Reno Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Nevada's lack of movement on outlawing text messaging or other dangerous driving behavior is likely to be a topic of conversation at the upcoming national Distracted Driving Summit, scheduled for Sept. 21 in Washington, D.C.

Advocates say banning text messaging, and/or hand-held cell phone use while driving, could reduce the number of serious and fatal Reno car accidents and accidents elsewhere in Nevada. Nationwide, an estimated 6,000 people are killed and 500,000 are injured each year in accidents caused by distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported in 2008 that the state estimates up to 30 percent of fatal accidents are caused by distracted driving. That article was in regards to a possible text messaging ban that never materialized.

The Governor's Highway Safety Association reports that Nevada is one of only a few states who have done nothing about the issue. Others include Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, North and South Dakota, Ohio and South Carolina. Thirty states now ban text messaging by all drivers --11 of those states have enacted laws this year.

The government hopes the upcoming summit can be used as a tool to induce states to enact tougher safety measures.

“Working together, we can put an end to the thousands of needless deaths and injuries caused by distracted driving each year,” said U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “By getting the best minds together, I believe we can figure out how to get people to put down their phones and pay attention to the road.”

If asking nicely doesn't work, all signs point to the use of the stick; withholding federal highway dollars was the primary means used to get states to fall in line when it comes to speed limits and a uniform standard for drunk driving offenses.

Media reports indicate that Congress is already considering the use of highway funding as a motivator for states that have been slow to act.

Continue reading "Reduction in Reno car accidents could result from text messaging ban" »

A hit-and-run Reno car accident has left a road worker critically burned and suffering life-threatening injuries, the Gazette-Journal reported.

A Reno injury lawyer should always be called to represent anyone who is seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident. In this case, a Nevada workers' compensation claim may also be filed since the victim was injured while on the job.

The Reno Police Department is searching for a gray vehicle, possibly a Toyota or Scion, that was involved in the accident at Double R Boulevard and Prototype Drive in South Reno. The accident happened about 12:40 a.m. Thursday. Police said two men, who were working either for the City of Reno or the Regional Transportation Commission, were re-striping Prototype Drive. The operator of the re-striping machine saw a vehicle run over several lane-closure cones as the vehicle veered toward the machine. The operator jumped out of the way but the car hit the machine and the other road worker. In addition to blunt-force trauma, he was splashed with plastic heated to 400 degrees.

The victim was transported to Renown Regional Medical Center with severe injuries, including broken ribs and extensive burn injuries. He has since been transported to the UC Davis Burn Center in Sacramento, where he is listed in critical condition.

The suspect vehicle is missing its front bumper and should have white plastic spray on it. Anyone with information is asked to call the police department's traffic division at 334-2141 or Secret Witness at 322-4900.

The NBC4 report is available here.

The CBS2 report is available here.

Continue reading "Road worker severely burned in traffic accident; car accidents a leading cause of Reno work accidents" »

The driver who caused a Reno semi accident has been cited for driving too fast for conditions, KOLOTV reported.

The crash happened on Mount Rose Highway on Monday. The driver was headed downhill toward Reno with a truckload of debris from the Tannenbaum Event Center -- formerly the Christmas Tree Restaurant. The driver of the truck was not hurt in this case but the road was closed for several hours.

Our Reno car accident lawyers urge motorists to use extra caution when traveling around large semis or dump trucks. Their extreme weight and unsecured loads pose a significant threat to other motorists on the road. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 1 in 9 fatal accidents in the United States involves a large truck or commercial vehicle.

Nationwide, 380,000 crashes involving semis and other large commercial vehicles killed 4,229 motorists and injured more than 90,000 in 2008.

Traffic accidents are also a significant cause of Nevada work accidents for truckers, law enforcement officers, postal workers, delivery drivers and other employees who drive as a part of their job. Speaking with a Reno work accident attorney or Nevada workers' compensation lawyer is critical to protecting your rights and the future financial well-being of you and your family in the wake of a serious or fatal work accident.

In 2008, nearly 1 in 4 fatal work accidents in the private sector involved a highway accident, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which reported that 1,044 of 4,670 fatal work accidents involved traffic fatalities.

It is important for employees to understand that car insurance is not the only means of available recovery following a Nevada car accident while on the job. However, attempting to handle an accident or workers' compensation case yourself is not the best course of action for protecting your rights and ensuring that you receive the compensation necessary to pay for medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitative care and other expenses resulting from the accident.

