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Nevada is a beautiful but busy state, and it is known for notoriously high traffic, especially during tourism season. With so many people and traffic congestion, motor vehicle and pedestrian accidents are typical. Nevada fatal car crashes increased from 235 to 285 from 2010 to 2019. Compared to the other 15 counties, Washoe accounts for nearly 13 percent of all fatal crashes, and the only county with more accidents on record is Clark County.

Personal injuries from an unexpected car accident can be disruptive, hinder a person’s quality of life, and cause financial strain and physical and mental agony. Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers are experienced legal professionals and have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for Nevada clients with serious and life-altering injuries due to motor vehicle accidents.

A Reno car accident lawyer can help you understand your legal resources and local laws, and file a lawsuit to pursue compensation for your specific losses.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Reno, Nevada

Car accidents are a leading cause of injuries and unexpected deaths in Nevada. Reno residents suffer injuries from collisions almost daily, ranging from minor cuts to life-changing and catastrophic injuries. According to local crash statistics, the most fatal crashes occur between 6 p.m. and 8:59 p.m. on Saturdays in September and happen about twice a month in the area.

The most common causes of car accidents include:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence
• Aggressive driving
• Intentional failure to obey traffic signs
• Inclement weather
• Sleeping at the wheel
• Defective auto parts

Accident attorneys with Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers can help you financially recover from a devastating car accident.

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol increases the risk of motor vehicle accidents as it impairs a person’s motor skills, hinders concentration, slows reaction times, and decreases visibility. Any drinking or drug use before driving can increase crash risk, but the more alcohol or drugs in a person’s system, the more dangerous it is. Alcohol and drug use put drivers, passengers, and other people on the road in danger, and they are responsible for one in four fatal car wrecks.

It might be no surprise that Reno and the “Entertainment Capital of the World” (Las Vegas) have more DUIs than anywhere else in Nevada, especially from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reports show no signs of stopping, as the number of DUIs is rising.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car crashes and is responsible for about 3.2 percent of fatal accidents in Reno. Distracted driving includes cell phone usage, eating or drinking, or distractions caused by children, pets, or other adults in the car. Car crashes in the city are usually caused by drivers following too closely, according to the Reno Police Department.

There are cell phone rules to curb distracted driving incidents, and it is illegal to access the internet or use a cell phone while driving in Nevada. Drivers who disobey the law can receive fines, fees, and demerit points, depending on the number of offenses.

Exceptions can be made if a driver reports a medical emergency, a safety hazard, or criminal activity. Certain professions like firefighters, police officers, EMS workers, and utility workers might also have job demands that require cell phone usage on the road.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

Traffic crashes are more deadly when speeding or reckless or aggressive driving is involved. Reckless driving might include behaviors like improper lane changes; inattentive, erratic, or aggressive driving; and speeding.

Speeding is responsible for 32 percent of crashes in Nevada and 513 fatalities. According to NRS 484B.653, reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor offense in Nevada, not a moving violation.

Driver Fatigue

Drivers are three times more likely to be involved in a car crash if tired. Drowsy driving, or driver fatigue, is caused by a lack of sleep due to extended work hours, strenuous work activities, or chronic sleep issues. It slows a person’s reaction time and hinders awareness and alertness, resulting in sideswipes and other accidents that can cause serious injuries or death.

Driving without more than 20 hours of sleep is compared to driving with a blood-alcohol concentration of .08 percent. Signs of driver fatigue can include frequent yawning or difficulty keeping your eyes open, missing road signs and turns, nodding off, or drifting in and out of lanes.

If you were struck by a drowsy driver, an experienced auto accident attorney can help build your case by soliciting evidence, collecting witness statements, or recreating the crash to show negligence. Some creative examples of evidence might include showing signs of reckless driving, like swerving between lanes, sharing surveillance footage of the accident, or using the at-fault driver’s medical records to show a history of a sleep disorder, long hours at work, or other proof.

Driving in Extreme Weather

Reno is located in a high desert valley with an altitude of nearly 4,500 feet. The city has a semi-arid climate, which means there are 300 days of sunshine annually, about 7.5 inches of rainfall, and 20 to 30 inches of snow in the wintertime.

