What may one want to know if injured in a Reno truck accident?
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Jan 12, 2017
There are a few topics in life that can have no resounding impact one day and can mean everything the next. One of those topics that can feel this way to many victims is personal injury law. When everything is great and everyone is healthy, a family doesn’t need to worry about how a truck accident injury could affect a loved one in the short and long-term. The reality is that everything can change on a dime when you or a loved one is in the wrong place at the wrong time, suffering a truck accident injury.

The reality is that truck accident liability law is somewhat complicated. There can be multiple parties found negligent for truck accident injury, due to their negligent behaviors leading up to the crash. Many think that just the truck driver could be to blame. While this could very well be true, it may not be the whole truth. Investigating deeper into the truck accident can bring otherwise unknown truths to light.

Many may be curious to know that truck accident law is governed by both Nevada state law and federal law. This is because commercial trucks regularly cross state lines, and thus, interstate commerce occurs. So the laws dictating truck accident injury follow both state accident law and federal trucking regulations. The terms negligence and vicarious liability are often tossed around in cases of truck accident injuries.

Feeling overwhelmed? That isn’t an unusual feeling for a family who has suffered a truck accident injury. When one member of the family is injured, it can affect everyone. The repercussions of this serious injury may not yet be known. Be aware that there could be hurdles and challenges not yet known.

Source: injury.findlaw.com, “Truck Accident Law: What you need to know,” Accessed January 9, 2017

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Drunk drivers can be held accountable for personal injury
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Jan 06, 2017
With the holidays officially in the rear-view mirror for most, many are looking forward to the New Year and the positive changes ahead. But for some Reno families, they are barely making it through the day because their loved one was hit by a drunk driver. This can leave the victim and their family’s life irreparably changed. There is another way besides criminal charges to get reparation after personal injury suffered due to a drunk driver.

Criminal charges are often filed against a person who was the intoxicated driver after a drunk driving accident. However, this does not give the injured and their family any financial aid as the criminal system is mostly separate from civil suits. Now, criminal judgements can be helpful in civil suits because there is a higher threshold of proof and, thus, many personal injury complaints may have already been validated by a previous criminal suit. Serious injuries are a real possibility for those involved in a car accident with a drunk driver.

Medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering are more than enough reasons to seek financial relief. Liability can be found in terms of negligence when a person decides to get behind the wheel while intoxicated and caused injuries. Drunk driving accidents are more common around the holidays with all the festivities and family outings giving more opportunity for such a misfortune to occur. Regardless, there is no excuse for getting behind the wheel of a car and causing a drunk driving accident.

At Bradley, Drendel and Jeannie we take car accident injuries as seriously as you and your family do. That’s why we have represented hundreds of clients to help them secure the compensation they deserve. Drunk driving accidents can be particularly devastating. Impaired drivers can cause trauma that isn’t often seen in regular car accident injuries.

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Long-term care costs associated with spinal cord injury
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Dec 30, 2016
Spinal cord injury is a complicated injury that is often elusive and difficult for medical professionals to cure or treat. That being said, spinal cord injury often requires special medical attention and long-term rehabilitation. Thousands are injured every year in a way that is classified as SCI or spinal cord injury. U.S. Veterans suffering a spinal cord injury for 2 years or longer were the focus of a study that aimed at determining cost associated with such injury.

Focusing in on annual costs, the study determined that, on average, annual costs associated with spinal cord injury totaled just over $20,000 per person. This included costs of out-patient and hospital care. 11,000 Americans are hospitalized every year in connection with spinal cord injury. Each person on average will therefore incur costs annually around $20,000 on average after the two year mark.

Since their has been much focused on study of immediate spinal cord injury and not long-term spinal cord injury, these findings are significant. It puts a ballpark number on how much medical costs will be once the immediate injury has been dealt with and long-term conditions begin to set it. Spinal cord injury often requires much rehabilitation and even potentially future hospitalizations. Since medical costs can vary greatly, understanding what the long-term costs of an injury can be is eye-opening.

