Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney Explains Highway 95 Closure May 18-21, 2018

Interruptions to traffic on US Highway 95 are scheduled for May 18 through the 21st. The north and southbound lanes will be closed at Interstate 15 from 10 PM on May 18 until 5 AM on May 21st, affecting the downtown area of Las Vegas. Martin Luther King Boulevard will also be closed to traffic where it intersects with Highway 95 during this time. On the other hand, Interstate 15 and the “Spaghetti Bowl” interchange ramps will not be affected. If you have any questions regarding this closure, contact your local Las Vegas car accident attorney.

The Nevada Department of Transportation has suggestions for alternative routes. Northbound traffic that would ordinarily use Highway 95 are rerouted to Boulder Highway, Charleston Boulevard, and Eastern Avenue. For individuals who need to travel southbound, the use of Valley View Boulevard, Rancho Drive, and Decatur Boulevard is encouraged. The navigation application called Waze is anticipated to be an accurate and helpful aide. Be sure to observe all laws and common sense when using a navigation system while driving. This includes setting a destination before beginning to drive and asking passengers for assistance whenever possible. Do not operate a cell phone navigation system while driving as that can lead to an accident and cause legal assistance from a Las Vegas car accident attorney.

These closures are so construction can be conducted on Interstate 15. This particular closing will allow bridge construction as part of the third and final phase of the overall project to widen Interstate 15. The project was named Project Neon and this third and final phase is aptly called “The Main Event.” Project Neon will widen Interstate 15 on the 4 mile stretch between US 95 and Sahara Avenue. This will be the second of a total of six full freeway closures scheduled for Project Neon’s completion. The overall project will see 28 new bridges built by the summer of 2019. The project currently is 65% finished and is on track to end on time. The design-build general contractor is Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. and Atkins North America is the lead designer.

Details of the project can be found at NDOTProjectNeon.com or through its Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter pages (@NDOTProjectNeon). Twitter will have the most up-to-date information. There is a smartphone app intended to assist individuals navigating the closures and interested in staying updated on progress and changes. There is also a hotline in both English and Spanish at (702) 293 – NEON (6366). While Waze is partnering with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) to keep motorists informed about scheduled construction, unanticipated changes, closures, and restrictions may occur due to weather and other unforeseen conditions. For the latest information, call 511 or visit nvroads.com before driving.

Call a Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney to Learn About Highway Closures

Road closures due to construction makes for a much more dangerous situation for drivers. If you have been injured in a car accident while driving an alternative route due to road closures, make sure to seek legal representation from an experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney. Give us a call at (702) 384-1414 to learn what legal actions you can take for your case.

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Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas Helping Accident Injury Victims

Tuesday May 8 was not a good day for the transportation of coinage in the state of Nevada. A semi-trailer truck carrying as much as $800,000 worth of dimes met an untidy end on Interstate 15 just fifty miles from Las Vegas. The vehicle was contracted to move the tender by the US Treasury Department, but ran into a delay around 3:30 in the morning when it collided with a guardrail. The silver Volvo tractor-trailer overturned near Glendale Nevada, distributing 8 million dimes across the pavement. Given the weight of semi-trucks, any collision with such a massive vehicle should involve the expertise of an accident lawyer in Las Vegas.

State troopers were called in to establish a crime scene so the money could be collected by a recovery team. The Nevada Highway patrol reported that the driver and one female passenger were taken to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas hospital to recover. Their injuries were not considered life-threatening at the time.

The cause of the crash is undetermined, according to the Department of Public Safety as the driver says he “doesn’t know what happened.” Though the impact cause the vehicle to overturn and it took until 10:30 to clean up. It is not known how many of the dimes the clean-up team were able to recover.

It’s certainly a lesson to other drivers on the road to stay alert and vigilant when driving. Traveling on highways can be monotonous which results often in relaxation and even sleepiness. If you or a loved one are injured while driving and believe another person or entity may be partially at fault, be sure to seek legal advice from an experienced accident lawyer in Las Vegas as soon as possible.

Call an Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas if You’ve Been Injured in an Accident Involving a Semi-Truck

If you have been in a truck accident of any sorts, you need a trusted accident lawyer in Las Vegas by your side. With over 15 years of experience handling injury cases throughout Nevada, you can trust Harris & Harris Injury Lawyers to fight hard for you. Give us a call at (702) 384-1414.

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Injury Attorney in Las Vegas NV Discusses Common Myths About Personal Injury Law

Personal injury law is commonly misunderstand to many individuals who have never actually been involved in a case. It’s often portrayed in the media as individuals who are faking or exaggerating injuries to unfairly pursue claims against innocent individuals. You may have even seem dash-cam footage of an individual jumping out in front of a car intentionally, so he or she can claim the driver hit them and should pay for their injuries. Whether you have been in an accident or know someone that has, it’s important to speak with a specialized injury attorney in Las Vegas NV.