When it is not raining or snowing, fires, flooding, and high winds can reduce visibility and create other driving hazards. The unpredictable climate and slick, icy, or snowy roads can make stopping and controlling a vehicle challenging.

Nearly 2,000 crashes happen in Nevada annually because of unsafe driving in poor weather conditions, according to a report from the Nevada Highway Patrol. There are ways drivers can prepare and stay safe, like adding snow tires to their vehicles between October 1st and April 30th, calling 5-1-1 for local road condition reports or 1-877-NV-ROADS, or visiting nvroads.com if traveling to the area.

What To Do After a Car Accident in Reno, Nevada: 8 Steps

1. Get Yourself to Safety

Safety is always the priority after an accident, both for the passengers involved and other drivers on the road, as accidents can obstruct traffic and cause a multi-car pileup. If your vehicle is movable and there are no serious injuries, you should move it to the shoulder of the road as quickly as possible.

2. Gather Information and Evidence

Nevada is a fault state, so gathering information and evidence to prove negligence is important. With proof, the at-fault driver might be responsible for vehicle damages and any serious injuries, among other expenses.

Be sure to swap insurance and contact information with the other driver, and take detailed photos and videos of the damages, the scene of the accident, and any injuries, if applicable. Other things to consider are downloading dashcam footage or asking local businesses for camera footage if necessary.

3. Report the Accident

Car accidents in Reno must be reported to the City if there is a death, injury, or damage worth more than $750. Sometimes, police officers do not investigate if it is only a minor fender bender, but everyone involved must file an accident report and fill out a form with the DMV in 10 days or less.

4. Contact a Local Accident Lawyer Near You

Car accidents are expensive, especially when serious injuries are involved. A local accident lawyer can be instrumental in protecting your rights and fighting for maximum compensation to help with accident-related expenses, medical bills, lost wages, and much more.

Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers serves victims in Reno and many other Nevada cities. Our respected team of personal injury experts can help you understand your legal options under local laws.

5. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Car accidents that result in serious injuries require immediate medical attention. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you have one or more of the following issues: severe burns, deep cuts or wounds, spine injuries or fractures, whiplash, eye injuries, lacerations, and hand or head injuries.

Just because there are no signs of injury does not mean you do not need medical attention either. Internal bleeding and other head injuries are possible; the symptoms do not always surface immediately. Traumatic brain injuries can lead to internal bleeding, one of the most common injuries in car accidents.

6.Notify Your Auto Insurance Company

Cover your bases and notify your auto insurance company that your vehicle has been involved in a car accident. They will likely want to inspect the damage to your vehicle to start the claim process.

If there is any question regarding fault, wait until you speak with an experienced car accident lawyer, as sharing preliminary information with your insurer could discredit the outcome of your claim and a possible personal injury lawsuit.

Another reason to speak with a Reno car accident lawyer is to refrain from taking an unfair settlement offer from your insurance company. Legal representation can also be helpful if the insurer is purposely denying, rejecting, or stalling your accident claim. Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers is a respected personal injury firm in the Nevada area and can help protect you against unethical claims practices.

7. Mediate and Negotiate for a Settlement

A considerable amount of work and investigation go into a successful car accident lawsuit so that a victim can receive a settlement offer that best reflects their circumstances. An auto accident attorney can ensure victims get a fair judgment from a personal injury lawsuit, and they can negotiate a proper settlement from the insurance company.

8. Go To Court, If Necessary

Most car accident cases are settled outside of court, but sometimes, more complex issues go to trial when there is contention between a victim and an insurance company. Often, when the plaintiff does not agree with the settlement offer or the insurance company wrongfully denies a claim, an attorney can fight for a fair jury verdict in court.

