Fatal Car Accident Claims Life of Elderly Woman

On December 8, 2010, In Nevada Personal Injury Information, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Personal Injury Lawyer in Las Vegas

One of the most common scenarios where car, truck, and SUV accidents occur is during left turns – and many of these result in injury or death.

One such fatal car accident happened in southern Las Vegas near I-215 (Interstate 215) when a woman was trying to make a left turn from Eastern Avenue onto Serene Avenue around 3pm when her 1995 Nissan Maxima sedan was rammed by a 2004 Dodge pickup truck. As a result, 78-year old woman died from her injuries. The 28-year old male driver of the truck suffered minor injuries.

Metro Police are still investigating the accident and what caused it. None of the press reports indicate whether the woman or the man had the right of way at the intersection, which is controlled by a traffic signal. Once authorities determine which motorist was at fault, it could have significant ramifications for any wrongful death lawsuit which might be filed by the victim’s heirs. 

However, this incident highlights why left turn wrecks are so dangerous. All vehicles are designed to protect the driver in the event of a frontal crash (which is probably why the pickup driver only sustained minor injuries). But when cars are struck from the side, their occupants are exposed to more potential harm because of the relative lack of protection provided in these areas of vehicles. It should be noted that in model-year 1995, Nissan Maximas were not equipped with side impact airbags.

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.

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Car Accidents in Las Vegas Construction Areas

On September 10, 2010, In Nevada Personal Injury Information, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Personal Injury Lawyer in Las Vegas

All drivers must be attentive while operating their vehicles in normal traffic. But in situations where there is road construction, motorists must be extra vigilant in avoiding car accidents.

Some common accident scenarios involving road construction include:

  • a driver striking another vehicle after swerving into another lane on Interstate 15 because of freeway construction that has closed a lane of traffic
  • a construction worker on Highway 95 getting hit by a vehicle which was not careful enough to avoid pedestrians while driving through a construction zone
  • a driver rear-ending slower-moving cars which had decreased their speed while moving through a construction zone in Henderson
  • a driver rear-ending a stopped vehicle on a Green Valley sidestreet after a flagman had halted traffic to allow a dump truck to enter a construction area

State law requires that all drivers obey posted signs and warnings, including those associated with road construction zones. In most cases, road construction areas are well-marked, giving motorists a chance to adjust their speed or change lanes before entering a potentially dangerous situation.

It is helpful to anticipate driving situations which can result in traffic accidents before a collision occurs. For instance, if a freeway lane on I-215 is ending in a quarter mile and there is a car in that lane next to you, you can reasonably assume that the car will need to merge into your lane. This would allow you to speed up or slow down in order to make room for the merging car and avoid an accident. 

However, if another driver causes an accident, he or she cannot cite clearly-marked construction as the reason. He or she would still be liable for damages to other vehicles and the injuries of their occupants. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness in a road construction zone, seek medical attention and then call a personal injury lawyer to review your case.

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.

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Las Vegas Truck Company Negligence: Overworked Drivers

On August 2, 2010, In Nevada Personal Injury Information, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Truck Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas

The correlation between fatigued driving and higher car accident rates has been well documented. Because collisions involving tractor trailers cause more property damage and injuries than those involving passenger vehicles, the federal government has taken steps to reduce truck accidents.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which regulates the trucking industry in the U.S., has established rules governing how often and for how long truck drivers can operate their vehicles before taking mandatory rest periods. These rules apply to truckers on I-15, I-215, Highway 95, Clark County roads, or Las Vegas-area sidestreets. These regulations are designed to prevent driver fatigue, which is a leading cause of Las Vegas trucking accidents.

Here are some of these rules:

  • Each day, a driver must cease operation of his or her truck for at least 10 consecutive hours.
  • Drivers are only allowed to operate their trucks for 11 total hours in a given day.
  • Drivers cannot log more than 60 hours of operation in any consecutive 7-day period (unless they rest for at least 34 consecutive hours during that time period).

Unfortunately, some truck drivers and trucking companies choose to disobey those federal “hours of service” rules. Since truck drivers are often paid by the mile, they may be tempted to drive longer than they are allowed to. And since companies are motivated by schedules and deadlines, they may pressure their drivers to reach their destinations no matter how many driving hours it takes to get there.

