When you are involved in a car accident, you may know the importance of getting medical care immediately. You may also know to call the police to get documentation of what occurred. In addition to this, there are several other steps you need to take to protect yourself and your right to compensation after a car accident.

At Bighorn Law, we encourage you to contact a car accident attorney if you have suffered injuries caused by another person. Do not assume the insurance company will protect you. Let us do it for you instead.

Gathering Data at an Accident

If you are safely able to do so, you can request information from all parties involved in the accident at the scene of the incident. We encourage you to do this when possible because it allows you to get key information that our attorneys can then use to help document what occurred. Some data to try to obtain include:

  • Photos of the scene and the surrounding area
  • The names and contact information for all involved
  • The names and contact information for all witnesses
  • Video of those involved
  • The other party’s contact information
  • The vehicle’s black box

In addition to this, record yourself describing what occurred just before and just after the accident. Be sure you have a good written log of what occurred. Then, be sure to complete a police report as well.

Seeking Medical Care

It is vital to any personal injury claim that you seek medical care as soon as possible following a car accident. The medical records will assist the attorney with putting together your case against the at-fault party. Medical care includes the following:

  • X-rays
  • CT scans
  • Blood work
  • Other diagnostic tests
  • Surgery
  • Physical therapy

You should attend all follow-up appointments and take all medicine as prescribed. Do not skip appointments or stop taking medicine as it could show the defense team that you are not concerned about your injury.

Avoid Posting on Social Media

Do not post anything on social media about the accident, the pending litigation, or anything else related to your injury. You can still use social media, but do so wisely. If you are going on a vacation, avoid posting pictures. Do not post pictures or videos of you doing any physical activity that would go against any injury claims you have made. It is also in your best interest to avoid posting details of the crash or making any comments about the other driver involved.

When to Contact an Attorney

After a car accident, you will need to make a preliminary call to your car insurance provider to start the documentation process and to get your case moving forward, even if you are not to blame. At that point, we encourage you to contact our car accident attorney. The sooner we can get involved and begin gathering data and evidence, the easier it is for us to document the entire process for you. This could increase the compensation you are owed.

Talk to a car accident attorney from Bighorn Law today about your injuries.

Who has the right of way? Not knowing the answer to this, in any traffic situation, can put you at risk as a driver. It also means that you could be facing a violation of your license. Understanding right-of-way traffic laws in Nevada is a big part of being able to navigate the challenging streets throughout the city. Though you probably learned them when getting your license, having a refresher now could help you.

You Should Know These Right-of-Way Traffic Laws

Many times, car accidents happen because people do not know the right-of-way laws in the state. The following are some of the most important laws you should know, as found in NRS § 484B.250.

  • The first one in the intersection: When a driver is approaching an intersection, that driver must yield to any driver that is already in the intersection before moving forward.
  • The right driver has the right-of-way: When two drivers travel in different lanes and come to an intersection at the same time, the driver on the right-hand side has the right to move forward.
  • Continuing lane right-of-way: In situations where one car is in a lane that ends, and there is another vehicle traveling in a continuing lane, the driver in the vehicle that ends must allow for the other driver to move forward.
  • ·Not working traffic signal: If the traffic signal at a stop is not working, each driver must treat it like a full stop sign. This means that the driver who reaches the intersection first and stops has the right of way. If two do so at the same time, the one on the right has the right-of-way.

What Happens When a Person Fails to Provide the Right-of-Way?

In situations where the right-of-way is not adhered to, there is an increased risk that a car accident can happen. When that occurs, the police who respond to the scene will try to determine what occurred and use the evidence available to determine who was at fault. The person who had the right-of-way is less likely to be at fault than the driver who does not.

As a result of this, you must take steps to document any instance related to your case. Proving you have the right-of-way can be challenging without video or photos of it. Witness statements can often help to provide some information. Other times, you have to rely on any evidence at the time as well as statements provided by all drivers. Ultimately, when it comes down to your word against the other, the police officer has to decide on fault.

Let Our Car Accident Attorneys Help You Prove Your Right to Compensation

If the other party violated right-of-way laws and that caused an accident, we encourage you not to settle your claim until you speak to our attorneys. At Bighorn Law, we always work closely with our clients to ensure they have the best information and insights to prove their case.

You may know that there are many benefits to wearing a seat belt, including reducing the risk of serious injury and fatalities in many situations. That is very true for smaller children who may be thrown through a vehicle when a car stops hard or you are hit from the rear. However, it is critical to understand all of the car seat and seat belt laws in Nevada and what they mean to you if you are involved in a car accident.

