Millions of motor vehicle accidents happen yearly in the United States; however, when a crash happens to you or a loved one, it becomes personal. Accidents can turn your and your family’s life upside down. You might be missing time from work, seeking medical care for injuries, and dealing with costly medical bills.
If you’ve been hurt, you might not know where to turn for help. Our team’s skilled Las Vegas car accident lawyer can assist with your case. At our law firm, we have extensive experience seeking settlements and jury verdicts for injured accident victims. We invest our time in helping our clients get the justice and compensation they deserve.
Leading Causes for Car Accidents in Las Vegas
Car accidents are a frequent issue in Las Vegas due to heavy traffic and the number of distractions tempting drivers. The city’s large tourist population and 24-hour entertainment scene also contribute to the problem, with many incidents involving fatigued or drunk drivers.
While most accidents are caused by driver negligence, other factors, like weather conditions and manufacturing defects, can also contribute to collisions. To increase road safety, drivers should always adhere to traffic laws, wear their seatbelts, stay alert, and refrain from bad habits, such as texting, while driving.
Driver Errors
Driver negligence accounts for a significant portion of traffic accidents. These errors can range from simple distractions, such as using a cell phone while driving, to more serious mistakes, like driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Distracted driving: Operating a vehicle while engaging in any activity that takes the driver’s attention away from the road is dangerous. Common forms of distraction include cell phone use, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, and adjusting music or navigation systems.
- Speeding: Driving a vehicle faster than the posted speed limit or driving too fast for road conditions is a reckless behavior that increases the risk of car accidents. The City of Las Vegas typically sets a fine for speeding.
- Drunk driving: Under Nevada DUI laws, it is a crime to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and drugs or with a BAC of 0.08%. Depending on the offense, the at-fault driver may receive a fine, jail or prison time, and a license suspension, among other penalties.
- Failure to yield: A driver’s failure to allow another vehicle or pedestrian the right of way when required by law is considered a moving violation in many jurisdictions.
- Drowsy driving: When someone is driving for an extended period, their reaction time will be significantly slower, possibly leading to dangerous situations.
- Tailgating: Following a vehicle too closely often results in limited space for the front car to maneuver or react to sudden stops. This aggressive and dangerous driving behavior can increase the likelihood of a rear-end collision and is considered a traffic violation in most jurisdictions.
These incidents often result in significant vehicle damage and serious injury or death. Therefore, it is crucial for drivers to remain alert and focused while operating a vehicle to avoid making mistakes that could have serious consequences.
Poor Weather Conditions
Poor weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow, fog, or high winds, can reduce a vehicle’s visibility, traction, and control, making it harder for drivers to operate their vehicles safely.
These conditions increase the risk of accidents, such as skidding or losing control of the vehicle, especially for drivers who do not adjust their speed and driving technique to account for the weather conditions.
Poor Road Conditions
When a road is poorly maintained or designed, drivers have a harder time safely navigating. Poor visibility caused by limited lighting or obstructed views due to vegetation can also increase the risk of accidents.
Drivers can easily miss important signs and clues when roads are not well paved, leading them to make wrong turns and reduce reaction time when an unforeseen obstacle appears.
Poor road conditions can be particularly risky at night when visibility is already hampered. Additionally, large cracks or potholes can cause cars to veer into oncoming traffic or even roll over from the force of impact.
Defective Vehicle Parts
Faulty cars or car parts can cause multiple problems, increasing the risk of accidents. For example, defective brakes can make it difficult to slow down or stop, leading to rear-end collisions or other crash types.
In addition, faulty vehicle parts can also impact the vehicle’s overall performance, making it difficult for the driver to respond to changing road conditions. For example, a faulty transmission can cause sudden acceleration or deceleration, making it difficult to maintain a safe speed.
To minimize the risk of accidents caused by faulty vehicle parts, have your vehicle regularly inspected and maintained by a qualified mechanic. In addition, it would help if you also stay informed about recalls issued by vehicle manufacturers.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Las Vegas, call (702) 857-6000
Common Car Accident Injuries
Collisions often lead to serious injuries requiring medical attention. However, these injuries are not always immediately apparent. The adrenaline surge from the traumatic event can mask the pain and some symptoms. Whiplash, for example, can go unnoticed for a while after the crash.
Common automobile accident injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in a loss of movement and sensation below the injury level.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI): This type of brain damage occurs when the head is subjected to a sudden impact or force. TBI symptoms can range from mild, such as a headache or confusion, to severe, such as loss of consciousness or long-term memory problems.
- Catastrophic injuries: These severe and life-altering injuries often result in permanent physical damage.
- Internal injuries: These injuries refer to damage to the organs and tissues inside the body, such as the heart, lungs, liver, and intestines.
- Burns: The severity of burn injuries is determined by the depth and extent of the damage to the skin, with more severe burns requiring skin grafts and causing long-term scarring and functional impairment.
Immediate medical care is crucial, as the doctor can diagnose all the injuries caused by the car accident and recommend the right medical treatment. Furthermore, your doctor’s notes will prove invaluable in your pursuit of compensation, as these serve as an expert’s validation of your claim.
Our team’s Las Vegas car accident attorneys are here to help if you’ve been hurt in a collision. Please let us know how we can assist you in recovering from the financial hardships caused by the accident.
Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (702) 857-6000
What Is Your Accident Claim Worth?
Understandably, a victim wants to know the answer to this question as they may face expensive medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of replacing damaged personal property. These bills can quickly add up, and the person who caused the injury should be held liable for them.
