A 64-year-old woman died from injuries suffered in a car accident. According to a news report on 8newsnow.com, the crash involved two vehicles. Police say a driver was trying to cross 4th Street when a van hit the vehicle. The victim, who was trapped in a car, was transported to a local hospital where she later died from her injuries. The other people involved in the accident suffered relatively minor injuries. This is the 47th fatal car accident in Metro’s jurisdiction in 2012.
Right-of-way laws play an important part when it comes to determining fault and liability in many Las Vegas traffic accidents. Whenever someone has been seriously injured or killed as the result of a car accident that occurred at or near a street intersection, a number of questions must be asked. Who had the right-of-way? Did one of the drivers run a red light or a stop sign, or make an unsafe turning movement?
In cases where driver negligence caused a fatal accident, the family members of the deceased car accident victim can file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages such as medical and funeral costs and lost future wages. An experienced Las Vegas wrongful death attorney can help analyze all aspects of an incident and help hold the negligent parties accountable.
In Nevada, the right of way laws are determined by the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) and the Nevada Administrative Code (NAC). Here are some key points to keep in mind regarding right of way laws in Nevada:
Vehicles turning left must yield to oncoming traffic
When making a left turn at an intersection, vehicles must yield to any oncoming traffic that has the right of way. This includes vehicles that are traveling straight through the intersection and vehicles that are turning right.
Vehicles must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
When approaching a crosswalk, vehicles must yield to any pedestrians who are crossing the roadway. This applies to both marked and unmarked crosswalks.
Vehicles entering a roadway must yield to traffic already on the roadway
When entering a roadway from a driveway, alley, or parking lot, vehicles must yield to any traffic that is already on the roadway. This includes vehicles that are traveling in the same direction as well as vehicles that are approaching from the opposite direction.
Emergency vehicles have the right of way
When an emergency vehicle is approaching with its lights and sirens on, all other vehicles must yield the right of way and pull over to the side of the road.
Vehicles must yield to school buses with flashing lights
When a school bus is stopped with its flashing red lights on, all other vehicles must stop and yield the right of way to the school bus. This applies to vehicles traveling in both directions.
Vehicles must yield to trains at railroad crossings
When approaching a railroad crossing, vehicles must yield the right of way to any trains that are approaching. This includes both marked and unmarked railroad crossings.
Vehicles must yield to construction and maintenance vehicles
When approaching a construction zone or a maintenance vehicle, vehicles must yield the right of way and slow down to a safe speed.
It’s important to note that failure to yield the right of way can result in a traffic citation, and can also lead to accidents and collisions. If you’re unsure about who has the right of way in a particular situation, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and yield to other vehicles or pedestrians.
In addition to the above laws, there are also specific right of way rules that apply to certain situations, such as four-way stops and roundabouts. At a four-way stop, the vehicle that arrives first has the right of way. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right of way. In a roundabout, vehicles must yield to any vehicles that are already in the roundabout.
The knowledgeable Las Vegas personal injury lawyers at Shook & Stone, Chtd. have a long and successful track record of protecting the rights of injured victims and their families. If you have lost a loved one in a Las Vegas car accident as a result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, please contact us at 702-570-0000 for a no-cost consultation.
