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Motorcyclists on the road are at an immediate safety disadvantage. This is due to the obvious fact that motorcycles are much smaller and less protective than regular passenger vehicles on the road today. But how many motorcyclists are actually involved in accidents every year? Of those accidents, what percentage of accident victims are seriously injured or even killed? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, deadly motorcycle crashes were up 7.1% from the previous year to a total of 4,957 deaths in 2012. An important statistic determined by the NHTSA, is that motorcycle riders are five times more likely than non-motorcyclists to be injured in a crash and 26 times more likely to be killed. These statistics do not bode well for motorcyclists. The reality is that motorcyclists need to take extra care because they are more susceptible to accidents with injuries or death. On the upside, motorcycle rider fatalities have decreased from a high point of 5,312 deaths in 2008. There are also more motorcyclists registered than in 2008, which means that not only have the number of deaths decreased, but they have decreased per capita as well. There are ways for motorcyclists to prevent themselves from sustaining an accident with serious injuries, but there is no way to stop it completely. This is due to the uncertainty that is left with negligent drivers that cause accidents with motorcyclists. While it appears that motorcyclist deaths have decreased, they are currently at an alarmingly high amount. Nearly 5,000 motorcyclists were killed in 2012, thousands other were injured. Some of these accidents were due to negligent drivers in passenger vehicles. It is crucial that all motorcyclists and drivers in other vehicles understand the importance of motorcycle safety. Source: Insurance Information Institute, " Motorcycle Accidents ," Accessed on Dec. 29, 2014

Why it’s key to establish negligence in a drunk driving accident On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Dec 24, 2014 If you have been the victim of a car accident caused by a drunk driver, there are a few basic things you should know about your rights. You may have suspicions about the driver's intoxication level being over the legal limit at the time of the crash. However, suspicions are not enough to prove your claim. A full investigation will need to be conducted in order to determine the cause of the suspected drunk driving accident. After the investigation has been conducted by the authorities, you may consider conducting one of your own. Consider the help of our legal team at Bradley Drendel & Jeanney. We can answer any legal questions you have about the accident. We can also help to shed some light on how to recover for any medical expenses or property damage that you incurred due to the accident. One way to prove your claim is to prove that the driver that struck you was negligent at the time of the crash. Recovering damages rests on proving that the other driver was largely at fault for the accident. Liability for a car accident injury is based on Nevada comparative negligence law. Under the law, plaintiff can only recover if they can show that the defendant was 50 percent or more at fault for causing the accident. When it comes to drunk driving accidents , you need someone on your side who understands Nevada comparative negligence law. If a legal team can prove that a defendant is negligent, they will likely be found at a high percentage of fault for the accident. This will mean more available compensation for the injured. The lawyers at Bradley Drendel & Jeanney are awaiting your inquiry, allow us to help you during this difficult time.

Why and how are tractor-trailers regulated in the U.S.? On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Dec 17, 2014 Everyone has seen the large tractor trailers hauling goods from coast to coast. Most are aware of how important semi-trailers are to the economy. However, some are not aware of the dangers these tractor-trailers can pose while traveling with regular passenger vehicles on the roads. The reality is that these large tractor-trailers can cause devastating truck accidents and because of this, the industry is highly regulated. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates how many hours in a day a truck driver is legally allowed to operate his or her vehicle. Obviously, these regulations apply to drivers of tractor-trailers or similar vehicles, not to non-commercial drivers. Long-haul truck drivers cannot work more than 14 hours straight. This includes loading time and driving time combined. Between work times, the driver must have 10 hours of rest time. These regulations are set in place to keep both the truck driver and other drivers safe on the road. Limiting the amount of time a truck driver operates and regulating the rest time both help to prevent truck driver fatigue. Truck driver fatigue causes many truck accidents every year. Regulations ensure that truck drivers log their time in a journal in order to track their work and rest time. While these regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration should help to prevent death and injury caused by truck accidents, it will not eliminate them completely. Drivers need to be aware of the dangers posed by tractor-trailers. Serious injuries and deaths occur due to both driver error and equipment malfunction, to name a few. Source: bls.gov, " Heavy and tractor trailer truck drivers ," accessed Dec. 14, 2014