Families of spinal cord injury can take this study as a baseline for answering questions associated with long-term cost associated with such as injury. Top-notch medical care is always appropriate for someone injured unnecessarily in a Reno car accident, or similar incident. Since the spine is so delicate, it can suffer irreparable harm. Giving the injured the best chance at a full recovery is most important.

Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, ” Health Care Costs for Patients with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury in the Veterans Health Administration ,” Accessed December 26, 2016

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DUI arrest follows cross-over fatality crash near Reno
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Dec 23, 2016
Many highways have barriers between the opposing lanes of traffic to prevent cross-over crashes. This is because cross-over crashes, or car accidents where a vehicle crosses into the opposing lane of traffic, can cause serious injuries or even fatalities. This was the case recently when a driver in Nevada, now charged with DUI, crossed over with his vehicle into the opposing lane of traffic. The resulting crash caused injuries and a fatality to victims in another vehicle.

The car accident occurred when the apparently negligent driver, then traveling north on US-50A left his lane and crossed over into the opposing lane of traffic. His vehicle then struck the front left side of a Honda driven by the man who lost his life in the crash. Another driver immediately following the Honda, was able avoid both vehicles and any serious injuries that would have resulted in a direct collision. The driver arrested for DUI was injured, but not seriously, and is now facing charges related to the car accident.

Accidents like this are so hard to wrap your mind around because, arguably, the crash may not have happened had intoxication not played a factor. Laws regarding intoxicated driving are strict, because drunk driving is entirely preventable. Those who have or are planning on enjoying spirits should do so responsibly and not put innocent lives in danger. With the holiday season upon us, it is even more important to remember the consequences that could follow when driving intoxicated.

The man who crossed over into the oncoming lane was previously reported as a reckless driver by another motorist before the crash. This certainly does not help his defense with charges including drug possession and DUI stacked on top of a reckless driving accusation. With another person’s death potentially his fault, this is very concerning. Under Nevada law, drunk drivers can face criminal charges, as well as civil liability for any injuries and damages that they case to other people.

Source: foxreno.com, ” 1 arrested for DUI in fatal crash on US50-A in Fernley ,” Dec. 14, 2016

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Negligent driver may have caused loved one’s spinal cord injury
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Dec 15, 2016
Many drivers are unaware of the dangers that exist on Reno roads today. While normally aware and careful, some drivers may not grasp the potential for serious injury on Reno roads. The reality is that there are plenty of opportunities for a driver or a passenger to become seriously injured in a car accident. If a car accident causes a person to suffer a spinal cord injury, the injured person or their family may be wondering about how a potentially negligent driver could have affected the situation.

Not all car accidents are due to another driver’s negligence. But when it comes to an injury as serious as a spinal cord injury, it is certainly worth looking into. Spinal cord injuries will vary greatly in severity, but one thing they usually have in common is the need for some level of rehabilitation or physical therapy. Costs associated with that type of medical care can pile up quickly, and all of the costs may not be covered by a medical insurance plan.

This is where proving fault of another driver is important. If an injured party can prove that another driver’s negligence contributed to the car accident and the resulting injury, the blame and damages can be partially, if not entirely, their legal responsibility. Their insurance company or lawyer will likely dispute their client’s involvement, but if a person is liable for an accident it can be proven with facts gathered through an investigation.

With medical costs soaring and insurance premiums covering less and less, it is certainly something for a family to think about. In terms of spinal cord injury , the injured could be looking at months or even years of physical therapy and rehabilitation. The goal is always to restore the injured to the best of health. But sometimes that is not possible, and monetary damages are the only available recourse.

The attorneys at Bradley Drendel and Jeannie know how to prosecute these kinds of cases, and work vigorously on behalf their injured website. Our website has more information about the firm and how we handle cases involving severe injuries like a spinal cord injury.

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Hazards abound for motorcyclists on Reno roads
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Dec 08, 2016
Motorcycles are dangerous. While this may be true, it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be ridden and enjoyed by the thousands that call themselves motorcyclists. The sad fact is, however, motorcyclists are much more susceptible to injury than the average motor-vehicle driver. According to the Insurance Information Institute, motorcyclists are 26 times more likely than motor-vehicle drivers to die in a crash and five times for likely to be injured.

