Nevada residents may be aware that new vehicles come with a crash test safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This 5-star rating system was developed in the 1990s from an earlier program, and vehicles are rated after a series of laboratory crash tests with dummies. While the system has had a positive impact on the automotive industry, it may need updating in light of recent advances in vehicle technology.

This is the conclusion of a report published in October 2019 by a former leader in NHTSA’s development of a crash testing program. The author says in particular that NHTSA’s crash testing needs to cover vehicle safety features like pedestrian detection. The agency, for its part, has promised that it would add test procedures, rate safety features and even create new crash dummies. But the changes are still forthcoming.

The report says that crash testing in the U.S. is simply not sufficient when compared to the steps being taken in Europe, Asia and Latin America. Europe, for example, tests its vehicles four times more before rating their safety. Of course, crash test results, no matter how comprehensive, are only one of many factors in buying a vehicle. Drivers need to hear about on-the-road experiences with a given vehicle, which is why the Fatality Analysis Reporting System is so important.

Victims of car collisions may not suffer as severely thanks to their vehicle, but still, they may be left with injuries that call for compensation from the other side. Filing a third-party insurance claim can be difficult on one’s own, so victims may want to see a lawyer before moving forward. A lawyer may determine how much one might receive and then negotiate for that amount. If an out-of-court settlement cannot be achieved, victims may litigate.

Long-haul truck drivers in Nevada should be aware that 35% of truckers suffer from sleep apnea. The most common form of this disorder is obstructive sleep apnea where the mouth palate and throat muscles collapse and block the upper airway while a person is sleeping. OSA interrupts sleep and actually prevents someone from achieving deep sleep, which repairs physical fatigue, and dream sleep, which is necessary for repairing mental fatigue.

As a result, those with untreated OSA will feel drowsy all day. OSA can contribute to diabetes and depression, and in serious cases, individuals may suffer heart attack or stroke. The important thing for truckers to remember is that sleep disorders put themselves and other drivers at risk. Drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of accidents involving trucks.

Recognizing OSA is the first step to prevention. The symptoms include loud snoring and continual gasping for air during sleep, headaches in the morning, irritability throughout the day and the inability to remember or focus on things.

Treatment options are varied. For mild OSA patients, a mouthguard called a mandibular advancement device may be enough. Others may need a continual stream of air pressure to keep the airways open, and this is what a CPAP machine provides. If these treatments fail, then surgery may be the way to go.

Drowsy driving is a form of negligence, which is why truckers at risk for OSA are required to undergo a sleep study. In the event that truckers or trucking companies ignore the risk for OSA, they can be held liable for any truck crashes that result from the drowsiness caused by the condition. Victims, for their part, may hire a lawyer. The lawyer might hire investigators and medical experts to show how the sleep disorder contributed to the crash.

From May 5 to 7, 2020, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance will be holding its annual International Roadcheck, so CMV drivers in Nevada should take note. During this time, police officers and inspectors will be out to enforce federal truck safety regulations. Most trucks will be put through the most comprehensive inspection possible, the 37-point North American Standard Level I inspection.

The special focus of the 2020 International Roadcheck is on driver qualifications. All too often, truckers will be driving with the wrong class license; in fact, this violation made up 22.5% of driver-related out-of-service violations in the 2019 roadcheck. Drivers may also fail to have records of duty status or carry a medical card for their conditions. Inspectors will check for these in addition to failure to wear a seat belt or comply with ELD regulations.

As for the trucks, these will have their various components inspected, including the fuel system, exhaust system, brakes, suspension, tires, steering, lights and driveline components. Cargo must be properly secured as well. In the end, drivers who pass the test will receive a CVSA decal for their truck.

Failure means being put out of service. In 2019, more than 12,000 trucks and 2,700 drivers were issued out-of-service orders. The most frequent driver-related order was for violations of the hours-of-service regulations.

Some truckers exceed the limit on how long they can drive per day, thus endangering themselves and others. Drowsy driving is just one form of negligence that has been shown to lead to truck collisions. Neglecting truck maintenance is another issue that the International Roadcheck is meant to curb. In the event that someone is injured in a truck crash, he or she may file a claim against the trucking company. It may be wise to seek legal counsel before filing.

