Drunk driving regulations for commercial truck drivers
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Oct 06, 2016
Trucking regulations are mandated mostly by federal law rather than state law. That’s because trucks often cross state lines and travel on interstates that are governed by such laws. Commercial truck drivers are obligated to uphold a standard of care higher than that of motor vehicle drivers. This is due to the dangerous nature of their job in the trucking industry.

It is dangerous, in theory, to be anywhere near a commercial truck, 18-wheeler or big-rig. This is due to their size and ability to potentially lose control and cause serious injury to anyone in the immediate vicinity. This is why blood alcohol content levels for anyone driving a commercial truck are stricter than for most motor vehicle drivers. The BAC legal limit for anyone driving a commercial truck is .04, which is half the legal limit for drivers in most states.

Commercial truck drivers are more likely to be required to submit to drug or alcohol testing after a truck accident. They also face harsher penalties if they refuse to submit to a blood alcohol test. It is, essentially, the equivalent to pleading guilty to DUI. Drunk truck drivers have caused catastrophic truck accidents. It is entirely preventable and unacceptable for a truck driver to be intoxicated behind the wheel.

If a drunk truck driver has caused you or your family serious injury in a Reno truck accident, this is grounds for seeking recovery. There are stricter regulations for truck drivers in just about every area of highway safety, and intoxicated drivers can be held accountable for their actions and any injury they may have caused. Federal law requires that truck drivers uphold a duty of care for themselves and others. If a truck driver failed to do this by driving intoxicated and caused serious injury, there are potential consequences.

Source: FindLaw, “Commercial DUI Regulations,” Accessed October 3, 2016

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Harrowing car accident leaves 2 dead; 2 pending felony charges
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Sep 29, 2016
Most car accident s fall under the category of an honest mistake. However, some car accidents are such blatant egregious errors that felony charges are filed in connection with the crash. This proved true for a couple from Reno that were recently killed in a car accident on McCarran Boulevard. The driver and passenger who caused the crash are being held in county jail after fleeing the scene of the car accident.

It happened when the victims’ disabled Pontiac was pulled over on the side of the I-80. A Ford F-350 merging from McCarran Boulevard struck the Pontiac and the two occupants inside, with the truck coming completely over the top of the car. The driver and passenger fled the scene and the driver is now being held on $100,000 bail. Had the driver and passenger not fled the scene, their charges may have been less severe.

Regardless, it doesn’t change the fact that two young people lost their lives on I-80 in a senseless accident. An investigation is being conducted by the proper authorities. For family and friends of the deceased, it is a very difficult time. It may give them some sense of relief to see the two people connected to the crash facing charges in relation to the hit-and-run.

If you or a family member have been injured by a negligent or drunk driver, then you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries through a personal injury lawsuit. It may be helpful for you to contact an attorney to help you through the process.

Source: kolotv.com, ” Victims in Friday double-fatal identified; suspect appears in court Thursday ,” September 21, 2016

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Motorcycle accident injuries are potentially compensable
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Sep 22, 2016
Just the thought of getting in a crash makes most motorcyclists cringe. This is because even the smallest of fender-benders can lead to catastrophic injuries or destruction to property. Liability can fall on the shoulders of a motor-vehicle driver if they failed to exercise due care leading up to the accident. Motor-vehicle drivers sometimes argue that they didn’t see the motorcyclist before the accident.

This is usually irrelevant as it is a driver’s responsibility to be aware of their surroundings, even if motorcyclists were in their blind spot. Keep in mind, it is possible that a motorcyclist could contribute, in some way, to their accident injuries. However, due to comparative negligence laws, it is possible for a motorcyclist to recover for another driver’s portion of the fault. Since injuries can cost in the thousands of dollars in medical bills and lost wages, even a 50% determination could mean significant recovery of costs.

