Automobile accidents occur frequently in Las Vegas. These accidents happen for a variety of reasons.  Nevada’s laws provide that when you are involved in an accident and another person is at fault, you have the opportunity to be compensated monetarily for the harm they cause.  In most cases, an auto accident is caused by a legal term called “negligence.” Negligence can stem from anyone, or more of the following reasons:

• Drivers who break the speed limit. Breaking the speed limit is a major cause of automobile accidents. If a speeding driver is going too fast, he or she may not be able to stop in time if there is an emergency. Most speed limit cases result in rear-end accidents  because there is insufficient room and time to stop., and these types of accident, t-bone, or head on accidents. These types of accidents often cause serious whiplash, spine, neck and/or back injuries.

• Distracted driving. As referenced in a blog post on this very website, distracted driving is way too common in Las Vegas.  Mostly, distracted driving comes from using cell phones while driving. A police officer friend recently told us that he estimates 80-90% of drivers are using their cell phones inappropriately while driving in Las Vegas.  This obviously results in the driver being distracted while operating his or her vehicle. However, texting or using a cellphone while driving is not the only distraction. Other distractions include trying to operate a GPS or other digital map while driving, talking while driving, eating or drinking while driving, dealing with children or animals in the vehicle while trying to drive, or even doing your makeup. Driving while distracted is negligent because Nevada law states that a driver has a duty to pay attention to the road and other’s around while driving.  

• Reckless driving. Drivers who operate their vehicle in a reckless manner are a potential threat to other drivers on the road. Reckless driving not only includes speeding, but also swerving, not using turn signals, not obeying traffic signs or lights, street racing, weaving in and out of traffic, and operating a vehicle in an unusual and dangerous manner. Reckless drivers are negligent drivers because what they are doing is unsafe and puts others at risk.

• Driving while tired or falling asleep at the wheel. Driving while overly tired or falling asleep at the wheel is particularly a problem in accidents involving tractor trailers or large commercial trucks. However, there are also incidents involving drivers of other day to day vehicles falling asleep while traveling long distances and causing serious harm to others.  A driver who operates the vehicle while overly tired runs the risk of falling asleep at the wheel, which puts the lives of others who share the roadways in danger. Driving while too tired or falling asleep at the wheel is negligent because it also puts other people at risk and can cause serious injury.

• Drunk or intoxicated drivers. Drivers who are intoxicated and over the legal limits by drugs or alcohol pose serious and significant risk to other drivers on the road. Intoxicated drivers are unable to focus on driving and have shorter attention spans than drivers who are sober. Unfortunately, intoxicated drivers can hallucinate, fall asleep, lose control of the vehicle or operate the vehicle in an unsafe manner. Intoxicated drivers tend to cause serious injuries to others when they are involved in accidents, which equals negligence as discussed above.  

Accidents that are caused by the negligence of another can produce all kinds of serious injuries to victims. If you have been involved in an accident like those discussed above, please contact an experienced Las Vegas Car Accident attorney at Steve Dixon Law to discuss your compensation today.  

A while back I was almost struck by a vehicle one morning during a jog. The driver of the vehicle simply sped through a four way stop sign and was not paying attention. The most scary part of the episode was that I was pushing my young child in an exercise stroller at the time. The Nevada Department of Public Safety announced this year that efforts made by that agency and others contributed to a drop in the total number of fatalities on Nevada roads in 2017.

Unfortunately, the drop was not universal among all kinds of accidents.. The number of pedestrian accidents continued to rise in Nevada, especially in Las Vegas. Indeed, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported a rise in pedestrian accidents last year. While the total number of traffic fatalities dropped from 329 to 305, pedestrian fatalities increased from 80 to 100 fatalities statewide between 2016 and 2017. Clark County was a major contributor to this increase. In 2017, pedestrian fatalities in Clark County (where Las Vegas is located) increased by 37 percent.

In fact, 78 of the pedestrian deaths last year came just from Clark County. The Las Vegas Police Department directly investigated 65 of those deaths. As another news report from KTNV 13 Action News noted this past August, Clark County has already recorded 37 pedestrian fatalities so far this year.

The number of pedestrian fatalities stands in stark contrast to the general traffic trends. Another interesting part about pedestrian accidents is that they often involve local police as well. Police are not immune from traffic laws and are also subject to remunerating individuals for injuries sustained as a result of their negligence.If you have been the victim of a pedestrian accident in Nevada, contact Steve Dixon Law today to learn more about all your legal options. As one of Nevada’s top personal injury law firms, we’ll fight to hold negligent drivers accountable for their actions – especially if you are a pedestrian.

Motorcycles in the United States have a rich history.  Unfortunately, one of the most dangerous accidents involves you driving your motorcycle and being struck by another driver who may not be paying attention.  Even famous athletes and actors enjoy this American past time, but are still subject to unfortunate incidents such as this one: http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=2480830.  Because motorcycle riders lack the protection of those in passenger vehicles, motorcycle accidents are more likely to result in significant injuries or even death compared to accidents that involve only cars.

A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report indicates that motorcyclists are approximately five-and-a-half times more likely to be in a fatal accident than those in passenger vehicles. Common motorcycle accident injuries include:

• Brain injuries

• Spinal cord injuries

• Burn injuries

• Loss-of-limb injuries

The failure of passenger vehicle drivers to see motorcycles is the leading cause of motorcycle accidents, according to a study backed by the NHTSA. The most common motorcycle accident scenarios include:

• A vehicle driver failing to check the blind spot before changing lanes.

• A vehicle entering an intersection or turning onto a street and into the path of a motorcycle.

• A vehicle driver failing to yield right-of-way to a motorcycle.

If you were hurt or a family member was killed in a motorcycle accident, the Las Vegas Accident Attorneys at Steve Dixon Law may be able to help you pursue financial compensation. While motorcyclists are generally entitled to the same privileges and protections as passenger vehicle drivers, there are motorcycle-specific requirements such as helmet laws that vary by state.  Any motor vehicle accident can cause severe or fatal injuries. However, motorcycle operators and passengers are especially vulnerable in collisions.

Steve Dixon Law has helped motorcycle accident victims recover the money they need for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and repairing or replacing their motorcycles.  Please contact us for a free consultation at (702) 329-4911.