Distracted driving has been a topic of great concern for parents, teens, states, media, and organizations like the Governor’s Highway Safety Administration (GHSA), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Many states have answered that concern by establishing laws that limit or ban the use of one of the more infamous culprits of driving distractions – cell phones. Nevada has joined several other states in their effort to reduce distracted driving accidents and have implemented a new law, banning handheld cell phone use and texting while driving.
Effective on January 1, 2012, all Nevada drivers are prohibited from using a handheld cell phone and from text messaging while driving. Violating these laws will be considered a primary offense, which means that law enforcement officers can cite a person solely for using a handheld cell phone or texting without the presence of an initial traffic violation. Although some states ban all cell phone use for young drivers and bus drivers, Nevada has no such law as of yet.
Cell phones are only one of many causes of distracted driving. Distracted driving accidents in Nevada are caused by a number of possibilities, including reading, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, drowsiness, adjusting music settings, and using a navigation system. Anything that takes the driver’s focus off of the task at hand is considered a distraction and has the potential of causing a serious injury accident.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Nevada distracted driving accident, you may be able to hold the negligent driver liable for the losses associated with your injuries. The skilled Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at Shook & Stone can help you pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. To find out more about your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation at 702-570-0000.