Twenty Clark County car accident related deaths in 13 days, why? On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Dec 11, 2014 Statistically, car accidents tend to increase from the norm during holiday times. This is due to a variety of reasons. But what could possibly explain the 20 Clark County traffic-related deaths in a 13-day span? This number is outrageous at almost two fatalities per day. Nevada Highway Patrol, the Las Vegas Sun, residents, and other local authorities want to know why. The traffic-related deaths vary in circumstance. Where they are similar is that the fatalities all occurred in Clark County between November 5 and November 17. Some were pedestrians, bikers, or even died due to negligence or reckless driving of the other driver. Some suspects at the scenes have yet to be apprehended and cases for hit-and-run have been filed. Authorities are speculating as to why the sudden spike in car accident related deaths in Clark County. First, they believe it could be due to the loss of daylight, which leads to less visibility while driving. There is also speculation that because the weather is cooler, more people are walking outside with darker winter-colored clothing. The highway patrol also believes that more traffic is on the roads for the holidays, and drivers may be distracted due to the stress of the holidays. While these reasons for the fatalities may be legitimate, these deaths seem to have been preventable in some way or another. The winter season is a time when drivers need to take even more caution on the roads. This is true of all drivers, pedestrians and bikers. The actions of one can affect the lives of others forever if a driver makes one wrong move. Source: Las Vegas Sun, " Twenty people died in Clark County traffic accidents in 13 days, why ?" Jackie Valley, Dec. 8, 2014

Police reports and negligence in drunk driving accidents On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Dec 05, 2014 After an accident, an injured person may be asking how it happened. Some car accidents are directly caused by the fact that another driver was impaired behind the wheel. When others have been hurt by a drunk driver, the injured may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses and other damages through a personal injury lawsuit. In any such case, the police report on the accident will likely be a major part of the evidence for the injured person's lawsuit. At the scene of the accident, an officer may determine that he or she has probable cause to arrest a person on charges related to a drunk driving accident. Because an accident has already occurred, the investigating officer has authority to investigate and possibly detain the people involved in the accident. The officer may then look around the vehicle or perform field sobriety tests to determine if alcohol could have been a factor in the crash. Blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, is measured by a breath or blood test. This will determine if a person was operating a vehicle above the Nevada legal limit of 0.08. A driver could face criminal charges resulting from an accident with BAC above Nevada's legal limit. A civil personal injury lawsuit based upon a drunk driving accident is different in many ways from any criminal justice proceedings arising from the same accident, but the evidence from criminal case can be very important to the civil case. A personal injury lawsuit is based upon the theory of negligence. If the injured person can show that the injuries were the result of the defendant's negligence, then the negligent party can be held liable for damages. A police report or a conviction that shows that the defendant was drunk at the time of the accident can be very important evidence to show negligence. Source: FindLaw.com, " DUI and probable cause ," accessed Dec. 1, 2014

