Nevada Personal Injury Blog

A 24-year-old man was fatally injured in a head-on crash, which officials say involved a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the fatal crash occurred on Rainbow Boulevard near Wigwam Avenue. Police say a Toyota 4Runner crossed the centerline and struck the victim’s 2004 Ford Mustang. A third car also collided with the Toyota. But the driver of that vehicle, a 17-year-old girl, escaped with minor injuries. The driver of the Toyota, a 33-year-old woman, was arrested on a charge of DUI resulting in death.

Under Nevada law, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher. NRS 484.3795 states that “a person driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance, to a degree which renders him incapable of safely driving, and [whose] act or neglect of duty proximately causes the death of, or substantial bodily harm to, any person other than himself is guilty of a felony.”

Drunk drivers who cause serious injury or death in a NV drunk driving accident, in addition to facing serious criminal charges, can also be held civilly liable for the damages they cause. In such cases, the family members of the deceased victim can file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver. Such claims usually seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs, and lost future income.

If you have lost a loved one as the result of a negligent driver’s actions, the experienced Nevada wrongful death lawyers at Shook & Stone can help you obtain fair compensation for your losses and hold the at-fault parties accountable. Please contact us at 1(877) 910-2220 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

Five people were dead in a string of car accidents in Las Vegas over the Super Bowl weekend, KTNV news reports. Officials say that the number of car accidents, fatalities, and DUI arrests were higher this year than they were last year during the Super Bowl weekend. Authorities are concerned about this spike despite the many checkpoints that were set up as part of the enforcement efforts by local agencies.

There were several major injury and fatal accidents reported over the weekend. A 26-year-old woman struck a 15-year-old boy waiting at a bus stop on Spring Mountain road. The teen suffered major injuries, and one of his legs had to be amputated. The woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. Just hours later, a 24-year-old man died in a head-on collision caused by another suspected drunk driver. In addition, a 52-year-old woman who was driving under the influence died in a single-vehicle crash. Officials say that these tragic accidents should be a wake-up call for Las Vegas residents and should serve as a warning never to drink and drive.

Drunk driving is not only illegal under Nevada law, but it can also leave innocent victims and their families emotionally and financially devastated. DUI victims are often left with medical bills, hospital expenses, loss of a job, physical pain, and emotional distress. If you have been injured by a drunk or negligent driver, please remember that you do have legal rights.

The experienced Las Vegas drunk driving accident attorneys at Shook & Stone have a long and successful track record of representing DUI accident victims and their families. We strive to help these victims and their families secure fair compensation for their losses. For more information about pursuing your legal rights, please contact us at 1(877) 910-2220 today.

Toyo Tire U.S.A, a company based in Cypress, California, has recalled nearly 69,000 tires because of a serious defect that could lead to tire failure. According to an Associated Press news report, the faulty tires may have a kink near the rim area that could cause a crack and a blowout. The recall involves the Toyota Extensa A/S tires that were manufactured at the Toyo Tires plant in Georgia. These tires also have a “Made in U.S.A” mark on the sidewall. Tires that have a “Made in China” or “Made in Japan” mark are not part of the recall. The company will replace these defective tires at no charge to the consumer until May 31, 2012.

Tire defects can cause serious problems for drivers, especially on highways and freeways where the speed limit is much higher. When a tire blows out as the vehicle is in motion, it can be extremely difficult even for an experienced driver to regain control of the vehicle. Tire blowouts can result in rollover accidents, leading to catastrophic injuries or even fatalities.

In a case where a victim has been injured as a result of a faulty tire, he or she can file a products liability claim against the tire manufacturer seeking compensation for damages. If you have lost a loved one in a crash involving tire failure, you can file a wrongful death claim against the manufacturer of the defective tire seeking damages. The experienced Nevada defective product lawyers at Shook & Stone have a long and successful track record of helping injured victims and their families obtain fair compensation for their losses. Please contact our law offices at 1(877) 910-2220 for a free comprehensive and confidential consultation.

Britax Child Safety Inc. has recalled 14,220 child safety seats because of product defects that cause the restraint system to fail in the event of a collision. According to a news report in The Wall Street Journal, Britax is recalling certain Chaperone restraint systems for infants because the harness adjusters may detach from the seat leaving children unprotected in the event of a car accident. The defective car seats were manufactured between Sept. 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011.