A collision with a large truck on a Nevada highway can be a frightening prospect. Because these vehicles are so large and heavy, a truck accident can be especially devastating to others on the road around them. Truck accidents can be catastrophic, and they are also on the rise. Between 2009 and 2018, fatal crashes tied to large trucks rose by 52.6%, even as vehicle safety technologies improved. Between 2016 and 2018, fatalities caused by trucking accidents rose by 5.7%. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced plans to launch a study to delve into the cause of these crashes.

The FMCSA noted that this will be the first major crash study involving semis in 15 years. It will examine all serious truck crashes nationwide, including those that cause injuries and fatalities or those that require vehicles to be towed from the scene. The purpose of the study is not only to identify problems but also to develop plans that can improve highway safety and decrease the truck accident risk. The federal agency said that it planned to include electronic data as part of the study, including onboard information about speed, braking intensity and lane changes.

In the last major study of truck collisions, the FMCSA found that some type of driver error was the most common issue. In other cases, poorly maintained truck equipment could fail, causing a crash. Now, the agency wants to look into the effects of mobile devices and distracted driving on truck accidents.

The toll taken by a trucking accident can be severe, with victims facing expensive medical bills and a long time out of work. People injured in a truck crash may work with a personal injury lawyer to seek compensation for their damages.

According to the FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study, 13% of commercial motor vehicle drivers were found to be fatigued at the time of their accidents. Fatigue can result from several things, including lack of sleep and extended work hours. Truckers in Nevada should consider the following tips for avoiding fatigue behind the wheel.

The first tip, and one of the more obvious, is to get adequate sleep and avoid driving during the “lulls” when the body is naturally drowsy. These lulls usually go from midnight to 6 a.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Next, truckers should eat well and regularly. Both a lack of food and a heavy meal can hinder sleep while a light snack beforehand can improve sleep. Truckers should avoid drowsiness-inducing medications, including allergy and cold medicines.

The next three tips are very basic: recognize the signs of drowsiness, take a nap when drowsy and don’t rely on “alertness tricks.” First, the signs are simple and include frequent yawning, heavy eyelids and trouble remembering the last few miles traveled. Truckers who take a nap should ensure that it’s at least 10 minutes long. Ideally, a nap should be 45 minutes long. As for those alertness tricks that don’t work, some examples are playing loud music and rolling down the windows.

When drowsy drivers cause truck collisions , they usually open up the way for a personal injury claim. Trucking companies work hard to deny most of these claims or get the victims to agree to a low-ball settlement. Therefore, someone who intends to file may want a lawyer by their side for negotiations. Even before that, a lawyer may prove helpful by bringing in crash investigators and other third parties to gather proof of the trucker’s negligence and strengthen the case in other ways.

Pedestrians are at risk in Reno and throughout Nevada even when they walk in crosswalks and follow all the basic rules for safety. Drivers are becoming increasingly reckless with distractions, speeding and driving under the influence. This can lead to accidents. In some of these collisions, the driver made the situation worse by fleeing the scene. When this happens, law enforcement does whatever it can to find these drivers. When the driver is found, it is important for the injured pedestrian and their family to know what steps to take to recover compensation.

A hit-and-run collision in a crosswalk led to a pedestrian’s death in Reno. Law enforcement was in the process of searching for the vehicle when, as part of a separate investigation, both were found a few hours after the accident.

The driver of the vehicle at the time of the accident was a 52-year-old woman. When it was later found, she was a passenger in the vehicle, and it was being driven by a 54-year-old man who was stopped for driving under the influence. He was not involved in the hit and run. The woman faces charges for the crash and for driving with a suspended driver’s license.

Losing a loved one is never easy, but when it happens in an auto accident, it is even more difficult to come to grips with. If the driver of the vehicle fled the scene after hitting a pedestrian, the family will wonder what steps to take in the aftermath. A legal filing will not bring the person back, but it can help with recovering compensation for funeral costs, lost companionship, lost income and more. Discussing the case with a legal professional can provide information on how to file a claim. A law firm experienced in car accidents may be able to help.

The roads in Nevada can be treacherous for many reasons. While recklessness, distraction, speeding and negligence are some of the most common reasons for an auto accident, drunk driving remains one of the biggest concerns. When drivers are under the influence, their reaction time is slowed, their judgment is impaired and they are liable to cause a crash with injuries and fatalities. They then might make the situation worse by choosing to flee the scene. When people have been hurt in an accident caused by a drunk driver, filing a legal claim for compensation might be necessary.

