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

Residents in Nevada and elsewhere rely on motor vehicles to get around. Whether it is their person vehicle, a ride share or public transportation, vehicles have many benefits. And, while they are considered a valuable good, they are also considered dangerous because they pose the risk of serious injuries or even death in the event of a crash. A distracted, speeding or intoxicated driver is very hazardous on the roadways and an unsuspecting driver or passenger could suffer tremendously in the event of a crash.

A serious car accident could mean a lengthy road to recovery for an accident victim. This could significantly affect all areas of the victim’s life, as this could prevent one from being able to work or even do basic tasks. While this often means physical and emotional damages, a victim is also likely to suffer financial harms, as they have growing medical bills on top of lost wages.

At Bradley Drendel & Jeanney, our skilled attorneys have years of experience navigating civil actions pertaining to automobile collisions. Whether it is proving cause and fault or assessing the damages suffered, our law firm is prepared to guide our clients throughout a personal injury action. Out goal is to meet the needs of our clients, and in order to do this, the first step is to gain a full picture of these needs.

To learn more, check out our law firm’s car accidents website. Even if the cause is simple, such as checking a text or failing to check a blind spot, the result can be traumatic. Thus, no matter the cause of the crash, those harmed by the negligence of a driver should take the time to explore their rights, how to prove cause and liability and what steps to take to recover compensation for the losses suffered.