Unfortunately, putting value on a personal injury case is not simple. However, our experienced injury attorneys can give you an estimate of your claim’s value. In addition, we will help you assess the full impact of your financial losses and support this with evidence.
Many factors will affect how much money you will ultimately receive, including:
- Severity of injuries: The extent and type of physical and emotional injuries sustained in the accident can greatly impact the value of an accident claim.
- Insurance coverage: The amount and type of insurance coverage held by each driver can impact the total amount available for a settlement.
- Damages: The extent of property damage and repair costs, as well as medical expenses and lost wages, can influence the overall value of the claim.
- Evidence: The strength of evidence and documentation, such as witness statements, police reports, and medical records, can support or undermine the claim’s value.
- Expert testimony: The opinions of expert witnesses, like accident reconstruction specialists, can help establish the cause of the crash and the extent of the damages.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, working with a personal injury attorney who will protect your rights is essential. The law protects innocent victims from the parties who caused the injury.
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What Types of Damages Can You Recover?
Depending on the situation, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages. These are known as compensatory damages, which aim at restoring the victim’s life as close as possible to how it was before the collision.
In some cases, punitive damages can also be awarded if it is deemed that the accident occurred from malicious action or gross negligence. Again, an experienced car accident lawyer can help determine what damages are applicable in your case and what award would be a fair amount.
Economic Damages
Tangible costs like medical bills or lost income are known as economic damages. Not only can medical expenses add up quickly, but repairs to vehicles and property may also be costly.
The economic impact of a car accident is even greater for people who rely on their vehicles as a source of income, such as delivery or taxi drivers. Ultimately, collisions have far-reaching ramifications that are often not immediately apparent but can be devastating financially in the long run.
- Lost income: A car accident can interfere with an individual’s ability to work due to physical or psychological recovery leading to lost wages.
- Loss of earning capacity: Acident-related disabilities or limitations can lead to decreased ability to earn income in the future.
- Medical expenses: You may recover the cost of medical treatment, including emergency room visits, surgeries, and rehabilitation.
- Property damage: You may also cover repairing or replacing damaged vehicles and other personal property.
To receive the compensation you are entitled to, document all economic damages related to the crash. This includes collecting relevant documents such as paid invoices, medical reports, photos of your damaged property, and receipts for related expenses.
You should also keep records of any mileage incurred due to visiting doctors or repair shops. With these documents, you can seek appropriate compensation from the at-fault parties.
Non-Economic Damages
Intangible losses, such as the emotional impact of surviving a traumatic experience, are known as non-economic damages. Due to the deeply personal nature of these experiences, they are challenging to quantify. However, an auto accident attorney can help translate your losses.
- Pain and suffering: These damages are meant to compensate for the victim’s physical pain and emotional suffering caused by the crash.
- Loss of consortium: Spouses may receive compensation for the loss of affection, companionship, and sexual relations resulting from an injury to their loved one. These damages are intended to recognize a collision’s emotional impact on close family relationships and to provide compensation for this intangible harm.
- Loss of enjoyment: Victims may seek damages for the loss of enjoyment or fulfillment they previously experienced in their daily activities, such as hobbies, interests, or social activities. This award seeks to compensate for the decreased quality of life caused by the traffic accident.
- Emotional distress: Mental suffering caused by extreme stress or trauma can be compensated to recognize the significant impact a physical injury can have on a person’s mental health and well-being.
To prove these damages, you must provide evidence of your personal experiences. This can be done through witness testimony or other proof documenting the change in your quality of life. Experts might also testify about how the incident affected your daily life so a jury can understand the full extent of the harm suffered.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may also be awarded to the victim. Although punitive damages do not compensate the victim for their losses or medical expenses, they provide some relief. Rather, they are intended to hold the at-fault driver accountable for their egregious acts.
Your Las Vegas car accident attorney can assist you in determining the damages you may be entitled to after a vehicle accident.
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Talk to a Car Accident Attorney Before the Insurance Companies
Before talking with car insurance companies about a car wreck, it’s crucial to speak with us. If an insurance adjuster tries contacting you, let them know you have an attorney and provide them with your personal injury lawyer’s contact information.
The negligent driver’s insurance company will often try to get you to settle your case for a lowball amount. Therefore, never sign, accept, or deposit anything from the other party or their insurance company without consulting your personal injury lawyer first.
Nevada Statute of Limitations for Accident Claims
In Nevada, a few statutes of limitations might impact your case. According to Nevada Revised Statutes section 11.190, the deadline for filing most car accident injury lawsuits is two years. Therefore, you must file a lawsuit within two years of the date of the accident, or you may be barred from recovering compensation for injuries.
The same deadline applies for a fatal car accident if a family or a representative of a deceased victim wants to bring a wrongful death claim. However, the clock starts running when the victim dies, which could be a different date than the accident itself.
When filing for property damage in Nevada, you have a longer deadline. In this case, you must file the lawsuit within three years from the accident date. However, this extended period should not lure you into a false sense of security. The sooner you seek legal guidance, the better your chances for recovery.
Call a Car Accident Attorney Today
At Anthem Injury Lawyers, we understand how stressful recovering from a collision can be and provide compassionate service to ensure you get the best care possible. Our knowledgeable Las Vegas car accident attorneys can help you assess the situation and advise you on legal options for getting compensation.
If you are ready to speak with a representative from Anthem Injury Lawyers about your legal needs, contact us to get started on your personal injury claim. Our team of professionals can provide you with the edge you need to get maximum compensation!
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