Las Vegas Vehicle Accident Claims - Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer

Nevada Truck Accident Claims

Truck accidents are a common safety concern for people injured in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, Reno, Tahoe (or any other city in Nevada). Truck accidents are a national safety concern. In fact the Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration develops and oversees many safety programs to improve the safety of motor carriers operating on public roadways. National statistics for the year 2002, show that one out of nine traffic fatalities (11%) involved cars colliding with large trucks. The enormous size - slow maneuverability - and visibility problems can increase the risk of a fatal truck accident in Nevada. After a Las Vegas tractor trailer accident, it is extremely important to make sure that there is a proper inspection and that evidence is preserved for expert inspection, testing and truck accident reconstruction. Contact a Las Vegas Truck Accident Attorney if you or a family member were injured in a semi truck accident and need to obtain compensation.

Read more about Large Truck safety information from the DOT / NHTSA's Traffic Safety Facts 2002 - Large Trucks.

Big Rig accidents can have many causes which can result in a Las Vegas traffic accident that injures, disfigures, impairs, hurts and sometimes kills Nevada residents. Other than the general problems which can lead to an accident with any type of vehicle, there are specific problems which relate to Las Vegas tractor-trailer truck accidents including the following:

Bad brakes and brakes not complying with federal standards
Overloaded truck
Driver fatigue and drowsiness
Inadequate warning devices (lights, reflectors, reflective tape)
Inadequate training or supervision of the Truck Driver
Oversized truck
Improperly maintained truck brakes
Visibility problems form rain, snow or sleet
Inexperienced Truck Driver
No underide protection underguard
Abuse of prescription or over-the-counter stimulants
Driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI - DWI)
Driving with a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
Driving without a valid commercial driver's license
Exceeding the speed limit
Driving too fast for weather and road conditions
Aggressive driving and road rage
Bad weather conditions
Negligent hiring of Truck Driver with bad driving record

There are often many inspections in a semi truck accident if the car - truck accident involves a fatality. In Las Vegas, Las Vegas Metro Police Department (LVMPD) has a detective investigate any vehicle accident involving a fatality. In other areas, the local police department of the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP) could conduct the investigation of the fatal car accident in Nevada. The commercial truck is inspected to ascertain if the required safety devices were in place and functioning at the time of the truck accident in Las Vegas. Also, the condition of the truck can be examined to see if a failure to maintain the mechanical systems of the truck contributed to the death as a result of the collision between an 18-wheeler and a car in Las Vegas.

When you hire a Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyer, the injury attorney may have a Motor Carrier Expert examine the truck and the Las Vegas big-rig accident scene. The expert may find violations which were missed in other investigations. Your Las Vegas Attorney may have the expert testify regarding standards and practices in the trucking industry - state regulations - federal safety standards - and the proper training of tractor-trailer drivers. All of these factors can be useful in proving that the negligence of the Truck Driver or the Trucking Company caused the injuries you suffered in a Las Vegas Truck Accident.

Nevada Motorcycle Accident Claims

Motorcycle accidents cause immense pain and suffering. In the year 2002, over three thousand people were killed in fatal motorcycle crashes in the USA. Part of this is due to the inattentiveness of other drivers. Many negligent car and truck drivers often say they never saw the motorcycle before they hit it and injured or killed the rider. In the USA, there were about 65,000 injuries to motorcycle drivers and passengers in 2002.

Read more about Motorcycle safety information from the DOT / NHTSA's Traffic Safety Facts 2002 - Motorcycles.

Motorcycle enthusiasts know they have to look out for cars and large trucks. Sadly, car and truck drivers do not take the proper safety precautions when they are driving close to someone on a motorcycle in Las Vegas, Nevada. Any Las Vegas motorcycle accident has the potential to cause severe injury since the motorcycle driver has limited protection against heavy cars, SUVs and trucks. Since many Las Vegas motorcycle accidents can cause severe head injuries, it is very important to wear a helmet. Motorcycle accidents can result in brain injury, paralysis, neck injury, back injury and sometimes death. Due to the fact that the injuries are usually extreme, you may want to contact a Las Vegas Motorcycle Accident Lawyer early in order to understand your legal rights and obtain compensation.

Many Las Vegas motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence of a car or truck driver. If the driver received a citation, this can make your Las Vegas Motorcycle claim much stronger. A Las Vegas Motorcycle Attorney may want to have a motorcycle accident reconstructionist examine your bike - the accident scene - and the police report. This can help establish your claim that the negligence of the car or truck driver caused your motorcycle accident injuries. A Las Vegas Motorcycle Lawyer can focus on making a demand on the other driver's insurance company - seeing that critical evidence is not spoiled - negotiating for the maximum settlement you deserve - filing a lawsuit - and taking your case to trial if a reasonable settlement offer is not received.

