Automobile Accidents

• Accident Procedures Clarified By New Law

  Steve Klearman | October 11, 2007 1:00 PM | 0 CommentsReno, NV

  Nevada law requires that any driver involved in a traffic accident immediately stop his vehicle at the scene of the accident or, if his vehicle is obstructing traffic, to a location as close as possible. The law also requires that the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident file a report with the police department. Assembly Bill No. 71 changes these laws. The bill clarifies the procedures...

• Intoxicated Driver Kills Pedestrian

  Shannon Weidemann | April 17, 2007 12:33 PM | 0 CommentsReno, NV

  A woman driving her car under the influence of alcohol hit a pedestrian in Reno on Friday. The 48-year-old pedestrian died from her injuries at the hospital. She was crossing a street when she was hit.The driver of the car, 27-year-old Jennifer Castillo was initially booked on charges of driving under the influence causing substantial bodily harm and failure to yield right of way to a...

• Punitive Damages in Nevada for Drunk Driving

  Steve Klearman | April 05, 2006 4:43 PM | 0 CommentsReno, NV

  Punitive damages are meant to punish intentional or exceptionally stupid (my term, not the legislature's) conduct.Punitive damages are available in Nevada auto accident cases under certain limited circumstances. NRS 42.010 provides as follows:42.010. Exemplary and punitive damages: Injury caused by operation of vehicle after consumption of alcohol or controlled substance 1. In an action for the...

• Can a Computer Feel Your Pain?

  Steve Klearman | March 08, 2006 2:29 PM | 0 CommentsReno, NV

  Did you know that many insurance companies use computers to evaluate your pain and suffering after an auto accident?That's right: insurance adjusters review your medical records for various key pieces of information (information that they think is key) and plug that information into a computer program that calculates the value of your injuries. While the distastefulness of this can be expounded...

• How Insurance Companies Defend Auto Accident Cases

  Steve Klearman | February 20, 2006 5:02 PM | 0 CommentsReno, NV

  I've litigated auto accident cases in Nevada since 1988 and during that time I've seen patterns emerge in the way that insurance companies defend these cases. Here are some thoughts in that regard.Body DamageInsurance companies are fixated with the issue of body damage to your car after an accident. Or, more specifically, insurance companies often argue that severe damage to your car does not...

• Compensation After An Automobile Accident

  Steve Klearman | December 18, 2005 9:16 AM | 0 CommentsReno, NV

  My clients often want to know what sort of compensation they are legally entitled to claim after an accident.Injuries from automobile accidents often have catastrophic consequences. Serious injuries can be disabling, and may affect not only the injured person but his or her family members as well. Even relatively minor injuries that necessitate lost time from work and medical care can have a...

• When To Give Information And Aid After Auto Accident?

  Steve Klearman | December 02, 2005 3:18 PM | 0 CommentsReno, NV

  This is another in a series of articles that deal with the basic legal concepts that apply when you're in an automobile accident in Nevada.Ever wonder whether it's necessary to show another driver your license after you're both in an accident? Some might think that this is a matter of courtesy. In fact, it's the law.N.R.S. 484.223 requires that drivers who are involved in auto accidents...

• What If You're At Fault, Too?

  Steve Klearman | December 01, 2005 2:42 PM | 0 CommentsReno, NV

  This is one of a number of articles that deal with basic legal concepts when you're in an accident in Nevada.Accidents, like the challenges of life, aren't always straightforward, and defense attorneys are adept at making the most of complexity. So what happens when you're in an accident and you may have some fault, too?Nevada law is generally clear on this issue. N.R.S. 41.141 provides, in...

• Police Investigating Car, Pedestrian Accident

  Staff Writer | November 09, 2005 6:12 AM | 0 CommentsReno, NV

  Two pedestrians were hospitalized after separate accidents on November 6th. One accident left a six year old child in intensive care, while the other (a hit and run accident) placed an elderly woman in the ICU as well. As of this writing, police were searching for a black Ford SUV with NV plates. Witnesses claimed the SUV threw the woman 40 feet when it struck her as she crossed the street. ...

• "Traffic" Author Addresses Issues

  Steve Klearman | August 25, 2008 6:07 PM | 0 CommentsReno, NV

  The New York Times fielded questions for "Traffic" author Tom Vanderbilt.  Several of the answers were of particular relevance to Nevada drivers. "Keep to the right, pass only on the left"...