Compensation may be available after a motorcycle accident On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Dec 04, 2015 Motorcycle accidents can be the catastrophic result of a negligent driver. If an upstanding Reno motorcyclist is operating their bike safely with awareness and happens to be caught at the wrong place at the wrong time, that is seriously unlucky. However, a bad situation can turn even worse if the motorcyclist is struck with catastrophic injuries due to such an incident. There are ways that motorcyclists can collect for injuries sustained due to the driving decisions of another. Motorcycle accident victims are known for having serious injuries when they are involved in a collision with a negligent driver. This is because oftentimes the motorcyclist is involved in a crash with a regular passenger vehicle. Since these vehicles weigh much more, and the motorcyclist is left largely unprotected, the result can be catastrophic when the two collide. Oftentimes passenger vehicles fail to yield to oncoming motorcycle traffic and can turn into them causing a terrible outcome for the motorcyclist. This can happen when driver's are distracted or are not looking carefully enough for motorcyclists. This is also known as negligent driving behavior. If you or a loved one was involved in a terrible motorcycle accident that resulted in bodily injury and property damage, you may want to understand your legal position at this time. In order to prove fault, the driver accused of negligence must be at least 50 percent responsible for the motorcycle accident. It is possible that the driver could be more responsible, but as long as they are at least 50 percent responsible, Reno motorcycle accident victims can potentially collect. The recoverable percentage for the injured in such a situation is given based on the proven percentage of fault and then applying that percentage to monetary damage amounts related to the crash. While there isn't much that a responsible motorcyclists can do about distracted, inattentive and negligent drivers, at least they can be aware that they are present on Reno roads today. Armed with that knowledge, many motorcyclists know how to defend themselves if they were ever injured by another vehicle in a crash . There are so many factors at play on the roads today that knowledge truly is power. Reno motorcyclists should take this knowledge to heart in determining they potential legal position after a motorcycle accident causing injury.

The costs associated with a permanent spinal cord injury On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Nov 28, 2014 If you have suffered a spinal cord injury , you may be wondering what the long-term financial repercussions could be that are associated with this type of injury. Of course, these numbers will vary greatly from person-to-person. This is largely due to the severity of the individual injury. The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center has put together a financial chart of what one could realistically expect to incur cost-wise due to a permanent spinal cord injury. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), the long-term costs of a spinal cord injury resulting in some level of paralysis are significant. For instance, if a person suffers even some level of paralysis, that person will incur on average $342,112 for their first year medical expenses. Each subsequent year will average an additional $41,554 in medical expenses. These expenses apply to entry level paralysis cases- not paraplegia or quadriplegia. For those victims who suffer from paraplegia or quadriplegia, the costs are nearly double or more. For example, the first year medical costs for a paraplegic are roughly $510,833 with each year costing an additional $67,677 in medical expenses. This is no small amount of money. Remember, these are costs associated with medical expenses alone. It doesn't take into account lost wages due to the disability or other costs that may be associated with this type of disability. As the evidence clearly states, paralysis is a serious medical condition that can take a toll on one's finances. Many are never prepared for a financial responsibility such as this. Remember that each case is different and sometimes short-term paralysis can be rehabilitated to some degree. This will happen and be diagnosed on a case by case basis with a medical professional. Source: nscisc.uab.edu, " Spinal Cord Facts and Figures at a Glance ," Accessed Nov. 24, 2014

Why Nevada car accident victims should seek compensation On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Nov 20, 2014 Multiple Nevada residents are involved in car accidents everyday and these people suffer a range of injuries, some of them serious. If you have been injured in a car accident, your misfortune could warrant compensation for your injuries. In this respect, the experienced team at Bradley, Drendel and Jeanney has experience with helping victims obtain this compensation. There are many reasons a car accident can occur. Many of them are due to the miscalculations, or negligence, of other drivers. A few things that can and have caused car accidents are distractions such as using cell phones, listening to the radio and putting on makeup. Accidents can happen when drivers are distracted, and these minor distractions can lead to the serious injury of other drivers. Have you fallen victim to the poor driving decisions of another? There are many reasons this accident may have occurred. Only a full investigation of the evidence and facts surrounding the accident will determine exactly how and why the car accident occurred. The attorneys in our Reno offices handled serious motor vehicle accidents over the course of decades. We know the Nevada court system and the attitudes of the judges and juries in this area, and we have been recognized for providing high quality representation to our clients in car accident cases. Your injuries are unique to you and the accident that you unfortunately were involved in. Allowing another perspective and opinion into you case can help to clarify or simplify the situation. Do not downplay your injuries. Source:

Semi-truck driver cited for speed in Storey County crash On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Nov 14, 2014 truck accident Source:

How does Blood Alcohol Concentration affect driving ability? On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Nov 07, 2014 You cannot control the actions and decisions of those around you. However, you can control how you recognize and respond to these decisions. The best way to deal with a car accident with a drunk driver is to prevent it from happening in the first place. One may ask how to avoid such a thing? The Center for Disease control explains how Blood Alcohol Concentration can possibly cause a drunk driving accident that could affect you or a loved one's life forever. Although you may make the correct choice not to drink and drive, others unfortunately may not. If the person's Blood Alcohol Concentration or BAC is above Nevada's legal limit of .08, they could cause a car accident. At the legal BAC of .08, the CDC has made note of several effects alcohol has on the consumer. There is loss of concentration, reduced information processing and short term memory loss to name a few. This can show up in a person's driving such as loss of speed control, loss of signal detection and impaired perception. At the .10 level, it is proven that a driver has a reduced ability to maintain lane position and brake appropriately. BAC level of .10 is above the legal limit and even at .02 difference is shown to cause driver inability behind the wheel. If you have been injured in an accident with a drunk driver it is important to know that this accident is not your fault. If the other driver was impaired at the time of the accident they are most likely liable for the accident. This may include liability for injuries or damages the accident has caused you. Source: cdc.gov, " Affects of Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)" Accessed November 6, 2014

Those who visit and reside in Nevada cities know that heavy traffic is just something that comes with the territory. Traveling on congested city streets can feel like a nightmare. For motorcyclists, however, riding in heavy traffic can be incredibly dangerous. Here are a few strategies riders can use to help reduce the chances for motorcycle accidents. Be visible Before taking to the road, motorcyclists should make sure that they are visible to other drivers and pedestrians, even from a distance. Riders’ attire and gear should always be brightly colored, especially helmets and jackets. Avoid wearing all-black or low-visibility attire. Stay vigilant Motorcyclists who ride on crowded streets need to stay aware of their surroundings at all times. Riders should always be scanning their surrounding environment, from mirrors and instruments, to the road ahead and blind spots. By staying focused and aware, riders can better react to unexpected moves from other motorists and pedestrians. Cover the brakes In heavy traffic, reacting quickly can help to avoid a deadly accident. To minimize reaction time, it is helpful for motorcyclists to keep a finger or two on the brake lever. Other drivers often fail to see motorcycles, so keeping a hand near the brake can help riders stop quickly in the event they are cut off by another driver. Motorcyclists face unique dangers and risks that are not present for motorists in passenger vehicles. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents have a higher chance of being serious or fatal since riders are exposed. When motorcycle accidents happen as the result of negligence, victims or surviving family members reserve the right to pursue damages. A successfully litigated lawsuit could end in a much-needed monetary award.

Obtaining compensation in Nevada for spinal cord injuries On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Oct 24, 2014 Some people have had the terrible experience of being at the wrong place, at the wrong time. This unluckiness doesn't always stem from pulling the short straw. Sometimes, another party is at fault for a misfortune. If you have suffered a spinal cord injury, consider all aspects of the accident before you write it off as bad luck. Spinal cord injuries are a type of injury that can range in severity. A mild injury can consist of symptoms such as moderate pain or even headaches. The more serious injuries could mean complete or partial paralysis. These injuries are life-altering, and the pain and damage done is very significant to the injured and their family. All accident claims require a high level of legal skill and aggressive advocacy. But when dealing with brain trauma or a spinal cord injury such as paraplegia or quadriplegia, you need attorneys who understand how to deal with the multifaceted complexities of these serious cases. At , our firm calls upon more than 50 years of legal experience in personal injury cases. We only focus on accident claims, so our lawyers understand the detailed nuances of injury law, insurers' defense tactics and how to secure the evidence necessary for a successful settlement. There are also options related to insurance company claims. We have extensive trial experience, so if the insurance company is not treating you fairly, we have the legal skill to effectively fight for your rights at trial - and win. Do not leave any reparations for your spinal cord injury to chance. Trust the professional at to recover every last dime you deserve.