Other Types of Vehicle Accidents in Reno

Accidents happen when other vehicles are on the road, too. Different types of vehicle accidents in Reno include:

• Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcycles do not have the protection most passenger vehicles have, and the injuries can be devastating. In Nevada, 18.6 percent of accidents are motorcycle collisions, with 297 fatalities. Forty-two percent of accidents between motorcycles and other vehicles happen when a motorcycle turns left at the intersection and collides.
• Bicycle Accidents: Bicycle accident lawsuits occur when passenger vehicles and bikers mix on the road. Bikers can experience broken bones and fractures, severe burns and lacerations, and other serious injuries when hit. 2.6 percent of collisions in the state are bike-related, and about 41 are fatal.
• Truck Accidents: Big trucks, like semis and cargo trucks, can weigh 35,000 to 80,000 pounds. These vehicles have a more challenging time stopping because of their size and weight, and when they collide with passenger vehicles, these accidents often result in catastrophic injury or death.

What Are Some Common Car Accident Injuries?

Car accident victims must spend time and money properly recovering from a car accident injury. To manage a disability, a person can spend more than one million dollars, while other injuries can cost anywhere from $17,000 to $200,000.

Some of the most common car accident injuries include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Nerve Damage
• Amputation/Loss of Limbs
• Soft Tissue Damage
• Broken Bones
• Burns
• Scars
• Paralysis
• Wrongful Death

Nevada reported 1,500 head-on collisions resulting in brain injuries yearly, while some lead to death. A Reno injury lawyer can help ensure you or a loved one is compensated for these injuries following a car wreck.

Compensation For Your Auto Accident Injury Claim

Getting injured in a car accident you did not cause might mean you are entitled to compensation for your losses. There are two types of possible compensation: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages:

• Medical expenses: A person can have past and future medical costs if they sustain long-term injuries. Expenses might include hospital stays, physical therapy and rehabilitation, on-site or in-home nursing care, and other related bills.
• Lost wages: Injuries caused by a car accident can force a person to change jobs or careers, or in situations that involve paralysis or other serious complications, they may no longer be able to work and financially support themselves. Compensation from a personal injury claim can help cover past and future lost wages.
• Property damages: Sometimes, car accidents cause property damage, and a victim can receive compensation if their vehicle or similar property is destroyed.

Non-Economic Damages:

• Emotional pain and suffering: Distress and mental anguish are often side effects of car accidents, and victims can experience a range of mental pains, like depression, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and more.
• Disfigurement: Scars or severe burns can disfigure a person’s face or other body areas, and victims might face long-term depression, self-esteem issues, and other mental trauma.
• Loss of consortium or companionship: Serious injuries like paralysis or disfigurement can hinder a victim’s ability to have intimate relations with their spouse. In this case, there is possible compensation for the loss of companionship.
• Reduced quality of life: When a victim is dealing with a long-term condition and cannot work or live how they used to, a car accident attorney might push for additional funds to compensate the victim for a reduced quality of life.

Punitive Damages/Exemplary Damages:

Certain acts are so deplorable that they disregard the safety and lives of others. Gross negligence is any willful, wanton, and reckless act that causes grave injury to people, property, or both. Examples of gross negligence include:

• Excessive speeding through an area with a lot of pedestrians or traffic.
• Knowingly operating a vehicle that is not safe on the road.
• Driving with lethal drugs or alcohol in your system and seriously injuring or killing another driver.

A Reno personal injury lawyer can pursue punitive damages when gross negligence is present, though these damages are rare. It is most common to find gross negligence involved in DUI cases. It is imperative to find a personal injury lawyer with a history of solid case results if complexities are involved in your car accident case.

Car Accident Law in Reno, Nevada: What To Know

There are many state laws to consider regarding car accidents, and a local, knowledgeable attorney can help you understand what applies to your case, how and when to file a lawsuit, and the potential outcome.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Nevada Car Accidents?

A car accident injury must be filed under a personal injury claim. The Nevada personal injury statute of limitations states that victims have two years from the date the injury occurred to file a lawsuit. Minors have two years following their 18th birthday to file a lawsuit.

Is Nevada an At-Fault State for Car Crashes?

Nevada is considered a fault state. The person determined to be at fault in a car accident is held financially responsible for the injuries and any vehicle damages sustained. Car accident victims can bring a personal injury claim against the responsible driver. As you can imagine, gathering thorough evidence from the accident scene is important to establish negligence.