Continue reading "Reno car accidents can result in Nevada work injury or personal injury claim" »

The Reno Injury Lawyers at Routsis Gilbert wish each of you a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July and encourage you to celebrate responsibly and leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Authorities will be out in force looking for speeders, drunk drivers, and other unsafe motorists. While New Year's gets top billing when it comes to the risk of a serious or fatal accident, the fact is that Thanksgiving and Fourth of July have been the deadliest holidays on our nation's roads in recent years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Nationwide holiday traffic fatalities in 2008:

New Year's: 104

Memorial Day: 370

Fourth of July: 437

Labor Day: 423

Thanksgiving: 439

Christmas: 364

New Year's Eve: 37

AAA expects 35 million motorists to hit the road over the long holiday weekend, up almost 20 percent from the 30 million travelers last Fourth of July.

Another primary concern will be fireworks injuries in Nevada. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 200 people a day are treated in emergency rooms for fireworks injuries in the month surrounding the Fourth of July. Nationwide, more than 8,000 people will be treated for fireworks injuries, with injuries to the hands and face being the most common.

Many fireworks are illegal in some areas of Nevada, and are always best left to the professionals. Even at a professional fireworks display, it is not uncommon for guests to be injured by falling debris or other causes. Those injured by fireworks, whether at a private display on someone's property, or a professional fireworks show, should consult a Reno injury attorney to discuss their rights.

The CPSC offers the following safety tips:

-Only use fireworks legally approved in your area.

-Never allow children to use fireworks.

-Avoid buying fireworks in brown paper packaging, this is often a sign they are professional-grade fireworks meant only for professional use.

-Never allow any portion of your body to be directly over fireworks when lighting. Move back a safe distance immediately after lighting.

-Never try to re-light a malfunctioning fireworks.

-Never point or throw fireworks at another person.

-Keep water handy in case of a fire or mishap.

-Light one item at a time and move away quickly.

-Douse spent or malfunctioning devices in water.

Continue reading "Reno injury attorneys wish you a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July" »

A Reno trucking accident has claimed the life of a driver after a semi crashed into a two story home near the Mount Rose Highway runaway truck ramps, the Sierra Sun reported.

The semi accident killed the 41-year-old San Diego trucker and destroyed the home near the intersection of State Routes 431 and 28. Initial reports indicate the driver lost control of his lumber-hauling semi and was catapulted off the runaway truck ramp. The truck flew through the air and landed on the home at 645 Woodridge Circle. A 19-year-old resident was the only one home at the time of the accident and escaped without injuries. Four cats died in the subsequent fire.

The owner of the trucking company said the driver had no previous accidents on his driving record and the truck had undergone consistent maintenance. It was last inspected on June 1 and the semi trailer hauling the lumber was inspected on June 7. Overheated brakes are one possible explanation.

The Nevada Department of Transportation and the Nevada Highway Patrol are investigating the accident and will take a look at the ramp to see if improvements can be made.

Semi accidents are a leading cause of serious and fatal accidents. More than 380,000 commercial trucking accidents occur each year in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. One out of every nine traffic fatalities involves a large truck. In 2008, a total of 4,229 people were killed and more than 90,000 injured in trucking accidents.

Nevada semi accidents claimed 21 lives that year.

Continue reading "Reno trucking accident kills driver, destroys home" »

A Reno man has died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on Highway 20 near Sutter, the Appeal-Democrat reported.

The 54-year-old was riding with a passenger, westbound on Highway 20, when a 39-year-old motorist made a left turn in front of him, according to authorities. The motorcycle crashed into the side of the Chevy Tahoe, killing the biker. His 49-year-old passenger was transported to the hospital by medical helicopter.

The Tahoe driver could face manslaughter charges, depending on the outcome of the investigation. A 48-year-old rider was killed in a motorcycle accident at the same intersection last spring.

Nationwide, 5,290 riders were killed and more than 96,000 were injured in motorcycle accidents in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Fifty-nine riders were killed in Nevada motorcycle accidents, while California led the nation with 537 fatalities.

The summer months are the deadliest time of year for motorcycle accidents; the majority of serious and fatal riding accidents occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

The following information is adapted from the Motorcycle safety Foundation's 10 things every car and truck driver should know about motorcycles:

Look for motorcycles: There are a lot more cars and trucks than motorcycles on the road and riders are easy to miss. Check carefully, especially at intersections.

