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Founding Member & Managing Partner at Gina Corena & Associates
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Most car accidents are caused by preventable driver mistakes, not bad luck. Speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving, and other unsafe behaviors continue to cause thousands of crashes across Nevada every year.
When you understand why these wrecks happen, you understand how fault is decided and what evidence to look for. If another driver’s behavior left you hurt, a car crash lawyer in Las Vegas can take that case and turn it into a claim for the compensation you are owed.
Below are the ten reasons we see most often, why each one is so dangerous, and how it can shape an injury case in an at-fault state like Nevada. For a closer look at the most frequent culprits, you can also read our guide to the common causes of car accidents in Nevada.
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of serious crashes in Nevada and across the country. It is not only texting. Eating, adjusting the music or climate controls, programming a GPS, or turning to talk to a passenger all pull a driver’s eyes and hands away from the task of driving.
A few seconds of inattention is enough to miss a red light or a stopped car ahead. Because phone use is also illegal under Nevada’s handheld ban, distraction can be both a cause of the crash and proof of negligence. We cover this in depth in our article on the Nevada texting-and-driving law.
Speeding is one of the leading causes of serious crashes in Nevada. Higher speeds reduce the time a driver has to react and increase both stopping distance and the force of impact.
Even driving a few miles per hour over the limit can make a collision harder to avoid and the resulting injuries much more severe.
Reckless driving includes dangerous behavior such as weaving through traffic, running red lights, tailgating, or making aggressive lane changes. These actions put everyone nearby at greater risk.
When reckless driving causes a crash, it can be strong evidence that the driver acted negligently and may be responsible for the injuries that result.
Aggressive driving includes behaviors such as cutting off other vehicles, tailgating, brake-checking, and making hostile driving maneuvers. These actions increase the risk of serious crashes, especially in heavy traffic.
When aggressive driving causes an accident, it can be strong evidence that the driver failed to act with reasonable care.
Alcohol and drugs impair judgment, slow reaction times, and make crashes far more likely. Impaired drivers may speed, drift between lanes, fail to stop at traffic signals, or fail to react to hazards.
When a drunk or drug-impaired driver causes a crash, they can be held responsible for the injuries they cause. In some cases involving particularly reckless conduct, Nevada law may also allow punitive damages. If a drunk driver hurt you, our Las Vegas drunk driving accident lawyers can explain your options.
Rain, fog, dust storms, and strong winds can make Nevada roads much more dangerous by reducing visibility and traction. Even light rain can create slippery conditions, especially after long dry periods.
Bad weather does not excuse careless driving. Drivers are expected to slow down, leave extra following distance, and adjust to road conditions. Failing to do so can make them responsible for a weather-related crash.
Driving at night is harder on every driver. Visibility drops, glare from oncoming headlights makes it tough to focus, and hazards appear with less warning.
Night also overlaps with other risks. Drivers are more likely to be fatigued or impaired after dark, which stacks one danger on top of another, increasing the odds of a serious crash.
Drowsy driving can affect a driver much like alcohol does. A tired driver reacts slowly, drifts in and out of the lane, and may not register a hazard until it is too late.
In the worst cases, a driver falls asleep entirely, and the vehicle continues without anyone controlling it. That can lead to high-speed rear-end and head-on crashes. You can learn more in our article on driver fatigue and drowsy driving.
Teen and newly licensed drivers have less practice reacting to sudden hazards, which makes mistakes more likely when something goes wrong. Younger drivers are also more prone to risk-taking behind the wheel.
Nevada imposes additional restrictions on young drivers, including limits on late-night driving and the number of young passengers they can carry. Even so, inexperience remains a real factor in crashes across the state.
Construction zones create changing traffic patterns, narrowed lanes, and reduced speed limits that require extra attention. Drivers who speed, ignore signs, or fail to adjust to lane shifts increase the risk of a crash.
When an accident happens in a work zone, investigators look at whether the driver followed the temporary traffic controls and drove safely for the conditions
The ten causes above are the most common, but they are not the whole picture. The rise of self-driving technology has raised new questions, which we explore in our piece on self-driving car accidents. Rollover crashes and other high-severity collisions also remain a concern on Nevada highways.
The aftermath matters too. Some injuries do not appear right away, and the emotional toll of a crash can last long after the vehicle is repaired. Whatever the cause, understanding Nevada’s at-fault insurance system helps you protect your right to recover.
Nevada is an at-fault, or tort, state. That means the driver who caused the crash, through their insurance, is generally responsible for the damages. Identifying the true cause is therefore the first step in any claim.
Nevada also follows modified comparative negligence under NRS 41.141. You can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault, though your award is reduced by your share of the blame. If you are found 51 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover. This is why pinning down the cause and the evidence behind it is so important. Every case turns on its own facts.
Distracted driving, speeding, and impaired driving are consistently among the leading causes of serious crashes in Nevada. Distraction is especially common, ranging from texting to eating behind the wheel. The exact ranking varies by year and by source.
Yes. Nevada is an at-fault state, so the driver who caused the crash is generally responsible for the damages through their insurance. Establishing the cause, with police reports, video, and witness accounts, is central to proving who is liable.
Often, yes. Under Nevada’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can recover as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault, though your compensation is reduced by your percentage of blame. At 51 percent or more, recovery is barred.
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Nevada. Because exceptions can apply, it is best to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Seek medical attention, call the police, and take photos of the scene if it is safe to do so. Exchange information with the other driver, gather witness details, and avoid admitting fault. Acting quickly also helps preserve important evidence for your claim.
No matter which of these causes led to your crash, you do not have to sort out the claim alone. The team at Gina Corena & Associates can investigate what happened, identify who is responsible, and fight for fair compensation.
Call us at (702) 680-1111 (answered 24/7 in English and Spanish), or visit our contact page for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
Reviewed by Gina M. Corena, founding attorney at Gina Corena & Associates.
As founder of Gina Corena & Associates, she is dedicated to fighting for the rights of the people who suffer life-changing personal injuries in car, truck and motorcycle accidents as well as other types of personal injury. Gina feels fortunate to serve the Nevada community and hold wrongdoers accountable for their harm to her clients.
