Shook & Stone are aggressive car wreck attorneys in Las Vegas who fight for your right to compensation after being injured by a distracted driver. With over 85 years of combined experience, our knowledgeable team of attorneys is here to help you and your family during this difficult time.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a distracted driver, let us work with you to determine what happened in the accident, file your claim and fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. Call Shook & Stone today for your Free Case Evaluation with a Las Vegas distracted driving car accident lawyer.
Are Distracted Drivers Dangerous?
In a word – yes. In 2013 alone, 3,154 people lost their lives on America’s roadways due to distracted driving. To make matters worse, in 2013 alone, nearly 421,000 people were injured in distracted driving-related accidents.
Distracted Driving And Nevada Law
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Nevada ranks #13 for fatalities due to crashes involving a distracted driver. This is significantly higher than the national average of 33% (source).
According to the NHTSA, Nevada law requires that all drivers can not text while driving. But does this mean that other forms of cell phone usage are permitted?
The answer is, unfortunately, no. Using a handheld device such as a Blackberry or iPhone to make calls while driving or hold them in your lap are considered “hands-free,” meaning they are considered equally as dangerous.
Statistics & Costs Of A Distracted Driving Accident Injury In Nevada
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2013:
- 23% of all fatal accidents involved distracted drivers
- 66% of all distraction-related accidents occurred in urban areas
- At any given daylight moment across America, an average of 8 people are dying in distracted driving-related accidents
- 43% of all fatal distracted driver accidents involve cell phones
- Each day, approximately nine people die as a result of distracted drivers
- 13% of all traffic fatalities are due to distracted driving
- 19% of all crashes are caused by distracted drivers
- 10% more likely that a driver will get into an accident while using a cell phone behind the wheel
If you or someone you love is injured in a car crash involving a distracted driver, let our knowledgeable and experienced injury attorneys in Las Vegas help you recover the compensation to which you are entitled. Call Shook & Stone today and find out how we can help you.
The Statistics Behind Distracted Driving Accidents
Accident data from the United States government has shown that drivers who engage in distracted driving are approximately four times more likely to be involved in a crash than non-distracted drivers.
While texting and driving statistics have been thoroughly documented, other forms of distracted driving can also lead to serious motor vehicle accidents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted an observational study of driver behavior in 2009 and found that 20 percent of all drivers engaged in some form of distracted driving. The NHTSA report also indicated that:
- Nearly one out of every five crashes involved a distracted driver.
- Approximately three out of every four teen drivers were distracted at the time of a crash.
The study also found that:
- Talking on a cell phone increased the risk by approximately three times.
- Texting was associated with a 23 percent higher risk of an accident.
Drivers who were distracted and involved in crashes were more than twice as likely to be injured in the crash as compared to non-distracted drivers.
Distracted Driving and Car Accident Injury
The NHTSA report also estimated that approximately six percent of all car accidents each year were directly caused by distracted driving, making this a contributing factor in nearly 600,000 motor vehicle crashes every year. Distracted driving can be caused by any number of factors, including:
- Texting on cell phones
- Talking on cell phones
- Using a computer or other digital devices while driving.
- Adjusting or using GPS in the car
- In-car dashboards that distract the Driver
Some states, including California, have outlawed the use of mobile communications devices for all drivers within certain age ranges. In 2012, California revamped its laws to restrict drivers from texting and using hand-held cellphones under the age of 21. Other less obvious forms of distracted driving, such as shopping with online price comparisons or talking to passengers in the vehicle, also increase a driver’s chance of being involved in an accident.
The Dangers of Distracted Driving and Teen Drivers
One out of every four teen drivers will be involved in an accident before they reach age 20. Since teens have faster reaction times than adults, they are more likely to be involved in a crash, regardless of the cause.
However, distracted driving accidents also increase the risk that teen drivers will be injured or killed simply by taking their attention away from the road.
Distracted driving accident injury victims can suffer significantly in both short-term and long-term consequences. In addition to lost wages and potential medical bills, victims may also experience:
- Emotional trauma from a car accident caused by a distracted driver
- Long-term emotional or psychological issues.
Victims who have been involved in a distracted driving accident may sustain both physical and emotional injuries. In the aftermath of a car crash caused by a distracted driver, it is not uncommon for victims to:
- Suffer whiplash or other upper body injuries
- Have internal organ damage
- Break bones in their feet, legs, arms, or hands
- Brain Damage (TBI)
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Lacerations, Cuts, Bruises and
- Serious Catastrophic Injuries
- Wrongful Death
Victims of distracted drivers can sustain brain damage from the physical force associated with a car accident, such as the sudden stop involved in a rear-end collision.
In addition to broken bones or whiplash, victims may also have traumatic brain injury or suffer some type of emotional trauma following an injury caused by distracted driving. If you have been involved in an accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Victims of distracted driving in Las Vegas should also contact an experienced lawyer to protect their legal rights.
Common Types of Compensation in Personal Injury Cases
Victims of distracted driving accidents may experience pain, suffering, medical bills, lost wages, and other negative consequences that can put a financial strain on their lives. If you have been injured in a distracted driving accident, it is important to contact an experienced Las Vegas car crash attorney right away.
Personal injury cases involving car accidents caused by distracted drivers are typically complex and often challenging to win. Most insurance companies will deny compensation to victims of a distracted driving accident.
In order to secure compensation for your pain and suffering or loss of income, it is important that you choose an experienced attorney who can help you pursue every avenue for recovery in your lawsuit.
Some of the types of compensation that you may be able to pursue include:
- Lost Wages
- Medical Expenses
- Pain and Suffering
- Emotional Distress (if applicable)
In addition to pursuing compensation for your injuries, you may also be able to seek punitive damages in cases involving a distracted driver. Punitive damages are awarded by a jury or court of law in order to punish the guilty party who caused injury or death. In some instances, it may be possible to seek punitive damages from a distracted driver in an amount of over $1 million.
Nevada Statute on Personal Injury Cases
It is important to act quickly following an injury caused by a distracted driver. Not only should you contact emergency responders if necessary, but you should also pursue legal action within the statute of limitations in your state by working with an experienced attorney.
Nevada has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases of two years. If you wait longer than that to contact an attorney, you may not be able to pursue compensation for your injuries.
Get in Touch With a Las Vegas Distracted Driving Car Accident Attorney
Insurance companies are notorious for denying liability and delaying the negotiation process so that they can avoid paying compensation to victims who have been injured in an accident involving a distracted driver. It is important to choose an attorney who can help you navigate the complex legal system and protect your rights.
If you have any questions after being injured in a crash involving a distracted driver, call a Las Vegas distracted driving car accident lawyer at our firm.