It is likely an emotional and confusing time as the victim recovers from their injuries. It’s possible that the negligent driver could have been engaging in distracted driving behaviors or even intoxicated driving behaviors. A full investigation can help to discover if this was a factor in the motorcycle accident that affected you or your family member. At Bradley, Drendel and Jeanney, we are here to help answer your questions and guide you through the process of seeking reparations after a motorcycle accident injury.

Injuries could range from mild, like road rash, to severe, like spinal cord injury. Many motorcyclists involved in an accident fall somewhere in-between. Whatever your ailment, it is advised to seek the best medical care available. Only then can one hope to fully recover. Off-setting those expenses by assigning fault to another driver through a personal injury suit is key to making the finances work.

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What constitutes distracted driving in a Reno car accident?
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Sep 15, 2016
There are many driving behaviors that Reno drivers are practicing today that are inherently unsafe. What are they? Most of the driving behaviors fall under the category of distracted driving. With everyone’s busy lives, it is understandable how someone could fall victim to these dangerous behaviors.

However, this does not make distracted driving okay or permissible under Nevada law. Distracted driving includes any behavior or activity that takes a driver’s eyes off the road or mental concentration away from driving. Some common behaviors that fall under this definition are eating, texting or even reading or putting on make-up. If a person is injured in a car accident and they can prove that the other driver was engaging in one of these activities, then the behavior can constitute reckless driving and could be used as a factor in determining liability after a car accident.

While these distracted drivers may not have had any ill-intentions, the outcome is still the same if it results in injuries to innocent drivers and passengers. Distracted driving is definitely grounds for filing a personal injury suit if one is injured in an accident. If another person’s carelessness was a factor in causing a car accident, they can be held accountable. Each personal injury case due to a car accident is different and will require specific points in order to prove fault of another driver.

Luckily, there is top-notch medical care available for those who have suffered injuries in a car accident. This care can help return an injured person’s life to normal. However, even with insurance, this care will not come free. Financially, it can be extremely beneficial to prove fault after a Reno car accident.

Source: FindLaw, ” Distracted Driving ,” Accessed September 11, 2016

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Tips for filing a claim with insurance company after car accident
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Sep 08, 2016
For many involved in a car accident, this is their first experience dealing with such an incident. There may be injuries to the driver or loved ones and severe property damage. It may seem, as an injured person, that you don’t know where to turn. There are certain things that need attending to immediately and other items that can wait.

Once the injuries that you and your loved one have suffered are under control, it is time to think about starting the paperwork to file an insurance claim. After a car accident , your insurance company will ask many questions about the accident. In situations where you or a loved one believe that a negligent driver is partially or completely responsible, it is important to answer these questions accurately. Here are a few ways to complete the process in a way that is beneficial for you and loved ones.

Understanding how your coverage will affect the means of recovery from an accident is key. If you aren’t sure how your policy will cover you after a car accident, it is good to brush up on how it may affect you before talking with your insurance company. When you do sit down and talk with them, take detailed notes of who and what you talked about. Insurance claims often take an undetermined amount of time from start to finish. Because of this, keep track of receipts and costs associated with pursuing your insurance claim, as the insurance company or even the negligent party could be held accountable for these expenses.

There is no magic number that will tell how long the insurance claim process will take or how much money it could potentially recover for you and your family. However, there are ways to ensure that the process is as quick as possible. Try to be patient and understand that there are options if you do not like the number the insurance company comes back with.

Source: FindLaw, “Car Insurance Claims: Dos and Don’ts,” Accessed September 5, 2016

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Tragic deaths on Mill Street attributed to suspected drunk driver
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Sep 01, 2016
As we know, car accidents happen. But, it is the car accidents that are preventable, the ones that seem so avoidable, that are the hardest to witness. A true tragedy occurred in Reno a few weeks ago when two Nevada residents from the next town over sadly lost their lives in a car crash.