Does Nevada Have a Comparative Negligence Law?

Nevada follows modified comparative negligence, a rule ensuring plaintiffs do not recover monetary damages if assigned fault exceeds a certain percentage. Under the law, victims can recover compensation if they are not more at fault for the accident than the other driver.

Can I Sue If a Family Member Died In a Nevada Car Accident?

Surviving family members can pursue a wrongful death lawsuit when a family member is killed in a car accident because of another negligent driver. A wrongful death action aims to recover any financial losses, such as lost companionship, wages, future living expenses, and other needs.

A survival action, not to be confused with a wrongful death lawsuit, is a claim that the deceased person’s estate files to help compensate for their medical expenses for any injuries leading up to their death.

Most Dangerous Roads in Reno, Nevada

Dicey weather conditions, high elevations, and outdated street designs make the following Reno roads some of the most dangerous in the state.

Mount Rose Summit/Nevada State Route 431

Mount Rose Summit on Nevada State Route 431 is a 25-mile-long route between Reno and Lake Tahoe. It is a beautiful gem with attractive views, but it boasts sweeping curves, steep climbs, and tight turns dangerous to drivers in summer and wintertime.

Nearly 1/6th of all winter driving accidents in Nevada happen here, mainly due to unsafe driving terrain and difficult weather conditions paired with sheer drop-offs, heavy traffic, and serpentine twists. The area experiences heavy snowfall, and 400 inches of snow can carry from the mountain tops to the roads below.

The new rules recommend that all cars have four-wheel or all-wheel drive and tire chains when crossing the control lines.

The Spaghetti Bowl

The Spaghetti Bowl is a freeway interchange in Reno where Route 80 and Route 58 converge. It got its nickname from residents, as its many lanes look like spaghetti strands. The freeway is confusing, busy, and often challenging to navigate, as the planners who designed it in the 1960s did not anticipate how quickly Las Vegas would grow. At its worst, the Spaghetti Bowl experiences about 4,000 crashes per year.

Ready for a makeover, the “Big Squeeze Project” was initiated in March 2021 to curb car accidents. Many on- and off-ramps did not meet the necessary safety standards, so drivers could not get up to speed before entering the freeway. Sideswipes and rear-end collisions were especially prevalent.

FAQs: Hiring Car Accident Lawyers

What does a car accident lawyer do?

About every 10 seconds, someone is unexpectedly injured in a car accident, so there is always a need for car accident lawyers. Car accident lawyers help injured victims seek compensation for the damages other negligent drivers cause. We help you understand your rights, offer legal advice, negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf, and represent you in court if your case goes to trial.

How many car accidents go to court?

Some car accident cases are straightforward, while more complex issues often go to court for a successful resolution. There are no exact numbers available, but research shows about five percent of accident cases go to trial, usually because there is an insufficient offer from the insurance company. The remaining 95 percent of accident cases are settled outside of court when expert car accident lawyers are involved.

Can I change my car accident lawyer?

Not all attorneys deliver on promises, which might prompt a person to switch lawyers mid-case. It is possible to change car accident lawyers, especially if you find a conflict of interest, a lack of progress or results in your case, or your attorney fails to respond to your calls or emails.

How much do the best car accident lawyers charge?

Many car accident lawyers, also called personal injury lawyers, work on a contingency basis. For example, Porter Simon Sierra Injury Lawyers does not require any upfront or monthly payments to take on car accident cases. We deduct our share, usually a certain percentage agreed upon upfront, from the final judgment. When you get paid, we get paid.

Why hire an attorney for a car accident?

Car accidents are common, and some insurance companies are programmed to deny claims or offer lowball settlements. Sadly, it is often easy for insurance companies to do this, as most people do not know what their accident or claim is worth, especially when serious injuries are involved.

A seasoned car accident or personal injury lawyer will know what to look for, help protect your rights, and fight for maximum compensation based on your specific circumstances. If your case goes to trial, they can represent you and ensure a favorable outcome.