As a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas, I see a growing number of high-profile fatal accidents.  Las Vegas may be known as Sin City or the fun capital of the world but it can also be a dangerous place to drive.  The combination of massive quantities of alcohol, very little sleep, and non-stop parties leaves a lot of visitors and residents in no condition to drive home.  Unfortunately, this held true on New Year’s Eve when two men died in a car crash on I-15.

News 3 Las Vegas Reported that Only One Car Was Involved in the Accident

The driver was reported to have hit the median, crossed all lanes, and then continued to roll as it went down the highway.  They were driving a Nissan Z and the car promptly caught on fire once it came to a stop.  This all happened around 10 pm on New Year’s Eve and, as a result, the passenger, Darren Tongol Thomas, and driver, Jacob Alan Varner, died.  They were both in their early twenties.

Response from State Troopers

In response to the accident, NHP Trooper Loy Hixson said, “When a vehicle is traveling at a high rate of speed a lot of times the result we will see is a fire because the gas tank is ruptured because of so much force or energy that gets redirected.”  While this accident stands out for the severity of it, this is only one of the many fatalities in 2015.  When talking about them, Trooper Hixon expressed frustration over how many lives have been lost saying, “These are families are now broken.”

The Numbers

There were more fatal car accidents in 2015 than in 2014, an alarming trend that no one wants to see repeated in 2016 so it is important to practice defensive driving and to stay alert at all times.  Texting, talking on your cell phone, driving while tired or distracted can all increase the likelihood of you becoming another accident victim.

Victim’s Rights

In cases where only one vehicle is involved in a crash, there is typically no way to recover damages since the driver is usually negligent or responsible for the accident that happened in the first place.  However, an investigation should always be conducted to determine what really caused the wreck.  There have been single vehicle accidents caused by a vehicle malfunction or by road conditions. If you were in an accident like that, you could have the opportunity to collect financial damages.  In this particular accident, NHP Troopers believe that it was caused by him making a lane change while driving too fast to maintain control.  Still, accident victims and their families should always take the time to investigate, research, and speak with a car accident attorney in Las Vegas.

Give a Warning

Do you know anyone that likes to drive too fast?  If so, share this blog post as a friendly reminder of how important it is to drive safely.

As a car accidents lawyer in Las Vegas, most of the accidents I deal with happen in the city or outlining areas.  With year-round warm weather, most of these accidents have nothing to do with bad weather conditions but instead are caused by things like distracted or reckless driving.  However, just because Las Vegas has warm or mild weather, does not mean that Nevadans are safe from winter storms and the bad roads that come with them.  If you are planning on driving into the mountains or taking a short road trip, you should be prepared for the bad weather and how to safely drive in it.

Safe Driving Tips from a Car Accidents Lawyer in Las Vegas

• Check the weather. A quick look at the weather report can save you a lot of time and headaches.  Before you head into the mountains, look to see whether you will be driving into a snow or ice storm.  If you are, it is best to delay your trip temporarily until the worst of the storm has passed and the road crews have had the opportunity to go to work clearing the roadways.
• Look for accidents. It is wise to check accident reports and road closures before heading out.  The Nevada Department of Transportation posts all of that information online.  Taking a few minutes to check can potentially save you hours of drive time that could be spent waiting for an accident to clear and the road to reopen.
• Use your lights. If you are driving in a storm, put your lights on regardless of what time of day that it is.  Make sure that you are visible to other drivers at all times. This is especially important if you are driving near a big truck.  Get out of their blind spot and give them plenty of room since it is even more difficult for them to drive in winter weather.
• Stay focused. Distracted or tired driving causes a lot of accidents.  Make sure to stay focused by staying off of your phone and GPS.  Even things like eating or reaching for something in your bag can create a long enough distraction to get into an accident.  It is important to avoid distracted driving at all times but especially when the road conditions or weather is bad.
• Get a tune-up. You can practice safety before ever hitting the road.  Take your car to get tuned up or at minimum, in for an oil change.  Making sure that your wipers are working and that you have enough tread on your tires will help you to see clearly and respond quickly to anything that happens around you.

Have You Been in a Winter Accident?

As a car accidents lawyer in Las Vegas, we know that winter accidents can produce crazy stories like the time your uncle got stuck in a snow bank.  Do you have a crazy accident story?  If so, post it here!