So far, the company has reported receiving 57 complaints from customers in the United States about these faulty seat harness adjusters failing. Such failure could result in serious injuries for children. Company officials say the flaw was caused by a manufacturing defect where improper rivets were used to attach the adjusters to the seats. So far, no injuries or fatalities have been reported as a result of these child safety seat defects. Britax will notify owners about these products and provide repair kits at no charge to consumers.

As parents and caregivers, we count on child safety seats to keep our little ones safe in the event of a crash. Child safety seats, when they are built properly, save lives. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 244 lives were saved in 2008 by restraint use among children under the age of 5. Between 1975 and 2008, an estimated 8,959 lives were saved by child restraints. The value of properly restraining your child in a vehicle cannot be underestimated.

NHTSA is also encouraging parents and caregivers to register safety seats with the manufacturer. That way, if the car seat you own is recalled, manufacturers are required to notify you by first-class mail. It is important that the manufacturer has your current mailing address and all the information necessary to identify the product you purchased.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, the experienced Las Vegas products liability attorneys at Shook & Stone can offer you more information about pursuing your legal rights. Please contact us at 1(877) 910-2220 to find out how we can help you.

A man was seriously injured in a Las Vegas motorcycle accident after a vehicle struck him at a street intersection. According to a KTNV news report, the injury collision happened at the intersection of North Nellis Boulevard and Vegas Valley Drive. The motorcyclist was thrown off his bike and was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police are investigating the cause of this injury collision.

Nevada law requires drivers at street intersections to properly yield the right-of-way to oncoming vehicles. NRS 484B.250: “The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different highway.”

In any Las Vegas intersection accident, it is important to ask several questions. Did one of the drivers fail to yield the right-of-way? Did one of the motorists make an illegal or unsafe turn? Did one of the drivers run a red light or stop sign at the intersection? In cases involving injuries, the at-fault driver can be held liable for the damages caused. In some cases where the accident was caused by a dangerous roadway or intersection, the governmental entity responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable.

The experienced Nevada motorcycle accident injury lawyers at Shook & Stone have a successful track record representing the rights of injured motorcycle accident victims and their families. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas, please contact us at 1(877) 910-2220 to discuss your legal rights and options.

A child suffered injuries in a Las Vegas pedestrian accident near a high school. According to an Associated Press news report, the pedestrian was hit at the intersection of Bonanza Road and Decatur Boulevard near Western High School. The driver, a woman, remained at the scene of the crash. The child suffered injuries, including bumps and bruises, but the injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. Police are trying to determine who was at-fault and if the child was walking in a crosswalk at the time of the collision.

Under Nevada law, all motorists are required to exercise due care to avoid a collision with a pedestrian. Drivers are especially required to exercise care and caution while driving through school zones or where children are present. NRS 484B.283 states: “The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be so to yield, to a pedestrian crossing the highway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the highway upon which the vehicle is traveling, or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the highway as to be in danger.” For their part, pedestrians are prohibited from jaywalking or darting into the roadway.

Pedestrian accidents can result in major injuries or even fatalities. Injured victims can seek compensation from the at-fault party for damages such as medical expenses, hospitalization, and rehabilitation. The experienced Nevada pedestrian accident attorneys at Shook & Stone can help you obtain fair compensation for the injuries and damages you have sustained in a pedestrian accident. If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, please contact 1(877) 910-2220 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

A man suffered serious injuries in a head-on crash in Las Vegas, which officials say involved two vehicles. According to a news report in the Las Vegas Sun, the injury collision occurred at the intersection of Russell Road and Annie Oakley Drive when a 2007 Toyota Yaris collided with a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. Officials say an 81-year-old man, who was driving the Yaris, turned left on Annie Oakley Drive when he was hit by the Sequoia that was eastbound on Russell Road. Both vehicles had a green light as they entered the intersection, officials say. The driver of the Yaris suffered major injuries, while the female driver of the Sequoia sustained moderate injuries.

A number of Las Vegas car accidents at street intersections can result in major injuries. A majority of these types of car accidents are caused by drivers failing to yield the right-of-way. Nevada law requires drivers making a left turn at an intersection to yield the right-of-way to oncoming vehicles. NRS 484B.253 states: “The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard, but such driver, having so yielded and having given a signal when and as required, may make such left turn and the drivers of all other vehicles approaching the intersection.”

In such cases, the at-fault motorists can be held liable for injuries and damages caused to victims. Injured victims can seek compensation to cover damages, such as hospital expenses, surgery, physical therapy, loss of wages, and pain and suffering. Dealing with insurance companies and the legal process after an injury accident can be complex and challenging.