Though personal injury law often gets a bad wrap, it’s a very important and useful aspect of law. There should be a way for people who are injured due to someone else’s actions to receive compensation for their injuries. If you are involved in a car collision through no fault of your own, it can be hard to swallow piling medical bills and extended time away from work. Injuries relating to personal injury claims can be very serious and long-lasting. Insurance companies work only for themselves and are seeking to pay out the least amount of money possible.

Read below to understand some common myths about personal injury and to understand what’s involved and seek legal advice from an experienced injury attorney in Las Vegas NV.

Myth #1: Personal Injury Lawyers are Expensive

There are many jokes surrounding how expensive lawyers are to talk to, let alone hire. Many people brush off the idea of ever hiring a lawyer simply for this perception. Though lawyers often get lumped into a single category, different types of lawyers have different fees. Even different lawyers within the same area of law can vary widely in what they charge and how they expect to be paid.

Many personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation where they will listen to your case and give you advice on the legal implications of your circumstances. If you have a strong case and decide to move forward with litigation, your personal injury lawyer is likely to work on what is called a “contingency” basis. This means that the injury attorney in Las Vegas NV will provide his or her services free of charge and will be paid through a percentage of the settlement. This keeps the entire process low-risk for the victims and increases the incentive for attorneys to reach the best settlement possible. The last thing an injured person needs to worry about is lawyer fees when they’re already paying expensive medical bills. This also encourages personal injury lawyers to be honest when giving feedback at that free initial meeting. Lawyers won’t be tempted to take on cases that they don’t think they can win. This saves you a big headache and prevents attorneys from lying to gain clients.

Myth 2: My Insurance Company Will Cover My Medical Bills

If only it were so! People are required to carry insurance to cover costs in case of an incident, but insurance companies certainly aren’t motivated to help people. Insurance companies are for-profit corporations that will try their hardest to pay the least amount of money to make your claim go away. Insurance representatives deal with these situations day in and day out and are pros at negotiating down and convincing people to take less money than they deserve.

It’s quite likely that even if you get a favorable deal with your insurance company, there will still be uncovered costs. Even if you did nothing wrong and have a lot of bills associated with the incident, you are likely to end up spending money to correct someone else’s mistake. This is where pursuing compensation from the other person’s insurance company or through personal injury litigation with the help of an injury attorney in Las Vegas NV can be helpful.

Myth 3: Personal Injury Cases Cost the Other Person Money

You’re probably not a bad person and worry about causing the other person to go broke or at least be in serious financial trouble if you pursue compensation. You believe that if you win a large sum, it will come out of the defendant’s savings account and prevent their kids from going to college. Well you can forget your worries on that point because most often, the at-fault party’s insurance company will be on the line for the settlement.

If you are injured on a company’s property, the same is true. Businesses are required to carry insurance policies in case someone gets injured on their property. Though you are taking action against a person or a company, it is their insurance company that will end up footing the bill. Good on you for having a conscience but don’t let it prevent you from getting the compensation you deserve. While you worry about someone else’s finances, yours may suffer!

Myth 4: You Don’t Need a Lawyer

While the concept behind personal injury isn’t very complicated, specific cases can become very complex and difficult to prove. Hiring an injury attorney in Las Vegas NV can help get you the compensation you need and deserve by having someone on your team who understand the laws as well as how to deal with insurance companies and other lawyers. Personal injury cases can only be brought about up to two years after the incident in question. While this may seem like a long time, considering how long it takes to feel up to legal action after a serious injury and how long it can take to build a strong case, it’s important to act as quickly as possible.

Call an Injury Attorney in Las Vegas NV For Your Legal Answers & Help

With over 15 years of experience handling all sorts of personal injury cases in Las Vegas, you can trust our attorneys at Harris & Harris to know how to handle your case with exceptional legal expertise and customer service. Give us a call at (702) 384-1414 to speak to an injury attorney in Las Vegas NV.

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Las Vegas Nevada Accident Attorney Describes Single Vehicle Car Accidents

Although most people think of car collisions as incidents between two or more cars, there are many instances of crashes involving a single driver. There is a wide range of causes for single-car accidents, and they are not always the fault of the driver who crashes. For that reason, it’s best to contact a Las Vegas Nevada accident attorney immediately.

Depending on the circumstances of the crash, another driver, individual, or group may be at fault. Never assume that just because no one else was actually in the collision, it must be your fault. It’s important to understand how the legal system treats these incidences and to seek help from an experienced Las Vegas Nevada accident attorney.

What is a Single Vehicle Collision?

A single vehicle accident is any collision that involves just one car. This means that a single car hits an inanimate object and is damaged. Though another driver, individual, or group may have contributed to the collision taking place, if their car is not a physical part of the collision, then it is a single-vehicle collision.

For example, if a car pulls out in front of you and you swerve out of the way but end up hitting a light post, this is a single vehicle collision. Another car contributed to the cause of your collision, but that car was not actually in the collision. Single car accidents can be tricky. It’s best to contact a Las Vegas Nevada accident attorney as it pertains to your case.

