Nevada Personal Injury Blog

Speed is a contributing factor in approximately one out of every three fatal car accidents. Despite this staggering statistic, little has been done to decrease the number of fatal crashes involving speeding. According to a news report in USA Today, there has been little to no success in combating speed-related car crashes nationwide. While non-use of seat belt deaths dropped 23 percent over the past decade, speed-related deaths actually rose by 7 percent. In fact, many states have actually increased speed limits and only two states have increased fines for speeding over the last seven years.

According to Nevada Statute 484.368: “A person shall not drive a vehicle greater than is reasonable or proper, having due regard for the traffic, surface and width of the highway, the weather and other highway conditions.” This means that a person does not have to exceed the posted speed limit to be considered excessively speeding. The speed of your vehicle must reflect the conditions on the roadway, the amount of traffic on the roadway, and the weather conditions. All drivers must do their part to not only stay below the speed limit, but also help prevent accidents by slowing down in adverse conditions.

Victims of speed-related accidents would be well advised to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights are protected. If it is determined that the at-fault driver was speeding, then he or she can be held liable for the resulting medical bills, lost wages, and other related damages suffered by the victim.

The skilled Las Vegas car crash lawyers at Shook & Stone help victims of speed-related accidents get the compensation they need. If a speeding or negligent driver has injured you or a loved one, please call our offices at 1(877) 910-2220 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

If you plan on celebrating with family or friends this St. Patrick’s Day, please make sure that you or someone you know is not leaving the party in their vehicle while under the influence so as to prevent a serious Nevada auto accident. There are several options available to Las Vegas drivers on holidays. You could appoint your own designated driver, such as a sober friend or family member. Or you can pay a designated driver to drive you home by calling Designated Drivers Inc. at (702) 456-7433.

If you would like a free ride, call AAA’s Tipsy Tow at 1(800) 222-4357. You do not have to be a AAA member to utilize this free service. AAA offers a free five-mile tow home for drinking drivers and their vehicles. The service is available also to passengers, party hosts, bartenders, and restaurant managers. Or, if you need a ride, just call a cab or remain at the location of the party, if possible, until you sober up.

Remember, driving under the influence is a choice. By making the choice to drive under the influence, drivers put themselves, their passengers, and others on the roadway at great risk. St. Patrick’s Day is one of the most dangerous times of the year for travelers and commuters. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2009, 37 percent of motorists involved in fatal car accidents had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. Also, in 2009, there were 103 car accident deaths on St. Patrick’s Day.

This St. Patrick’s Day, please do not become a statistic. Please do not drink and drive. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a DUI collision, the Las Vegas drunk driving accident lawyers at Shook & Stone can help you better understand your legal rights and options following a crash. Please contact us at 1(877) 910-2220 for a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation.

Multiple vehicles were involved in a Las Vegas car accident that resulted in four people being transported to local hospitals with injuries. According to a Fox 5 news report, the injury accident occurred on Pecos Road near West Tropicana Avenue in Las Vegas. A news report by My News 3 states that the driver of a motor home rear-ended a vehicle starting a chain-reaction crash involving five vehicles. Officials have not released information regarding the extent of the injuries suffered by the victims. It is not clear if the driver of the motor home will be cited for the collision.

Motor homes are difficult to maneuver and handle, and they are often slow to come to a stop. Inexperienced drivers attempting to operate these vehicles put other motorists at great risk. Whenever these types of vehicles are involved in a rear-end collision, it must be determined if the driver was capable of operating the vehicle? Why were they unable to avoid the collision? Did the motor home have a defective auto part? Was the driver speeding, driving distracted, or otherwise negligent?

Victims of chain-reaction accidents often have it in their best interest to contact an experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorney who can protect their legal rights and best interests. When multiple insurance companies are involved, it is common for the at-fault party to deny responsibility and for the insurance companies to offer an inadequate settlement. In such cases, it is important to speak with an attorney before accepting the offer because once an agreement is made, the victim will no longer have the right to pursue compensation for their losses.

A skilled Nevada auto accident injury attorney at Shook & Stone helps injured victims of Nevada car accidents get fair compensation for their losses. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Las Vegas car crash, please call our offices at 1(877) 910-2220 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

A bicyclist was injured in a Las Vegas drunk driving accident after being struck by a hit-and-run driver. According to a KTNV news report, the injury collision occurred on State Route 159 near Calico Basin. The woman driving a white pickup truck struck the bicyclist and then drove way. Police say she parked the car at a nearby horse corral and fled on foot. Officials eventually arrested her for driving under the influence and hit-and-run. The bicyclist was transported to an area hospital with head and ankle injuries.

Both driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a car accident are illegal under Nevada law. The law states that it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. Motorists are also required under the law to stop immediately after an accident and remain at the scene until authorities arrive. They are also required to exchange information with the other parties involved in the collision and try to help the injured victim.

