Las Vegas causes of car accidents occur for several reasons in Sin City. However, they typically involve a degree to which one driver was behaving negligently. In this blog post, the team at Gina Corena & Associates examined what the most common causes of car accidents in Las Vegas were.
Interestingly, while the primary reasons for car accidents vary, the circumstances around the driver at the time of the accident also play a crucial role in legal proceedings. For instance, issues surrounding a driver’s license status, such as its expiry, can influence the outcome. If you’ve had an accident and your Nevada driver’s license was expired, you might be wondering about its implications on your claim.
Moreover, if you sustained injuries in an accident recently, you might want to discuss your case with a Las Vegas car accident lawyer. He or she can help you explore your options in pursuing compensation for a situation you didn’t cause.
As you weigh your decision, here is a comprehensive list of the most common causes of car accidents in Las Vegas:
1. Distracted Driving: A Leading Cause of Car Accidents
Distracted driving comes in many forms. It’s a leading cause of accidents in the city and nationwide. Think about the effects that digital and cellular technology plays in our lives. Not to mention that Las Vegas is a city with many distractions, to begin with. Distracted driving may include texting, talking on the phone, facing the back of the vehicle, reaching for something on the floor, and changing the radio station.
2. Driving Under the Influence (DUI): A Dangerous Decision
Las Vegas carries a party image. As you can imagine, driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs and alcohol is a significant problem. In fact, we lead the country in DUI related fatalities and accidents. That’s not a proud title to bear. Keep yourself safe from drunk drivers by remaining acutely aware of the other drivers’ behavior while on the road.
3. Following Too Closely: Rear-End Collisions
Following a vehicle too closely is another common cause of car accidents. People get excited behind the wheel, or they may be in a hurry. Whatever the reason, tailgating another driver, particularly in high traffic areas, is a situation that ripe for rear-ending someone else. Sudden stops and lane changes are just a few reasons why drivers should take extra care and leave at least 2 seconds between vehicles.
4. Speeding: Increased Risk of Accidents and Fatalities
Speed limits are in place for a reason. The State of Nevada regulates speed based on zoning, type of street, vehicle in use, and several other considerations. In short, speed limits inform drivers how fast they can safely move in a given area. Speeding is also a factor when road conditions are not as expected. For instance, rain and debris should signal to drivers that they must drive slower.
5. Failure to Yield: Right of Way Conflicts
How many times have you been on the road and someone cuts you off or goes when they shouldn’t? It happens all the time. So, as you can imagine, failing to yield or give someone the right of way is a common cause of Las Vegas car accidents. Failure to yield occurs when another driver runs a yield sign, stop sign, or red light. The outcome of doing so can be catastrophic.
6. Crossing Into Another Lane: Side-Impact Collisions
Crossing into another lane usually occurs when someone isn’t paying attention. They are particularly dangerous accidents since the action can push other vehicles into pedestrians, parked cars, and other vehicles in the flow of traffic. Highway speeds further endanger the lives of everyone else on the freeway. It is helpful for safe drivers to look for signs of crossing over, including swerving or edging the dividing line.
7. Defective Equipment: Malfunctioning Parts Can Lead to Accidents
Defective equipment is an interesting area of law when it comes to recovering damages in a personal injury lawsuit. Product liability law handles cases where malfunctioning components of the vehicle directly contribute to your accident. Sometimes, the manufacturer is at fault. Other times, it may be the work of a negligent mechanic. Either way, it’s a viable claim under the civil court system in Nevada.
8. Aggressive Driving: Reckless Behavior Endangers Everyone on the Road
Encountering another driver with road rage is scary. After all, an individual you know nothing about is yielding a multi-ton death machine. Sometimes, these people snap, and their aggressive behavior causes severe and even fatal car accidents. Victims of aggressive driving rely on video footage, witness testimony, and their own evidence collection to file a claim against the offender.
Do You Need a Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney?
Here’s the honest truth: the law does not require you to have an attorney present in court to file a claim. It’s your right as a sovereign individual under the U.S. Constitution. However, there are many compelling reasons why you may want to bring an attorney into the negotiation and claims process.
When you hire an attorney, you are hiring peace of mind and reassurance that your rights are protected and you are achieving the best possible outcome for the given situation. This relationship allows you to focus on your health and recovery while your attorney litigates the details of your case with insurance companies or in the courtroom.
In addition to experienced counsel, your attorney can also:
Pursuing a personal injury claim means that you and your attorney are going to spend much time discussing your case, gathering documents, responding to court filings, and attending meetings, depositions, and hearings. It’s a rigorous process, but sometimes that’s what is necessary to bring negligent people to justice.
Making Personal Injury Personal
At Gina Corena & Associates, recovering the maximum available damages and achieving the best quality of life is our goal for you and your loved ones. Client service and results are the benchmarks we use to measure success
Curious if you have a valid car accident lawsuit or claim in Nevada?. You can schedule a case review with our Las Vegas car accident lawyers, by calling (702) 680-1111 or by sending us a message through our contact form.
As founder of Gina Corena & Associates, she is dedicated to fighting for the rights of the people who suffer life-changing personal injuries in car, truck and motorcycle accidents as well as other types of personal injury. Gina feels fortunate to serve the Nevada community and hold wrongdoers accountable for their harm to her clients.