When is the Driver Liable?

While many instances of single-vehicle collision are not the fault of the driver, there of course are cases when it is their fault. When their actions are the cause of the crash, they can be considered liable.

For example, though there is a pothole in the road that the government has neglected to fill, a driver is travelling at speeds greatly exceeding the limits. When the wheel of their car hits the pothole, they lose control and crash off the side of the road. Though the government may have acted negligently in their maintenance of the road, since the driver was breaking the law or otherwise driving recklessly, they are likely to be considered liable.

When the driver is liable, there are several possible outcomes, such as traffic tickets, fines, financial liability for damages and injuries, and possibly criminal charges depending on the details of the incident.

Drivers have the right to contest their tickets in court and tell their side of the story to the judge. If the driver has personal injury insurance, this can help with any costs relating to injuries sustained in the accident. Nevada law requires all drivers to have some amount of insurance to cover damage to another’s property, and this may be helpful if your car hit someone else’s property.

Never assume yourself to be at fault in the case of a single vehicle collision. Though you may have made minor mistakes while driving, there’s often a balance of liability. An experienced Las Vegas Nevada accident attorney can help you understand the legal interpretation of your accident.

What if Another Person is Liable?

There are numerous scenarios in which a driver may end up in a single vehicle collision through no fault of their own. Drivers react defensively and automatically in an attempt to avoid collisions, prevent injuries to themselves and to prevent injuries to other people. The mind works much more quickly than we are able to perceive and will make a split second decision when unexpected events transpire. This may result in your car in a ditch while everyone else is fine. Though it may feel foolish to be the only driver to sustain damage, it’s very possible you acted appropriately when someone else made a mistake.

When another driver, individual, or entity acted inappropriately or negligently, resulting in your crash, they should take responsibility for what happened to you. There are many parties that may be considered liable for a single vehicle collision, including but certainly not limited to:

• Another driver
• A pedestrian
• The government
• A private company
• The manufacturer of your car

The party responsible for your crash can be held liable for the following:

• Costs of damage to your car
• Medical costs
• Lost wages if you have to take off work while you recover
• Physical therapy
• Pain and suffering
• Future medical costs (if applicable)

It’s important you seek legal advice from a Las Vegas Nevada accident attorney who knows how to handle these tricky situations.

Product Liability

When the crash occurs due to an error somewhere along the process from the design to the possession of the vehicle to the driver, any individual or entity involved in the error may be held responsible for the crash. This can include but is not limited to:

• The company that designs the car
• The manufacturer
• The car salesperson
• A mechanic who worked on the car
• The tire company

Making and maintaining cars is a complicated business with many groups involved. When a mistake is made that results in a crash, that person or group should be held responsible.

Seek Advice

If you or a loved one has been involved in a single vehicle collision, be sure to speak to an experienced Las Vegas Nevada accident attorney. They’ll listen to your case and give you feedback regarding the legal details. Don’t think that because no one else was in the crash that it’s all your fault!

Call a Las Vegas Nevada Accident Attorney For Your Legal Needs

Attorneys at Harris & Harris have been recognized by national and regional associations for professionalism, expertise and knowledge. With over 15 years of experience serving those throughout Las Vegas, you can ensure we’ll take care of your legal needs with exceptional care and legal expertise. Give us a call to speak to a Las Vegas Nevada accident attorney today.

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Personal Injury Lawyers in Las Vegas Goes Over a Personal Injury Claim

Personal injury law is part of tort law. Tort law is a part of civil law when one person suffers an injury or loss due to another person’s actions. Personal injury specifically deals with physical and emotional injuries a person suffers because of the actions or inactions of another person, group, or entity. If you or someone you know has suffered from the actions of someone else, contact some experienced personal injury lawyers in Las Vegas. There are two main issues that are dealt with in a personal injury claim:

1. 1. Liability (who is to blame?)
   2. Damages (what injuries are due to the incident in question?)

There are almost as many different kinds of personal injury cases as there are personal injuries. Some of the most common incidents that result in personal injury claims are car accidents, slip and fall incidents, defective products, medical errors, etc. No two personal injury cases develop in quite the same way which is always best to consult with personal injury lawyers in Las Vegas who have experience handling all types of personal injury cases.

Depending on the severity of the injuries sustained by the victim, and the obviousness of who was at fault, personal injury cases can vary in complexity and duration. Another important aspect to address first thing is whether an insurance policy covers the injuries.

Insurance Policies

Insurance policies are there to help pay for damages (including medical damages) in the case of an accident. If you have been injured and believe someone else is responsible, first determine if that person or entity carries insurance that can cover the cost of your treatment.

