Auto Accident Kills Passenger in Northeast Las Vegas

On March 25, 2011, In Uncategorized, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Personal Injury Lawyer in Nevada

Some people may be under the impression that if they willingly choose to be a passenger in a vehicle and the driver gets into an auto accident, they are not entitled to collect damages from the driver. That notion is simply not true.

Case in point: a 25-year old man was a passenger in a vehicle that slid off the road this week and struck a power pole. The 1995 Honda Civic was heading south on Nellis Boulevard near Stanley Avenue in northeast Las Vegas Monday morning when the accident occurred. As a result, Jose Cruz, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, was declared dead at the scene.

The 22-year old driver was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries from the auto accident, which may have been caused by slick roads from recent rains. However, if the family members of Cruz choose to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the driver, they would likely receive compensation for medical and burial expenses, lost future wages, and perhaps even pain and suffering.

There is no “assumption of risk” concept when a person gets into a vehicle as a passenger. He or she has a right under the law to be transported safely by the driver of the vehicle.

In other words, if someone you love was killed in an auto accident due to the negligence of that vehicle’s driver, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit against the person who was driving. Similarly, if you have been injured in an auto accident while sitting in a vehicle that someone else was driving, you should contact a qualified personal injury attorney to see about getting you reimbursed for medical expenses.

o   About the Editor: Farhan R. Naqvi is a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer who has experience representing victims injured in motorcycle accidents, car accidents, drunk driver crashes, auto pedestrian accidents, 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.

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UPDATE: Dubuisson Arrested in January’s Fatal Hit-And-Run Accident

On March 17, 2011, In Uncategorized, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Personal Injury Lawyer in Nevada

Back in January, we told you about Inaya Sabra, who was killed when her sport utility vehicle was struck by a Mercedes on Interstate 15. Witnesses say that the driver of the Mercedes, Natalie Dubuisson, was driving at around 110 miles per hour when she struck the SUV as well as a pickup truck. The driver of the pickup, Matthew Kedzierski, suffered serious injuries.

However, Dubuisson fled the scene of the accident and went missing for about two weeks. Later that month, Dubuisson turned herself in to authorities but did not give a statement, which made it harder for authorities to prosecute her. Police did take DNA samples from her, and these samples were later matched to DNA that was found on the Mercedes’ airbag.

So this week, Dubuisson was officially taken into custody on six different charges, including failure to render aid, leaving the scene of an accident, and reckless driving. An arrest warrant was issued for the 31-year old late last month.

Because of this arrest, the criminal prosecution of Dubuisson can now go forward. Hopefully, this means that Kedzierski and the family of Sabra are one step closer to receiving the compensation they deserve after such a horrible tragedy. When the 44-year old Sabra died, she left behind two children.

There is also a moral to this story: if you are involved in an accident, do not flee the scene. You will be caught, and your actions will only make things worse. For Dubuisson, it means additional felony charges (for leaving the scene of an accident and failure to render aid) and quite possibly a criminal sentence which includes a lengthy period of incarceration.

o   About the Editor: Farhan R. Naqvi is a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer who has experience representing victims injured in motorcycle accidents, car accidents, drunk driver crashes, auto pedestrian accidents, 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.

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Triathlete Critically Injured By SUV In Las Vegas

On March 17, 2011, In Uncategorized, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Personal Injury Lawyer in Nevada

Triathletes are perceived as being tough, strong, and able to overcome any obstacle in their way. But sometimes, we are reminded that these individuals can be just as fragile as the rest of us.

That’s why our thoughts and prayers are with Ilene Sorenson, who was critically injured while riding her bicycle in Las Vegas. The 53-year old was on an early morning training ride when she was struck by a sport utility vehicle.

According to Metro Police, a 2000 Toyota RAV 4 driven by 27-year old Yunfei Xin was traveling north on Cimarron Road around 4:45am Tuesday morning when it struck a curb, careened across the traffic lanes, hit another curb, struck a light pole and block wall, then veered back into the street and hit Sorenson, who was riding southbound on Cimarron. The triathlete was ejected from her bicycle into the SUV’s windshield. She was later transported to University Medical Center with critical injuries.