Appearances can be deceiving: A motorcycle's small size often makes it appear farther away than it is and can make judging speed difficult. Predict a motorcycle is closer than it appears. And, if in doubt, wait for it to pass.

Beware of blind spots: Motorcycles can be easily hidden by a vehicle's blind spots or masked by outside obstacles, such as trees, vegetation, traffic or parked cars. Check thoroughly before proceeding.

Speed: Because of their small size, motorcycles often appear to be traveling fast. Don't assume a motorcycle is speeding.

Brake lights: Riders often slow down by rolling out of the throttle -- not by using the brake. So brake lights are a poor indication of a rider's intentions. Allow extra room when following a motorcycle and predict that it may slow without warning.

Turn signals: Turn signals on motorcycles often do not shut off on their own. Don't rely on a turn signal to determine a rider's intentions.

No crowding: Motorcycles often adjust positions within a lane to obtain a better view of the road or to avoid small road defects that would not bother a passenger car. Motorcycles are entitled to their own lane. Do not crowd them.

Maneuverability: Is one of a motorcycle's best characteristics. But don't expect it to always be able to dodge out of the way.

Stopping distance: Motorcycles require about the same distance for stopping as cars -- slippery roads can make stopping especially difficult. Allow more room when following a motorcycle and don't assume it can always stop on a dime.

Vulnerability: View a motorcycle in motion as a person on the road. They are just as vulnerable.

Continue reading "Summer riding season a dangerous time for Nevada motorcycle accidents" »

Last month, the wife and daughter of Nevada Senator Harry Reid were injured in a major car accident involving a tractor-trailer in Virginia. The minivan in which they were driving was rear-ended by the tractor-trailer, and Mrs. Reid suffered severe injuries, including a broken back and broken neck.

Car accidents that cause serious injuries generally require lengthier investigations than the typical automobile crash. In addition, victims of serious injuries (such as any kind of broken bones, as opposed to soft tissue damage) face a longer period of recovery and medical treatment. As a result, claims for compensation for such injuries may take longer to settle. In addition, because they are faced with more severe consequences, the parties at fault in a major accident may be more inclined to contest liability.

Tractor-trailer accidents are also somewhat different than the typical car accidents. The trucking industry is heavily regulated, and truck drivers and trucking companies are expected to follow particular procedures in order to avoid accidents. For example, truck drivers must perform a safety inspection before they start their drive; they must repeatedly check their breaks; they must properly secure the load that they carry, and they are required by law to get a certain amount of sleep and rest in order to ensure that they drive safely. Failure to follow any of those rules may be considered negligence on the part of the driver and would therefore impact the outcome of any trial related to a tractor-trailer accident.

If you have been involved in a major car accident or in a collision with a tractor-trailer in the Reno area, you should contact an experienced Reno attorney who would be best able to help you protect yourself.

With its casinos, its riverfront (complete with water park!), and its easy access to Lake Tahoe and more than a dozen ski resorts, Reno, Nevada attracts vast numbers of tourists year round. Unfortunately, some of those tourists may be injured or otherwise involved in an accident during their visit.

Being involved in an accident is an extremely stressful experience even in the best of circumstances. When a person gets into an accident in an unfamiliar location, the stress and confusion are multiplied.

If you are involved in an accident while visiting the Reno/Tahoe area, you should immediately contact both your own insurance company and an experienced Reno attorney. Such an attorney would be familiar with local courts, local hospitals, local offices of insurance companies, and other local attorneys who may represent the opposing side. Most importantly, an experienced local attorney would be familiar with local laws. A Reno attorney familiar with those laws and with the local lay of the land would be best suited to evaluate the facts involved in a local accident.

An experienced Reno attorney would serve as your guide through the legal process that may unfold as a result of the accident. He or she could also advise you about the steps that you should take or avoid in order to protect yourself, whether or not you are the party at fault, and whether or not you have yourself been injured.

When people have been harmed by a medical provider's negligence, they may choose to sue that provider for medical malpractice. The goals of such a lawsuit are to prove that the provider acted in a way that fell below the standard of care expected of similar professionals, and to help the patient recover money damages for the resulting pain, suffering, and expenses.