It’s important to determine if there’s an insurance policy backing the person responsible for your injuries. It’s one thing to get a favorable ruling in court, and a completely different thing to recover the money. If the defendant doesn’t have an insurance policy that can cover your expenses, it can be difficult to actually get the money you are owed. If the injuries were minor and your own insurance policy can satisfactorily cover the cost of your care, it may not be worth the headache of bringing a lawsuit against the defendant.

When injuries are severe and the cost of medical treatment isn’t covered by your insurance company, you may want to go ahead with a personal injury claim with the help of personal injury lawyers in Las Vegas. If it’s their fault, they should be responsible for your recovery. They can sort out how to get you the money themselves.

Should You Hire an Attorney?

Though personal injury is a simple idea – you hurt me so you should pay for my bandages – it can get quite complicated. Almost all personal injury cases should be discussed with one of the experienced personal injury lawyers in Las Vegas. Before you decide whether or not you should take legal action, sit down with someone who understands the intricacies of the laws who can give you an opinion and explanation of your circumstances. Many personal injury lawyers offer a free initial consultation where they can hear about your case and tell you what the best course of action is. Of course choosing which law group you speak with is important – you want to be able to trust their advice or it isn’t worth anything in the first place.

Many personal injury lawyers in Las Vegas work on a “contingency” basis, where there are only paid once the court settles in their client’s favor. At that point, the attorney would take an agreed-upon percentage of the settlement in exchange for their services. This keeps the process a low-risk engagement for the victim and provides incentive for the attorney to get the best results possible, besides just being a good lawyer.

Should You File a Lawsuit?

While there’s been a lot of mention of going to court and having a judge or jury rule in the client’s favor, a large portion of personal injury cases don’t actually go all the way to court. There’s a process before court in which the legal teams of both sides try to reach a favorable resolution. No one wants to go to court, not even lawyers! Court is notoriously slow-moving, painful, and unpredictable.

If there are robust insurance policies on either side of the situation, it may be easier to seek compensation through that route. It’s still a good idea to hire an attorney to deal with insurance companies. Insurance companies are just that – for-profit companies. They want to spend the least amount of money possible to resolve a claim. Having an experienced attorney on your team can give your claim more weight and potentially result in a higher payout. The process involves filing a “third party claim” against the responsible party’s insurance group. In order to do so, you would need the at-fault party’s name and insurance number. With that information, a “notice of claim” must be sent including all relevant information regarding the incident in question. All relevant information must be included but details should be left out so they can be brought up when negotiating the settlement or in the case a demand letter is necessary.

Seek Legal Advice

As may be obvious, even going the simple route can get complicated. Take advantage of the experience and skills personal injury lawyers in Las Vegas have. Be sure to do what you must to get the compensation you deserve!

Call Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Las Vegas to Get The Legal Help You Need

At Harris & Harris, our attorneys have received recognition and awards for an assortment of prestigious and honorable titles. No case is too difficult for us to successfully fight. Give us a call at (702) 384-1414 to learn how one of our personal injury lawyers in Las Vegas can help you with your case.

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Car Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas Explains Common Causes of Auto Accidents on the Las Vegas Strip

Las Vegas is the party city of America, where everyone goes to forget their worries and have a good time. No one anticipates getting into an accident when they wake up in the morning. Though it’s no one’s intention, it may not be too surprising that Las Vegas has a relatively high rate of car collisions. There are several reasons for this, such as the large number of tourists who are unfamiliar with the area. If you have been involved in a car accident while visiting Las Vegas, make sure to seek out an experienced car accident lawyer in Las Vegas. Some of the other common causes for accidents in Las Vegas and specifically in the Strip are mentioned in more detail below.

Drunk Driving Accidents

As mentioned above, Las Vegas is full to the brim of people on a mission to have a good time. This often includes indulging in libations and other mind-altering substances. Though it may be more common in Las Vegas, drunk driving is never excusable. Drunk drivers can be held liable for any and all damages and injuries they cause. If you have been hit by a drunk driver, call a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas immediately.

Individuals often drink and drive due to poor planning. They take their car to a location where they end up consuming alcohol. Though they are too intoxicated to drive safely, they don’t want to leave their car for any number of reasons. It’s important to plan ahead so there’s no pressure to get behind the wheel.

DUIs are most likely to occur during 6PM and 6AM on the weekends. This makes sense as those are the most common hours people go out and party. Though it may be impossible, avoiding driving during these times can help reduce your chances of a DUI. It’s not fair to adjust your behavior because of another individual’s desire to break the law and behave recklessly, but it’s better than being in a car accident! Certainly avoid highways or other high-speed roads in the middle of the night when fatigue, darkness, and inebriation can result in disastrous collisions.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving plays a role in many vehicular collisions around the country. Many may think of texting and driving when they hear “distracted driving,” but the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration considers distracted driving anything that takes your attention from the road. Other examples of distracted driving include:

• Looking at or changing the GPS
• Eating and drinking (even when not alcohol)
• Playing with the radio
• Adjusting the air conditioning
• Any use of a phone
• Applying makeup
• Excessive interaction with passengers

