Most Paradise residents use their cars to move around the area. Whenever we get behind the wheel of our vehicles, we risk being involved in a serious accident. Even responsible drivers are at risk, as negligent drivers cause accidents with serious injuries every day.
If you have been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek financial compensation via a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. At the Cottle Firm, our dedicated Paradise car accident lawyers help our clients seek full financial compensation for the injuries they’ve suffered. Contact us today to learn more about your legal options in a free consultation.
Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Paradise
The Paradise car accident lawyers of the Cottle Firm regularly represent clients who have been injured in a variety of types of car accidents. Here are some of the most common types of car accidents in Paradise.
Rear-End Collisions
A rear-end collision occurs when a vehicle crashes into the rear of another vehicle in front of them. They are among the most common types of car accidents in Paradise and nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 29% of car accidents are rear-end collisions.
Nevada has a rear-end collision law, which is designed to prevent these accidents. According to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 484B.127, drivers must leave a reasonable amount of space between their vehicles and the vehicles in front of them. A driver who breaks this law may be charged with a misdemeanor offense and could face civil liability if someone injured in the crash files a personal injury claim.
Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision occurs when two cars driving in opposite directions collide. Head-on collisions are relatively rare, only accounting for about 3% of all accidents nationwide. However, these crashes are often more serious than other types of accidents, as they frequently result in severe or even fatal injuries.
Some of the most common causes of head-on collisions include:
- Distracted driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Reckless driving
- Drowsy driving
- Improper passing
- Driver confusion
Sideswipe Collisions
A sideswipe accident happens when the impact is between the sides of two vehicles. Sideswipes often occur when one driver is in a second driver’s blind spot, and the second driver fails to see them. They can involve vehicles driving in the same or opposite directions.
Drivers should periodically check their blindspots to lower their risk of sideswipe accidents. Sideswipes also often happen due to other forms of negligence by one of the drivers, such as driving while distracted, tired, or intoxicated.
T-Bone Collisions
A T-bone accident happens when the front end of one vehicle collides with the side of another. T-bone collisions are common at intersections with stop lights or stop signs. They most commonly occur due to one driver failing to yield to another who has the right-of-way.
Some of the most common ways T-bone accidents occur include:
- One driver makes an ill-advised left-hand turn because he thinks a second driver will stop at a yellow light, but the second driver goes through the light and is hit by the first driver.
- A driver runs through a stop light or sign and T-bones another driver going through the intersection.
Rollover Crashes
A rollover crash happens when a vehicle tips over on its side or roof during an accident. Depending on the impact, the vehicle can either roll over once or multiple times. Rollovers are often single-vehicle crashes but can occur in multiple-vehicle accidents as well.
Although a rollover can happen with any vehicle type, they are generally more of a risk for SUVs, vans, and trucks.
Some of the most common factors in rollover crashes include:
- Speeding – Drivers who travel at dangerously high speeds around curves or when turning are at risk of a rollover if their tires lose traction.
- Poor weather conditions – When roads become slippery due to rain, snow, or ice, losing control of your vehicle becomes a major risk. If the vehicle leaves the roadway, a rollover may occur.
- Tripping – When a vehicle’s tire hits an obstruction, such as a curb, the weight of the vehicle can shift disproportionately to one side, causing the vehicle to tip over.
How Is Fault Determined in Nevada Car Accidents?
Fault is determined differently from state to state. Nevada is an “at-fault” state, meaning that the person deemed responsible for causing the accident can be held liable by others who were injured in the crash. To recover financial compensation, the injured party must prove that the other driver was negligent.
According to the State Bar of Nevada, someone may be considered negligent if they failed to act in the way a reasonable person would, thereby failing to fulfill a duty of care, and this failure led to someone else’s injuries. In a car accident, someone could be considered negligent for driving in an unsafe or reckless way, such as failing to follow road signs or driving while intoxicated.
Common Types of Negligence in Paradise Car Accidents
Most motor vehicle crashes are preventable and only occur due to the negligence of one or more parties. Here is an overview of some of the most common forms of negligence our Paradise car accident lawyers have seen in our cases.
Breaking Traffic Laws
Traffic laws are designed to keep roads and drivers safe, but these laws are routinely broken. Failure to follow traffic laws makes the roadway more dangerous for everyone, and these violations often lead to preventable accidents. Some of the most dangerous traffic law violations include speeding, running red lights and stop signs, and making illegal turns.
Drunk Driving
Despite massive public campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers of drunk driving, countless motorists continue to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Many of these drivers cause accidents with serious or fatal injuries. According to the NHTSA, drunk drivers account for 31% of all traffic deaths in the United States.
Distracted Driving
Safe driving requires consistent attention to the road and your surroundings. Distractions like texting, phone calls, changing the radio, or in-vehicle entertainment systems all increase the risk of getting into a preventable accident. Distracted drivers who cause accidents may be held liable by those who have been injured.
Aggressive Driving
Some drivers become frustrated or angry in traffic and allow those feelings to affect their driving. Known colloquially as road rage, aggressive driving involves dangerous driving behaviors like tailgating, cutting other drivers off, and illegally passing other vehicles.
Drowsy Driving
We can only drive safely if we are well-rested. Fatigue severely impairs your ability to pay attention, your reaction time, and your decision-making ability. All of these impairments significantly increase the risk of being involved in an accident.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), drowsy driving was a factor in 91,000 crashes in 2017, with 50,000 injuries and 800 deaths. Victims of injuries suffered in these crashes may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit, while families who have lost loved ones in fatal crashes may pursue a wrongful death claim.
Paradise Car Accident FAQ
How Does Comparative Negligence Work in Nevada?
Nevada uses a comparative negligence standard when evaluating fault for car accidents and other personal injury claims. Under this standard, all parties involved in the crash are evaluated for the role they played in causing it. In some cases, two or more drivers may have both been partially responsible for causing the crash.
To file a lawsuit, you must have been less than 50 percent responsible for the accident. If awarded damages in a settlement or court verdict, your total award would be reduced based on the percentage of negligence assigned to you. For example, if you were awarded $100,000 and the court determined you were 25 percent at fault, your total reward would be reduced to $75,000.
Should You Speak to an Insurance Adjuster After a Car Accident?
In the days following an accident, an insurance adjuster may attempt to contact the parties involved in the crash. They may ask questions about the crash and ask you for a recorded or written statement. They may even make a low settlement offer in hopes that you’ll accept less than what you deserve.
Generally, it is best to speak with an insurance adjuster only after you have hired a personal injury attorney. Any statements you make could be used to make a case for denying your claim or limiting the damages you have received. An experienced personal injury lawyer can deal with insurance companies on your behalf and help you fight for fair compensation based on the damages you’ve suffered.
Learn More From Our Paradise Car Accident Lawyers
If you or a loved one has recently suffered accidents in a preventable accident caused by negligence, you have legal rights. You could recover financial compensation for the economic and personal difficulties you have faced as a result of your injuries. Contact the experienced Paradise car accident lawyers of the Cottle Firm today to learn more about your legal options.