The experienced intersection accident lawyers in Nevada at Shook & Stone have extensive experience with helping injured victims obtain fair and full compensation for their losses. Please contact our law offices at 1(877) 910-2220 for a free, comprehensive, and confidential consultation. We will fight hard for your rights and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable.

Many community members are asking if poor roadway design may have been a factor in a string of fatal pedestrian accidents on Las Vegas valley roads, CBS News reports. Most recently, a 30-year-old woman who was using a crosswalk near Cedar and Eastern avenues was hit by the driver of a truck. Police said the driver should have yielded the right-of-way to the pedestrian, but it appears that the driver may have been trying to beat oncoming traffic. Safety advocates say that the city needs to start designing roadways for everyone who is using them, not just motor vehicles.

The most recent pedestrian death is similar to others, including one at Desert Inn Road and Rainbow Boulevard and another at Tropicana Avenue and Jones Boulevard. Safety advocates believe that better road design, speed reduction, and landscaping can help reduce the number of fatal pedestrian accidents on these roadways significantly. The Nevada Highway Patrol is starting a new driver and pedestrian initiative this month to help create public awareness about traffic safety.

Both drivers and pedestrians have a duty to observe the rules of the road. Pedestrians have a responsibility to use only areas designated for them, such as sidewalks and crosswalks, while drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at crosswalks and intersections. It is always a driver’s duty to exercise due care and caution. Pedestrians who are injured by a negligent driver can seek compensation for damages from the at-fault motorist. Families of deceased pedestrians can seek compensation for damages as well. If the accident occurred as a result of a dangerous or defectively designed roadway, the city or governmental entity responsible for maintaining the roadway can also be held liable.

The experienced Las Vegas pedestrian accident injury attorneys at Shook & Stone have a long and successful track record of helping injured victims and their families. If you have been injured in a pedestrian accident please contact us at 1(877) 910-2220 to find out how we can help you.

On New Year’s Day, driving while talking on a hand-held cell phone became illegal in the state of Nevada. If you are a driver in Las Vegas, you better think twice before picking up that cell phone while on the road. Las Vegas police and the Nevada Highway Patrol are taking this law extremely seriously. According to a KTNV news report, officials have already issued numerous citations to violators. KTNV’s cameras followed NHP troopers on New Year’s Day as they actively pulled over drivers who didn’t bother paying attention to the new law. Officials are basically looking for drivers whose eyes are not on the road or whose hands are not on the wheel. Motorists in Nevada face a $50 fine for a first offense, $100 for a second, and $250 for a third.

The cell phone ban to prevent distracted driving has been a long time coming in Nevada. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 5,474 fatalities and 448,000 injuries were reported in 2009 nationwide as a result of distracted driving. Also, 16 percent of all fatal crashes and 20 percent of injury accidents in the United States in 2009 have been attributed to distracted driving.

Any time a driver takes his or her eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, or attention off the roadway, it is considered distracted driving. This can include talking on the cell phone, texting, applying makeup, eating or drinking, or fiddling with the GPS, CD player, or temperature controls. Even a moment of inattention can result in a tragic car accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Las Vegas car accident caused by a distracted driver, please remember that you have rights. Injured victims of negligent drivers can seek compensation to cover damages such as medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. The experienced Las Vegas distracted driving accident lawyers at Shook & Stone are always happy to offer injured victims and their families more information about their legal rights and options. Please contact our office at 1(877) 910-2220 for a no-cost consultation.

A 42-year-old man was fatally injured in a Las Vegas car accident involving three vehicles. According to a news report in the Las Vegas Sun, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred at the intersection of Sahara Avenue and Grand Canyon Drive. Officials say the motorcycle was in the left lane stopped at a red light when a 2007 Dodge Ram failed to stop at the intersection and struck the motorcycle. The impact launched the motorcyclist over a Hyundai Tucson and onto the rear window of a Nissan Sentra. The man was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The drivers of the other vehicles sustained relatively minor injuries. It is not clear if the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. The accident is under investigation.

Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable not only to the elements, but also to serious injuries that can be caused by someone else’s negligence. Motorcycle accidents at intersections are often caused by impaired or distracted driving, speeding motorists, or a driver who fails to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming motorcyclist.

In cases where negligence is involved, families of deceased motorcycle accident victims can seek compensation for damages by filing a wrongful death claim for damages including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future income, and so on. If you have lost a loved one in a Las Vegas motorcycle accident, the experienced wrongful death attorneys in Nevada at Shook & Stone can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please call our offices at 1(877) 910-2220 for a free consultation and comprehensive case assessment.