Distracted driving can be especially common among tourists. They rely more heavily on the GPS, which means they are more likely to be adjusting the inputs or focusing on the directions than locals. They are also more likely to be unfamiliar with a car if they have rented one. This means that it takes more effort for them to adjust the radio, mirrors, temperature control, etc. Perhaps they even hit the wrong button which completely interrupts their driving. It’s a good idea to take a few moments before setting out to be sure everything is in place for your drive, even if you are local to the area. Check your mirrors, choose a radio station, enter your destination into the GPS, and stash your phone before you put your car in drive. If you were in an accident while visiting Las Vegas, it’s important to get legal help from a local car accident lawyer in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Layout

They layout of the city of Las Vegas doesn’t help matters when it comes to driving. The city is designed so every square mile block is lined with six-lane roads. Each mile is capped with a streetlight, meaning cars are frequently stopped. This results in a lot of traffic and frustrated drivers. Drivers trying to make the light so they don’t have to stop every two minutes can make rash decisions that lead to severe car accidents. Running red lights often result in high-speed angle or T-bone accidents, which can be very deadly.

Failure to Yield
Another possible result of the frustrating layout of the city is that drivers are less likely to yield the right-of-way. Frustrated drivers, who have to stop every mile while they’re in a rush as well as tourists who are unfamiliar with the city can neglect to follow the rules of the road, resulting in a car crash.

Seek Help

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car collision in Las Vegas or the Las Vegas Strip, be sure to contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Las Vegas as soon as possible. People often behave recklessly in Las Vegas because they think it’s appropriate, but it’s not and it can have serious consequences for innocent people just living their lives. Be sure to get immediate medical help then call for an attorney!

Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas if You’ve Been Injured

For over 15 years, Harris & Harris Lawyers has been helping those injured from car accidents in Las Vegas. We provide exceptional legal representation and customer service. You can trust our attorneys to take care of your legal needs in the best way possible. Give us a call at (702) 384-1414 to speak to a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas.

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Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney Explains What Happens When You’re Injured in a Car Driven by Your Friend

Were you injured in a car collision when you were not the driver? You have rights to collect compensation from the responsible driver.

What if you were in a car when a loved one or friend was driving? You may not want to seek compensation from that driver, but you might if the insurance company is paying out.

Every case is unique and it’s best to consult with a Las Vegas car accident attorney to discuss what your options are. Learn the details of passenger compensation and understand how to navigate this complex field of law below.

Passenger Rights Basics

The state of Nevada has a law called “comparative negligence.” This means that the amount of fault that is placed on the injured party affects how much compensation that party can receive.

For example, if a car was struck by a driver who ran the red light, you would think that driver should pay for all damages and medical fees for the other driver.

However, if the other driver was somehow shown to be partially at fault, such as having broken headlights, texting while driving, or being intoxicated behind the wheel, this may be taken into consideration for how much compensation the injured party receives.

Passengers, however, cannot be at fault. This means that no matter what the court decides based on which driver was at fault, the passenger is never at risk for losing the right to compensation. This is true even if the driver of the car in which the passenger was traveling during the accident is determined to be completely at fault. The passenger can sue the insurance companies of either, or both, driver for a variety of compensatory damages. If you have been injured in any type of accident, whether you were the driver or not, it’s important to contact an experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney.

What Compensation Can Be Sought?

Though car collisions are somewhat common, their consequences can be quite severe. Common injuries that occur from car collisions include:

• Bruising
• Broken bones
• Brain damage
• Whiplash
• Dislocated joints
• Coma
• Death

Depending on the details of the collision, there are many different forms of compensation a passenger may seek, such as:

• Medical expenses – This includes prescription costs, surgery fees, etc.
• Physical therapy costs
• Future medical expenses – Since there is a limited time to take legal action, sometimes the injured party must estimate future medical costs associated with the injuries.
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages – To cover the money you weren’t able to earn during recovery
• Lost earning potential – If your injuries affect your ability to work, you may be able to seek compensation for the lost wages.
• Job training fees – If you aren’t able to go back to your normal job, it may be possible to seek compensation for the cost of job training for a new career

Because compensation varies depending on myriad factors, make sure to reach out to a Las Vegas car accident attorney to learn more.

What if the Driver Was Your Friend?

You’ve been in a collision while in the passenger seat of your friend’s car. You don’t want to sue your friend or get him or her in any trouble, but you need to pay for your medical expenses. Another driver was involved, but that driver says it was your friend’s fault.

What are you supposed to do? Car collision claims that involve more than one driver can get very complicated very quickly with each insurance company doing its best to minimize the seriousness of their client’s involvement.

The best idea here is to get an experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney. Personal injury law is very complicated and adding in the caveat that you don’t want to take any actions that would hurt your friend is an added layer of complexity. It may be possible to get all your expenses covered by the other driver, especially if the court determines the responsibility of the accident is completely on their shoulders. Since Nevada is a comparative state law, it is likely that each driver will be found somewhat at fault.

