As a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas, I see some strange accidents. Some of these are accidents caused by cars running away from the police or people driving across a median to hit someone in the opposite lane of traffic.  You name it and I have seen it. Still, there are some accidents that just defy logic or any reasonable explanation.  These are your freak accidents that leave you scratching your head. Here is my list of the weirdest accidents ever.

#1 Heart Relocation

There was an Italian man that was in a motorcycle crash. As a result, he had a ruptured lung that air was leaking out of.  This then caused his heart to move or literally relocate within his own body.  His blood pressure dropped significantly and he was at risk for more serious and immediate health problems. Fortunately, the lung healed, his heart moved back to the right spot, and he is just fine. While completely freaky, this is a good reminder to visit the doctor after your accident to make sure that you do not have any strange internal injuries.

#2 Bridge Diving

Bridges all over the country provide plenty of opportunity for nasty accidents that are hard to escape from.  After all, if you see something coming towards you and have nowhere to go, you are a literal sitting duck.  The Bay Bridge is located just outside of Annapolis, Maryland.  It is a huge sprawling bridge connecting the urban area of Annapolis with the more rural Eastern Shore.  Commuters use the bridge to commute to and from work on a daily basis and tourist use it to head out to the beaches of Maryland and Delaware.  Unfortunately, this was the scene of an accident where a Sebring was hit by a semi-truck and then pushed up over the concrete embankment and into the Chesapeake Bay.  No small body of water, the Bay can be a frightening place for swimmers.  The victim had to unbuckle her seatbelt and swim out of the sinking car before swimming to a pile of rocks at the base of the bridge.  This is any bridge drivers’ worst nightmare.

#3 Close Calls with Metal

Recently in California, a metal ramp flew off of a truck and ran straight through the windshield of a BMW.  Fortunately, the ramp came through exactly in between the driver and passenger side so that no one was hurt.  The force in which it came through the windshield could have resulted in a fatality if it had been just slightly to one side or the other.  Another close encounter with metal happened when a crane ripped off the top of a commercial van in New Jersey.  One minute the driver was rolling along and the next minute the roof of his van was completely gone.  He also escaped with only minor injuries. Phew.

#4 Freak Birds

It is hard to imagine someone more unlucky than Matthew Brealy.   He was riding a motorcycle near Chesterfield when a pigeon slammed right into his visor.  It broke his glasses, knocked him unconscious and caused him (in his unconscious state) to hit the accelerator and get the bike all the way up to 140 miles per hour before he crashed into a tree and was ejected onto the road.  As a result, he got a broken leg and two skull fractures – all thanks to a pigeon. Now that is freaky.

Tell a Car Accidents Lawyer in Las Vegas About Your Accident

As a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas, I want to hear about your freaky car accidents. Post them here or share this post with your friends.

In 2011, the Nevada state legislature passed a law making it illegal to talk or text on a cell phone while driving.  In 2012, a fine of $250 began being issued to people caught talking, texting or reading an electronic device while driving.  As a car accidents lawyer in Las Vegas I know that this has really only been a small deterrent with many people still talking or texting while driving.

Why Using a Cell Phone is Illegal

It comes down to numbers.  Statistically, you are four times more likely to be in an accident when talking or texting on your phone.  If you want to stay safe or have your teens drive safely, you need to keep the phone away from your hands while driving – period.  This is in part due to the distraction of looking at the screen and also because it slows your reaction time as much as it would if you were to drink and drive.  In fact, studies have found that reaction times are severely slowed even when using a Bluetooth.

Legal Options

If you were in an accident that was caused by someone talking or texting while driving, you should call a car accidents lawyer in Las Vegas for help.  In order to qualify for any financial damages, negligence must be established.  That is a legal way to determine who was at fault.  If they were illegally using a cell phone, that will help to demonstrate their role in the accident.  If you were the one on the phone, you may still have options but should speak with a lawyer to discuss your case specifically.

How Common Are Tickets?

If you ask most people if they talk or text while driving they will say yes.  If you ask them if they have ever gotten a ticket for it, you will most likely hear “no.”  As a car accidents lawyer in Las Vegas, I want to know if you or anyone you know has gotten a ticket for this.  Also, let us know if your ticket was only for using a cell phone or as part of a larger ticket for something like speeding.  Leave a comment and tell us what happened and where you were ticketed.