If a truck accident occurs and it is discovered that these hours of service regulations were breached, the trucking company is guilty of negligence. This is also the case if the driving logs (which record how long a driver operates his or her vehicle each day) are revealed to be falsified. If trucking negligence exists, the company and/or the driver would likely be found liable in a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. 

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.

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What Are Legal Duties of Care and Why Are They So Important For Your Personal Injury Case?

On June 2, 2010, In Nevada Personal Injury Information, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been seriously injured in a car wreck on Interstate 215 (I-215), I-95, or any other road/highway in and around Vegas, you may decide to file a personal injury claim with the representation of a Las Vegas injury lawyer. If a lawsuit needs to be filed, a set of “proof requirements” will need to be properly completed in court in order for your case to prevail.

A key element of negligence that must be proven deals with the concept of the legal duty of care.  When the at-fault driver is sued for injuries that were caused by their negligence or recklessness, the court must find that the driver owed a legal duty of care to the plaintiff (i.e. you).  In general, every driver owes this legal duty of care to the following people:

  • Other drivers on the road
  • Any passengers in the vehicle
  • Pedestrians trying to cross the street and on sidewalks
  • Bike and scooter riders who are nearby 

Essentially, a driver who was negligent owes a duty of care to not place someone in an unreasonable situation of harm to anyone who they could have foreseen as potentially being harmed by their reckless or negligent driving.

Negligent drivers aren’t the only ones who have a duty of care. Car manufacturers also owe a duty of care to those who will be using their cars, trucks, SUVs, and motorcycles on public roads. This duty of care extends to the person who purchases the vehicle and to anyone inside the vehicle when a serious accident occurs. But this legal duty of care also extends to anyone else who suffers a serious injury as a result of someone driving a defective vehicle. 

Take, for example, someone properly operating a defective vehicle, and the defect (e.g. brake failure, sudden acceleration, electrical malfunction) results in a major accident that injures a pedestrian crossing the street or another driver. The automobile manufacturer could be liable for damages to those other people even though they did not purchase the vehicle in question.

The duty of care standards can be somewhat complicated, which is why it’s wise to consult with an injury attorney. Give me a call for a free, no-hassle consultation so we can explore your legal options.

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.

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Three Ways To Dramatically Strengthen Your Personal Injury Case

On May 24, 2010, In Nevada Personal Injury Information, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Las Vegas Injury Lawyer

It’s quite common to be confused and disoriented after a car wreck, especially if you suffered an injury like a broken neck, shattered pelvis, cuts, bruises, etc. Your mind is focused on making sure you, and anyone in the car with you, is okay along with the condition of the at-fault driver. But it is in these moments where you can drastically strengthen your future personal injury claim. Here’s how:

1.    Take notes

Writing down the date, time of day, location of the car crash (like I-95, I-215, or some other road in and around Las Vegas), weather conditions, road conditions, and what led to the accident are extremely important in determining liability. Of course, this applies only if you are capable of taking notes (some people are unconscious after an accident or injured their arms). If you get knocked out due to the accident and regain consciousness at the hospital, call a friend or family member and tell them exactly what happened while it is still fresh in your mind. If police are called to the scene, they will write an accident report, but having your own set of records could prove invaluable when dealing with the insurance claims adjuster, especially if there are any disparities with your account of the accident and the at-fault driver. 

2.    Get the names of any witnesses

Get the names of people who were on the sidewalk (if applicable to the scene of your accident) and any drivers who stopped to help after the accident occurred. If necessary, we can call on these people to be eye witnesses to help determine who was at fault for the car wreck.

 3.    Keep a journal and any documentation related to the accident/injury

As you recuperate from your injury, keep a journal of any conversations you have with doctors, police, insurance claims adjusters, witnesses, and the other driver. A written account of these conversations will only strengthen your personal injury claim, especially if the other driver suddenly changes their story and tries to deny liability (this happens quite often). You should also keep all documentation related to the car crash including medical records, insurance forms, and any e-mails or correspondence you have about the accident.

If you follow these three strategies after your car accident, there’s a greater chance you’ll receive a sizable recovery for your personal injury claim to help cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any punitive damages that may apply. I can’t guarantee anything, but the more information, the better.

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.

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Picking Up the Pieces after Losing a Loved One in an Accident

On May 13, 2010, In Nevada Personal Injury Information, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, North Las Vegas Injury Lawyer

You and a loved one are driving down Interstate 515 (I-515), I-215, or I-15 and another car slams into your vehicle. The wreck is so severe that your companion (could be your wife, husband, or child) is killed. The impact of this loss is devastating and happens far too often on Las Vegas roads.

