A hit and run driver was on the loose in downtown, crashing into an untold number of vehicles.  While rare, she went on an accident spree before ever being apprehended. News 3 Las Vegas reported that she hit at least three other vehicles but it is unclear how many were actually impacted by her reckless driving.

The Vehicle

She was driving a Toyota truck which made the string of accidents potentially worse.  For example, she was able to take out a street light near Stewart and Main, something that would have probably stopped a small sedan in its tracks.  Why she kept on going, no one knows since normally that would cause a person to at least pull over.

Who Was Hit?

After crashing into the light, she hit two other vehicles near Pecos and Stewart.  The next accident happened a few minutes later as the truck hit five other vehicles.  Unfortunately, this time people were hurt.  Two people were transported to the hospital with one of them bleeding and unresponsive.

Witnesses Followed Her

People that saw the last accident started to follow the truck and found it stopped near Fremont and St. Louis. According to reports, there were open alcohol containers in the truck along with her dog.  She was agitated or combative and was arrested when police arrived.  Fortunately, with the help of witnesses, the truck was tracked down so that the driver could be held accountable.  In many hit and run cases, the driver gets away, leaving victims and their families in search for justice, like with the case of the grandfather that was hit in November.  Often the only way to track the driver down is with tips and leads that the police have to follow up on.  Once a driver is found, criminal charges can be made against them and a civil case filed by a car accidents lawyer in Las Vegas.

Ongoing Investigation

Metro officers are investigating the accidents.  Naturally there are quite a few vehicles involved and many potential injuries.  Do you know anyone that had their vehicle run into before 12:40 on January 4^th?  Whether it was parked or they were driving, if they were the victim of a hit and run, it could have been part of this accident chain.  Share this blog with them so that they can contact the police, make a report, and see if their accident was part of this chain of events. If it was, their accident could become part of the criminal case against her.

Getting hit by a commercial vehicle, a delivery truck, bus, church van, security vehicle, etc. is always more complicated than if you were hit by someone driving their personally owned car.  While it may seem like an accident is an accident, and fairly straightforward, nothing is as simple as it seems. In this particular situation, the complications typically come from the need to prove negligence.

What is Negligence?

This is the legal term for fault.  In any accident, it needs to be proven who caused it, who was at fault for the wreck, and what percentage of fault each driver had.  In Nevada, the law allows for each driver to be partially to blame for the wreck and their percentage of blame determines what percentage of the settlement they are responsible for paying.  For example, if you are in a wreck and the settlement is for $10,000 but you were found to be ten percent negligent, you would only be entitled to $9,000 of the total award.

Who is to Blame When Hit by a Commercial Vehicle?

If you were hit by a commercial vehicle, the case has multiple layers.  First, was the driver using the vehicle while on duty or in their free time?  Were they doing a task that was assigned to them and were they trained on how to operate the vehicle?  Was the vehicle properly maintained or did a lack of maintenance contribute to the crash?  These are the types of questions that must be asked and answered in order to know if the driver was fully to blame or if the company they work for had some responsibility.  If you think that the company was completely or partially to blame you need to include them in the lawsuit.  If you fail to do so and settle, you will not be able to go back and sue them at a later date.

A Car Accidents Lawyer in Las Vegas Can Help You to Prepare a Lawsuit

It can be difficult to know whether you should include just the driver or the driver and their company in your lawsuit. A car accidents lawyer in Las Vegas can help to make that determination after hearing the details of your case. The next step will be to file a lawsuit and begin down the path of either settling or going to court in pursuit of damages.

What if You Were in a Commercial Bus that Was Hit?

Unfortunately, this does happen.  In fact, a famous Las Vegas case is the one where a local 25-year-old man hit a small tour bus, killing two people and injuring three more.  In the event that you are or were in a similar situation, and were hit while a passenger, you still need to have the case thoroughly researched to identify all parties that could be to blame for your injuries.

Do you know anyone that has been in an accident with a commercial vehicle?  Share this blog with them so that they know their rights and the importance of identifying all responsible parties.