According to recent reports, three people were injured after their GMC was rear-ended by an alleged drunk driver. The accident happened on Christmas at shortly after 5 p.m. The GMC was heading west when it was hit by a speeding Dodge truck. The impact sent the vehicles into three others. The 42-year-old driver of the Dodge exited the vehicle and fled. Citizens assisted in locating him and he was arrested. He faces charges of drunk driving, leaving the scene of an accident, driving while his license was revoked, speeding and having an open container. Two of the people in the GMC were critically hurt. The investigation is continuing.

When there is any kind of auto accident, there will be problems for those who were injured, especially if the injuries are critical. Even if they survive, their lives can be changed in myriad ways with massive medical expenses, the inability to function as they did before, problems holding a regular job and the need for assistance to perform basic tasks. Oftentimes, they need assistance from family members, leading to financial and personal strain. A legal filing may help them recover compensation for all they have lost in drunk driving accidents.

Distracted driving is a continuing problem in Nevada and across the nation. While most will equate being distracted behind the wheel to the overwhelming use of cellphones, there are other ways in which a driver can be distracted.

A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety says that in-vehicle systems designed to enhance safety can actually put drivers at risk. Drivers tend to be less vigilant because of technology meant to help them maintain their lane.

Also risky is adaptive cruise control. This lack of attention can result in an auto accident. If these innovations are used as they are designed, people will generally be safer. However, drivers frequently place too much faith in them, placing them in jeopardy of a crash.

With adaptive cruise control, the vehicle will stay a reasonable distance away from other vehicles with automatic acceleration or reduction in speed as needed. The driver does not need to do anything for it to work. The lane-assist technology will turn the wheel if it is drifting into other lanes.

While this takes some responsibility away from the driver, the driver must remain aware of their surroundings and operate the vehicle. With this technology, the chance of a distracted driver is nearly doubled compared to drivers who are not driving a vehicle with these advancements.

Ironically, drivers who are unfamiliar with these systems are less prone to be distracted. This is not to suggest that the systems are dangerous, but it indicates that drivers could be lulled into a false sense of security, causing an accident.

Distracted driving is not limited to a cellphone, talking to passengers, eating, changing the dial on the radio and other attempts at multitasking.

When distracted driving results in car accidents , people might face drastic life changes including long-term injuries, medical expenses, the inability to work and other problems. Families can lose a loved one. After a crash, it may be wise to have legal advice on how to proceed to take the necessary steps to file a lawsuit.

Drunk drivers are a danger on the road in Nevada and across the United States. People who get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs will suffer from impaired judgment, slower reflexes and other problems. An accident caused by a drunk driver can cause injuries and death. People who have been unfortunate enough to be involved in such a collision might need legal help to recover sufficient compensation for all they have lost.

In a report from the Governors Highway Safety Association, there are suggestions to prevent impaired driving before it happens. The goal is to assist state highway law enforcement with prevention. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there has been marked improvement in reducing alcohol-related road deaths. In 2018, 29% of these fatalities were due to alcohol. That is the fewest since 1982. However, it is still a prominent concern.

There is one death due to drunk driving for every 50 minutes. That is 29 per day. The idea of spotlighting drivers who are under the influence is to stop drivers from repeating the behavior and to lower the number of deaths on the road because of impaired driving. There are hallmarks for drivers who are categorized as lacking the ability to stop themselves from driving under the influence. They drive with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.15 or more; used both alcohol and drugs before getting behind the wheel; and have been repeat offenders with more than one arrest for DUI.

These drivers constitute approximately one-third of drunk driving fatalities. Those who register a high BAC are involved in 60% of the alcohol-linked deaths. For 2018, two-thirds of drivers who had a fatal accident registered 0.15 BAC. It should be noted that people who are impaired due to drugs in addition to alcohol is also on the rise. Any auto accident can cause extensive problems to those involved. If it was because of a drunk driver, this can be a critical factor in a legal case to recover compensation for medical expenses, the inability to work, pain and suffering and more. After a crash, calling a law firm that has helped many clients with legal filings after drunk driving accidents may be essential to a successful claim