Sadly, two people in the Metro Police jurisdiction lost their lives in traffic related deaths this week. Metro Police announced that these fatalities bring the total traffic related deaths in 2009 to 46.
On Tuesday evening, tragedy struck a 48 year old riding his motorcycle on Desert Inn near the intersection of Crystal Water Way. Reports indicate that an SUV pulled int othe road from an apartment complex and struck the motorcyclist knocking him into the path of another vehicle. The motorcyclist was transported to UMC where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the SUV fled the scene. However, the police tracked him down and arrested him on Wednesday. Amazingly, the driver was only 15 years old. He has been charged with felony hit and run with a death.
On Wednesday morning, another motorcyclist died in a collision with a 2008 Hummer. According to reports, 75 year old Heinz Ward drove the Hummer north on Durango and proceeded to make a left turn to go west onto Sahara Avenue. The motorcyclist was traveling south on Durango and was unable to stop when the Hummer turned in front of him. Unfortunately, the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. Police reported that no charges have been filed but an investigation is ongoing.
Our sympathies go out to the families and friends of the decedents. Carelessness in the blink of an eye can alter the course of so many lives. Spouses can become widows or widowers. Children can become parentless. Parents can have to do the unthinkable and bury a child. The list goes on and on. Any death is terrible; however, a preventable death is even more tragic. When a person gets behind the steering wheel in a car or SUV, he/she has a duty towards pedestrians, motorcyclists, and fellow drivers to utilize a duty of reasonable care. While it is common sense, drivers need to be reminded that motor vehicles can become deadly weapons and must be treated with respect. Drivers need to maintain a proper lookout and be especially mindful of pedestrians and motorcyclists which may be more difficult to see than other cars. Drivers need to use good judgment in controlling speed based upon the immediate circumstances and conditions which may dictate use of a speed below the limit. Drivers must remember that their time is not any more important than that of another. Drivers that are in a hurry are more prone to be less careful resulting in an accident. Finally, drivers should refrain from talking on cell phones unless “hands free” devices are used. Reading and typing text messages should obviously be forbidden.
If a driver fails to use reasonable care and negligently causes injury or death, the injured person or the survivors of a decedent have a right to pursue monetary compensation for their losses. Damages may include economic losses such as medical expenses and wage losses as well as noneconomic losses to compensate for bodily injury, scarring, pain and suffering, mental damages, loss of companionship, and a reduction in the enjoyment of life.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of vehicular negligence, you should contact a trial attorney with experience handling negligence and wrongful death cases. An experienced trial attorney understands the importance of securing evidence as early as possible not only to prove fault but to also demonstrate damages to fully maximize a recovery.
Las Vegas attorney Jack Bernstein has been helping the victims of negligence for more than 25 years. His partner, Scott Poisson, has been practicing injury law for more than 16 years. They have helped thousands of people obtain the compensation that they deserve for the injuries suffered as a result of negligent drivers. You can contact Jack Bernstein & Associates for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights at 702-434-4444 or 888-592-4529.
Thu, Jul 2, 2009
Car Accidents, Lawyers that answer their phones, Pedestrian Accidents, Personal Injury, Rear End Accidents, Slip and Fall, Victims of Drunk Drivers, Wrongful Death