long hauls, tight delivery schedules, and lack of rest contribute to driver fatigue—one of the most common causes of big rig accidents in Las Vegas. Exhausted drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment. On busy highways like I-15 and US-95, even a momentary lapse can cause a catastrophic collision. Federal regulations exist to prevent this, but they’re not always followed.

Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of commercial truck accidents. Long-haul truck drivers often face tight delivery schedules and pressure to cover long distances without adequate rest. This can lead to drowsy driving or even falling asleep behind the wheel of a big rig.

Fatigue slows reaction times and impairs decision-making, making it harder to avoid sudden hazards or respond to traffic changes. Semi-trucks require more time and space to stop or swerve, and a fatigued trucker may not react in time to prevent a collision.

We handled a truck accident case recently involving a drowsy truck driver who veered out of their lane on the I-15 and collided with a smaller vehicle. Both the driver and passenger were left with serious injuries and long-term complications that could have been prevented with proper rest.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving among truck drivers is a growing safety concern. Using mobile phones, checking GPS devices, or eating while operating an 18-wheeler can easily take a driver’s attention off the road. Unlike passenger vehicles, commercial trucks require constant focus due to their size and limited maneuverability.

Taking eyes off the road for even a few seconds while driving a tractor-trailer can result in catastrophic damage. These vehicles have longer stopping distances and larger blind spots, making it essential for drivers to stay alert at all times.

We’ve represented clients who were rear-ended at full speed by a distracted truck driver who failed to notice slowing traffic ahead. The impact left the driver and two passengers with life-threatening injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, back injury, and internal injuries, and totaled their vehicle.

Speeding

Speeding is a major risk factor in truck accidents. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds and needs significantly more distance to stop than smaller vehicles. When a trucker is driving too fast for road or traffic conditions, it becomes much harder to maintain control.

Speed-related accidents often involve jackknifing, overturned trailers, or catastrophic collisions with multiple vehicles. This is especially dangerous on high-speed corridors like I-15 and US-95 in Las Vegas, where heavy commercial traffic and quick lane changes are common.

It’s not uncommon for us to see cases where a speeding big rig failed to stop in time during a sudden slowdown. In one case, we helped a family with a claim involving a truck that barreled into traffic, crushing several vehicles, killing one victim, and leaving multiple other victims with traumatic injuries.

Impaired Driving

Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or even prescription medications can severely impair a truck driver’s ability to operate safely. 

Impaired judgment and slower reaction times are a recipe for disaster when operating an 80,000-pound vehicle. 

Unfortunately, we’ve handled cases where impaired big rig drivers caused multi-vehicle pileups, leaving drivers and passengers with serious injuries for life.

Unsafe Lane Changes

Improper or unsafe lane changes are a frequent cause of accidents involving semi-trucks. Due to their size, big rigs have extensive blind spots on both sides of the vehicle. If a trucker does not properly check mirrors or signal, they may sideswipe a nearby vehicle.

Lane-change collisions can lead to serious injuries or fatalities, particularly when a tractor-trailer strikes a smaller car at highway speeds. These accidents are common on congested freeways like the 215 Beltway and I-15, where quick merges and heavy traffic complicate maneuvering.

In several claims we’ve handled, a truck changed lanes suddenly, unaware of a vehicle in the blind spot. The impact forced the smaller vehicle into the guardrail or another lane, resulting in multi-vehicle crashes and lasting injuries.

Poor Truck Maintenance

Commercial trucks require frequent inspections and routine maintenance to stay safe for highway use. Failing to maintain critical systems such as brakes, tires, lights, and steering can lead to mechanical failures that cause truck accidents.

Brake failure is one of the most common maintenance-related issues and can make it impossible for a semi-truck to stop in time. Tire blowouts, steering issues, and engine problems can also cause loss of control, especially at high speeds or on steep grades.

We often see accidents where faulty brakes or worn tires caused a truck to lose control on an off-ramp or in heavy traffic. Victims in nearby vehicles are frequently injured due to the sheer force of an out-of-control big rig.

Overloaded or Improperly Loaded Cargo

Improperly loaded or overloaded trailers make big rigs harder to control. Unbalanced cargo can shift during transit, increasing the risk of rollover accidents, jackknife incidents, or loss of control on turns and slopes.