In such cases, injured hit-and-run victims can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. Victims may be able seek and obtain compensation for damages such as medical expenses, loss of earnings, past and future pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

The experienced Nevada bicycle accident injury lawyers at Shook & Stone have a successful track record of helping bicycle accident victims obtain just compensation for their losses. We also have experience helping those injured as a result of hit-and-run drivers or uninsured or underinsured drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Las Vegas bicycle accident, please contact us at 1(877) 910-2220 for a no-cost case evaluation.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is recalling about 41,000 of its Wrangler Silent Armor tires over concerns that some of the tires could tear and cause serious car accidents. According to a Reuters news report, the defective tires that have been recalled are used on pickup trucks, vans, and SUVs.

The recall comes after two people died this year in a rollover accident in Texas after the tread on one of the tires separated. The victims were traveling in a Ford pickup truck that rolled over.

Goodyear sent a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) dated February 22, 2012 stating that the tread on the tires may separate under “severe usage conditions.” The company also states that it saw a rise in warranty and property damage claims relating to these tire defects in 2010. The recalled tires were manufactured between March and May of 2009.

If you have one of these recalled tires, please stop using them right away. Tire tread separation is extremely dangerous. When the belt separates from the tire, vehicles can go out of control and crash. Top-heavy vehicles, such as SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks, have a propensity to roll over under such circumstances. These rollover crashes can result in catastrophic injuries or even fatalities.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of these defective Goodyear tires or other defective auto products, the experienced Las Vegas defective product lawyers at Shook & Stone can help you understand your legal rights and options. Injured victims can seek compensation for losses suffered, while families that have lost loved ones can file a wrongful death claim seeking damages. Please call our offices at 1(877) 910-2220 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.

In a matter of hours, three separate Las Vegas car accidents resulted in five fatalities over the weekend. According to an 8 News Now news report, the first crash involved a 19-year-old driver crashing his Dodge Stratus into a PT Cruiser that was attempting to make a turn near Windmill Parkway and Green Valley Parkway in Henderson. The 19-year-old driver, his 19-year-old passenger, and an 86-year-old man were all killed in the crash. Speed appears to have been a factor in the collision.

The second fatal crash occurred at Sahara Avenue near Decatur Boulevard when a Honda Accord driven by a 19-year-old man fatally struck a 17-year-old male pedestrian and injured a woman. The third collision involved a suspected drunk driver crashing near Torrey Pines Drive and Robindale Road. A passenger was killed, and the drunk driver sustained minor injuries.

The family of a deceased Las Vegas car accident victim would be well advised to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who will stay on top of the official investigation and make sure that their legal rights are protected. If it is determined that driver negligence was a contributing factor in the crash, financial compensation may be available for the victim’s family through a wrongful death claim.

In such cases, compensation may be available for medical bills, funeral expenses, lost future wages, and other related damages. A skilled Nevada wrongful death attorney will ensure that fair compensation is offered to the victim’s family for their terrible loss. The experienced personal injury lawyers at Shook & Stone have a successful track record of holding at-fault drivers accountable for the damages they cause. If you have lost a loved one in a Las Vegas car accident, please call our offices at 1(877) 910-2220 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

This February marks the 10th annual American Heart Month. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) uses this month to raise awareness about heart disease and the many serious consequences it can have for women. According to the organization, heart disease is the number one killer of women. It is important to understand the symptoms of coronary heart disease and to seek immediate medical attention. Unfortunately, there are many cases each year of medical malpractice involving the misdiagnoses of serious heart conditions.

Coronary heart disease involves the narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply oxygen and blood to the heart. It is known as heart disease, coronary heart disease (CHD), and coronary artery disease. Heart disease involves the hardening of the arteries and a buildup of plaque in the arteries to the patient’s heart.

When this happens, blood flow to the heart can slow down or even stop. Symptoms include: fatigue, shortness of breath, weakness, chest pain (angina), and discomfort in the patient’s neck, stomach, upper back, or arms.

Doctors observing these types of symptoms may perform a number of tests, including an invasive test called a coronary angiography/arteriography, a noninvasive CT angiography, an echocardiogram, or an electrocardiogram. A failure to perform the necessary tests to diagnose and treat this serious condition may be considered a form of medical malpractice.

Early detection and proper treatment of heart disease can greatly increase the victim’s ability to fully recover from it. Therefore, doctors who fail to perform the right tests, properly read the test, or who fail to properly diagnose the symptoms put the victim at great risk.

The experienced medical malpractice lawyers in Las Vegas at Shook & Stone have years of experience handling medical malpractice cases relating to heart conditions in Nevada. If you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed, or you are concerned that mistakes were made with your diagnosis, please call our offices at 1(877) 910-2220 for a free consultation.

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.