Xin died in the crash, and police are still investigating exactly what caused the accident to occur. But Sorenson’s fellow triathletes are worried not only about her current injuries, but also whether she will ever be able to ride again at a competitive level.

This incident illustrates the devastating impact that a bicycle accident can have on a person’s life even if they survive the crash. Sorenson is certainly entitled to be reimbursed for any medical expenses, lost wages from time missed at work, and future physical therapy costs (though she may have to file a personal injury lawsuit against Xin’s heirs to obtain this compensation). But if she is unable to compete in a sport she loves ever again – how can anyone put a price on that?

o   About the Editor: Farhan R. Naqvi is a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer who has experience representing victims injured in motorcycle accidents, car accidents, drunk driver crashes, auto pedestrian accidents, 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.

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What Higher Insurance Coverage Minimums Mean For Accident Victims

On March 11, 2011, In Uncategorized, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Personal Injury Lawyer in Nevada

You may have been reading about a bill in the State Assembly which would raise the amount of liability insurance that Nevada drivers would be required to purchase in order to drive in the state. AB120 would raise the minimum level of liability insurance coverage from $15,000 to $50,000 per driver. The legislation is currently being debated by Nevada lawmakers.

The downside to this bill is that insurance premiums for drivers will go up because these people will be forced to purchase stronger auto insurance policies. Insurance industry executives say that these premiums could jump by as much as 54% for some individuals.

Here’s what this bill means in layman’s terms: right now, if you are injured (or killed) in a motor vehicle accident in Nevada by a driver with the minimum amount of liability coverage, then the insurance company will not pay you any more than $15,000 – even if your medical expenses exceed that amount. Under the new legislation, that maximum amount would be raised to $50,000.

So for instance, if you sustained a fractured rib and a broken arm in a motor vehicle accident, the costs you would incur from ambulance charges, hospital expenses, physical therapy, and lost time at work could easily exceed $15,000. However, a $50,000 policy might very well cover all of your costs associated with this type of accident. But if the at-fault driver’s insurance policy won’t pay for all of your medical costs, then your next option is to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver and/or the insurer (depending on the circumstances of the case).

This brings us to another possible consequence of AB120. Insurance companies make money like any other business: by maximizing revenue and minimizing costs. One large portion of the costs incurred by insurers is the money they pay out to accident victims.

So if this bill passes, the maximum payout amount for injuries sustained in any accident in Nevada would more than triple. As a result, insurance companies are likely to respond to this cost increase by contesting more accident claims and vigorously defending personal injury lawsuits. That’s why you need to have a qualified auto accident lawyer fighting for your rights and the compensation to which you are entitled.

o   About the Editor: Farhan R. Naqvi is a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer who has experience representing victims injured in motorcycle accidents, car accidents, drunk driver crashes, auto pedestrian accidents, 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.

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Shooting Accident Claims Life of 4-Year Old Girl

On March 10, 2011, In Uncategorized, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Personal Injury Lawyer in Nevada

Tragedy has struck a family after a weekend of recreational shooting in a desert area south of Las Vegas.

According to authorities, a four-year old girl died from injuries sustained while family members were practicing target shooting just off Interstate 15 near the Clark County town of Sloan. The girl has been identified as Dayla Pizzoferrato, and relatives say that she fell off the tailgate of a pickup truck while everyone had turned their backs.

The Clark County Coroner’s Office found metal fragments in the head of the girl that are believed to be from a bullet. Police speculate that a bullet may have ricocheted off of a rock or other hard surface before striking Dayla. She was rushed to University Medical Center in critical condition, but later died from her injuries.

Thus far, Las Vegas Metro police have yet to file any criminal charges in the girl’s death and are investigating the incident as a shooting accident. However, they have notified Child Protective Services which will look into whether neglect or abuse occurred. The area where the tragedy occurred is a common site for target shooters.

I mention this story not to wade into the battle over gun control, but to highlight the potential dangers of target shooting. It’s not enough to make sure that people are out of the direct line of fire. Shooters must make sure that they are firing into a soft surface instead of an area of rocks that is only covered by an inch or two of sand. One gun seller says that bullets can ricochet up to 40 feet after striking their initial target.