Your friend may not want you to call the police or report the collision. This may be because he or she doesn’t want their insurance rates to go up, or potentially because the driver doesn’t actually have any insurance. If the driver claims they will cover your medical costs but doesn’t have insurance, it’s possible that they won’t have the funds to cover the medical costs or will change his or her mind later. It’s very important you speak to a knowledgeable Las Vegas car accident attorney who can guide you through this complex situation so you get the compensation you need while limiting the strain put on your relationship.

Call a Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney if You’ve Been Injured in a Vehicle Collision

Our attorneys at Harris & Harris have over 15 years of experience representing clients who have suffered extreme injuries throughout Nevada, California, Utah and Arizona. Having received many awards for our accomplishments, you can trust Harris & Harris to provide exceptional legal advice with compassionate customer service. Give us a call now at (702) 384-1414 to speak to a Las Vegas car accident attorney.

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Las Vegas Injury Attorney Discusses Premises Liability & Determining Fault

Premises Liability states that a property or premises owner or manager is responsible for any injuries that occur on that property due to a dangerous condition of that property. This means that if a hardware store leaves a puddle of oil on their concrete floor with no sign and a person slips and breaks his hip, the hardware store may be liable for any and all costs associated with that injury. If you or someone you know has been injured while on someone else’s premises, call a Las Vegas injury attorney immediately to learn what legal actions you can take.

Most people typically think of slip and fall accidents, like the example given above, when they think of premises liability. This area of law is actually much more broad. The state of Nevada permits individuals who have been injured on private land, not only commercial property, to seek compensation.

Property owners have what is called a duty of care to keep their property relatively safe for others to enter. This law stands on the idea that people shouldn’t have to worry that they may break a bone or incur a head injury every time they enter a new property.

Different Standards for Different Uses

Businesses

Different properties come with different sets of requirements for the owner, depending on the use people have for that property. Though individuals have some duty of care for people that enter their property, it is much lower than a business that invites people onto the property to purchase goods and services. Because every situation is different, it’s best to consult with an experienced Las Vegas injury attorney as it pertains to your case specifically.

When a property owner invites others onto the property for business purposes, the property owner must take special care to inspect the premises and actively seek and address any dangers promptly. This is because there is a mutually beneficial relationship at work.

Mutual Benefit

When the individual entering the property does so for the benefit of both him or herself as well as the property owner, the property owner has a significant duty of care to prevent injury to their guest. This applies to businesses, as the customer enters the property for the property owner’s benefit, but also to more casual situations such as when a guest enters another person’s home at their request.
When a guest enters the property of another individual for a mutual benefit, such as for a dinner party, the property owner must repair any hazards and warn the guest of any dangers that could not be remedied before their arrival. Unlike businesses, the owner of a property doesn’t have to actively seek out dangers to resolve when a guest is invited over.

Trespassers

The lowest amount of duty of care is for property owners to their trespassers. It may seem strange that a property owner has any duty of care for someone that is entering their property unannounced, but there is some requirement for the property not to be an Indiana Jones-type booby trap of dangers! The exact duty of care for a property owner to his or her trespasser depends on the details of the case and is worked out by a jury. These types of cases can get tricky so it’s always best to seek expert advice from a skilled Las Vegas injury attorney.

A notable exception is for child trespassers. The law gives more leniency to children who trespass on another person’s property. If a property owner has something on his or her property that a child may want to play with, that property owner has a greater duty of care for any child trespassers. This concept is called the attractive nuisance rule. If a property owner has a dangerous item or condition that may attract a child, the property owner should not leave it unsecured and available for any child trespasser.

Who is at Fault?

It is sometimes quite difficult to prove who is at fault for an injury that occurs on a property. Having a skilled Las Vegas injury attorney by your side is the best thing you can do to determine fault.
If an owner has taken steps to remedy the problem, such as a drainage grate meant to limit the amount of water and slipperiness on the floor, the property owner may not be considered liable for injuries that occur when slipping in that area. Other steps that can be taken is annual premises inspections, such as WDO inspections.

Property owners also will not always be responsible for injuries that a reasonable person would have avoided or that would normally be on the property. The state of Nevada has expanded rights to property visitors on this point so that a property owner is required to warn visitors of a danger even if it is open and obvious. This can be accomplished with a simple sign or some hazard tape. Determining if the property owner could have done something different, and within reason, to prevent the injury is vital in establishing liability.

Seek Legal Advice

Premises law is very complicated. If you have been injured on someone else’s property, even if it was private property, you should seek advice from an experienced Las Vegas injury attorney to understand your options and the likely outcomes.

