In 1 morning, ice a factor in 26 car crashes in Reno area
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Feb 13, 2014
Icy roads have been cited as a contributing factor for a heavy concentration of car accidents in the Truckee Meadows. On Feb. 3, 26 motor vehicle accidents occurred that morning alone, with four individuals hospitalized as a result.

Officials have used local news outlets to urge drivers to slow down and exercise caution when traveling on roadways during dangerous winter conditions. However, Reno drivers should be aware that Nevada law also requires that drivers use reasonable and proper speed on the roadways during inclement weather.

Driving at a reasonable and proper speed does not always mean simply following the posted speed limits. Rather, drivers are legally obliged to take into account slowed traffic, road construction and the conditions of the road, including the presence of ice, fog, sleet, rain or snow.

Driving at the posted speed limit may in fact be a violation of the law if a driver has not adjusted his or her driving speed for dangerous conditions.

When a collision occurs, drivers who fail to operate their motor vehicle at a reasonable and proper speed in dangerous weather conditions may be liable to victims because of driver negligence. Victims may have legal options for obtaining compensation in the aftermath of such a crash. An attorney with experience in personal injury law can help victims determine the best course of action given the specific circumstances of the case.

It’s no secret that winter weather conditions make driving more dangerous. But implementing safety precautions such as slowing down, wearing a seatbelt and allowing more distance for braking can help prevent serious auto accidents.

Source: 2News, ” Dozens of Accidents Caused by Icy Roads ,” Paul Nelson, Feb 3, 2014

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Nevada doctors required to report drivers’ seizures
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Feb 05, 2014
Currently, Nevada laws can regulate the driving rights of individuals with epilepsy. In fact, doctors in our state are required to report epileptic seizures to the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles, and the DMV will revoke the patient’s driver’s license for a time in an effort to prevent seizure-related auto accidents.

While five other states have a similar mandatory reporting law, all states require doctors to recommend that patients wait three to 12 months after a seizure before driving again. Studies have shown that these requirements greatly reduce the risk of seizure-related crashes, but studies also show that the requirements can place restrictions on drivers with epilepsy who would not have crashed.

Doctors don’t know about a patient’s seizures unless the patient seeks medical attention. A person with epilepsy may be less likely to report a seizure for fear of losing his or her driver’s license, even temporarily.

Of course, epilepsy isn’t the only health issue that can impair a driver. A study done by the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry indicated that the crash risk for drivers with epilepsy is not significantly greater than the risk for drivers with other medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, either of which could also cause a sudden loss of attention when driving.

If death or serious injury results from a car accident caused by a health issue, several parties could face liability for compensation. The driver or even a doctor who failed to disclose medical information to the DMV could end up as the defendant in a lawsuit.

A personal injury attorney can assess whether any of these parties are responsible for damages. Compensation for serious injury or other losses can ease the burden on those affected by accidents related to medical conditions.

Source: AOL Autos, ” Laws Determining Whether Epileptics Can Drive Raise Thorny Questions ,” Erin Marquis, Jan. 31, 2014

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Speed, inexperience factors in fatal motorcycle crashes
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Jan 29, 2014
motorcycle accidents

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Nevada residents meet to discuss reducing number of fatal crashes
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Jan 22, 2014
Reno residents are no doubt aware of the high number of traffic fatalities that happen every year. These unfortunate occurrences are avoidable, however, and in the southern part of our state, citizens and officers are working together to bring education about traffic safety to the forefront.

In 2013 Nevada executed a “Zero Fatality” campaign, but the results were not as successful as they could have been. The number of fatal accidents was still high in our state, and this fact suggests that drivers and pedestrians are still not taking basic safety precautions on Nevada roads.

The Southern Nevada Traffic Safety Committee recently met and agreed to continue emphasizing that law enforcement officers should remain closely involved in the safety of drivers and pedestrians, and that community members should also play a part. The committee focused on three key areas: pedestrians, motorcycles and seat belts.

Many motorists and pedestrians who are victims of auto accidents find it necessary to prove that the other driver was negligent in some way. This proof is often the key to an injured party’s receiving compensation for medical bills and other costs resulting from a collision.