Even if it is unintentional, you are still liable for damages in a personal injury lawsuit or wrongful death lawsuit if a bullet from your gun ricochets and strikes another person. So be sure and take the correct precautions before target shooting in the Clark County desert.

o   About the Editor: Farhan R. Naqvi is a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer who has experience representing victims injured in motorcycle accidents, car accidents, drunk driver crashes, auto pedestrian accidents, 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.

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Traffic Battle Between Boulder City, Bullhead City

On March 3, 2011, In Uncategorized, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Personal Injury Lawyer in Nevada

It’s an easy concept to understand: the more vehicles on the road, the higher the chances are for motor vehicle accidents to occur. These collisions cause pain and monetary losses for those involved, put additional strain on police and paramedics to respond to them, and snarl traffic and create inconvenience for other drivers. As a result, cities try to do whatever they can to minimize the number of motor vehicle accidents.

Which brings us to a conflict between Boulder City, Nevada and Bullhead City, Arizona.

After 9/11, federal officials closed Hoover Dam to traffic for security reasons. This move took Las Vegas-bound vehicles wanting to cross the Colorado River and routed them through Bullhead City about 80 miles south of Vegas. In response, the federal government built the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge over the river on Highway 93 near Boulder City last year in an effort to make it easier for travelers from the east to get to Las Vegas.

But recently, Boulder City claimed that its existing roads could not handle the upswing in traffic from the newly-opened bridge. So the state has decided to widen Highway 93 through Boulder City to compensate for the increase in vehicles. But that construction will take time – and Boulder City wants to close the new bridge and route the traffic back through Bullhead City until this roadwork is completed. Predictably, Bullhead City is resisting this idea.

Neither city wants to shoulder the inconvenience and problems associated with more traffic (and the likely jump in motor vehicle accidents). So it remains to be seen how this problem will be resolved, though the federal government will likely have to intervene in some way. But it appears that one of these cities will soon be shouldering the burden of more cars and trucks and higher accident rates.

o   About the Editor: Farhan R. Naqvi is a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer who has experience representing victims injured in motorcycle accidents, car accidents, drunk driver crashes, auto pedestrian accidents, 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.

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NASCAR Fans Converge On Las Vegas Motor Speedway This Weekend

On March 3, 2011, In Uncategorized, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Personal Injury Lawyer in Nevada

It’s a special weekend for NASCAR fans in the Valley. Las Vegas Motor Speedway is hosting the Kobalt Tools 400 stock car race on Sunday, March 6, with the green flag to drop at 11am. But there will be numerous events being held at the racetrack all weekend long starting today. And that means more vehicles on the roads heading to the speedway – which increases the chances of motor vehicle accidents.

If you are heading to Las Vegas Motor Speedway this weekend, know where you are going and which entrance you will be using once you arrive (that information can be found on the speedway’s parking map). The two main routes are Interstate 15 and Las Vegas Boulevard (although people traveling from Henderson will probably take I-215). As a result, the exit ramp off I-15 will be three lanes wide, while Las Vegas Boulevard will be widened to five lanes heading north (and traffic flow in all of these lanes will be reversed to move southbound at the conclusion of each day’s events).

If you’re heading to the track, expect traffic delays, exercise patience, and be courteous to other drivers. There will be vehicles changing lanes and trying to merge, so do your best to facilitate rather than impede the flow of traffic.

If you are not taking part in NASCAR weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, it is probably a good idea to avoid the track for the next few days (as well as I-15 and Las Vegas Boulevard heading to and from the speedway). If you must travel in those areas, allow a lot of extra time to reach your destination and be prepared for unusual delays.

All it takes is one moment to lose your cool and cause a motor vehicle accident, which could result in injuries (and perhaps a personal injury lawsuit). So be patient, drive smart, and enjoy (or avoid) NASCAR weekend!

About the Editor: Farhan R. Naqvi is a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer who has experience representing victims injured in motorcycle accidents, car accidents, drunk driver crashes, auto pedestrian accidents, 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.

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