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Experienced Las Vegas Distracted Driving Lawyers Near You
Distracted driving is not only one of the most common causes of motor vehicle accidents in Las Vegas, but in the US, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Due to distracted driving being so common, the Las Vegas distracted driving accident lawyers at the Rodney Okano Car Accident Lawyer Law Firm have vast experince in handling distracted driving accident claims and understand how to secure injured victims the financial settlement they deserve.
Schedule a free consultation with a Las Vegas distracted driving accident lawyer from our law firm today to learn how we can assist in your personal injury claim.
About Founding Attorney Rodney Okano
Attorney Rodney Okano is a skilled Nevada personal injury lawyer with over 20 years of experience in Nevada and personal injury law. With his expertise, he has helped thousands of people injured in accidents obtain the financial settlement they're entitled to.
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What is Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is any behavior that takes your attention away from the task of driving.
Distracted driving is often broken down into three categories, which are visual distractions, manual distractions, and cognitive distractions, and can be described as:
- Visual Distractions: Actions like looking at a cell phone or reading a map, which take your eyes off the road.
- Manual Distractions: Activities such as eating, drinking, or adjusting the navigation system require you to remove your hands from the steering wheel.
- Cognitive Distractions: This type of distraction occurs when your mind is not focused on driving, like talking on the phone or engaging in stressful conversations.
Distracted driving significantly increases the risk of car accidents and can lead to severe injuries or fatalities. For this reason, it's crucial for drivers to stay alert and avoid any activities that might distract them while driving.
Being aware of these risks helps ensure safer roads and prevents distracted driving accidents for everyone.
Nevada Laws Around Distracted Driving
Nevada seeks to lower the number of distracted drivers by increasing laws and penalties regarding it. Understanding these laws is crucial in determining liability following a car accident with a distracted driver.
Nevada State Laws Governing Distracted Driving
Nevada law prohibits texting while driving and bans all handheld cell phone use while driving.
Other distracting activities, such as eating or using a GPS system, are not illegal but can still lead to the driver being deemed the negligent driver in a claim if they divert their attention and cause a car crash.
Penalties for Driving Distracted in Nevada
Violating distracted driving laws in Nevada can result in fines, demerit points on your license, increased insurance rates, and civil punishment in a car accident claim.
Additionally, reckless behavior, such as distracted driving, may also lead to jail time and suspension of your driving privileges, so it's a matter of your personal safety and finances to avoid driving distracted.
Common Types of Driving Distractions
Types of distracted driving include visual, manual, and cognitive distractions, which can all lead to car accidents.
Common examples of these three types of distracted driving include texting while driving, applying makeup, eating, talking, and using GPS apps. These activities divert attention from the road, increasing the risk of an accident.
Texting and Driving
Texting while driving is extremely dangerous as it involves all three types of distraction: visual, manual, and cognitive. Sending a text message while driving is one of the most common driver distractions and significantly increases the risk of distracted driving accidents, putting drivers and others on the road in serious danger.
Eating or Drinking While Driving
Eating or drinking while driving can be a significant distraction, as taking your hands off the wheel and diverting your attention from the road can lead to accidents.
Also, this activity increases the risk of a distracted driving accident due to delayed reaction times and reduced control over the vehicle.
Adjusting Audio Systems
To reduce auditory distractions and stay safe, adjust your car's audio settings before you start driving.
Use voice commands or preset stations to avoid fumbling with the controls and distracted driving while on the road. Also, keep the volume at a comfortable level to ensure you remain alert and aware of your surroundings to avoid distracted driving.
Talking with Passengers
Engaging in communications with passengers can be a significant source of distraction while driving.
Conversations, especially those that are intense or emotionally charged, can divert your attention from the road. It's important to keep interactions with passengers brief and not let them divert attention from driving safely.
Additionally, adjusting seats and radios for passenger comfort can also take your eyes off the road and hands off the wheel, increasing the risk of a distracted driving accident. Always prioritize driving attentively, especially when passengers are in the vehicle, as any negligent behavior could result in severe damage.
Impact of Distracted Driving Accidents in Las Vegas
Distracted driving leads to numerous car accidents in Las Vegas, causing serious injuries and fatalities.
While Nevada laws prohibit forms of distracted driving, many drivers still engage in it daily. If a distracted driver caused you damages or harm, seeking legal assistance is crucial to winning the legal process and obtaining a fair settlement.
Physical and Emotional Damages
Distracted driving not only increases the risk of car crashes but also leads to severe physical injuries, such as:
- Head trauma
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Brusies
Beyond these physical injuries, victims also often experience emotional distress, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
Addressing both the immediate medical needs and long-term mental health support is crucial for recovery after an accident with a distracted driver.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a distracted driving incident in Las Vegas, contact the personal injury lawyers at the Rodney Okano Car Accident Lawyer Law Firm, who can help navigate settlement negotiations and communications with insurance companies.
Financial Impacts on Accident Victims
Distracted driving accidents often result in significant financial burdens for victims, as medical expenses, car repairs, and lost wages can accumulate rapidly.
Seeking compensation through a personal injury lawsuit is the best way to alleviate these financial pressures; however, it's highly recommended to enlist help from a Las Vegas distracted driving accident lawyer who can help gather evidence, establish liability against the party accountable, and secure fair compensation.
What to Do After a Car Accident with a Distracted Driver
After a car accident, prioritize your safety and follow these steps:
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Report the incident to the police
- Document the scene
- Gather witness statements
- Seek legal representation from a Las Vegas car accident attorney
Immediate Steps at the Scene
Stay calm and check if anyone needs medical attention right away. Call 911 to report the accident and wait for the police to arrive at the accident scene.
Exchange contact and insurance information with other drivers involved in the distracted driving accident, but avoid admitting fault or making statements about what happened.
Take photos of your vehicle's damage and the surrounding area to gather evidence. Gather evidence, including witness statements and contact information from witnesses.
Gathering Evidence
To ensure you have the strongest possible claim, take photos of the scene, vehicles involved, visible injuries, and property damage. Gather the contact information from witnesses and exchange insurance details with other drivers.
Keep a record of all documents related to the accident, such as medical records, lost earnings, and out-of-pocket expenses, for your future legal case.
Seeking Medical Attention
After an accident, your health should be your top priority. Don't refuse medical help even if you feel fine, and get checked by a doctor soon after an accident to catch any hidden injuries.
Continue to follow up with a doctor to ensure all your injuries are properly documented.
Frequently Asked Questions About Las Vegas Distracted Driving Accidents
Could I Share Fault in a Distracted Driving Accident?
Under Nevada's comparative negligence law, you could share fault in a car accident even if you weren't the one driving distracted.
To avoid sharing fault and having your settlement reduced, be sure to seek legal representation and gather evidence, such as police reports, expert testimony, and camera footage, to ensure you'll have a strong case to present in front of the insurance company.
How Much Does an Injury Attorney Cost?
Most injury attorneys in Nevada work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don't pay any legal fees unless they win your case.
Schedule a free consultation with an attorney from our Las Vegas office to learn how we handle legal fees.
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