As the survivor of this crash, the pressure of figuring out what to do next and picking up the pieces of your life can be overwhelming. You just lost someone very close to you and you may have suffered an injury in the accident. What should you do? What can be done to pursue justice?

Well, the first step is to get proper medical treatment for any injuries you suffered from the crash. The next step is to consult with an attorney. When another driver causes an accident and winds up killing someone, this is called a wrongful death and in a court of law, the survivors of a wrongfully killed individual have a right to pursue compensation for pain and suffering, and other damages. Let an attorney handle filing the suit and deal with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. You should focus on recuperating, making funeral arrangements for your lost loved one, and trying to regain some semblance of your life before the accident.

One of my primary goals is to seek a resolution to your wrongful death case that will allow you to avoid taking the stand and having to re-live that terrible day. In many instances, if the fault of the other driver is clearly determined, we can achieve a resolution to the wrongful death suit without going to trial. This would allow you to achieve some form of justice from this tragic situation (though no amount of compensation will ever be able to replace the loss of your loved one) and allow you to stay focused on getting through the grieving process.

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.

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Motorcycle Accidents Can Cause Major Injuries

On May 12, 2010, In Nevada Personal Injury Information, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Boulder City Injury Lawyer

Thousands of people suffer very serious injuries in motorcycle accidents. To make matters worse, there are many instances when someone is killed in these types of wrecks. For example, in 2009, the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) reported that 4,762 people died in motorcycle crashes.

That’s not all. Motor bike riders are roughly 37 times more likely than car drivers to die in a crash and nine times more likely to suffer an injury, according to the GHSA.

What can be done to reduce these troubling statistics? Well, some common sense safety measures can be taken. For example, every motorcyclist should wear a helmet. Why? Because helmets play a vital role in preventing serious injuries or death in a crash. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,829 motorcyclists in 2008 and if all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 823 lives could have been saved.

I understand the temptation to take your motor bike out on Interstate 15 (I-15), I-215, or maybe even the Vegas strip for a ride without a helmet; the wind whipping through your hair and the sun shining on your face, but this is extremely dangerous. As mentioned earlier in the post, you’re nine times more likely to get hurt on a motorcycle in an accident. Don’t take that risk.

Watching your speed is another important safety tip. Many motor bike riders throw caution to the wind and decide to speed. This is a pathway to disaster. If you wind up getting hit by a car or truck, you’ll suffer the full brunt of the accident and may suffer a traumatic brain injury, damaged spinal cord, or even lose your life. Again, it’s just not worth it.

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.

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The Life-Altering Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury

On May 8, 2010, In Nevada Personal Injury Information, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Summerlin Personal Injury Lawyer

brain, injury, head, trauma, accident, crash, wreck, car, Las Vegas, Summerlin, Clark CountyImagine you’re driving along Interstate 15 (I-15), I-215, or the Vegas strip and get involved in a serious car wreck. You hit your head on the driver side window and suffer a traumatic brain injury. In the blink of an eye, most of your memories are wiped away. You have difficulty forming basic sentences. You may even have trouble feeding yourself. These are just a sample of the some of the devastating side effects a traumatic brain injury (TBI) victim has to endure.

Approximately 1.7 million people suffer a TBI every year in the United States, according to the Center for Disease Control. Roughly 80 percent of these victims are treated at a hospital and eventually released. Unfortunately, as mentioned above, the terrible side effects of the injury don’t subside as quickly. In fact, many TBI victims are changed forever. 

Here’s a video discussing the effects of a traumatic brain injury…

 “Is there anything I can do to prevent a serious head injury?” you might ask yourself. Unfortunately, if you’re involved in a major car wreck in Summerlin, Clark County, Henderson or anywhere else in Nevada, there’s not much you can really do to “prevent” the injury since it was sustained during the course of the wreck. However, you can make sure you receive proper care after the accident so any head trauma gets treated as quickly as possible. This is crucial since some brain injury victims go undiagnosed for days after their accident and the effects of the injury can grow worse if left untreated.

If you’ve been involved in an accident that was due to the carelessness of another person or company, you should speak an attorney. Why? Because TBI victims routinely require extensive medical care and the cost associated with treatment can be very expensive. In fact, on average, it can cost up to $2 million to treat a TBI victim over their lifetime, according to neurologychannel.com. You should not be burdened by these massive medical bills, especially if you were the victim of an at-fault driver, or a company’s negligence.