However, many families who have been affected by auto accidents are not aware of the available legal options for alleviating the financial burdens caused by a crash. In addition to pain and suffering, the monetary cost of an auto accident can be extreme. A motor vehicle accident attorney can suggest courses of action to help victims or their families to move forward.

Source: The Las Vegas Sun, ” Group hopes education efforts will cut down number of traffic deaths ,” Brian Nordli, Jan. 14, 2014

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Police: 7 teens involved in rollover; none wore seat belts
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Jan 15, 2014
Car accidents are the major cause of death for Americans under 30, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2009, more than 33,000 people were killed in auto accidents , with another 2.2 million injured. Of those casualties, more than 70 percent occurred in passenger vehicles.

Although seat belts are the most effective tool in preventing serious injury and death in an accident, more than half of those killed were not wearing a restraint, according to the CDC. Many people disregard seat belt laws, which was reportedly the case on Jan. 8 when seven teens were unrestrained in a rollover accident in Spanish Springs, Nevada.

The teenagers were riding in a car on a gravel road after 1 a.m. when authorities say the teens were involved in a rollover. The driver was reported to be ejected from the vehicle, and five of the passengers then reportedly fled the scene. The driver was flown to a hospital for treatment. One passenger remained at the scene, and deputies found another passenger hiding in the brush; both were taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Law enforcement officers later located the other four passengers and checked them for injuries.

The accident investigation is ongoing, and charges are pending. Police believe that alcohol may have been a factor in the rollover.

The teens involved in this accident were undoubtedly frightened, but there can be serious legal repercussions for leaving the scene of a crash. Of course, underage drinking and driving is another violation that puts lives at risk.

Passengers who have been injured because of a drunk driver’s negligence may find it necessary to negotiate with an insurance company or sue the driver in order to receive due compensation for medical bills and other costs resulting from the crash. To prove liability in these situations, it is a good idea to consult with a legal professional with experience in personal injury law.

Source: KTVN TV, ” Rollover Accident Sends 3 Teens to the Hospital ,” Jan. 8, 2014

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Policy Impact: Seat Belts,” Jan. 20, 2012

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Police: Fernley child killed when hit by drunk driver
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Jan 08, 2014
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Wrong-way crash injures 1 near Boomtown
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Jan 02, 2014
A head-on collision is one of the most terrifying types of auto accidents a motorist can experience. Even when two vehicles are travelling at a relatively low speed, the damage caused by a head-on crash can be catastrophic. Unfortunately, wrong-way accidents are a dangerous reality on Nevada roadways, and motorists who have been injured because of a wrong-way driver’s negligence should be aware of the available legal options for covering the costs resulting from the crash.

Recently, two vehicles collided head-on near Boomtown. The crash happened the night of Dec. 29 in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 80, and one person was taken by ambulance to a hospital. A news report doesn’t indicate which driver was injured, and the exact cause of the crash was not reported.

Even when an accident was clearly the fault of a wrong-way driver, it is still very important to gather the proper evidence to prove liability. Insurance companies are notorious for trying to reduce payouts to injured motorists, and sometimes insurers will try to shift blame for an accident onto an innocent victim. Nevada drivers should keep in mind that insurance companies are often more concerned with profits than with the well-being of someone injured because of another driver’s negligent or reckless actions.

Wrong-way collisions can be especially injurious and disorienting, but it is nonetheless important to begin gathering evidence as soon as possible after the crash. A personal injury attorney can work to obtain such evidence in order to prove liability and maximize recoverable compensation.

Source: News 4, ” Head-On collision on I-80 near Boomtown ,” Dec. 29, 2013

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Las Vegas man killed in hit-and-run motorcycle accident
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Dec 27, 2013
It is difficult to imagine the devastating effects of a serious or fatal car accident. That is the reality for family members of a 19-year-old man who died in a fatal crash while riding his motorcycle in Las Vegas. The driver of the other vehicle received a sentence on Dec. 9 for fleeing the scene of the motorcycle accident.

