With the rising numbers of fatal car accidents in the United States and Las Vegas in specific, a minor incident that leaves a few people with bruises will hardly make the news. The unfortunate truth is that car manufacturers' attempts to infuse advanced technology in their models to make them safer have not borne much fruit. The need to have the contacts of a reliable Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney Law Firm on standby is today greater than ever.

Why?

We are yet to ditch unsafe habits that make our roads dangerous. This includes over-speeding, texting while driving, and even driving under the influence. According to Nevada's recent crash data, there has been a steep increase in road carnage.

Fatal Crash statistics and Trends in Las Vegas, Nevada

In 2018, 330 fatalities caused by road accidents in Nevada were registered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The death toll in 2016 was 328, where drunk drivers took 108 lives. The increase in the number of deaths is evident, especially considering that the death toll in 2009 was 243.

According to these statistics, Nevada’s fatal car accidents only account for a small fraction of the country's overall traffic deaths during the mentioned years. However, the friends, relatives, and loved ones of the victims still suffer unimaginable grief, loss, and devastation to date.

If a fatal car crash in Nevada robbed you of your loved one, get in touch with us immediately. Your family member was more than just a statistic, and we can fight for you to ensure you obtain the compensation you deserve. Let us stand behind you and walk you through the legal process to increase your chances of enjoying a favorable outcome.

Top 7 Causes of Fatal Car Accidents in Las Vegas, Nevada

About 2,500,000 people in America fall victim to car accident fatalities and injuries each year. One of the key reasons why a decent fraction of these accidents happen in Las Vegas is that the city attracts over 40,000,000 guests each year. Traffic patterns can be a little confusing for visitors, not to mention that Vegas is the "entertainment capital of the world."

From disobeying traffic lights to driving while high on drugs or alcohol, here is a list of the common root causes of fatal road accidents in Nevada:

  • Traffic law violations
  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding
  • Reckless/aggressive driving
  • Drunk driving
  • Inexperienced drivers
  • Fatigued driving

Fatalities Caused By Distracted Driving in Nevada

Distracted driving is a whole topic that encompasses any action that takes your focus off the road while driving. Here are three types of focus diversions that can result in collisions or road carnage:

  • Cognitive distractions - This is any action that distracts the drivers' focus when behind the wheel
  • Visual distractions - This any activity that causes a driver to take his/her eyes off the road
  • Manual distractions - Actions that make the driver let go of the steering wheel

On top of the list of actions under distracted driving is texting while driving. This is because it causes cognitive, visual, and manual distraction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving caused 3,166 fatalities and 735,000 non-fatal injuries throughout the United States last year alone. 10% of these victims were from Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Impact of DUI in Las Vegas Nevada

Last year 29% of traffic fatalities in the United States were caused by drunk driving. The death toll was at 10,874, which is quite disappointing, especially in an age where cab access is not an issue. On average, 30 people died each day because of drunk drivers' negligence, with one person dying every 48 minutes.

Drugged or drunk driving accidents are, without debate, preventable. If a negligent driver opted to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, leading to the loss of a loved one, you have all the right to seek justice. While compensation may not heal the pain, it will make life bearable for those left behind.

Fatigued Driving Accidents-Death Toll

Drowsy or fatigued driving is just as dangerous as driving under the influence. In 2017 alone, 795 people were killed by tired drivers, and 90,000 were badly injured. People work and travel round the clock, and this means that drowsy driving can happen at any moment. However, statistics show that most drowsy driving accidents happen between 12 am and 6 am.

Whether an accident occurs at the heart of the night or in broad daylight, fatigued driving is still considered an act of negligence in Nevada. It is irresponsible to get behind the wheel if you are too tired to remain focused when driving.

Deaths Caused By Over Speeding

Another leading cause of fatal accidents is over speeding. Again, negligence is seen to play a leading role in causing needless deaths in Nevada. Last year, 26% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S were caused by speed-related negligence.

Whether your loved one's death was caused by a tired, impaired, distracted, or speeding driver, we are here to lend a hand. Our skilled car accident attorneys will help you navigate the complex legal system, obtain compensation, and hold the responsible parties accountable. We take pride in using an aggressive approach to ensure the best outcomes for our clients.

Common Injuries Caused By Car Accidents

A car accident triggered by someone else's negligence can have a life-changing impact on the victims involved. Those that are lucky to escape with their lives may still have to seek extensive medical care and spend huge amounts of money seeking treatment. While serious injuries take longer for one to recover physically and mentally, even minor injuries are bound to disrupt your life in one way or another.