The hazards facing motorcyclists on Reno roads today go beyond potholes and unmarked turns. Drivers in motor-vehicles can be, at times, inattentive and this carelessness can lead to motorcycle accidents. The resulting injuries from these accidents can be catastrophic to the injured and the people they love. There are more than a few ways motorcyclists could be injured on Reno roads.

In two-thirds of all motorcycle accidents where another motor vehicle is involved, the driver of the motor-vehicle violated the motorcyclist’s right-of-way and caused the accident. This can usually be attributed to negligence or a related offense which is grounds for seeking damages. Damages can be sought in a personal injury suit in which the injured party can recover for the financial repercussions after an accident injury. Because motorcycles are much smaller than motor vehicles, drivers in motor vehicle can fail to see a motorcycle.

Head injury is a common complaint after a person is involved in a motorcycle injury. Head trauma can have serious and lasting effects that can reverberate for years. Negligent drivers, in cases of injury, need to held accountable for the serious lasting effects such an injury can have on an innocent motorcyclist. While finances are a top priority, access to medical care and the costs associated are important to consider as well.

Source: FindLaw, ” Motorcycle Accidents: Overview ,” Accessed Dec. 5, 2016

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What is considered negligence after a Reno car accident?
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Dec 02, 2016
After you or a loved one have been involved in an incident where personal injury has resulted, you may be unsure of what to do next. Bodily injury resulting from a Reno car accident can be severe, and even if the injuries are described as moderate, it can have a huge impact on the injured person’s life.

One word often tossed around after someone suffers car accident injuries is negligence. Negligence is a term given to behavior that fell below a certain standard of care when a person or a third-party owed a duty to the injured.

Because personal injury suits seek to recover damages from those accused of negligence, it is important that those seeking those damages have a basic understanding of what negligence is. Do not be confused by the term ‘duty of care,’ either. Reno citizens are expected to exercise care for themselves and those around them. Even if there was no malicious intent behind an accident, one can still be found negligent after a car accident.

It is crucial that the behavior, actions or inaction of the driver accused of negligence directly caused the harm that the injured has suffered. For instance, a driver may have been engaging in distracted driving at the time of the accident, in near proximity to the injured. However, if the distracted driving did not directly affect the plaintiff, or if it didn’t set off a chain reaction ultimately injuring the plaintiff, the plaintiff may not have a viable legal claim. It must be proven that the defendant’s behavior directly or indirectly caused the injuries one may have suffered in a car accident. Damages one may seek after a car accident are related to financial, physical or emotional hardship the injured has suffered as a result of the accident.

Car accidents can have lasting effects beyond what one may be able to initially comprehend, and it is important to take the unknown long-term affects into consideration.

Source: FindLaw, ” Proving Fault: What is Negligence ,” Accessed November 28, 2016

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Nevada driver suspected to be impaired at time of deadly crash
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Nov 25, 2016
Of the car accidents that are seemingly senseless, those involving intoxicated or drunk driving are particularly cringe-worthy. All other factors aside, it would appear that any car accident, and the resulting injuries, could have been prevented had the driver chosen to get behind the wheel sober. Because your physical and mental state is affected by alcohol, this is a legitimate claim. The legal way to state this claim is by filing a personal injury suit after you or loved one suffers injury or fatality due to a drunk driving accident.

Car accidents involving intoxicated drivers are more common than some are aware of. Just the other week, two people lost their lives in a Nevada car accident where the other driver is suspected of intoxicated driving. According to police, the driver had been drinking before getting behind the wheel. In addition, it’s alleged the driver was street racing and exceeding the legal speed limit.

It is very possible that had the driver not been allegedly impaired at the time of the fatal crash, he wouldn’t have made the choice to street race. Bad decisions and intoxication tend to go hand-in-hand. However, most people choose not to get behind the wheel after a few drinks. A person who has been drinking can call a friend or a driving service for a ride, or even stay the night at a friend’s house or hotel. There is no excuse or explanation for drunk driving and the law will treat that decision as such.