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.

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Drunk Drivers May Pay More in Personal Injury Cases

On May 7, 2010, In Nevada Personal Injury Information, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Summerlin Personal Injury Attorney

In 2008, roughly 33 percent of all car accident deaths in Nevada involved a drunk driver (i.e. someone who has a blood alcohol concentration of higher than 0.08). In total, 324 people in Nevada were killed in car wrecks involving drunk drivers, according to alcoholalert.com.  Thousands more suffered serious injuries in these types of accidents.

There’s a good chance some of these drunk drivers were in Las Vegas looking to have a good time. Maybe they came to town ready to cut loose and paint the town red. Nevertheless, having a good time doesn’t excuse someone from drinking and driving. It is one of the most reckless and dangerous decisions a driver can make.

car, accident, wreck, crash, Summerlin, Las Vegas, Clark County, accidentIf you were hurt in a car crash in Las Vegas or Clark County, maybe on Interstate 15 (I-15) or I-215, and it was determined the at-fault driver was drunk, consider giving my office a call. You could be facing thousands of dollars worth of medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You shouldn’t have to struggle with these expenses when it’s clear the other driver was reckless and irresponsible.

In addition to the compensation for your medical bills, there is something called “punitive damages.” This is money awarded to you in order to reprimand the at-fault driver and try to dissuade other drivers from engaging similar reckless driving behavior.

I have handled personal injury cases involving drunk driver accident victims where punitive damages were awarded. If you were seriously injured by a drunk driver, I will pursue punitive damages, if possible. Why? Because you were the victim of a major car accident that may have been prevented if the at-fault driver acted more responsibly.  You deserve that additional compensation considering the trauma associated with a major car crash can take months, or even years, to fully recover from.

About the Editor: Farhan R. Naqvi is a Nevada 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, give Farhan a call at 702-553-1000 for a free, no-hassle consultation.

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What to Do If an Uninsured/Underinsured Driver Hits You

On May 6, 2010, In Nevada Personal Injury Information, By admin

By Farhan Naqvi, Clark County Personal Injury Attorney

You’re driving along Interstate 15 (I-15), I-215, or I-95 and you’re suddenly hit by another driver and suffer a serious injury. You may think to yourself, “I’m hurt and I know this other person is at fault. I guess their insurance will cover my medical bills.” Unfortunately, a problem you commonly encounter in Las Vegas is uninsured or underinsured drivers.

Nevada law requires drivers to carry insurance, but this doesn’t mean every driver has insurance. Someone may have had insurance and then let their policy expire, but are still wreaking havoc on the roads. Then, there are other drivers who have insurance, but the amount of coverage on their policy is so small that it may not be enough to fully cover your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

The minimum coverage required in Las Vegas, Clark County, Henderson, and anywhere else in Nevada is:

Bodily Injury

$15,000 for the death or injury of any one person, any one accident
$30,000 for all persons in any one accident

Property Damage

$10,000 for any one accident

I strongly recommend purchasing more than minimum coverage. Why? Because if you’re seriously hurt in a car crash, your policy limits may not be enough to cover all of your expenses. For example, if your injury claim is worth $75,000, but you and the at-fault driver only have the $15,000/$30,000 bodily injury minimum, you will only be paid $15,000 by the at-fault driver’s insurance company and nothing by your own insurance since your $15,000 in bodily injury coverage merely covers paying for someone else’s injuries caused by your negligence.

What’s the best way to protect yourself if an uninsured driver hits you? The answer is uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist (a.k.a. UM) insurance. With this coverage, you can file a claim against your own insurance to help recover compensation for your injury. This may seem odd since your own insurance company will act as a defendant for the at-fault, underinsured driver, but it allows you to recoup additional compensation to help cover your expenses.  In the above example, if your injury claim is worth $75,000, but the at-fault driver only has $15,000 in bodily injury coverage, and you have $50,000 in underinsured motorist coverage, you would collect the $15,000 from the at-fault driver, and you would collect the $50,000 from your insurance company.  And, in Nevada, it’s illegal for an insurance company to increase your premiums for making an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim.   

About the Editor: Farhan R. Naqvi is a Nevada 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, give Farhan a call at 702-553-1000 for a free, no-hassle consultation.

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