Las Vegas Injury Lawyers Blog

There are few things that can ruin a day like an auto accident. It's unexpected, and because you can only prepare so much to avoid one, when it happens, it's stressful. If you are involved in a car accident anywhere in Nevada, including Las Vegas, reduce the stress and reinstill some calm by knowing the following few tips and Nevada car accident laws.

Tip One: Remember the Scout Motto - "Be Prepared"

Keep your car well maintained. Make sure your car follows the maintenance schedule laid out by the car's manufacturer in your vehicle's owner manual. In between maintenance inspections, routinely check the air pressure in your tires and the wear down of your wipers. After your car has sat for awhile, pull it away and check the ground for fluid leakages.

Be prepared for any Nevada car accident by putting a car emergency kit either in your trunk or underneath a front seat. You can buy a prepared car accident kit or put one together yourself. At a minimum your kit should include a flashlight, first aid materials, a camera, an ink pen, and a blanket. And whenever you drive, carry your driver's license, insurance registration, medical information, and a cell phone. To be extra prepared, if you have some type of Smartphone, consider installing a car accident app.

Tip Two: After an Accident Do the "Immediates"

After a car accident, the first reaction for most drivers and passengers is panic, then anger. As time is critical, tamper your emotions so critical steps can be taken.

Check the accident surroundings. Is anyone injured? Is there fire or the potential for fire or explosion? As soon as possible and if possible, alleviate any emergency situations that could lead to further injury or damage.

Move the cars to the side of the road or a nearby car accident area away from traffic, if possible.

Even if there is not much car damage or injury, call the police so you have a record of the accident and any fault can be assessed. If there are serious injuries, calling 911 will reach an ambulance service as well as the police.

Remember to take down notes about the car accident and the names and contact information for any witnesses, and call your insurance agent.

Finally, as soon as it is convenient, take pictures of the entire car's interior and exterior, the accident area, and any injuries. Also, though Nevada law requires both parties' consent to record conversations, as most car accidents occur outside, the expectation of privacy is debatable, so use your cell phone's camcorder to record any spontaneous statements and conversations made by the other parties in the accident.

Tip Three: Zip Your Lips

While the police will inquire as to how the accident occurred, only give them the facts. Never voice out loud to yourself or anyone else, a statement of fault. Limit that discussion to conversations with your insurance agent and attorney. Furthermore, do not make a statement to the other insurance companies before consulting with your own insurer or attorney. Finally, unless requested by the police or your insurer, do not sign any documents proffered.

Tip Four: Consider Hiring an Attorney

Under Nevada law for all car accidents, all drivers must carry insurance with coverage of a minimum of $30,000 for all bodily injury (limited to $15,000 per person) and $10,000 for property damage. Consult NRS 484.219 to 249 which outline the responsibilities of all drivers involved in and the reporting of accidents in Nevada.

Continue reading "Avoid the Stress of a Car Accident, Hire an Attorney" »

With the increased traffic in the city during the holidays, Las Vegas police continued their annual program to warn Las Vegas drivers and pedestrians about the rules of the road and potential traffic dangers. How? By dressing Las Vegas police officers in turkey costumes and posting them in the crosswalks at three of the busiest intersections in Las Vegas - Charleston Boulevard and Burnham Avenue; Maryland Parkway and Reno Avenue; and Maryland Parkway and University Road - during the Thanksgiving holidays. During the Christmas holidays, the officers dress as Santa Claus.

Though traffic fatalities in Nevada are lower than in previous years, the number of pedestrian deaths has increased. According to the Nevada Transportation Board, so far this year, 41 pedestrian have been killed compared to 33 for the entire year of 2010. This included the death of CBS's Reno television sports editor, JK Metsker, who was killed as he crossed the street after covering the Nevada-Hawaii football game, as well as an 11-year-old girl who was seriously injured while crossing Jones Boulevard against the light and outside the crosswalk the day the police conducted the safety program.

Under NRS 484.3245, a driver of a motor vehicle in Las Vegas is required to:
1. Exercise due care to avoid a collision with a pedestrian;
2. Give an audible warning with the horn of the vehicle if appropriate and when necessary to avoid such a collision; and
3. Exercise proper caution upon observing a pedestrian on or near a highway, street or road or in or near a school crossing zone marked in accordance with NRS 484B.363 or a marked or unmarked crosswalk.

NRS 484B.283 requires:
1. When official traffic-control devices are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be so to yield, to a pedestrian crossing the highway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the highway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the highway as to be in danger.
2. A pedestrian shall not suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
3. Whenever a vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle until the driver has determined that the vehicle being overtaken was not stopped for the purpose of permitting a pedestrian to cross the highway.
4. Whenever signals exhibiting the words "Walk" or "Don't Walk" are in place ...
(a) While the "Walk" indication is illuminated, pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the highway in the direction of the signal and must be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles.
(b) While the "Don't Walk" indication is illuminated, either steady or flashing, a pedestrian shall not start to cross the highway in the direction of the signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed the crossing during the "Walk" indication shall proceed to a sidewalk, or to a safety zone if one is provided.
(d) Whenever a signal system provides a signal phase for the stopping of all vehicular traffic and the exclusive movement of pedestrians, and "Walk" and "Don't Walk" indications control pedestrian movement, pedestrians may cross in any direction between corners of the intersection offering the shortest route within the boundaries of the intersection when the "Walk" indication is exhibited, and when signals and other official traffic-control devices direct pedestrian movement in the manner provided.

NRS 484B.287 further governs pedestrians by requiring:
1. Every pedestrian crossing a highway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the highway.
2. Any pedestrian crossing a highway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the highway.
3. Between adjacent intersections at which official traffic-control devices are in operation pedestrians shall not cross at any place except in a marked crosswalk.
4. A pedestrian shall not cross an intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices.
5. When authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements.

So far for the holiday, the Las Vegas police safety awareness program has issued 64 citations to drivers for failing to stop, speeding, and driving under the influence. But while the drivers received the tickets, the Las Vegas police reminded pedestrians to look both ways before crossing, even in crosswalks.

Continue reading "Las Vegas Police Go Beyond to Protect Pedestrians during Holidays" »

A 29-year-old man was allegedly walking outside a marked crosswalk on Nellis Boulevard, Las Vegas, between 7 and 8pm, when he was struck by a '96 Honda Civic that was traveling north down the road.

The driver and passenger that hit the pedestrian ran away from the apparently stolen car on foot after the accident, making it a hit-and-run.

Meanwhile, the man they hit suffered serious injuries and was transported to Sunrise Trauma where he remains.

Article on the Hit and Run Accident in the Las Vegas Sun.