In minor car collisions, they’re ideally no-fuss. After the accident, there will be a quick exchange of contact numbers, insurance information, and other key details, and then that’s it. Drivers involved in the accident will let their respective insurance providers handle these matters. How convenient, don’t you think? So you might wonder, is there a need to call the police?

Actually, yes, parties involved in a car accident may still need to contact law enforcement officers. No matter how minor the accident was, you’ll still need to secure a police report on the collision. Truth be told, reporting the matter to the police will save you from the hassle later on.

While reporting to the police is imperative, what’s optional is informing the insurance provider. Parties to the accident may dispense with the intervention of the insurance companies. For instance, they may opt to have their respective damage repaired out of their own pockets.

The Importance of Securing a Police Report

A police report covers the circumstances surrounding the accident. With this document, it negates the likelihood of creating assumptions as to what happened. Thus, in the event of a legal action for recovery of damages, it effectively eliminates disputes on the turn of events.

It becomes easier to seek compensation because the police report can strengthen the case. Whether the car accident is a major or minor one, it is best to secure this piece of paper.

This unbiased account of the accident contains the following information:

• Names of the parties involved,
• Injuries sustained by the parties, if any,
• Damage to the vehicles involved,
• Time, date and place of the accident, and
• Statements of witnesses.

Here are tips when reporting a car accident to police officers.

Call 911 Immediately

If you’re involved or witnessed a car accident (especially a major, catastrophic one), the first thing you need to do is call 911. Do this even if there are no apparent injuries or damage. The purpose is to let the police officers ascertain the circumstances and write a report on the incident.

There will be an investigation as soon as the police officers will arrive. Searching questions will likely focus on who or what caused the accident and how.

Law enforcement officers will also want to obtain the personal and contact information of the involved drivers and passengers, if any. The police, however, will focus more on the driver; whether there was a likelihood that he or she drove under the influence.

Witness on the scene as well as injured bystanders will also be requested to give their personal and contact information. Statements will also be obtained.

Based on the investigation, the police officers responding at the scene will make the report.

What If There Are No Police Officers at the Scene

There may be instances when police officers don’t respond at the scene of the accident. Thus, you may need to file your own report to the police as soon as possible. In support of your narrative, taking photos and/or videos that cover all angles is highly recommended.

Collect as much evidence as may be available and necessary in support of your side of the story. This may be needed as it is not uncommon for the party at fault to change their story to evade liability.

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney

To cover your bases, seek legal representation from an experienced car accident lawyer. With his or her help, you can ensure that your interests and rights are protected during your action to obtain compensation for damages.

Looking for a highly experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney? Contact Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

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6 Top Causes of Car Accidents

Over the years, Las Vegas car accidents have caused countless injuries and deaths. The figure is truly heartbreaking, considering that most of these devastating occurrences could have been prevented by simply observing safety in the roadways.

A little discipline and presence of mind on the part of drivers could have save many people the headaches and heartaches. It’s quite elementary, actually. Just follow the road signs and observe the rules.

First off, avoid speeding above the limit. Drinking and driving don’t mix well, so it’s either one but never both. Avoid any distractions that will keep your eyes and mind off the road. On this thought, avoid using your cellphone. It also pays to be extra cautious, especially during bad weather. And it can be rewarding to be defensive at all times, being mindful of the traffic lights and other users on the road.

Here are the 6 top causes of Las Vegas car accidents.

Every year, there are thousands of Las Vegas car accidents. But everything boils down to these 6 main reasons. Here are the top causes of vehicular accidents in the area.

1. Overspeeding

Overspeeding tops the list in the most common causes of car crashes in Las Vegas. Did you know the national statistics revealed that most speed-related car crashes, which resulted in serious bodily injuries or death, occurred in roadways where the speed limits reached higher than 55 MPH?

2. Driving under the influence

It’s no secret that having alcoholic beverages can impair one’s senses and judgment while operating a motor vehicle. Did you know an average of 28 people die every day in the U.S. as a result of driving while under the influence of alcohol? That’s about 1 death in every 50 minutes.

