Most Common Type of Car Accidents in Las Vegas

Car accidents are very common throughout the United States, and Nevada is no exception. Below is a brief discussion of 12 of the most common types of automobile collisions. If you are injured in any type of accident, it’s best to speak to an auto accident attorney in Las Vegas who can examine your case and determine the best legal actions to take.

Distracted Driving

With more portable technology now than ever, driver distractions have risen to unprecedented numbers. There are many ways drivers can be distracted, such as eating or changing the radio station.

Since 2011, it has been illegal in Nevada to text, access the internet, and make calls on handheld devices while driving. Violation of these laws may result in a fine of $50 for the first offense. Fines may be doubled in work zones. There are exceptions to these laws such as the need to report an emergency.

Drunk Driving

Across the United States, drunk driving is a serious offense and carries harsh penalties. If you are in an accident due to a drunk driver, you must speak to a drunk driving accident attorney in Las Vegas immediately.

The illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in Nevada is:

  • 0.02% for drivers under 21 years old
  • 0.04% for commercial license holders
  • 0.08% for everyone else

Submission to a blood alcohol content test is required by all drivers when requested by an officer in the state of Nevada. Driving on Nevada roads implies consent to this test and refusal may result in a legitimate arrest.

It is illegal to drive a vehicle with opened alcoholic beverages anywhere in the car, with some exceptions.

Penalties for a DUI include:

  • License suspension for 90 days – You may be permitted to apply for a restricted license after 45 days.
  • Fees totaling over $200, not including legal fees
  • Fine of up to $1000
  • Installation of an ignition interlock device (so you must test your BAC before the car will start)
  • Jail for up to 6 months or 96 hours of community service
  • DUI school

The penalties for multiple offenses within a 7-year period increase with each offense.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are often the most violent and damaging automotive collisions, often resulting in broken bones, brain injuries, and even death.

In Nevada, many head-on collisions occur on interstate highways or rural roads, such as I-15 and I-215 in Southern Nevada and State Route 80 in Northern Nevada. Head-on collisions are possible anywhere and may result from a drunk driver who makes a wrong turn, unsafe lane changes, disobeying traffic signals, and so much more.

Hit-and-Run

Fleeing the scene of an automobile accident in Nevada is illegal, even when the collision was not the fault of the individual fleeing. All individuals involved in a car collision in Nevada are required to exchange contact and insurance information with others involved. Fleeing the scene where there was property damage may result in a misdemeanor, but fleeing the scene when there was an injury or death may result in a felony.

Drivers involved in collisions that result in the injury of another individual are required by law to assist that individual in seeking medical care.Hit and run charges may result in steep fees and even jail time. Make sure to speak to a personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas if you are a victim of a hit-and-run accident.

Intersection Collisions

Traffic intersections, and the laws that go with them, are necessary for the smooth functioning on roads throughout Nevada. Las Vegas is notorious for having some of the largest intersections in Nevada. As intersections are where traffic from multiple directions collide, it’s obvious that collisions may occur. Most intersection collisions are caused because a driver fails to yield the right-of-way.

Off-Road Crashes

When a car somehow departs from the road and crashes, there is a high likelihood of fatality. This can occur because the driver loses control of their vehicle through their own error, the error of another driver, a mechanical failure, or poor weather.

Phantom Car Accidents

A phantom vehicle collision is a collision that is caused by a vehicle that did not physically contact the crashed vehicle or that fled the scene and can not be located. The requirements for this type of accident to be established include:

  • The identity of the other driver can not be established
  • There is corroborating evidence of the claim
  • The incident was reported within 72 hours and filed with the insurance company within 30 days

These claims can be difficult to win, particularly in cases when there was no physical contact because there is no physical evidence. An attorney in Las Vegas can explain in more detail if this pertains to you.

Rear-End Collisions

This is a very common type of collision that usually occurs because a vehicle is following dangerously closely to the vehicle before it. Due to this, the individual who did the rear-ending is usually considered liable.

Rollovers

Rollovers are complex car crashes that typically happen during routine driving, such as driving straight or turning with the road and with only one vehicle involved. Las Vegas rollover crashes often occur on rural roads with high speed limits.

Side-swipe Collisions

Many people believe side-swipe collisions are minor incidences resulting only in property damage. In reality, side-swipe collisions are often the result of a car over-correcting or negligently entering the lane of another driver and may lead to loss of vehicle control and severe injuries such as death.

Single Car Crashes

This type of crash only involves one vehicle and is typically used only when the only injured parties were in the car, as opposed to standing outside. The most common types of this kind of traffic collision are:

  • Run-off road collisions
  • Collisions with fallen rock or road debris
  • Rollover crashes
  • Collisions with animals

Side-Impact Collisions

Also known as T-bone collisions, this type of accident often occurs at intersections when an individual violates a red light. Either driver may be at fault in this situation and it sometimes can be difficult to determine the negligent party.

If you have been involved in a car collision, it’s important to seek legal representation. An experienced attorney in Las Vegas can advise you on your rights and guide you through a complicated legal process. Having a motivated attorney on your side can make a big difference in getting the maximum compensation.

Call An Attorney in Las Vegas if You’ve Been Injured

At Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have the dedication, skills and resources to handle your case with the professionalism and expertise it deserve. We have won many awards that show our capabilities in protecting the rights of victims.

Call Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers today on (702) 384-1414. You can also submit our online contact form and we will get back to you promptly.