North Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer

Types of Car Accidents We Handle in North Las Vegas

North Las Vegas experiences various types of motor vehicle collisions, each with its own set of legal issues. Rear-end accidents make up about 40% of all crashes nationwide, making them one of the most common auto accident types we handle in North Las Vegas.

Other accident types in North Las Vegas that our attorneys take are:

• Side-impact (T-bone) crashes
• Sideswipe accidents
• Rollover crashes
• Head-on collisions
• Pedestrian and cyclist accidents
• Rideshare and taxi accidents
• DUI accidents

When a serious car accident in North Las Vegas tragically turns fatal, our personal injury lawyers are also here to handle the wrongful death claims on behalf of surviving family members.

Rear-End Collisions

These accidents usually result from distracted driving, tailgating, or sudden stops and often lead to injuries like whiplash, concussions, or spinal damage. Under Nevada law and insurance company speculations, the driver who rear-ends another is typically responsible, though exceptions apply if the front driver behaves unpredictably.

T-Bone and Intersection Accidents

About 13% of car crashes in Nevada are T-bone accidents. Due to the lack of protection on the side of vehicles, these accidents can lead to serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and broken ribs. These types of collisions usually occur when drivers run red lights or fail to yield the right-of-way.

Important evidence to gather in a T-bone accident includes:

• Footage from intersection cameras
• Information about traffic signal timing
• Analysis of where the impact occurred

Rollover Accidents

The NHTSA reports that rollovers make up about one-fifth of all fatal car accidents. These crashes are known for causing catastrophic injuries, such as amputations, paralysis, and burn injuries.

SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks have a higher risk of rolling over because they have a high center of gravity. This increased risk is especially noticeable during:

• Sharp turns at high speeds
• Sudden evasive actions
• Tire blowouts

Multi-Vehicle Pileups

Chain-reaction pileups involving three or more vehicles can be extremely deadly and lead to complicated legal disputes over who is responsible. A tragic example from January 2022 near North Las Vegas resulted in nine deaths when one driver's reckless behavior caused a chain reaction.

Those potentially liable in multi-vehicle accidents include:

• Drivers involved in the initial impact
• Drivers following too closely behind others
• Operators of commercial trucks

Drunk Driving Crashes

Impaired driving is the leading cause of fatal crashes in Nevada, often involving drivers who use alcohol, marijuana, or other substances. Under Nevada law, those convicted of a DUI can face both criminal and civil penalties.

Additionally, drunk drivers may face punitive damages in response to their reckless actions.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving accidents are increasing in Clark County yearly, and three main types of distractions are to blame:

• Visual (eyes off the road)
• Manual (hands off the wheel)
• Cognitive (mind not on driving)

To put into perspective how dangerous distracted driving can be, texting while driving at 55 mph means your vehicle travels the length of a football field in just five seconds; that's enough length to pass dozens of cars and multiple pedestrians without even noticing.

Hit-and-Run Crashes

Hit-and-run incidents are a problem that often go unsolved by North Las Vegas police, leading victims to carry the financial burdens of a car accident. However, those with underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage can still recover a settlement even if the at-fault driver is unknown.

Rideshare Accidents

Uber and Lyft offer up to $1.5 million in liability coverage while passengers are being transported. However, this coverage decreases significantly during other transportation periods. Additionally, insurance companies may claim the driver was not on duty during the time of the accident to avoid paying claims under their commercial policies.

Because rideshare accidents can be complicated, drivers should have legal representation to protect their rights and compensation.

Common Injuries Sustained in North Las Vegas Car Accidents

Car accidents in North Las Vegas can lead to a variety of injuries that may have long-lasting effects on both the body and mind. For example, spinal cord injuries might result in partial or complete paralysis, while traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) could cause issues like difficulty speaking, changes in personality, and permanent thinking problems.

In addition to physical harm, victims of serious car accidents may also face:

• PTSD, anxiety, and depression triggered by the accident
• Daily pain from injuries
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Psychological injuries are just as severe as physical ones, but insurance companies sometimes dispute their validity when evaluating claims, so it's important to work with a North Las Vegas car accident lawyer to ensure your injuries are taken seriously.

Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries are damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These soft tissue injuries can lead to:

• Torn or stretched ligaments
• Muscle strain
• Nerve irritation

When it comes to soft tissue injury, most personal injury lawyers see whiplash, which is a type of soft tissue injury that is very common in rear-end collisions.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

TBI, or traumatic brain injury, happens when a sudden force causes the brain to hit the inside of the skull, often leaving no visible injuries. The severity of TBI is measured using the Glasgow Coma Scale, and its symptoms vary:

• Mild cases may show confusion, headaches, and dizziness.
• Severe cases can lead to seizures, trouble speaking, and long-term problems with thinking and remembering.

Spinal Cord Injuries

According to the Mayo Clinic, car and motorcycle accidents are responsible for almost half of all spinal cord injuries. These injuries can be:

• Complete (total loss of movement and sensation)
• Incomplete (some function still exists)

Symptoms often worsen over several days, so it's important to seek immediate medical care after your car or motorcycle accident.

Broken Bones and Fractures

Fractures resulting from vehicle accidents can affect various bones, including:

• Clavicle (considered the body's most fragile bone)
• Femur and fibula
• Sternum and ribs due to seatbelt force
• Facial bones because of airbag impacts

Severe bone fractures may need surgical treatment with plates, screws, or rods. X-rays are crucial evidence when submitting an insurance claim for such injuries.

Internal Organ Damage

The blunt force from high-impact crashes can damage organs such as the liver, spleen, and kidneys, leading to serious injuries that often show symptoms later and could be fatal if untreated. The liver is involved in about 5% of all trauma cases, and injury to the spleen is a common cause of internal bleeding.

Signs such as seatbelt marks or large bruises could suggest hidden organ damage following a car accident.

Psychological and Emotional Trauma

Psychological injuries such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression can be just as disabling as physical injuries and may require treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).

These emotional injuries under the law are given the same legal consideration as serious physical injuries in a car accident claim.