Nevada Pedestrian Accident Claims

A new government report indicates that the youngest and oldest Americans are the most vulnerable to pedestrian accidents, and an alarmingly high number of those killed in these crashes were the victims of hit-and-runs. The report also says alcohol is often a major factor in these accidents, and the pedestrian was twice as likely to be drinking as was the driver. Between 1975 and 2001 nearly 175,000 pedestrians were killed on U.S. roadways, according to the report, prepared by the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Read more about Pedestrian safety information from the DOT / NHTSA's Traffic Safety Facts 2002 - Pedestrians.

Pedestrians make up the second largest segment of traffic fatalities after car occupants, exceeding fatalities among motorcyclists and bicyclists, says Ellen Martin, a NHTSA spokeswoman. She adds that "nearly one in five pedestrians killed on America's roadways is the victim of a hit-and-run. This is the first time we have seen a finding like that. This is a very large number -- 18 percent of all pedestrian accidents." In addition, children 5 to 9 years of age are very likely to be victims of fatal crashes, and more than one-fifth were pedestrians. Also, senior citizens, 70 and older, are extremely vulnerable to pedestrian accidents, Martin notes. Martin points out that in pedestrian accidents, 37 percent involved alcohol use among pedestrians compared with 18 percent among drivers. "So more than half of these crashes involve alcohol and a startling number involve alcohol in pedestrians," she says.

The report analyzed data on pedestrian fatalities from single-vehicle crashes between 1998 and 2001. It also found that 78 percent of pedestrian deaths were at non-intersections, 44 percent happened at roadways without crosswalks, and 64 percent happened on urban roadways. New York and Los Angeles had the highest fatality rates. Most of the fatalities were among men (64 percent), and nearly half occurred between 6 p.m. and midnight. "It is very important for states and localities to examine the issues of enforcement and sidewalk construction and the availability of lighting and the design of roads to offer greater protection for pedestrians," Martin says. The major cities with the highest fatality rates, according to the report, were Detroit, Denver, Phoenix, San Francisco and Dallas. Those with the lowest rates were Seattle, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Columbus, Ohio, and Oklahoma City. The states with the highest fatality rates were New Mexico, Arizona and Florida; the lowest rates were in North Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska.

Sadly, there have been many tragic pedestrian accidents in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, Mesquite, Laughlin, Reno, Tahoe and many other cities in Nevada. If your family has suffered because a negligent driver caused an injury or a fatality, contact a Las Vegas Pedestrian Accident Lawyer for a free consultation to evaluate your right to a Nevada personal injury lawsuit.

Nevada Bus Accident Claims

Bus accidents can cause severe injuries which lead to intense pain and suffering, impairment, disfigurement and even death. Also, a person injured in a Las Vegas Bus Accident can face medical bills, lost wages and loss of future income due to a permanent physical disability. As common carriers of people, bus companies and their drivers must meet a high standard of care in implementing and following safety precautions. Las Vegas Bus accidents can be caused by negligent bus drivers, failure to maintain the bus properly, defective equipment, obscured vision, drivers abusing drugs or alcohol and many other irresponsible acts by the driver or the bus company. Many people use buses which are part of the public transportation system. In Las Vegas, there are numerous tour and charter buses operating in the area at any given time. Also, there are many school buses which take children to school and to school functions. With all of these buses on the road in the Las Vegas area, bus accidents are bound to occur. A Las Vegas Bus Accident Lawyer can explain your legal rights and help you obtain compensation for your injuries in the event you or a family member were injured in a Las Vegas Bus Accident.

School bus accidents can be devastating to the children and their families. School buses are usually stable vehicles due to their size and design. In certain situations, school buses can overturn and when this happens, ejection can be a serious problem. Generally, the children who are sitting close to the impact area can face the greatest danger and there is a debate as to whether lap-belt restraints could make a difference in this situation. Some argue that using lap belts is cost prohibitive and can actually lead to head, spine or neck injuries in some situations. In some states, lap and shoulder restraints are required in buses and the requirement may be tied to the size of the bus. Driver negligence - poor supervision - inadequate maintenance - and defective equipment can all be causes of a Las Vegas school bus accident. Also, a lawsuit against a public entity (like the Clark County School District) has certain limitations (such as a cap on personal injury damages) which a Las Vegas School Bus Accident Lawyer can explain to you in a free consultation.

Read more about School Bus Accident information from the DOT / NHTSA's Traffic Safety Facts 2002 - School Transportation-Related Crashes.