Overweight loads place extra strain on tires and braking systems, reducing the truck’s ability to stop safely. Loose cargo may even fall onto the roadway, creating dangerous hazards for other vehicles.

We’ve handled cases where unsecured cargo spilled onto the freeway, forcing nearby drivers to swerve and crash. In other situations, shifting weight caused the trailer to tip during a turn, crushing a car in the adjacent lane.

Inexperienced or Untrained Drivers

Driving a semi-truck is not the same as driving a regular car or pickup. New or poorly trained truck drivers may struggle with vehicle handling, turning radius, shifting, or managing large blind spots.

Without proper training, a trucker may not know how to respond to emergencies or adverse road conditions. This increases the risk of serious accidents, especially on busy urban roads or steep mountain passes around Las Vegas.

We’ve represented injured drivers hit by commercial trucks operated by first-year drivers with minimal experience. In one case, the driver failed to make a safe turn and struck a car head-on at a low-visibility intersection.

Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving behaviors, such as tailgating, sudden lane changes, and excessive speeding, are extremely dangerous in the context of commercial trucking. These actions reduce the driver’s ability to maintain control and increase the chance of a high-impact crash.

Tractor-trailers require significant space to slow down or maneuver safely. When a truck driver operates their rig aggressively, it places nearby drivers at serious risk of injury or worse.

We’ve handled claims where truck drivers became impatient in traffic and tailgated a passenger vehicle. When the smaller car slowed down, the truck plowed into it from behind, causing severe whiplash and long-term back injuries.

Hazardous Road Conditions

Poor road conditions can be especially dangerous for big rigs. Potholes, uneven pavement, narrow shoulders, and construction zones can all interfere with a truck’s ability to operate safely.

These issues can cause a commercial truck to swerve, lose balance, or suffer mechanical damage. A small bump in the road that a car can absorb easily may destabilize a loaded semi-truck.

In several incidents we’ve investigated, trucks hit unexpected road hazards, causing the driver to lose control and crash into nearby vehicles. These crashes often result in serious damage due to the weight and size of the truck.

Weather-Related Factors

Weather conditions can have a major impact on large commercial vehicles. Rain, wind, fog, and occasional snow or ice in the Las Vegas area all increase the risk of accidents involving tractor-trailers.

High-profile vehicles like big rigs are more likely to be affected by strong crosswinds or hydroplaning in wet conditions. Reduced visibility and slick roads make it harder to stop or steer safely.

We’ve helped clients involved in accidents where a truck hydroplaned on wet pavement and slid across lanes, sideswiping several vehicles. The victims suffered a range of injuries, from broken bones to traumatic brain injuries.

Blind Spots and No-Zones

Commercial trucks have large blind spots, also called no-zones, on all four sides. These areas are not visible in the truck’s mirrors and pose a serious danger to nearby vehicles.

Drivers who linger in these zones, especially along the sides and rear of the trailer, may not be seen when the truck turns or changes lanes. This often results in sideswipe or underride accidents.

We frequently represent victims who were hit when a truck merged or turned without seeing them in the blind spot. The force of the impact can cause vehicles to flip, spin out, or become wedged under the trailer, leading to catastrophic injuries.

Were You Injured in a Truck Accident in Las Vegas?

A serious truck accident can change your life in an instant—leaving you with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and no clear path forward. 

At Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Las Vegas, our award-winning truck accident attorneys understand how overwhelming this time can be, and we’re here to help. Our legal team has extensive experience holding negligent trucking companies and drivers accountable. 

If you’ve been hurt in a big rig accident, don’t wait—get the skilled legal representation you deserve.

Call Ladah Law Firm at (702) 252-0055 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

Conclusion

Truck accidents in Las Vegas are often caused by preventable factors—ranging from driver fatigue and speeding to poor maintenance and hazardous road conditions. 

Understanding these common causes can help victims recognize when negligence may have played a role in their crash. At Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, we’ve seen firsthand how devastating these accidents can be, and we’re committed to fighting for the justice and compensation our clients deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, don’t face it alone—contact our experienced legal team today for a free consultation.

Call (702) 252-0055 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.