Call a Las Vegas Injury Attorney Today If You’ve Been Injured on Someone Else’s Property

With over 15 years of experience, Harris & Harris knows personal injury law like the back of your hand. We put our clients’ needs first to ensure maximum results are obtained. Whether you’ve been injured on someone else’s property or suffered injury in a different capacity, make sure to call us at (702) 384-1414 to speak to a Las Vegas injury attorney.

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Las Vegas Auto Accident Lawyer Discusses Investigation in Recent Tesla Crash

Self-driving cars are apparently the future of personal travel, with Elon Musk’s car company Tesla at the forefront of this movement. Self-driving cars come with great benefits, such as the ability to spend commute time working, reading, or eating breakfast, decreased traffic due to smarter driving capabilities, and decreased car collisions. While things seem to be going quite well for Musk’s mission to Mars, his self-driving company seems to have snagged. It’s important that if you or a loved one is injured in any type of car accident, whether it’s self-driving cars or not, you contact an experienced Las Vegas auto accident lawyer to learn what legal actions you can take.

Self-Driving Car High Speed Collision

In late January of 2018, a Tesla Model S slammed into the back of a fire truck on Interstate 405 in Culver City near Los Angeles, California. The fire truck was stopped at an angle while firefighters helped clear an accident on the other side of the highway. The fire truck was unoccupied and luckily no one was injured in the crash, though the Tesla was traveling at 65 miles per hour with its driver inside.

The driver of the Tesla states that he had initiated the “Autopilot” system. The Tesla owner’s manual repeatedly warns drivers that the Autopilot system is an “assistance” program and not autonomous driving, and as such the driver should pay attention to the road at all times. Other automakers, such as Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and others, have similar assistance programs that help keep the vehicle in its lane and automatically slow down or speed up based on the surrounding flow of traffic.

Tesla’s owner’s manual states that the Autopilot system cannot detect all objects and may not brake for stationary vehicles, especially when driving over 50 mph and a moving vehicle you are following changes lane and a stationary vehicle or object is in front of you instead.

Federal Agency Investigation

An independent federal agency, The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), is reviewing the crash. This is the second time the board will be looking into a Tesla crash, and they will likely be very interested in whether the autopilot mode was activated and what sensor issues led to the collision. Every car crash that occurs has various factors that play into effect. Especially when additional technologies are added into the equation. Whatever accident you may have been involved in, it’s always best to contact a Las Vegas auto accident lawyer as it pertains to your case specifically.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has sent several investigators to Culver City to look into the matter. These investigators will focus on driver and vehicle factors, according to the agency’s Twitter posts. Though the driver told highway patrol officers that the autopilot feature had been engaged at the time of the crash, California Highway Patrol stated in a news release that it wasn’t able to verify this information.

In a previous investigation in May of 2016, the NTSB determined the Tesla Model S Autopilot feature had design flaws that played a major role in a fatal crash in Florida. This final cause of the crash was determined to be the inattentive driver who relied too heavily on the autopilot feature as well as the truck that made a left turn in front of the car.

How Automatic is the Tesla S Autopilot?

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has an automation scale that rates cars from 0 to 5 based on how autonomous they are. The Model S Autopilot ranks in at a level 2. These systems are typically restricted to interstate highways because they aren’t advanced enough to handle intersections. Level 2 automation is capable of remaining in a single lane at a set distance from cars ahead. It can change lanes and brake automatically, but drivers are supposed to maintain constant attention and to be ready to take control if necessary.

The radars and other sensors that allow the Tesla Model S to “see” other cars are meant to detect other moving cars and to monitor their speeds so as to prevent rear-end collisions. These sensors are not capable of detecting a non-moving object that was never moving, or a car suddenly turning into its path. Self-driving cars have not advanced enough to completely replace the attention of humans. Make sure you consult with a Las Vegas auto accident lawyer to learn more.

NTSB Recommendations

Following the investigation in 2016 and again in January 2018, the NTSB has recommended that the government require all new cars and trucks to emit signals regarding the vehicle’s location, speed, heading, and other information to the surrounding vehicles in order to prevent collisions.

The agency also recommended that automakers developing autonomous cars implement a system that ensures the driver is engaged in the act of driving, even when “autopilot” features are on, such as by detecting the pressure of the hands on the steering wheel. The driver in the fatal crash of 2016 had his hands on the car’s steering wheel just 25 seconds out of the nearly 40 minutes of automatic driving.

The True Danger

Tesla has taken steps to ensure drivers are being careful when they use Autopilot. Newer vehicles can detect how whether the driver has their hands on the wheel and requires the driver to acknowledge visual and warnings in order to be able to use Autopilot.

Perhaps the true danger lies in the over-confident driver. Even before semi-autonomous vehicles were on the road, careless drivers were a risk. Individuals who don’t appreciate the dangers of driving and the limits of their capabilities continue to cause crashes by speeding and other reckless behaviors daily. Tesla and other manufacturers should remember this and take steps to make sure their cars are immune to this misjudgement. If you were in an accident caused by negligent drivers, contact a Las Vegas auto accident lawyer.