Media coverage of some unusual cases has fed the perception that people often file frivolous suits against doctors just to make some easy money. The reality is that most lawsuits are filed by plaintiffs who were severely injured by clearly negligent practices: people who had the wrong limb amputated due to miscommunication among hospital staff; parents whose children were given overdoses of medicine or radiation; or bereaved spouses of people who were not tested or treated in a timely manner for conditions that would have been obvious to any trained professional.

In fact, a recent study on medical malpractice published by Rand International (a nonprofit, nonpartisan institute) shows that in counties where adverse safety outcomes for patients decreased, the medical malpractice claims filed decreased as well.

Medical malpractice lawsuits are complex and lengthy. They require expert testimony from medical professionals who understand the particular field at issue; the gathering of hundreds of medical records and other documents related to the patient's health; and a thorough knowledge of the relevant laws of the particular state in which the suit is brought. Hiring an experienced attorney who can bring together the factual evidence, the strongest expert testimony, and the best legal arguments is the key to winning a medical malpractice lawsuit. In addition, as a skilled negotiator, an experienced attorney may be able to present the case effectively enough to generate a satisfactory settlement without requiring extensive litigation.

Obviously, we should all hope for fewer instances of medical malpractice. However, as long as negligent acts continue to harm patients, those patients should be allowed to recover full compensation for their injuries.

Most people who have been injured in a car accident in Reno (as elsewhere) hope to settle their personal injury claim as quickly as possible. However, this goal may conflict with the parallel goal of receiving a settlement that would fully compensate them for their pain and suffering, their medical bills, and any wages lost as a result of the injury.

How fast a settlement would be reached depends on the nature and severity of the victim's injuries, the nature of the accident (i.e. whether the other party admitted fault or the fault is obvious), and the ability of the victim or the victim's attorney to collect all of the documents and additional evidence required to prove the extent of the injury and losses involved.

Other factors impact the timing of settlement as well: for example, some insurance companies move faster toward settlement than others. Similarly, some people heal faster than others, and settlements should generally be reached after the medical treatments have ended, when the extent of the medical bills is clear. Because of this, many cases will take months before reaching a settlement. More severe injuries will require more extensive medical treatment and cause a longer absence from work.

Moreover, if the injuries sustained are extensive and the cause of the accident is not very clear, the potential defendant may be more likely to deny responsibility and reject, at least initially, the idea of a potential settlement.

If you've been injured in a car accident in Reno or the surrounding areas, an experienced Reno car accident attorney should be able to act as your expert guide through the standard procedures that insurance companies follow before reaching a settlement, avoiding the pitfalls that a person may fall into in the process. Armed with effective negotiation techniques, information about other settlements in comparable cases, and knowledge about the cost-effectiveness of taking certain cases to trial, an experienced Reno car accident attorney should help you reach the best settlement possible with as little delay as possible.

However, if your primary goal is to reach a fast settlement and payout, you should make that goal clear to the attorney. To a great degree, how fast a case settles depends on you.

In March, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released a preliminary report showing that the number of miles traveled by vehicles on our nation's roads increased by approximately 6.6 billion miles in 2009. In 2008 (the last year for which data is currently available), more than 6 million vehicle crashes were reported to the police in the U.S.; injuries occurred in almost a third of those crashes.

Unfortunately, those numbers suggest that many of us will be involved in car accidents.

If you're involved in a car accident, the first thing you should expect is confusion. If the accident is severe, you will be confused, and probably in shock. So will the other people involved, as well as any witnesses. The shock will make it more difficult for all of those involved to remember the details of what happened. The police will arrive--whether called by you or by someone else. Paramedics might be called, as well. Various people will ask you for information.

You should expect to be asked for identification, as well as insurance information. You should also be aware that your own insurance company will expect you to report the accident to them as soon as possible, and may refuse to pay if you unduly delay reporting.

While it is important to provide thorough and truthful information to the police and rescue workers, it is also important for you to gather evidence, if at all possible. In order to best protect yourself, you should try to jot down:

• the date and time of the accident


• the exact location


• the weather conditions at the time of the accident


• the license plate(s) of the other car(s) involved, or their make, model, and color


• the names and phone numbers of all of the people who were in your car and in the other car(s) involved


• the car insurance information of all the other drivers involved


• the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.

If you are involved in a car accident in Reno, Nevada, you should consider contacting an experienced Reno attorney who would be able to evaluate the situation and help you protect your interests.