No one enjoys road work.  It can cause massive delays on your morning commute and be a general pain when trying to get somewhere.  However, it is this same road work that makes the roads safe to drive on and prevents future delays as roadways are expanded or improved.  In other words, we all benefit from this temporary inconvenience.  Still, roadwork can create poor driving conditions that can lead to accidents – especially if you do not slow down.  As a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas, I have spoken with many people that were in a work zone accident.  Here is how to prevent yourself from becoming one of them.

#1 Pay Attention to Road Signs

There are typically signs posted that tell you when you are entering a work zone and what the new speed limit is.  Obey all posted signs for your own safety.

#2 Watch for Workers

Keep an eye out for road crews, people walking in front or around you and any potential equipment that you could collide with.

#3 Avoid Distractions

As a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas, I always encourage people to remain aware and alert, eliminating all distractions like talking on a cell phone while driving in a work zone. Since things can change rapidly, you need to be alert enough to catch them.

#4 Remain Calm

Try to relax and just focus on your driving.  If you get too worked up or nervous, you will actually increase the likelihood of making a poor decision.

#5 Avoid Lane Changes

This is not a time to speed up and try to change lanes.  Avoid this when possible since the road could have a strange grade or other factors that could make a lane change dangerous.

Fact: Three people die every day due to a work zone accident.  Around 80 percent of people killed in a work zone are actually people driving or riding in a vehicle.  It may seem like the workers are at the greatest risk but, statistically, this is not the case.  However, you driving safely can protect both yourself and road crews.

A Car Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas Can Help You Prove Negligence

If you are in a work zone wreck, you should call a car accidents lawyer in Las Vegas for help.  This way, a case can be made for why the accident was not your fault but due to the road conditions themselves or protocols not being followed.

Work Zone Wrecks are Common

Have you ever been in one or know someone that has? If so, share your work zone accident story by posting a comment below.

If you have been injured in a car wreck, your natural inclination may be to call a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas.  This is certainly a good place to start because it will ensure that you are treated fairly by the insurance company.  One of the first questions that people tend to ask me during a consultation is how much money their claim might be worth or what they could get in a lawsuit.  The answer to that is highly specific so it is best to discuss how that number tends to be calculated.

Your Doctor Plays an Important Role

Immediately following an accident, you should visit a doctor and remain in their constant care.  If you are supposed to go for physical therapy, do it.  If you are supposed to have a procedure completed, schedule it.  You need to follow your doctors’ orders so that you can get healthy and build up a case for why you need compensation.  If you are injured but do not see a doctor, your injuries will appear to be mild or made up altogether.  By receiving the care you need, you are documenting that there is something wrong, how it impacts you, and what the costs will be to fully recover from it.  Without a medical file, you only really have a property damage claim.

How a Car Accidents Lawyer in Las Vegas Calculates Damages

The first step is to look at the damage done to your property. This is the easy part because an appraisal or quote from an auto body shop will make it clear as to how much damage you incurred.  You will also need to submit receipts from expenses like a car rental, etc.  Next, it will be time to review your medical bills to date.  Your doctor will play a critical role in determining what your future medical bills may be as well.  For example, do they think that you will need care for the next two months or the next twenty years?  Your final settlement amount should include an allowance for these future expenses.  The last major component of your claim is lost wages.  If you were unable to work or had to work less due to your accident, you could be entitled to recouping those wages along with any future wage loss due to your injuries. In some cases, a calculation is also made for pain and suffering but this is harder to prove.

How Negligence Influences the Value of Your Claim

Determining negligence is an important part of the process because negligence is the legal way of saying who was at fault or who was to blame for the crash.  In Nevada, both parties can be found to be partially negligent.  The portion of negligence that you have will reduce any financial award you receive.  For example, if the judge rules that the value of your case is $20,000 and you are found to be fifteen percent negligent, you would only receive $17,000.  Determining and proving negligence is one of the most important things that a car accidents lawyer in Las Vegas can do for you.

Do You Want to Know What Your Claim Was Worth?

If you were in an accident and want to know if you should get money for it, the best thing to do is contact a lawyer.  In the meantime, share this blog with any of your friends that want to know how to calculate damages in their case.

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.