Here's a list of the common injuries caused by auto accidents

  • Internal bleeding
  • Permanent disfigurement
  • Brain damage
  • Broken bones
  • Loss of limb(s)
  • Paralysis
  • Neck and spinal cord injury
  • Death

Accident victims suffer from unique kinds of injuries. How badly one is hurt will play a major role in dictating the time needed to heal and the amount of money that is likely to be spent seeking treatment. One of the primary actions we take for our clients is to evaluate the damages and losses caused by an accident. This enables us to create a solid case to ensure you don't receive one dime less than what you deserve.

Steps To Take Without Delay Following a Car Accident

If a car accident claims your loved one's life, all is not lost as long as you have us in your corner. It remains imperative to involve us in the matter as soon as possible. This will allow us to provide legal recommendations and tailored advice to suit your specific situation.

Here are simple steps to take following an incident:

Report the Accident

If you can access your phone after an accident, call 911 and officially report what happened. It is also crucial to report an incident to the police and the Department of Motor Vehicles if an accident leads to injuries or fatalities. Let the authorities know your side of the story when your memory is still fresh.

Gather Information

Accidents that cause deaths need legal attention. The sooner you can start gathering information, the sooner you can begin building your case. Note down the identification information of the driver(s) involved and also their insurance information. Additionally, take photos of the scene and injuries. If there are any eyewitnesses, write down their names and phone numbers.

See Your Doctor

Serious accidents that cause fatalities should not be taken lightly. If you were in the wrecked car, the chances are that you suffered injuries, irrespective of whether you are bleeding and in pain or not. It remains crucial to seek medical care immediately.

File an Insurance Claim

Nevada is an "at fault" car accident state. You are therefore required to file your claim with the at-fault party's insurer. Call the company in question as soon as you can. Don't accept any offers or admit fault.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

The next and most crucial step following an accident that causes a loved one's death is to contact an attorney. We can lend a hand with filing the claim with the involved insurance company and see that you have the best chances of receiving full compensation. We aim to represent you, your deceased loved one, and all other victims harmed due to an auto accident. If obtaining fair compensation means we have to push your case to trial, then that's what we will do. You can trust our experienced auto accident lawyers not to accept one coin less than what you deserve in compensation.

Dos and Don'ts Following a Fatal Car Crash in Las Vegas, Nevada

What you do or don't do immediately after an accident and in the hours and days that follow can make all the difference in your claim's outcome. Certain blunders can easily rob you of the chance to seek justice for your deceased loved one and ensure the rightful compensation is offered.

If an accident does not leave you severely injured, here are other important actions you should take immediately:

  • Wait for the police/authorities to arrive at the scene.
  • Confirm that the responding officer completes the police report.
  • Review the report before you leave the crash scene and request for one or two a copy.
  • Make no apologies because this can be twisted to make it seem like you admitted fault.
  • Make no comments about your physical injuries and seek medical attention as soon as you leave the crash scene. You need your doctor to check for underlying injuries that often start showing symptoms hours or days after an accident.

What To Do or Not To Do Days Following an Incident

Insurance adjusters are trained manipulators. Please don't allow them to record your statement, especially when you are still in shock and nursing injuries. At this point, you may not be in the right emotional or physical state to make sound statements. Anything you say can be twisted to imply your guilt in causing an accident.

If the other party's insurance representatives approach you with any paperwork, don't sign it. This includes release papers or statements.

Contact our team of auto accident attorneys and let us protect your rights and best interests. Battling with insurance companies and negligent drivers is an uphill task that you must not handle alone.

Understanding How Fatal Car Accident Claims Work In Las Vegas, Nevada

In the event where a loved one dies because of a car accident in Nevada, you are entitled to obtain compensation from the at-fault driver's insurer if you are the parent, spouse, child, or domestic partner of the deceased. You also deserve to receive compensation from the insurance company if an accident leaves you injured.

If You are Injured, Compensation Should Cover

  • Medical costs allied with ongoing treatment
  • Medical expenses for long-term care
  • Permanent or temporary lost wages, including loss of future earnings
  • Loss of working capacity (in case of disability)
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress

While it is clear that you have a right to be compensated for medical costs and property damage, it is unfortunate that most insurance companies don't shy away from denying claims unfairly. You bear the burden of negotiating for a fair settlement for injuries or fatalities suffered after an accident.

Communications with insurance adjusters often take rough turns as they fight to offer the least amount of money in compensation. It would be fitting if you had a skilled lawyer who can handle all communications on your behalf and argue to obtain the highest settlement possible. The right attorney will be ready to move to court if negotiations fail.

Our seasoned team of lawyers handles numerous cases each year. These experts have mastered what it takes to sway insurers' decisions in favor of our clients during negotiations. In case the talks are successful, and trial can be avoided, you should receive your check within several weeks.