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!

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 accident lawyer in Las Vegas, I am often reminding clients of what to do in the event of an accident.  Typically, you should call the police for assistance getting to safety and to file a police report.  There is, however, another agency that can help – the Freeway Service Patrol.

Just dial *647 or 911 and either they or the highway patrol will be sent to your location. (Note: do not chat on our website, we are not the Freeway Service Patrol).

The Scoop on the Freeway Service Patrol Program (FSP)

This is a program run by the Nevada Department of Transportation. The FSP operates in the Las Vegas and Reno/Sparks areas.  They provide Incident Response Vehicles in Las Vegas as well.  You may see their vans out and about as they remove stalled vehicles, road debris or help to clear minor accidents as quickly as possible.  They provide accident support so that the wreckage can be cleared and traffic can keep flowing. This also means that if your car has stalled, they can help you.

Just dial *647 or 911 and either they or the highway patrol will be sent to your location.

They Are Certified

The Freeway Service Patrol program is manned by people that are certified in first aid so they can provide basic care as a first responder.  They are also trained in Automotive Service Excellence which means that they are prepared to quickly remove your stalled vehicle after a wreck or mechanical problem. They often work with law enforcement so if you are assisted by an FSP crew, you can still file a police report afterwards.

They Have Set Routes

The FSP drivers have set routes that they need to travel.  These have been assigned based on the areas that have high traffic counts or see a lot of accidents and stalled vehicles.  If you see one of their vans and need help, you can try to waive them down.  You can see their routes on this map and their hours are listed as well.

Tips from a Car Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas

As a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas, I recommend that if you have been in a wreck, you call 911.  They will send the right responder to the scene based on the description of the accident and who is close by.

If you have been in a wreck, you may want to work with a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas.  However, before you ever make that call, there are specific things you should do to protect yourself, your property, and your case.  It is important to keep in mind that after an accident, someone will be found to be at fault or negligent.  Even if you believe that you had no responsibility for the wreck, the other driver may feel the same or work to push blame in your direction.  What you do immediately following an accident can help to build and prove your case.

Step One: Get to Safety

No matter what you do, you need to get to a safe location first.  If you remain in the middle of the road, you risk becoming injured in a second collision.  Other drivers may not see you or pay attention to the fact that you are stopped.  This has led to fatalities as people are hit after surviving the first crash.  Put your hazard lights on and try to drive your car to the shoulder.  Use your horn if necessary. If you cannot get out of the car and to safety, call 911 and wait for help to arrive while you do whatever you can to alert other drivers of your presence.  As a warning, walking on a busy road or highway in the dark is incredibly dangerous so you may need to wait for police assistance after sunset.

Step Two: Document Everything

Pull out your smart phone and start taking pictures of everything around you.  You can later show these pictures to a car accident attorney in Las Vegas when discussing your case.  You should have pictures of all sides of your vehicle and the other vehicles involved in the crash.  Also, take pictures of the road where the crash occurred and around it.  Things like street lights and debris can all help to give your story a visual reference for the judge or jury. If there were witnesses, write down their name and contact information as well.

Step Three: File a Police Report

You should call the police immediately following your accident, even if it was a fairly minor one.  You will need to file a police report since that report will be used in your case later on.  The officer will document who was involved in the crash, where it took place, and any relevant details which may be used to confirm your story.

Step Four: Go to the Doctor

It is critical for you to receive medical care right away.  Since you will probably be in shock, you may not realize the full extent of your injuries.  A doctor can check you out, identify any potential problems, make sure that you do not have any internal injuries and help to create a plan for your recovery.  The sooner you receive treatment, the faster you will feel better.

Step Five: Call a Car Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas

To receive financial compensation for your injuries, a lawsuit or claim must be filed.  You may receive a settlement offer as a result of your attorney negotiating on your behalf, or you may need to go to court.  Regardless, working with an attorney early on will help to ensure that all of the evidence is gathered in a timely manner and that you are treated fairly.

What Did You Do?

If you have already been in a car wreck, we want to know what you did afterward.  Leave a comment below and let’s find out who has the weirdest post-accident story!