It all happened at about 8 o’clock in the evening when a man blew through a red light at the intersection of Rock Boulevard and Mill Street and struck another vehicle. The impact sent the other vehicle flying through the air and it eventually landed upside-down in a nearby field. The driver and passenger in that vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene. The man who allegedly ran the red light suffered non-threatening injuries and appeared to be under the influence, according to officials on the scene.

The driver will be booked for DUI after his time at the hospital. Other charges are likely to follow pending a full investigation of the suspected drunk driving accident by authorities and police. The investigation is still underway; however, upon its completion, it is likely that the driver will be charged with felony DUI if the authorities have found enough evidence. The family members of the man and woman killed in the crash will likely be seeking answers as to what caused this terrible accident.

There cannot be worse news than the unexpected loss of a loved one. When a person’s death is so violent and sudden, it often raises a lot of questions. Answers to those questions can be sought by loved ones. There are a few ways to accomplish this and the answers can make a huge difference to loved ones.

Source: mynews4.com, ” Police identify 2 people killed in suspected DUI crash in Reno ,” Olivia DeGennaro and Juan Carlos Flores, August 14, 2016

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Don’t take any chances when loved one suffers spinal cord injury
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Aug 25, 2016
After an unexpected accident, loved ones gather in hopes of hearing the news that the wounds are superficial and that the injured patient is expected to make a full recovery. While instances of these miracles do happen, most injured in a serious accident suffer some level of serious injuries that can affect them in both the short and long term. For most who suffer irreparable damage, like a spinal cord injury, life will never be the same. This is why loved ones of spinal cord injury sufferers should not leave their loved one’s fate to chance after a negligent party caused such a serious injury.

Spinal cord injuries are complicated and difficult to treat, let alone heal. Many spinal cord injury sufferers, who have been injured in instances like a car accident, never make a full recovery. Whether struggling with everyday pain or an inability to use arms or legs in connection with a partial or full paralysis diagnosis, spinal cord injury is serious business. It can take months, or even years of rehab over the course of the victim’s life to make some, if any, progress towards recovery.

While this may sound discouraging, do not be disheartened, especially if you believe there is a party who was negligent at the time of your loved one’s spinal cord injury. People have an obligation to uphold a certain level of care when behind the wheel of a vehicle. If the other party made an error in judgment that led to the accident, the injured party could possibly recover damages for medical bills, lost wages and other expenses. Bradley, Drendel and Jeanney take your loved one’s injuries seriously and will do everything in our power to ensure a full financial recovery for you and your family.

This was, no doubt, a life-changing event for you and your family. Do not allow it to define your family in a negative way. There are opportunities that will present themselves now and directly after the accident that can help determine how the rest of this scenario will play out. Take the opportunities presented to you and your family, even if it’s just a silver lining after such a tremendous accident.

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What to prove after you or loved one is hit by a drunk driver?
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Aug 19, 2016
We have all heard the awful stories about the average law-abiding citizen who was hit by a drunk driver. Drunk drivers are dangerous on the roadways because both their mental reasoning and physical reaction time are delayed due to the affects that alcohol has on the body and mind. Depending on a driver’s BAC or blood-alcohol concentration, it can make them unable to see or react appropriately, which can cause a car accident. Car accidents, invariably, can cause serious injuries amounting to life-long changes and insurmountable medical expenses.

This is why it is in a victim’s best interest to consider what a personal injury lawsuit could do for them and their family. In a personal injury suit against a drunk driver, the injured party will need to prove that the accused negligent party was responsible for the injuries that they allegedly caused. To do this, the injured will need to establish the intoxication level of the defendant and prove that this level was too high for safe operation of a motor vehicle. Lastly, the injured should show that the defendant failed to exercise reasonable care for the public’s safety when causing a drunk driving accident.

Much of this information may be readily available in a police report or in a public record if the defendant was already tried in a criminal case in connection with the incident. A guilty verdict for DUI in a criminal case can bode well for drunk driving accident victims. These are tried in two separate courts, but personal injury cases have a lower threshold of proof that needs to be met in order to prove te negligence of the drunk driver. Evidence like witness testimony or forensic evidence related to the case can be helpful in proving this as well.

