Road rage accidents in Las Vegas, Nevada, tend to happen a lot. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driver errors cause about 94% of traffic accidents. This includes aggressive and violent drivers who inflict road rage on other pedestrians and motorists. It is a matter of concern because it leaves the roadways with significant risks. However, with legal guidance a road rage accident in Las Vegas, NV can be handled very smoothly.
Aggressive Driving Vs Road Rage:
Aggressive driving and road rage are legally considered two different phenomena. Aggressive driving comes under a traffic offense which is caused by reckless behaviors such as ignoring traffic lights, speeding, illegal turns, and tailgating. While road rage is taken as a criminal offense because of the violent intent of the at-fault driver towards another person.
What Causes Road Rage?
Extreme cases of violence and aggression while driving lead to road rage accidents. Anger, impatience, and stress have a lot to do with such incidents, as drivers who exhibit impulsive or careless driving behaviors are more likely to inflict road rage.
According to the survey reported by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, intentional tailgating was found to be the most common type of behavior that inflicts road rage. After further interviews with over 2,000 licensed drivers, it was revealed that drivers attributed their aggressive driving behaviors to running late, working long hours, traffic congestion, fatigue and sleep deprivation, and drug use and/or alcohol.
Road Rage Laws in Nevada:
Every state has its own laws regarding reckless driving. However, road rage accidents in Las Vegas, NV have serious legal repercussions which include 6 months to 6 years of jail and heavy fines.
The laws in Las Vegas, Nevada, charge the offending driver with Nevada’s reckless driving law (NRS 484B.653).
Without injury, Nevada’s reckless driving offense is considered a misdemeanor. Penalties for it can include up to 6 months in jail, and/or a fine of up to $1,000. However, if your reckless driving causes substantial physical harm to or the death of another person, it is taken as a category B felony. So, the consequences of the felony of reckless driving leading to serious injury or death can include 1-6 years in Nevada State Prison, and a fine of $2,000 -$5,000.
The driver convicted of road rage who has caused bodily harm to another person/persons or any sort of damage to another driver’s car or property will face legal consequences that include higher insurance premiums, steep fines, and possible jail time. In addition to that, victims who undergo an injury in road rage accidents can file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver to recover compensation for non-economic and economic damages. In some cases, punitive damages can be awarded as well.
Filing a Claim Against Raging Driver:
Evidence holds significance in road rage accidents in Las Vegas. If you’ve been injured in a road rage incident, the likelihood of success in your case depends on how greatly your evidence supports your claim. However, evidence may take several forms.
Besides the police report of the incident, there may be other drivers who were present at the time of the accident and could establish their witness statements to assist in making your case more concrete. Additionally, a medical report confirming the injuries at the time of the accident can be great evidence and will support your claim against the offending driver.
Photo evidence of the scene always helps in establishing the facts of the incident, and hence, will support your claim. Moreover, if traffic cameras were installed on the road of the incident, you may be able to retrieve video evidence of the other driver’s behavior.
Claimable Damages:
If you become a victim of a road rage accident you can claim more than just compensatory damages, which are medical bills, time lost at work, damage to your vehicle. Pain and Suffering damages may also be attached to a road rage injury accident as many victims become fearful of driving after such an incident and even get PTSD as an aftereffect of the incident.
Punitive damages are also available to the victim of a road rage accident as it was caused by the reckless behavior of the offending driver; he/she showed the intent to hurt the victim, and the driver showed disregard for others’ safety. Your attorney will best guide you on how to proceed in such cases.
Contact Us If You Experience a Road Rage Accident in Las Vegas, NV:
If you have been injured in one of the road rage accidents in Las Vegas, NV, and wish to be compensated for the damages, injuries, pain, and suffering, contacting an experienced attorney will ensure the compensation you deserve.
To get in touch with an experienced road rage accident lawyer in Las Vegas, contact our law firm today.
