Personal Injury of Nevada

By Farhan Naqvi, Personal Injury Lawyer in Las Vegas

You’ve undoubtedly heard about the dangers of texting while driving. You’ve probably seen drivers doing exactly that while out on Highway 93, Interstate 15 (I-15), or I-515. A recent study revealed that individuals who text and drive are 23 times more likely to be involved in a car accident than the average driver.

Now imagine if the texting driver is operating a tractor trailer. The potential for severe damage and injury is enormous.

The state of Nevada does not have any laws restricting the use of cellphones or other devices that allow texting while driving. However, there is a federal regulation which bans operators of 18-wheelers from texting while they are behind the wheel.

This rule was announced in January of 2010 by Ray LaHood, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The directive states that any big rig driver who violates the ban is subject to a fine of up to $2,750.

Because of this federal regulation, it is highly likely that a civil court would throw the book at any truck operator or trucking company who was found responsible for an accident involving texting while driving. It is very conceivable that a judge or jury would order such a defendant to pay for car repair costs, medical bills, and lost wages. In addition, the party who was found liable might even be subject to punitive damages.

Because the federal ban on “texting while trucking” is relatively new, there is no quantifiable guideline that exists regarding how much damages might be awarded in a case where this practice caused a collision. But a qualified personal injury lawyer will fight for every possible reimbursement dollar you are entitled to if you are victimized in this type of accident. 

About the Editor: Farhan R. Naqvi is a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer who has experience representing victims injured in car accidents, drunk driver crashes, truck wrecks, slip and falls, taxi cab accidents, and bicycle crashes. He also has experience handling spine injury, product liability, underinsured/uninsured driver, and wrongful death cases. If you’ve been seriously hurt in an accident in Summerlin, North Las Vegas, Clark County, Henderson, Boulder City, Green Valley, or Pahrump, give Farhan a call at 702-553-1000 for a free, no-hassle consultation.