You may have been driving the speed limit, paying attention to other drivers and obeying traffic laws, but still you were involved in a car accident. Perhaps another driver blindsided you as you drove through an intersection. A motorist may have made an illegal turn into your path or may have rear-ended you. Regardless of the particular circumstances of your accident, it is important to talk to a Reno car accident lawyer about your rights and options.
De Castroverde Law Group is fully committed to representing car accident victims throughout Washoe County, Nevada. The lawyers at our firm understand you have a lot at stake. The outcome of your case will directly impact your financial future and may also affect your emotional well being. When you work with a car accident lawyer at our firm it is our goal to alleviate the stress that you are experiencing. Fill out our contact form or call us at (702) 222-9999 to discuss your legal options!
Those who have suffered serious injuries from a car accident in Reno deserve to be fairly compensated. Call today for a free consultation!
Common Causes of Nevada Car Accidents
In Nevada, perhaps more so than in other states, much attention is paid to drunk driving. 30 percent of all traffic fatalities involved a driver having a blood alcohol content over the legal limit. Other common causes of car accidents include:
Lane departure:
A lane or roadway departure crash occurs when a car or motor vehicle crosses an edge line, center line, or otherwise leaves the lane or roadway. Roadway departure accidents account for more than half of all fatalities on U.S. highways, and often lead to head on collisions, overturn crashes and collisions with fixed objects. In Nevada, lane departures accounted for 5,212 total accidents, 2,357 of them involved injuries and 38 were fatal.
Failure to yield:
Failure to yield the right of way happens when one driver runs through a stop sign, yield sign or red light, turns left into oncoming traffic when it’s not their turn, or does not give right of way to pedestrians. These negligent actions usually lead to t-bone collisions, side swiping, or pedestrian accidents. Failure to yield caused a total of 6,377 accidents, 5,079 caused injuries and 22 of them were fatal.
Following too close :
The recommended distance for safe following of another vehicle changes depending on how fast you are traveling, but in general it’s two seconds when passing a fixed object (when the car in front of you passes a sign, you should be able to count out at least two seconds before you pass the same sign). Following too closely caused 5,773 total accidents, 3,320 of which were injurious, but only two involved a fatality.
Fatigue/fell asleep:
Fatigue can be arbitrary at times, but usually happens when someone has been driving for long periods of time or did not get enough sleep the night before. Taking your eyes off the road for even a few seconds is just as, if not more, dangerous than driving under the influence. Driver fatigue or falling asleep behind the wheel caused 530 accidents, 252 involved injuries and seven were fatal.
Speeding/Driving Too Fast For Conditions:
Speeding can be more than just traveling faster than the posted speed limit; the speed limit applies in dry conditions when the road is in good shape. If there is foul weather or the road is otherwise not in optimal condition, then drivers need to drive at an appropriate speed, which may very well be slower than the posted limit. Driving too fast is at the root of many spinouts, hydroplane and rollover accidents. There were 4,944 total accidents, 1,614 of them caused injuries and 37 were fatal.
Distracted driving:
Distracted driving has been a cause for major concern not just in Nevada, but nationwide. Talking to passengers, eating or grooming all qualify as distracted driving, but texting or otherwise using a cell phone is the aspect which has received the most attention. In 2012, Nevada law enforcement issued 12,000 citations for distracted driving. The Nevada Office of Traffic Safety notes that more than half of these was due to using a cell phone while driving, and there are more than 3,500 distracted driving-related crashes in Nevada every year. This is why Nevada has issued a no-tolerance approach to texting use while driving, and the fines for texting and driving in Nevada start at $50.00. If any driver regardless of age is caught texting or talking on their phone behind the wheel, they will be issued a citation.
Recently, another distraction has become a bigger concern than texting and driving. Reports show that using apps while driving, like Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook, could be more dangerous for drivers engaging as well as for others on the road. Liberty Mutual Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions conducted a survey on teenage drivers and found alarming information. According to their results, 27% of teens admitted to texting and driving while 68% admitted to using apps while driving. Moreover, 80% of the teens who use apps while driving believed that this wasn’t considered a distraction. Dangers behind Snapchat and driving have been showcased, yet fatal car accidents continue to occur at a staggering rate all over the country.
Reno, NV Rear-End Car Accident Lawyer
Rear-end accidents are the most common type of car crash in the United States. But while the majority of rear-end collisions are only considered fender-benders, a significant number of these wrecks can cause serious injury or death. For example, certain types of rear-end accidents can be catastrophic:
- Accidents involving an SUV, truck, or 18-wheeler.
- Accidents involving speeding.
- Accidents taking place on highways or interstates.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a rear-end accident, you could collect compensation for any damages, including your medical bills and your lost wages. Contact De Castroverde Law Group today to find out more about your possible car accident claim from an experienced attorney.
Six Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents
It is a myth that the vehicle in the back is always at fault for a rear-end accident. There are a countless number of ways that rear-end accidents can occur and, depending on the circumstances, either driver could be responsible for the collision. In addition, a defective car part, poor road design, or other factors could be the true cause of the rear-end crash.
Here are six of the most common causes of rear-end accidents:
- Sudden braking. If the car in front of you brakes suddenly for a red light, a pedestrian, wildlife, or another reason, it can be difficult or impossible for the car directly behind them to stop.