Key Car Seat Laws in Nevada

Car seats are designed to minimize the risk of a child being hurt while in a moving vehicle. The state of Nevada requires that a child that is less than 57 inches in height and under 60 pounds be within a size-appropriate car seat. That means the car seat should be designed for their weight and age, as well as their overall body structure, to ensure it is safe. Additionally, the car seat must be properly installed according to the manufacturer’s directions and secured directly to the vehicle.

If the child is under 2 years of age, they must be in a rear-facing car seat. They will continue to be in that car seat until they reach the appropriate weight for a front-facing car seat. If you fail to provide this type of safety for your child, it can result in a fine of up to $100.

Seat Belt Laws in Nevada

While children have very specific laws regarding car seats, adults are also required to wear a seat belt in many situations. The state’s seat belt laws require that all people in the car wear a seat belt. This applies to all vehicles that were made after January 1, 1968. While all people in the car must wear one, a police officer pulling you over can only issue a citation if they pull you over for another violation and you are found to be without a seat belt.

Can Not Wear a Seat Belt Limit Your Compensation in a Car Accident?

Seat belts are designed to minimize injury. If you are not wearing one and you are involved in a car accident, that may mean that you are experiencing more severe injuries or complications to your injuries as a result of the lack of restraint. That may mean you violate the law, too.

This does not mean you cannot file a claim for compensation for a car accident. It may mean that the amount of compensation you receive is impacted, though. Many other factors impact this as well, including the type of accident and the extent of injuries.

Set Up a Free Consultation to Learn More About Your Rights

At Bighorn Law, we want you to be safe behind the wheel and encourage you to wear your seat belt and keep your child belted in. If you were hurt in a car accident in Nevada, allow our attorneys to work with you to obtain compensation for your losses at a free consultation.

For many, social media has become more of a way of engaging with others than interacting in person. Social media addiction is a continual need to interact with online social platforms despite the anxiety, depression, and mental health effects this interaction causes. Like other addictive behaviors that are health-harming, it can become impossible to break the cycle of addiction, requiring compassionate care through legal advocacy in Nevada.

Recognizing the Signs of Addiction to Social Media

A recent warning by the Surgeon General about the severe implications of social media on the mental health of youth relayed the damaging potential of these platforms. It can be challenging to find anyone who doesn’t use social media, making it difficult for individuals with addiction to break the cycle. For example, someone who picks up their phone to make a phone call can feel uncontrollably compelled to scroll through social media the same way an alcoholic would struggle to maintain sobriety when walking into a bar.

The symptoms of social media addiction resemble the symptoms of any other addiction. For adults, understanding this addiction is a danger in the lives of children and teens can be challenging. Like the effects of drugs or alcohol, their world becomes shaped by the addiction and the need for more.

The Impacts of Social Media

There are severe impacts on the physical and mental health of individuals suffering from social media addiction, as mentioned in the Surgeon General’s recent warning. Depression, anxiety, stress, eating disorders, and heightened feelings of inadequacy can become challenging issues, making it more difficult to escape from the addiction and interact with the world around an individual. A lack of exercise from extended periods of sitting and scrolling can harm physical health over time.

Social media use and the associated behaviors are even becoming concerns in adult relationships, with at least 40% of adults with partners expressing annoyance with the amount of time a partner interacts on a cellphone. The information shared across social media platforms can now be used in court as evidence of negative behaviors that can impact the outcome of lawsuits, with many individuals sharing intimate details of their lives openly online, unaware of the potential repercussions on relationships and even employment.

Helping Friends and Family Overcome Social Media Addiction

When the warning signs are recognized, it is possible to support friends and family suffering from social media addiction. Being supportive is vital, and mirroring acceptable behaviors can provide positive reinforcement.

  • Schedule time outside, away from computers or electronics, to participate in physical exercise.
  • Participate in a digital detox, having game nights or dinners without the presence of cell phones.
  • Find a positive activity to replace the urge to scroll.
  • Seek counseling for someone with addictive behaviors.
  • Discuss the impacts of social media addiction with a supportive social media addiction specialist.

Recently, over 40 states have sued a popular social media platform for its addictive properties and the harm it causes to the mental health of children, seeking financial damages and restitution. As the impact of this addiction becomes more prevalent, other states and individuals will follow suit.

Speak with Nevada Social Media Addiction Attorney

If you or a loved one has experienced the detrimental effects of social media addiction, speak with a client-focused social media addiction attorney today to learn how we can help. Bighorn Law offers free case evaluations to discuss your damages and help clients find their way back to health and receive help.