It’s fun to watch something disappear when it’s being done by a magician. It’s not so much fun to have something disappear when it’s being stolen, especially when it’s your car. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2020 a motor vehicle was stolen every 39 seconds in the United States. That comes out to more than 804,000 vehicles being stolen in that year alone. To help drivers keep their vehicles safe, every July NHTSA sponsors Vehicle Theft Prevention Month. Since vehicle thefts tend to occur during the summer, this month is the perfect time to discuss ways to prevent vehicle theft.
Vehicle theft isn’t the only thing drivers have to worry about, especially in Las Vegas. If another driver injures you in a car accident, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer. A personal injury lawyer will help to protect your rights and ensure you receive maximum compensation.
As a Las Vegas accident victim you don’t want to fight alone against insurance companies. They do not have your best interests in mind. Anthem Injury Lawyers has a dedicated team of lawyers and staff ready to help you with your personal injury case. Insurance companies and other parties are not interested in helping you receive what you should as a victim in a Las Vegas accident. Your Las Vegas accident lawyer should have a proven track record of winning cases like yours for significant compensation. Our lawyers offer you 25 years of experience winning top compensation for Las Vegas accident victims.
Time is of the essence when pursuing compensation in accident cases. Don’t delay—have our Las Vegas accident lawyers review your case. Sometimes people avoid contacting an accident lawyer because they worry about cost. You don’t have to worry about affordability. Our attorneys don’t get paid unless they win your case. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
Vehicle Theft Prevention Tips
Not all thefts are preventable. However, in 2020 over half of the vehicle thefts were due to driver error. This means that drivers can take some commonsense steps to prevent vehicle theft.
It’s Not Always About the Car
The first thing to know about vehicle theft is that sometimes it’s not about the car. Thieves want vehicle parts and valuable items, too. This is because accessories, car parts, and personal items can all be sold for money. According to the NHTSA, thieves take whatever sells including the following:
- Mandated labeled parts
- Doors
- Engines
- Transmissions
- Airbags
- Radios
- GPS units
- Cell phones
- iPads
- Laptops
- Purses
Obviously, you can’t take everything with you when you park your car. The car parts have to stay with the vehicle. However, you can take steps to prevent your car being broken into for personal items. You should always try to avoid leaving valuable items in your vehicle. Take valuables with you whenever possible.
If you can’t take valuable items with you then hide the items. You can hide items under seats or in the trunk. You may also be able to place the valuable items under less valuable items so they are out of eyesight. For example, laying a baby blanket over an iPad.
You should also be wary of visible accessories. If you have visible electronic chargers in your vehicle, then a thief may assume that you have valuable electronics in your vehicle. If you have golf balls and tees visible on your front seat, then a thief may assume that valuable golf clubs are somewhere in the vehicle.
Vehicle theft isn’t the only thing that Las Vegas drivers have to worry about. If you’ve been the victim in a Las Vegas area car accident, don’t go at it alone—get the professional representation that can protect your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve. At Anthem Injury Lawyers we have years of experience representing clients in car accident cases. Call us today (702) 857-6000 to schedule your free consultation.
Park Smart
Another way to protect your vehicle is to park smart. Put some thought into where you leave your vehicle, even if it is just for a quick errand. Keep the following in mind when parking your vehicle:
- When you are looking for a parking spot, choose a well-lit area if possible. This is important for your vehicle’s safety and your safety as well.
- If you are going to leave your vehicle for an extended period of time, consider a parking area with guards, gates, and/or security cameras. While none of these can prevent vehicle theft, each can play a role in theft prevention.
- Secure your vehicle. When you exit your vehicle make sure all the windows are rolled up, check that all the doors are closed, and lock the vehicle. If you have a sunroof, make sure that the sunroof is closed as well. Take your vehicle keys with you.
Use Layers of Protection
The National Insurance Crime Bureau recommends that motorists with high-risk vehicles use several “layers” of protection. These systems and devices are designed to make vehicles more difficult to steal, or easier to trace and recover. Below are examples provided by the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Warning Devices
Warning devices are designed to prevent theft by audio or visual warnings. This layer of protection includes the following:
- Audible alarms
- Steering column collar
- Steering wheel lock
- Brake pedal lock
- Wheel locks
- Tire locks/tire deflators
- Theft deterrent decals
- Identification markers in or on the vehicle
- Security labels
- Window etchings of the vehicle identification number
- Impact resistant windows
Immobilizing Devices
Immobilizing devices are designed to prevent thieves from bypassing a vehicle’s ignition system and hot-wiring the vehicle. Immobilizing devices include the following:
- Smart keys
- Fuse cut-offs
- Kill switches
- Starter, ignition, and fuel disablers
Tracking Devices
Tracking devices can help to reveal the location of a stolen vehicle. Most tracking devices are hidden in the vehicle.
For a free legal consultation, call (702) 857-6000
Take Action
Unfortunately, even the most cautious driver can still be a victim of vehicle theft. If your vehicle is stolen, immediately take the following steps:
- Contact the police and file a stolen-vehicle report.
- Contact your insurance company and file a claim.
EXPERIENCED LAS VEGAS PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
We hope your vehicle stays safe this month. If you live in Las Vegas and are injured in a car accident, you should speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Some people wonder why they need a personal injury lawyer to help them. A personal injury lawyer will work aggressively to protect your rights and help you receive maximum compensation for your injuries.
Award-winning law firm Anthem Injury Lawyers is a team of experienced and dedicated personal injury lawyers. We are based in Henderson, Nevada, and serve clients throughout the Las Vegas area. When we say we offer personal injury law experience, we mean over 25 years of experience.
Your choice of an accident lawyer is one of the most consequential decisions you will ever make. It’s important to select a Las Vegas attorney that can put you in the best position to win your case. That’s why you need to speak with Anthem Injury Lawyers. Our experts offer you the best opportunity to win top compensation. Contact Anthem Injury Lawyers today at (702) 857-6000 to make an appointment for a free consultation.
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