An 82-year-old man was killed and his wife was seriously injured in a Las Vegas car accident involving a driver who was reportedly under the influence. According to a KTNV news report, the DUI crash occurred at Charleston and Jones in Las Vegas. The elderly couple was making a left turn in a Lincoln Towncar when a 29-year-old man drove his car through a red light and struck their vehicle.
The 82-year-old man was killed and it is not clear if his wife will survive the critical injuries she has suffered in the fatal crash. Officials say the at-fault driver did not have a license or auto insurance. He also failed a field sobriety test and admitted to taking drugs for which he did not have a prescription.
Understanding Nevada’s Law
Drivers who violate Nevada law by running a red light may be held liable for injuries and damages they cause in addition to facing a citation for the traffic violation.
Under Nevada law, any driver found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol may face charges including DUI/DWI, vehicular manslaughter, and criminal negligence. Depending on the facts of the case, a driver may also be held liable for civil damages such as medical expenses, loss of income, and burial costs.
Reasons Why Drivers Run Red Lights and How to Avoid Them
There are many reasons why a driver may run a red light including impairment, distracted driving, speeding, or inattention.
Driving under the influence is also a serious problem in Las Vegas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), reported that 28 percent of all fatal Nevada car accidents in the year 2009 involved driver crashes who were under the influence. It is illegal under Nevada law to operate a motor vehicle under thttp://Drunk Driving | NHTSA. (n.d.). NHTSA. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-drivinghe influence of alcohol and/or drugs, which includes prescription drugs. [1]
Some of the ways to avoid drivers who run red lights include:
• Paying close attention when approaching an intersection even if the light is green;
• Not accelerating until the light turns green and then checking for oncoming traffic;
• Allowing enough time for the light to turn green before accelerating; and
• Being aware of other drivers who may be speeding or not paying attention.
Seeking Financial Compensation
Anyone who has suffered an injury in a Nevada DUI deadly crash may seek financial compensation by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. Families who have lost a loved one because of the actions of an impaired driver may seek compensation for their loss by filing a wrongful death claim in a fatal car crash.
In cases where a driver does not have insurance, compensation may be available through the uninsured motorist clause of the victim’s auto insurance policy.
How Shook & Stone Can Help?
The skilled Las Vegas drunk driving attorneys at Shook & Stone have a long history of protecting the rights of drunk driving victims and holding negligent drivers accountable. We fight hard to ensure that injured victims obtain fair and full compensation for all their minor injuries, damages, and losses.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident caused by a drunk driver, please contact our offices at 702-570-0000 for a free and comprehensive consultation.
Source:
[1] Drunk Driving | NHTSA. (n.d.). NHTSA. https://www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving
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