As a law firm committed to helping victims of distracted driving, Temple Injury Law provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the dangers of texting while driving in Las Vegas. Texting behind the wheel poses a significant risk to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
Temple Injury Law specializes in handling cases related to car accidents caused by distracted driving. We offer experienced legal counsel and representation to victims seeking justice and compensation.
We aim to highlight the dangers of distracted driving and its legal implications. If you are a victim of a distracted driving accident, we’ll guide you through steps to take post-accident and why consulting a skilled Las Vegas car accident attorney could be vital in protecting your rights.
What Are Nevada’s Texting Laws?
In the state of Nevada, there’s a strict ban on using handheld devices while driving. This law is clear: if you’re behind the wheel, it’s illegal to text, make calls, or even scroll through your playlist if you’re holding your phone.
NRS 484B.165 in Nevada prohibits the use of handheld wireless communication devices while operating a motor vehicle on a highway, with specific restrictions outlined:
Prohibited Actions
While driving, a person must not manually type or enter text, send or read data, or engage in nonvoice communication using a handheld wireless communications device. Additionally, using a handheld device for voice communication is allowed only with a hands-free accessory, except for the activation or deactivation of features.
Exception
The prohibition does not apply to specific individuals and situations, including emergency personnel, law enforcement officers, reporting emergencies, responding to immediate situations, licensed amateur radio operators in emergency scenarios, and public utility employees or contractors responding to emergencies.
GPS Systems
Using voice-operated global positioning or navigation systems affixed to the vehicle is allowed.
Autonomous Vehicles
The prohibition doesn’t apply if a motor vehicle is driven autonomously and the autonomous operation is authorized by law.
Visit our Texting While Driving Accident lawyer in Las Vegas, NV.
Dangers of Texting While Driving
Texting and driving poses significant dangers and risks, leading to numerous accidents and fatalities. The primary concerns associated with texting and driving include:
- Distracted Driving: Texting diverts the driver’s attention from the road, increasing the risk of accidents. It involves visual (taking eyes off the road), manual (taking hands off the wheel), and cognitive (mental distraction) distractions.
- Decreased Reaction Time: When drivers are focused on their phones instead of the road, their ability to react quickly to unexpected situations diminishes. This delayed reaction time can lead to collisions, especially in critical moments.
- Impaired Driving Performance: Texting requires mental and physical engagement, which impairs a driver’s overall performance. This impairment can affect the ability to maintain proper speed, stay in the correct lane, and respond to traffic signals.
- Increased Risk of Accidents: Research has shown that texting while driving significantly increases the likelihood of accidents. Drivers who text are more prone to swerving, lane drifting, and rear-end collisions.
- Fatal Consequences: Texting and driving accidents can have severe consequences, including injuries and fatalities. The combination of speed, distraction, and lack of awareness can lead to devastating outcomes for the driver, passengers, and others on the road.
- Impact on Pedestrians and Cyclists: Texting and driving doesn’t just affect you—it also increases the possibility of pedestrian accidents.
What Should You Do If A Driver Who Was Texting Has Hit You?
If you’ve been hit by a driver who was texting, it’s vital to take the proper steps immediately. Your actions can affect your safety and ability to seek justice.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
The moment after an accident is crucial for collecting evidence. First, make sure everyone is safe and call 911. Then, if you’re able to do so without risking further injury or danger, start documenting everything:
- Take photos of the vehicles’ positions and any visible damage.
- Snap pictures of road conditions, traffic signs, and any skid marks.
- Get contact information from witnesses; they might have seen the other driver using their phone.
This evidence could be essential when proving that the other driver was distracted during your National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)-reported incident—a factor that causes significant accidents each year in Las Vegas and beyond.
Seek Medical Attention
Always get medical help, even if injuries seem minor initially. Some injuries don’t show symptoms right away but could lead to serious complications later on:
- Promptly visit a doctor or emergency room post-accident for a complete evaluation.
- Maintain records of all medical visits related to accident injuries.
- Note how your injuries impact daily life, which may affect potential compensation.
Beyond immediate care, follow up with any recommended treatments, as these details contribute significantly towards establishing an accurate claim supported by robust documentation around Nevada’s distracted driving laws.
Contact Law Enforcement
Laws in Nevada are strict about texting while driving—and police reports are often essential in personal injury cases.
Involving law enforcement means there will be an official report detailing what happened. Contact them even for minor collisions. This can provide credibility should legal action become necessary. Police officers might also collect statements from both parties indicating whether distraction played a role.
When discussing things with insurance companies or lawyers, you’ll want this information handy. More importantly, having it gives weight to claims against drivers breaking Nevada’s rules against handheld device use behind the wheel.
Speak With A Qualified Las Vegas Texting While Driving Attorney
If you’ve been in a car accident involving texting and driving in Las Vegas, obtaining legal representation is essential. An attorney well-versed in Nevada’s distracted driving laws can significantly impact your case. A skilled distracted driver attorney understands how to maneuver the complexities of such cases, collecting evidence like phone records and witness statements to establish distraction during the accident.
In court, they aim to prove another party’s negligence caused your harm, utilizing evidence such as traffic camera footage or expert testimony on texting’s impact on driving. Your lawyer will fight for compensation covering:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Other crash-related damages
A knowledgeable driving accident attorney also navigates negotiations with insurance companies, ensuring fair settlements. Time sensitivity is critical, considering Nevada’s statute of limitations on lawsuits. Seeking prompt assistance from local professionals enhances your chances of justice, preventing missed deadlines amid post-accident chaos.
Consult Temple Injury Law after a Texting While Driving Accident in Las Vegas
The dangers of texting while driving in Las Vegas are clear and present. The risks of accidents, injuries, and even fatalities underscore the importance of prioritizing road safety.
Through awareness campaigns, stricter law enforcement, and individual responsibility, we can work towards mitigating this dangerous behavior. However, legal recourse and support are crucial for those who have suffered due to distracted driving incidents.