This particular incident has yet to be decided in Nevada state court. While criminal charges are pending, the deceased person’s family may be thinking about bringing a suit of their own. It seems so senseless, the loss of life of a loved one. Many people in the community will mourn the early and unfortunate deaths. A full investigation can help to bring more closure to exactly what or who was the reasoning behind the deadly crash.

Source: lasvegasnow.com, ” Driver in deadly crash accused of DUI, speeding ,” Accessed Nov. 21, 2016

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Federal trucking regulations important to consider after accident
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Nov 18, 2016
Did you know that semi-trucks, eighteen-wheelers and other commercial trucks are held to a higher standard of safety and regulation than are the average passenger-vehicle driver? This is due to the higher potential for injury that truck accidents have been known to cause. Truck accident injury sufferers often complain, and rightly so, of the serious injuries they sustained in a trucking accident. In order to help determine the cause or causes behind a truck accident, it can be helpful to look towards federal trucking regulations that govern all type of truck driver, owner and maintenance behaviors that commercial trucks are required to follow.

The reason the laws are enacted are generally for safety reasons. Keeping people safe and saving human life and injury are at the top of the list for federal trucking regulation. After yourself of a loved one has suffered a truck accident injury there are a few places to investigate that can help determine if the truck driver or truck company were negligent. Trucking logs are required by federal law and record daily driver activities such as break periods, maintenance and miles traveled.

For example, if a truck driver did not stop for mandated breaks prior to a crash, he or she could be found negligent. If the truck was required to be pulled in for maintenance and was not, this could also have contributed to truck accident injury. This negligence could be attributed to fault on behalf of the truck company. There is even the potential to attribute negligence to third parties who use a trucking company to haul their product, especially if they knowingly over-filled the truck past legal weight limits.

In short, federal regulations can help determine activities that negligent parties may have participated in prior to a truck accident. It is possible that multiple parties contributed to truck accident injuries, so it’s good to consider this possibility. Even if the injured suspects that they may have contributed to the truck accident doesn’t mean the truck driver or company cannot be found partially at fault. Each truck accident is different and will require a keen eye to determine answers many have after suffering truck accident injury.

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How texting and driving contributes to car accidents
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Nov 10, 2016
While sitting in morning or evening rush hour traffic, many Reno drivers have noticed other drivers’ inattention to the road. Some may wonder what could possibly be distracting Reno drivers from the very important task of driving? Many are aware of cell phone use and how dangerous using a cell phone and texting and driving is. Oftentimes, texting and driving is the reason for drivers’ inattention to the road and for Reno car accidents.

These car accidents can have serious implications for other innocent drivers and their passengers caught in the cross-fire. Serious injuries have been known to result in car accidents in which a driver’s inattention to the road contributed to the crash. The activities that texting and driving laws prohibit are the use of electronic devices to write, send or read messages while driving. Nevada state law regulates these behaviors and how these illicit activities related to negligence or liability after someone suffers car accident injuries.

It is possible that a driver found to have caused or contributed to a car accident due to texting and driving could also be cited for reckless driving or charges related to reckless driving. This could mean serious civil or even criminal ramifications for a person found to be negligent for car accident injuries. Those suffering from injuries related to a car accident could have other costs associated with their injury such as lost wages and, most obviously, medical expenses. These are potentially recoverable if it is found a person or third-party is liable for the accident.

While no-one can predict when another person’s careless actions could cause a car accident, there are some warning signs of a driver who’s inattention to the road is caused by texting a driving. Swerving, an inability to maintain speed and eyes or hands off the wheel or the road could indicate a distracted driver. Avoiding these dangerous drivers is a factor that isn’t completely within other driver’s control. If involved in a car accident with a driver and you suspect distracted driving activities, a full investigation can bring evidence to light.

Source: traffic.findlaw.com, “Texting while driving,” Accessed Nov. 7, 2016

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