- Speeding and sudden acceleration. In the same way, if the car in back accelerates suddenly or is driving above the speed limit, a rear-end accident can occur. For example, if a car accelerates when they see a yellow light, it can strike the car ahead of it that is stopping at the intersection.
- Distracted driving. Taking your eyes off of the road for even a few seconds can cause an accident. Answering a cell phone call, sending a text, or eating behind the wheel can mean not seeing brake lights coming on ahead of you.
- Tailgating. The main reason that you should not follow too closely is rear-end accidents. The closer you are traveling to the car in front of you, the more likely you will not have the time or ability to stop in the event of sudden deceleration.
- Poor road design. Some rear-end accidents take place because a driver cannot see the road in front of them or because the road signage is confusing. In these cases, the rear-end accident may be the fault of the Department of Transportation or a municipality.
- Weather conditions. Wet roads or icy roads can make stopping take much longer than usual. In addition, rain, fog, or other low-visibility weather can make it difficult to see hazards on the road ahead of you.
Far too often in rear-end accidents, injury victims assume that they don’t have a case, assume they are at fault, or don’t understand what truly caused their crash. An experienced car accident attorney can help you understand the legal aspects of your crash and make certain you get the compensation you deserve.
What Should I Do If I’m In A Car Accident?
Whether a slight fender-bender or a severe wreck, being involved in a motor vehicle accident can be frustrating and downright terrifying. If you sustain injuries, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. The reason this is crucial, apart from ensuring your own well-being, is because the defendant’s insurance may try to say that your injuries don’t deserve compensation if you waited to see a doctor for them.
After an accident, you’ll need to exchange information with the other driver. This includes name, address, driver’s license number, and insurance details. If injuries are present, then a police officer will need to be there to file a report. No detail should be overlooked when giving a report to the police. The more accurate this is, the stronger your case for compensation will be.
If you are able, take pictures of the damage and the surrounding scene. If the other driver ran a red light or stop sign, take pictures of it. Documenting the circumstances which caused the accident will only help to sure up your case. Talk to witnesses, if there were any, who can corroborate your version of events if it becomes necessary.
Nevada Car Accident Negligence Laws
Nevada uses the modified comparative negligence law to determine the amount of fault that could be attributed to each driver. If you as the victim are awarded $10,000 in damages, but are found to be 25 percent at fault, then you would only receive $7,500 in compensation. The “modified” part of this law means that if you are found to be 50 percent or more at fault, you will not be entitled to receive any compensation for damages at all. The amount of fault is determined by a jury in a trial, so settling out of court, which most car accident claims are, will take away any of that ambiguity.
In Nevada, statute of limitations dictate that you have two years to file a personal injury claim, and three years to file a claim for property damage. This clock starts from the time the accident took place, rather than when the injury was discovered. You have time to put together your claim, so hiring a lawyer as soon as you can after the accident to help you gather evidence, keep track of paperwork and document medical expenses will ensure that you are compensated fairly.
Nevada Car Accident Statistics
There were more than 51,000 motor vehicle accidents in Nevada in 2010 (the most recently available data for this information), leading to almost 19,000 injuries and 257 fatalities. While that number is staggering in itself, Nevada roads have become increasingly more deadly. Since 2010, fatal car accidents continue to climb with deaths steadily increasing.
In 2015, 325 people lost their lives in Nevada traffic accidents, the highest number in seven years.
Nevada Fatality Rates, Compared to the US Average
Nevada’s rise in fatal accidents has coincided with the climbing fatality rate of the U.S. as a whole. In 2011, Nevada’s fatality rate was 9.00 per 100,000 people; while it was 10.4 for the U.S. In 2015, Nevada’s rate of 11.2 surpassed that of the U.S., which was 10.9. A lot of this might have to do with the increase in the sheer number of cars on the road. From 2012 to 2015 almost 300,000 additional vehicle registrations were recorded.
As the number of accidents, injuries and fatalities increase, so too do the economic costs associated with them. Auto accidents and the resulting injuries cost the state of Nevada almost $2 billion in lost wages and medical expenses.
Should I Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
An attorney can assist you in filing an insurance claim in Reno that seeks a fair amount of financial compensation for your injuries as well as property damage. Even a minor accident can be complex to deal with. The insurance company may attempt to offer you a settlement amount that is below the actual worth of your claim. The other party may deny responsibility altogether and may try to say the accident was your fault. By having a Reno personal injury lawyer skilled in handling auto accidents at your side, you can be sure that your interests are protected.
Our team will:
- Listen to your story and tell you truthfully whether or not you have a case.
- Collect evidence surrounding your case, including witness accounts, medical records, and accident reports.
- Calculate how much compensation you deserve from the at-fault party.
- Outline a legal plan of action.
- Negotiate with the insurance company regarding a settlement.
- Take your case to court if necessary.
Depending upon the particular case, you may be able to recover financial compensation for: medical care, future medical treatment, lost wages, emotional trauma and pain and suffering. This can help resolve your financial difficulties so you can focus on recovery and being with your loved ones.
Contact a Reno Car Accident Lawyer for assistance!
It doesn’t matter what the other driver says or does. You have rights and these should be protected. No matter if you were involved in a rear end accident, a head on collision, a T-Bone collision or a rollover accident, contacting a Reno accident attorney immediately is the most important step to take, after seeking medical treatment. In doing so, you can find out what to do at this point to have the greatest positive impact on your case.