This whole scenario is a nightmare for any family to deal with. Luckily, top-notch medical care is available in MA hospitals in order to restore a person’s health back to its original condition. Some people’s health will never fully recover, unfortunately. For those people, and anyone injured in a drunk driving accident, a personal injury case is especially important.

Source: dui.findlaw.com, ” Drunk Driving Accidents ,” Accessed August 15, 2016

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Unthinkable truck accident tragedy can be compensated for
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Aug 12, 2016
In the blink of an eye, a person’s life can change. This is absolutely true if in that blink of an eye, a driver or their family is involved in a terrifying truck accident in Reno or elsewhere. If severe, these truck accidents can also involve multiple vehicles, high-speed collisions and the corresponding serious injuries that can result. While health is a number one priority during this time of crisis, so should finding answers to what caused this terrible tragedy.

Trucks are large, fast-moving vehicles that can weigh up to several tons depending on the load they are carrying at the time of the accident. Many people affect the day-to-day operation of a truck, including the driver, the trucking company and any third parties involved in preparing or overseeing the load driven by the driver. Each party has a duty to uphold not only to protect their best interests but also to protect the safety of other drivers. When this duty is not upheld, and serious injuries occur, the injured parties will likely seek compensation from the parties who are suspected of negligence.

Compensation sought after a truck accident usually start with damages associated with serious injuries, like medical expenses. These expenses are a motivator for an injured party to seek damages, as the costs associated with serious injuries in a truck accident can be very high – costs that are much too high for the average person to afford comfortably. There are other costs that can be attributed to a negligent party in a truck accident that can be just as meaningful to the injured person.

This is determined on a case-by-case basis, and the damages one might seek are tailored to his or her specific tragedy and needs after that truck accident. Personal injury lawsuits are a way for people who have suffered loss in an accident to recover for their misfortune. Injured parties may have been at the wrong place at the wrong time. Negligent behavior is compensable and should be a thought on the minds of those who have been injured in a truck accident.

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Stricter hit-and-run laws will likely impact accused Reno man
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Aug 05, 2016
Almost all roads are open to bicyclists as well as drivers of motor vehicles. The attitude and the law is that operators of motor vehicles need to share the road with bicyclists. Most often, this objective is achieved and no one gets hurt. Unfortunately, this was not the case for a man who was recently struck on his bicycle by a Reno man who was found after fleeing the scene of the accident.

The car accident resulted in serious injuries to the bicyclist, including broken bones. These are common injuries for bicyclists who come into contact with motor vehicles. Just after midnight last month, Reno officers responded to a report of the accident in which the bicyclist was injured and the motorist fled the scene. The public’s assistance was asked in finding the man involved in the accident. He was located off an anonymous tip-line, and upon search of the man’s property, it was discovered that his vehicle and damage matched the description of the crash.

Interestingly enough, hit-and-run laws in the state of Nevada have become stricter in the last year. Criminal penalties for drivers convicted of hit-and-run have doubled from years’ past. Before the change, it was on the same criminal level punishment as felony DUI. Clearly, hit-and-run is an offense in a league of its own as there is clear malicious intent for a driver to leave the scene of an accident. An increase in the severity of hit-and-run penalty is an indication of how serious a crime of this magnitude is and how it can negatively affect the injured and their family.

For those who have experienced a hit-and-run car accident first hand – you know how serious it can be and the ramifications that can coincide with such an event. Medical expenses, loss of wages and even permanent loss of quality of life can follow after a hit-and-run. The man on the bicycle was fortunate in that they did eventually locate the driver who struck him. For those who are fortunate like this man, it is imperative to think about pressing further charges if injured as a result of the incident.

Source: rgj.com, ” Reno man arrested after hit-and-run crash with cyclist ,” Sarah Litz, July 27, 2016

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