If a Loved One Dies Following a Car Accident, Compensation Should Cover

Before you receive a settlement, your Las Vegas fatal car accident lawyer will strive to prove that another party bears the fault for your loved one's unfortunate death. With the evidence gathered, the specialist can pursue several compensatory damages that are likely to harm your future. They include:

  1. Medical Costs

If a loved one sought medical attention before succumbing to injuries, the medical bills incurred should be settled by the at-fault party insurance company. In some cases, this sums up to thousands of dollars.

  1. Final Expenses

These are costs allied with organizing for a final farewell for the deceased loved one. The at-fault party is responsible for burial or cremation expenses.

  1. Loss of Companionship

The loss of a life partner cannot truly be quantified. Again, you need a lawyer to help you come up with a figure that will make life a little bearable, even after you lose your spouse or domestic partner.

  1. Pain and Suffering

The demise of a spouse or relative can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. Such loss can leave devastating marks on just about every aspect of your life. This includes your health and even your ability to hold a job and cater for your everyday expenses.

  1. Punitive Damages

If the at-fault party intentionally caused the wreck or was grossly negligent, he/she cannot escape the long arm of the law. The defendant can pay for punitive damages through community service or serving time behind bars. Note that punitive damages don't compensate the loved ones of the deceased. Instead, they penalize the wrongdoer for bad conduct.

Elements of Wrongful Death after a Fatal Car Crash

To receive compensation in Nevada, you must prove that the accused is legally responsible for causing your loved one's death. Your lawyer will help you table "clear and convincing" evidence in court to show that the accused breached the duty of care and killed your family member. In short, you need to prove wrongful death elements before obtaining compensation. These elements include:

  • A loved one died
  • You are an heir or personal representative of the deceased.
  • The death of your loved one caused financial damages

Proving that someone died is as simple as presenting the medical records and death certificate of the deceased. However, you may need assistance from a skilled attorney to prove that the defendant acted intentionally, negligently, or recklessly causing a death that could be avoided.

Nevada law (NRS 41.085) gives you the right to pursue a wrongful death claim against a defendant whose actions caused your family member's death. You can still chase after a claim if the defendant in question also died during the car crash.

Overall, filing a claim is nerve-wracking. Compared to car accident cases involving personal injury, those involving wrongful death are emotionally stressful, mainly because the stakes are higher. Often, there is strong resistance from the insurers and the at-fault parties. With our seasoned lawyers beside you, you don't need to subject yourself to any more suffering. Let us take up your case and fight on your behalf.

When to Contact a Fatal Car Accident Attorney; Nevada Statute Of Limitations

If a car accident in Nevada leaves you or your loved one injured, it is crucial to file your claim within the state's Statute of Limitations. It would help if you had a basic understanding of how these laws work and how they can affect your claim. The state-imposed deadline for filing a claim after a loved one is injured or killed by a car accident is two years.

After the two year deadline, your attempts to recover wrongful death or personal injury damages in Nevada may be futile. Keep in mind that in Nevada, the Statute of Limitations begins on the date of an accident.

The two-year deadline is for filing personal injury and wrongful death claims. There is a distinct Statute of Limitations for filing a claim for property damage caused by an auto accident. In this case, you have a three-year deadline to pursue the at-fault party's insurer for compensation.

The more hurriedly you can get in touch with a Las Vegas fatal car accident attorney, the better. However, it is perfectly okay first to seek medical care, and access primary care for injuries suffered. Once it is time to make an insurance claim, make sure you have a lawyer you can trust on your side. We can help strengthen your case to give you an upper hand during insurance negotiations. You can also count on us to provide legal guidance and generally ensure that insurance companies cannot exploit you and deprive you of the compensation you deserve.

Compelling Reasons to Seek Legal Assistance from a Fatal Car Accident Lawyer

Personal injury laws in Nevada are complicated, especially for victims who lack legal background knowledge. The first thing our lawyers will do is to ensure your claim is filed on time. They will also handle all the paperwork involved and see that minor blunders don't cause needless delays in securing compensation.

A fatal accident attorney can also:

  • Gather and gauge evidence relevant to your case
  • Interview witnesses and review the police report
  • Assess your medical records to understand the extent of your injuries
  • Gather relevant documents and evidence to support a wrongful death claim
  • Communicate and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf
  • Prepare your lawsuit for trial if need be

Find a Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney Near Me

If a car accident has led to a loved one's injury or death, you need to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. The Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney Law Firm team has built its reputation on winning our clients' cases. The secret behind our commendable achievements is our commitment to treating each claim with dedication and the highest standards of professionalism. Call us at 702-996-1224, and let's help you make a personal injury or wrongful death claim.