In the previous decade, drunk driving accounted for roughly 113,000 deaths. Which is equivalent to about 30 percent of fatalities arising from car accidents. It’s that bad, really.

3. Distracted Driving

Distractions can come in any form, whether it’s texting while driving or looking at the surroundings. Anything that keeps the driver’s focus off the road can be a dangerous thing.

Using the cellphone is one of the leading causes of distracted driving. It’s a deadly habit that affects all age groups. This is why it is strictly prohibited during driving.

Other factors that bring about distraction while driving include eating, talking to passengers, or dabbling with the car stereo or AC controls.

4. Unfriendly Weather Conditions

Heavy rains, thick fog, and snow are among the common causes of weather-related accidents. These environmental elements tend to impair the driver’s vision, affecting their judgment and cognitive abilities.

Over the past decade, weather-related car accidents reached over a million instances, accounting for about 22 percent of all car accidents over a ten-year period.

5. Traffic Light Accidents

Picture this: you’re running late so you decided to run at full speed. Then you encounter a traffic light at the intersection that’s about to change from green to red. It may seem like a good idea to run it, but it’s not. Beating a red light is not just an infraction; it is a dangerous maneuver that can cost lives. So think twice before you step on the pedal.

6. Driver Fatigue

Do you drive while feeling tired or drowsy? It may seem innocent, but fatigue is a deadly element. Every year, about 83,000 car accidents occur due to drowsy driving. If you’re planning to do a long ride with loved ones, rest up the night before.

Do you need a Las Vegas car accident attorney? Get in touch with Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

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First Steps

Immediately After the Crash

Consider Legal Representation

Want to have your case reviewed? Get in touch with Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

The post Tips If you have been hit and its not your fault appeared first on Empire Law Group, Las Vegas car accident attorney Dan J. Lovell.

The state and city governments must maintain the quality of roadways. The law dictates that they must provide safe streets and freeways for the millions of Americans across the country who drive different types of vehicles every day. Unfortunately, multi- and single vehicle accidents still happen because of hazardous roadways. In fact, 15% to 20% of road accidents are because of roadway design defects.

What are hazardous roadways?

A hazardous roadway is a road condition that makes it difficult for motorists to avoid accidents. There are many types of dangerous roadways. Some of the most common are:

Hazardous curves are roadways not correctly designed resulting in blind intersections and curves. These roads would likely surprise motorists coming from opposite directions thereby ending in a collision.

Guardrails are supposed to keep drivers from falling to the side of a ditch or a cliff. Roadways without guardrails are dangerous for drivers.

When designing roads, the designers must ensure that the foliage in the area does not cause poor visibility. If the foliage does create poor visibility, the proper lighting needs to be in place.

Poorly maintained roads can have uneven pavement and potholes, which are extremely hazardous to drivers.
Faulty designed intersections

Not all roads in America are designed for safety that’s why proper safeguard needs to be in place. Without these safeguards, accidents along such paths are bound to happen with possibly catastrophic results.

Hazardous roadways are one of the leading causes of single-vehicle accidents, along with DUI, defective auto parts, and driver error.

From an insurer’s point of view

In a single vehicle crash, an insurer would almost always automatically assume that it’s your fault. A thorough examination of the conditions of the road is needed to determine if you need to bring a suit against its maintainers and designers. An aggressive lawsuit might be necessary if the dangerous highway led to the wrongful death of a loved one.

An aggressive lawsuit is also required if the injuries sustained are too severe. Examples of these injuries include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, broken or fractured limbs, and brain injuries.

The problem on evidence and liability

You, as the victim, will have to prove that the hazardous roadway caused the accident. You will also have to show that the state or city government was aware of the problem but chose to ignore it and left it unfixed. An experienced attorney will look into the history of the roadway where the accident happened by sorting through complaints and comments made by other people. A history of all accidents caused by the site will also be reviewed. A good lawyer will know what to do to hold a government body accountable for the injuries you sustained.

You should work on your case as soon as you can because some states implement a strict statute of limitations concerning government claims. You will no longer be able to seek compensation for your losses if the statute of limitations passes.

It’s best you get in touch with an experienced attorney within 24-48 hours of the crash. If the victim can’t do that, a loved one should.

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