The fatal crash took place on Aug. 1, when a 29-year-old driver made a left turn. The motorcyclist attempted to brake and slid until the Volkswagen struck him. He suffered serious injuries, and was pronounced dead following the accident. The driver of the Volkswagen did not stop and instead fled from the scene of the accident. A witness who had written down the license plate of the Volkswagen assisted officers in locating the offender at his residence.

On Dec. 9, a judge sentenced the accused to six to 15 years in prison for leaving the scene of a hit-and-run accident, which is a felony offense. Although the accident is tragic for all parties, it is a reminder of the dangers that negligent drivers can bring to motorcyclists. According to Erin Breen, the director of Safe Community Partnership at the University of Nevada, an overwhelming 38 motorcyclists have died on Nevada roadways so far this year, which is up from 25 deaths in 2012.

Negligent driving may result in catastrophic injuries, especially when motorcyclists are involved. If victims are fortunate enough to live through motorcycle accidents, the results are often broken bones, neck injury, spinal cord injury and brain injury leading to years of rehabilitation or permanent disability.

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Medical condition leads to boy’s spinal cord injury
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Dec 18, 2013
When people think of spinal cord injuries, it’s generally assumed that the severe physical trauma that led to the injury was caused by something such as a car accident. But illnesses can also lead to serious spinal cord damage.

The parents of a little boy in Reno initially though he was suffering from flu symptoms, but in just five days, the 10-year-old’s condition worsened dramatically. Concerned, his parents took him to the emergency room, and after the treating physician could not identify anything wrong with the boy from standard blood, urine and CT scans, the physician suggested calling a pediatric neurologist.

Unfortunately, though, the neurologist denied treatment, saying he was not taking on new patients. On a hunch, the treating physician suspected the little boy might have a condition called Guillain-Barre Syndrome, or GBS, which can cause permanent damage to the spinal cord, leading to problems with swallowing and breathing. The doctor suggested that the boy undergo a spinal tap.

The boy’s parents took him to a hospital in California where, after a spinal tap confirmed the treating physician’s hunch, doctors treated the child for GBS.

The parents were very upset by the pediatric neurologist’s denial of treatment, and the parents have filed a complaint with the Nevada Medical Board.

Spinal cord damage can occur as a result of many kinds of accidents and illnesses. However, if another party’s negligence was a factor in the injury, then victims or their families may want to explore the legal avenues for holding the responsible party accountable. Spinal cord injuries sometimes require years of medical care and physical therapy, and people suffering from spinal cord injuries shouldn’t have to take on the added financial burden of receiving that care.

Source: My News 4, ” A Need for Neurologists ,” Dec. 2, 2013

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Alcohol contributed to 74 traffic deaths in Nevada in 2012
On Behalf of Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney • Dec 06, 2013
The Nevada Department of Transportation data shows that in the year 2012 there were 74 people who lost their lives in an accident in which alcohol played a contributing factor. The 2013 year has not yet come to a close, but there have already been 49 alcohol-related traffic deaths in the state.

Even though it appears that this year could end with fewer traffic fatalities related to alcohol than the last, one death is still one too many. Thus, law enforcement agencies across the nation often conduct campaigns that target drunk driving. Nevada is certainly no different than the rest.

As an example, the Henderson Police Department will be working hard to reduce the number of drunk driving accidents that occur in their area just outside of Las Vegas. This particular campaign will span 12 months and include 15 different initiatives.

“I have worked many traffic accidents in my time as a police officer,” said the Henderson Police Chief Patrick Moers, “and know the impact that a drunk driver can have on a family and a community.”

The Nevada Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety will back the Joining Forces program with $188,000.

Drunk driving isn’t the only type of negligent behavior that can lead to fatal accidents. In the past five years, there have been 50 lives lost in Nevada as a result of distracted driving alone. Beyond these two categories, there are a multitude of other driving behaviors that would be considered negligent in a personal injury lawsuit.

Source: The Henderson Press, “Police announce continuing special driving safety enforcement efforts,” Nov. 26, 2013

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