Trusted Las Vegas Car Accident Attorneys Ready To Assist You
Even if you follow all the rules of the road, there is always a chance that you might still be involved in an accident. Often, someone else’s wrongful act or negligence can be the cause of your accident and resulting injuries. So what do you do if this happens to you?
While you may not always be able to avoid involvement in a Las Vegas car accident, there are things you can do to maximize your financial recovery in the aftermath. Hiring an experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyer can be a great first step on your pathway toward compensation.
If you have sustained injuries in a car accident in the Las Vegas metro area, we want to help. At Mills & Anderson, our Las Vegas car accident attorneys understand that this can be a traumatic and confusing time for you. So let us take the lead and help you get the representation you need and deserve.
Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents occur each day throughout the U.S. for a variety of reasons. Factors contributing to car accidents range from driver errors to vehicle malfunctions.
Below are some of the most common causes of car accidents. Make sure to take note and avoid taking part in these types of actions to better prevent your own involvement in an accident in or around Las Vegas.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving contributes to almost every single car accident in some way, shape, or form. Examples of actions that might be considered distracted driving include:
- Texting,
- Talking on the phone,
- Reading on your phone,
- Eating,
- Applying make-up,
- Daydreaming, and
- Changing the radio station.
Statutes aimed at criminalizing forms of distracted driving have been passed across the nation in an attempt to curb the practice of such acts.
In fact, Nevada law prohibits the use of a handheld cellphone while driving to text, access the internet, or make a phone call. Thus, not only is distracted driving dangerous and unwise, participating in certain forms of distracted driving while on Las Vegas roads is also illegal.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence (DUI) accounts for a significant percentage of motor vehicle accidents and resulting fatalities each year throughout the United States. Unfortunately, the State of Nevada is no exception.
The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that of the 304 total traffic accident fatalities in Nevada in 2019, 92 were the result of alcohol-impaired driving. This accounted for 30% of all traffic fatalities that year, exceeding the nationwide percentage of 28%.
Drug and/or alcohol impairment limits a driver’s ability to react quickly to road conditions and other drivers. Thus, always take precautions to ensure that you do not drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Doing so just might save your life.
Disobeying Traffic Rules and Regulations
Another common cause of car accidents is the failure to follow traffic signs, signals, and rules of the road. Examples of such failures that frequently lead to accidents include:
- Speeding,
- Running red lights and stop signs,
- Failure to yield,
- Improper lane changes,
- Tailgating,
- Improper turns, and
- Night driving without lights.
Traffic laws are put in place for a reason—to better ensure the safety of drivers and their passengers. Make sure that you follow all rules of the road to protect yourself and others.
Las Vegas Car Accident Statistics
Between 2015 and 2017, the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) reported 94,809 crashes that occurred in the Las Vegas metro area. Approximately 60% of the traffic collisions resulted in injuries to occupants of one of the vehicles.
Las Vegas Car Accident Laws: An Overview
If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a Las Vegas car accident, you may be wondering where to turn and what you can do to recover.
Before taking any next steps in your legal matter, it is a good idea to have a general understanding of Nevada car accident laws.
What to Do After a Las Vegas Car Accident
Nevada law prescribes certain rules regarding what you must do after certain types of car accidents.
For example, in a crash resulting in only property damage, a driver must immediately stop his or her vehicle under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) section 484E.020. Additionally, if the driver’s vehicle is creating a hazard or obstructing traffic, that driver has a duty to move it to a safe location if it is possible to do so safely.
In crashes resulting in personal injury or death, the driver of any vehicle involved must also immediately stop his or her vehicle and remain at the scene until the driver has fulfilled the requirements of NRS 484E.030.
Specifically, NRS 484E.030 states that a driver of any vehicle involved in a crash resulting in vehicle damage, personal injury, or death must:
- Provide their name, address, and registration number of their vehicle to any person injured in the crash and/or to any other drivers or occupants of other vehicles involved in the crash;
- Provide the same information to any police officer investigating at the scene of the crash; and
- Render reasonable assistance and aid to any person injured in the crash.
If no police officer is present at the scene of the crash, any driver involved must still report the crash to the nearest police authority or Nevada Highway Patrol as soon as practicable.
Failure to comply with these legal requirements can result in severe penalties, including fines and even imprisonment. Thus, it is imperative that you know and understands these laws.
What Damages Can I Recover?
Damages are an important element of your Nevada car accident claim. These damages are, in large part, what allows you to recover in the aftermath of your crash.
But what exactly are damages? And what types of damages can you recover?
Damages are the sum of money that you may be entitled to recover as compensation for a loss or injury in a legal claim.
Examples of damages you may be able to claim and recover in a Las Vegas car accident lawsuit include compensation for:
- Property damage,
- Past and future medical expenses,
- Physical therapy,
- Lost wages,
- Loss in earning capacity, and
- Pain and suffering.
Additionally, in some cases, you might be able to recover punitive damages. However, NRS 42.005 provides that punitive damages are designed to punish and deter future wrongful conduct. Thus, they are awarded only in cases where the defendant is proven to be guilty of fraud, oppression, or malice in connection with his or her acts that cause the accident.
Of course, filing a personal injury claim after your Las Vegas car accident will not undo the crash itself or the harm it caused. However, the damages you receive as a result of your claim can be crucial to your pathway to recovery.
How Long Do I Have to Bring My Car Accident Injury Claim?
After an accident, many people do not realize that there is a legal time limit within which you must file your claim. This is what is known as the statute of limitations.
Under Nevada law, most car accident claims will have either a 2 or 3 year statute of limitations.
Specifically, NRS 11.190(4)(e) states that actions to recover damages for injury to or death of a person caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another must be brought within two years. If the accident resulted in injury, the claim must be brought within two years of the accident date itself. If the accident resulted in death, the claim must be brought within two years of the accident victim’s death.
Claims for property damage resulting out of the crash, however, have a three-year statute of limitations from the day of the accident.
Failure to timely bring your claim within the requisite statute of limitations can result in losing your right to recovery entirely. Thus, make sure you keep a careful record of all dates and statute of limitations deadlines to ensure you don’t waive any rights.
If you are uncertain whether you are within the statute of limitations for your claim, contact our Las Vegas car accident lawyers today.
Mills & Anderson: Your Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyers
At Mills & Anderson, our Las Vegas car accident attorneys have seen how drastically a car accident can impact someone’s life. However, we’ve also seen how far a successful settlement or award can go toward turning that same person’s life back around.
That’s why we’ve dedicated an entire practice area to personal injury claims and helping accident victims fight for the compensation they need and deserve. Our experienced injury attorneys also handles other types of cases, including:
When you hire our Las Vegas car accident attorney, you will get a team of experienced attorneys who will advocate aggressively and zealously for you at all times. So contact us today to get the process started, and see what we can do for you.