Nevada Bicycle Accident Claims

Bicycle accidents can cause serious injury to the rider because there is far less protection for the rider when matched against cars, SUVs, motorcycles and large trucks. Children are particularly susceptible to bike accidents. Nationwide, a child is killed every day in a bike accident. Most of these children die from a head injury. Every day 10,000 children are taken to emergency rooms for treatment of injuries received in bicycle accidents across the U.S. More than 380,000 children are injured in bike-related accidents each year across the country. Some of these fatal or disabilitating head injuries could be avoided if more children were taught to wear safety helmets. Wearing a helmet can reduce the risk of suffering a head injury by 85% and reduces the risk of a brain injury by 88%.

Read more about Bicycle safety information from the DOT / NHTSA's Traffic Safety Facts 2002 - Pedalcyclists.

Safety tips for cyclists

Always wear a helmet. This is your most important piece of safety gear.
Be alert. Always be aware that a motorist might not see you.
Signal your intentions - use hand signals to indicate turns and stops.
Use a mirror. This allows you to be aware of traffic approaching from behind.
Follow traffic rules as if you are driving an auto. Ride with traffic, not against it.
Ride as near to the right-hand side of the road as practical, while avoiding road hazards that could cause you to swerve into traffic.
Be predictable. Do not weave in and out of traffic or parked cars.
Wear elbow and knee pads for added protection.
Ride a proper size bike.
Obey all signs and signals.
Be bright at night. Wear bright clothes and make sure your bike has lights

Safety tips for motorists

Be alert. Like motorcycles, bicycles are harder to see than autos.
Don’t honk. This can startle a cyclist and cause him or her to swerve.
When passing, be sure to clear the cyclist before moving back into your lane.
Cyclists who are not on the extreme right- hand side of the lane are not being careless, but are in fact attempting to avoid hazards that could cause an accident.
No cyclist’s speed can be taken for granted. With today’s improved equipment, some bicyclists may be traveling 25 or 30 miles per hour, if not faster. Others will be travelling at much slower speeds.
Drivers turning left in front of oncoming cyclists cause a large percentage of car/cycle accidents.
Overtaking, then making a right turn in front of the cyclist is also a cause of many accidents.

If you or a family member were hurt in a bike accident in Las Vegas (or any other city in Nevada), contact a Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Lawyer to determine whether you have a viable claim for compensation from the negligent person or company causing the Las Vegas bike accident.

Nevada Construction & Heavy Equipment Accident Claims

Construction and heavy equipment accidents occur in the Las Vegas area due to the constuction boom we have experienced for many years. If a worker is injured on the job, the accident claim will most likely go through Workers Compensation because the injury was work-related. If the Las Vegas heavy equipment accident injured a bystander who was not an employee, that person could have a viable personal injury accident claim. Also, even if the accident happened on the job, the employee may have the right to sue a third party whose negligence caused the Las Vegas construction accident. It may be wise to consult a Las Vegas Heavy Equipment Accident Lawyer early in the process, to evaluate whether there is a viable personal injury lawsuit or if the claim should be submitted through the industrial insurance process.

Construction and heavy equipment accidents can result in disfigurement, permanent physical impairment, loss of limb, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, amputation and wrongful death. Some of the construction and heavy equipment which can cause such severe injuries may include: compacter, bulldozers, tractors, rollers, wheel loaders, motor graders, excavators, forklifts, asphalt removers, backhoes and many other kinds of heavy equipment.

Las Vegas Construction and Heavy Equipment accidents can result from the negligence of the equipment operator - defective equipment design and maintenance - and the failure to observe safety precautions when the equipment is operated at the job site. Here are some precautions which should be used when heavy equipment is being operated at a Las Vegas construction site:

Daily equipment checks to ensure proper functioning of back-up alarms.

Use of high visibility clothing for personnel working near heavy equipment even when work area is not exposed to public vehicular traffic.

Limiting access to areas around heavy equipment operations to only those workers needing access.

Instructing operators only to move equipment when they are aware of the whereabouts of all workers near the equipment and its planned path.

Instructing employees working near heavy equipment to maintain eye contact with the operator to the greatest extent possible and to allow ample distance for passing equipment to compensate for sudden or erratic changes in the equipment course.

Contact Us To Discuss Your Accident Claim

If you want a free evaluation of a Truck Accident Claim - Motorcycle Accident Claim - Bus Accident Claim - Pedestrian Accident Claim - or Heavy Equipment Accident Claim, contact David Matheny, Esq. (of the law firm of Dempsey, Roberts & Smith, Ltd) for a free personal injury consultation. We are located in Las Vegas, Nevada and we provide legal services for Las Vegas Accident Claimants throughout Nevada.