Highway accidents can cause significant damage to those involved, including severe injuries and expensive property damage. Unfortunately, car insurance companies are likely to offer unfair settlements that do not help victims recover from their highway accidents. To get the most out of your claim and seek the justice you deserve, you may need to hire a Las Vegas car accident attorney.
Most Dangerous Highways in Las Vegas
Though a car accident could occur on any highway that cuts through Las Vegas, certain highways are statistically more dangerous than others. One of the deadliest is Interstate 15 (I-15), the highway that runs north and south connecting Las Vegas to Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. I-15 is known for heavy traffic congestion, speeding problems and frequent lane changes. Accidents are more common on the I-15 during holiday weekends and events.
Another dangerous highway in Las Vegas is Highway 95, Nevada’s main north-south corridor that reaches from Carson City to Las Vegas. Speeding is an issue on this road among cars as well as commercial trucks. Other accident-prone highways and roads in the area include Boulder Highway (State Route 582), Las Vegas Boulevard (The Strip) and Tropicana Avenue.
Top Causes of Highway Accidents
Accidents often occur on Las Vegas highways due to driver error or negligence. In personal injury law, someone is negligent if they use an inadequate amount of care, or act in a way that a reasonable and prudent person would not have in the same circumstances. Driver negligence can take many forms that all increase the risk of a highway crash.
Examples include:
- Distracted driving
- Cell phone use while driving
- Excessive speeding
- Unsafe passing
- Driving under the influence
- Driver fatigue
- Following too closely
- Reckless driving
- Road defects
- Mechanical failures
Driving while intoxicated is a particularly common issue within the City of Las Vegas. Statistics show that impaired driving was behind 51 percent of all fatal car accidents in Nevada in 2022. Clark County had the highest number of fatal drunk driving accidents by a wide margin – 64 percent, with 1,024 fatal crashes from 2018 to 2022.
Who Is Liable for a Highway Crash in Las Vegas?
Liability, or legal and financial responsibility, for a highway accident in Las Vegas will depend on the cause of the crash. Nevada is an “at-fault” car accident state, meaning the person or party at fault for causing an accident is liable for paying for a victim’s damages.
As an injured victim, it is up to you to prove that someone else caused your highway accident to qualify for compensation from that party's insurance provider. In general, the liable party is someone who violated a traffic law or acted negligently, wantonly or recklessly.
If another driver on the highway crashed into you while making an unsafe lane change, for example, you could bring a claim against that driver in pursuit of financial compensation. You must prove your claim by establishing evidence against the accused party (known as the defendant).
How to Prove a Highway Accident Claim
The burden of proof in a car accident claim is “based on a preponderance of the evidence,” meaning the claim being asserted is more likely to be true than not true. You will need compelling evidence to meet this burden of proof after filing a claim against the other driver or a third party for a highway accident.
The evidence potentially available to establish your claim includes:
- A police accident report
- Photos from the crash scene
- Video footage of the highway accident
- Statements from witnesses expressing what they saw
- Testimony from experts
- Accident reconstruction data
- Victims’ medical records
An experienced car accident lawyer in Las Vegas can take immediate action to preserve and collect evidence to support your injury claim. A law firm will also have connections to highly qualified medical and crash experts who can testify and strengthen your claim.
Steps to Take After a Las Vegas Highway Accident
If you get involved in a Las Vegas highway accident, it is important to know what steps to take to adequately protect your rights. Otherwise, it can be more difficult to collect fair compensation from an insurance provider.
If you can, here's what to do:
- Stay calm and assess yourself for injuries. Move to a safe place off of the highway to prevent further collisions. Only exit your vehicle when it is safe to do so.
- Check others for injuries. Call 911 to report the crash if anyone has been injured or there is significant property damage. Get medical care immediately.
- Exchange information with the other driver(s) involved in your accident. While you are still at the scene of the crash, speak to eyewitnesses and get photos.
- Call your car insurance company to notify them of the crash. Then, file a claim with the other driver's insurance company using his or her policy number.
- During the claims process, do not give the insurance company a recorded statement. Do not admit fault or accept a fast settlement.
- Reach out to an attorney for help. You can trust a personal injury attorney to guide you through the claims process in a way that preserves your rights and best interests.
Highway accidents can cause severe injuries, including permanent brain damage or spinal cord trauma. Protect your rights by hiring a qualified attorney to represent you as soon as possible – especially if an insurance company has rejected your claim or refuses to offer a reasonable settlement.
Types of Financial Compensation Available
A successful insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit following a highway accident in Las Vegas could lead to financial compensation for losses such as your past, present and future medical bills, as well as lost wages, lost future capacity to earn, disability or disfigurement, pain and suffering, and out-of-pocket costs. Discuss the potential value of your highway accident case with an attorney for more information.
Why You Should Consult With an Attorney
The aftermath of a highway accident in Las Vegas can be overwhelming. Hiring an attorney to represent you is the simplest and most effective way to ensure that your rights are protected while giving you the mental peace to focus on healing. You can trust your attorney to fight for the best possible results for your case using proven and aggressive legal strategies.
If you wish to discuss a specific case with a local attorney at no cost or obligation, contact Edward Bernstein and Associates today.