Speak to a Las Vegas Auto Accident Lawyer to Learn About Your Legal Options in Self-Driving Car Accidents

Car accidents and motor vehicle accidents are the most common types of personal injury cases we handle. With over 15 years of experiencing helping victims of severe vehicle collisions, you can trust our attorneys at Harris & Harris to fight hard to get you the best result. Give us a call at (702) 384-1414 to speak to a Las Vegas auto accident lawyer about your situation.

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Las Vegas Accident Attorney Explores Whether Hands-Free Technology Improves Driving Safety

In such an ever-moving culture, people want to multitask as much as possible. With GPS and Bluetooth capabilities in many vehicles on the market today, it’s easy to get directions to the grocery or to call your mother while you’re driving. While everyone knows it’s dangerous to text while driving (texting while driving is more likely to cause a crash than drunk driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), are hands-free devices the answer? In recent years, car manufacturers have marketed hands-free devices as a safe alternative to handheld cell phones and other technology, but what does the research say? A Las Vegas accident attorney set out to find the answers!

What is Distracted Driving?

Not only do people use their time behind the wheel to call old friends and get directions, there are many activities drivers do that could constitute “distracted driving,” such as:

• Eating
• Drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming
• Changing the radio
• Watching a video
• Playing a game on their phone

Driving has become completely ubiquitous in America, it’s commonality making us forget just how much goes into it. Driving requires visual, auditory, and mental concentration. You are in control of a 4,000 pound vehicle travelling faster than any human can on a daily basis. When this power is taken for granted, it’s not surprise so many car collisions happen every day in America.

Distracted driving has a lot to do with the frequency of car crashes. According to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, almost 500,000 injuries were caused by drivers not paying attention to the road in 2009 alone. The Nevada DMV found that the percentage of distracted drivers is on the rise, from 10% of drivers involved in a crash in 2006 to 16% in 2009. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 77% of cell phone owners reported talking on the phone while driving in a 2009 national survey. If you or someone you know had been in a collision due to distracted driving, make sure to reach out to a Las Vegas accident attorney immediately.

Are Hands-Free Calls Safer?

Many people try to multitask behind the wheel. A developing body of evidence suggests that using hands-free devices, such as ear pieces and Bluetooth, is just as dangerous as talking on a cell phone using your hands. Researchers at the University of Utah measured the levels of distraction generated during a variety of tasks while trying to drive a car. Some activities include listening to the radio or a book on tape had the least interference on driving. The most distracting tasks were mathematical and verbal recall tasks. Using a hands-free cellular device to chat was determined to be more distracting than talking to a passenger and slightly less distracting than holding the phone up to your ear.

The National Safety Council reviewed over 30 research studies investigating the effect of communicating while driving. Paying attention to a conversation alone results in many driving impairments, according to their research. These impairments include inattention blindness, which is when a person visually perceives something that’s going on but it doesn’t actually “click,” slowed reaction times, and lane drifting. Overall, the National Safety Council states there is no difference between using a handheld and a hands-free device. The similarity in risk may be due to an increased sense of security using a hands-free device. Since you don’t feel or think you should be as impaired as if you were actually holding a phone, you will behave as if you aren’t impaired, meaning you aren’t behaving as carefully as you probably should. There are a lot of nuances as it pertains to impairment so it’s best to consult with a Las Vegas accident attorney depending on your situation.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has also conducted research on the matter. They investigated not only the likelihood of being involved in a car accident of any kind, but how the use of handheld and hands-free devices correlate with accidents that actually result in injury. Though you would think hands-free devices are safer as you don’t have to take your eyes off the road as much, the study concluded that both phone types increase the risk of being injured in a car crash. The increased risk isn’t minor, either. There was an overall increase of 400% in likeliness of a crash involving an injury occurring when drivers were using cell phones.

Nevada Law

The law in Nevada bans people from texting, accessing the internet, or using a handheld cell phone while driving. While there is no law against using hands-free devices, drivers should be extremely wary of becoming distracted while driving. And if you have been in an accident due to a distracted driver, seek legal advice from a Las Vegas accident attorney. GPS devices can increase safety by speaking aloud and giving the driver advance information on maneuvers, but be sure to program in your destination before you start driving. Most conversations can wait. Try to carve out time to make your phone call before you drive or after you park. Making it a part of the process without combining two important tasks can increase your safety and the quality of your call. Not only does the call distract your driving, your driving distracts your call. People can tell when you aren’t fully invested in the conversation, though it isn’t as dangerous as being distracted while you drive!

Speak to a Las Vegas Accident Attorney If You’ve Been in a Vehicle Collision Caused by a Distracted Driver

Attorneys at Harris & Harris have been recognized by a variety of associations for our knowledge, expertise and professionalism in personal injury law. We know what it takes to have a successful case and are determined to get the best results. Give us a call at (702) 384-1414 to speak to a Las Vegas accident attorney today.

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