RV Accident Injury Attorney in Las Vegas

Accident Injury Attorney in Las Vegas: Protecting Your Rights After an Accident

Recreational vehicles (RVs) are popular across Nevada, particularly in Las Vegas, where vast open roads and scenic routes make them an appealing choice for travelers. Unfortunately, due to their large size and weight, RVs can cause severe injuries and extensive damage in the event of an accident. For those who have experienced such accidents, understanding your legal options is crucial.

Understanding the Risks of RV Accidents

RVs are not only harder to maneuver than standard vehicles, but they also require longer stopping distances and can have a higher risk of rollovers. According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), RV sales increased by a staggering 36% between 2014 and 2018. While this surge in popularity highlights the convenience and appeal of RVs, it also points to an increase in potential accidents on the road.

Given their size and unique handling characteristics, RV accidents can result in life-changing injuries or fatalities. Victims often face serious injuries such as spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and even death. In fact, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that large vehicles like RVs have a higher propensity for catastrophic accidents compared to smaller vehicles.

Common Causes of RV Accidents

There are various reasons why RV accidents happen, including:

1. Driver Inexperience: Many RV drivers lack the experience needed to safely operate such large vehicles, leading to loss of control.
2. Distracted Driving: With the popularity of mobile devices, distractions have become a leading cause of RV accidents.
3. Mechanical Failures: Brake failures, tire blowouts, and other mechanical issues can turn a trip into a nightmare.
4. Adverse Weather Conditions: High winds and wet roads are especially dangerous for RVs due to their higher center of gravity.

Q: What Should I Do After an RV Accident?

A: The first step is to ensure everyone’s safety and seek immediate medical attention. Then, gather as much information as possible from the scene, including photos, witness statements, and insurance details of the other party. Next, it’s crucial to consult with an experienced RV accident attorney who understands the complexities of RV accidents and can help protect your rights.

Why You Need an RV Accident Attorney in Las Vegas

If you or a loved one has been involved in an RV accident due to someone else’s negligence, it’s important to seek legal representation from a specialized RV accident injury attorney. These cases are not the same as standard vehicle accidents. An experienced attorney will conduct a thorough investigation, determine liability, and fight for the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Causes of RV Accidents in Las Vegas

While there are a variety of causes and factors that can lead to an RV accident, some of the most common in Las Vegas include:

• Improper weight distribution, this represents one of the leading causes of RV accidents, when traveling uphill or downhill the weight imbalance can cause the RV to overturn or hit another vehicle or a pedestrian.
• Taking a curve too fast, because these drivers often do not have the experience of driving a vehicle of this size and can take curves or turns too fast and end up having an accident. 
• Underestimating space needed to turn, an RV takes much more space than a common sedan when taking turns.
• Inability to see other vehicles, smaller vehicles sometimes can be in a blind spot and if the RV driver changes lanes without being aware of them, this can result in a catastrophic crash.
• Overload, RVs can only carry so much weight safely. RVs owners should make sure to check their manual to ensure what is the safe load limit for their RV.
• Miscalculating stopping distance.

Understanding RV Seat Belt Laws and Safety Guidelines

When it comes to safety on the road, knowing the seat belt laws for recreational vehicles (RVs) is crucial. Unlike standard vehicles, RVs often have different regulations that can vary by state. In most states, there are no specific federal seat belt laws that apply uniformly to all RVs. As a result, many RVs are equipped with only lap belts or lap-shoulder belts in certain areas, such as dinettes and side seating areas. Unfortunately, these types of seat belts offer minimal protection in the event of a crash.

Why Are RV Seat Belt Laws Different?

RVs are classified differently from passenger cars, and this is where the difference in seat belt regulations stems. Since RVs are considered homes on wheels, they are subject to different manufacturing standards. According to KSNV NBC Las Vegas, this classification leads to varying levels of seat belt installation and safety compliance. Unlike passenger vehicles, where seat belts are mandatory for all occupants, RV seat belts are often limited to the driver and front passenger seats. This lack of consistent regulation contributes to the increased risk of injury for passengers seated elsewhere in the vehicle.

The Dangers of Inadequate Seat Belts in RVs

While lap belts in dinette and side seating areas may meet minimal safety standards, they are not designed to protect passengers during high-impact collisions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has highlighted that improper seat belt use in RVs significantly increases the risk of serious injury or death in a crash. When considering RV travel, it is essential to be aware of these limitations and make safety adjustments, such as ensuring that children are seated in appropriate seats with proper restraints.

Frequently Asked Questions About RV Seat Belt Safety

Q: Are lap belts in the rear seating area safe for children?

A: No. Lap belts alone do not provide sufficient protection for children. According to KTNV-TV, children should always be secured in car seats or booster seats appropriate for their size and weight, and it’s recommended to use forward-facing seats when possible. For optimal safety, consider retrofitting additional seat belts or using portable child seats specifically designed for RV use.

Q: Do RVs need seat belts in sleeping or living areas?

A: Most states do not require seat belts in these areas, but it’s important to prioritize safety. Even if not legally required, installing seat belts or additional safety features is advisable, especially if these areas are used while the RV is moving.

Tips for Improving RV Seat Belt Safety

1. Upgrade Seat Belts Where Possible: If your RV is equipped with only lap belts, consider upgrading to lap-shoulder belts in as many seating areas as possible. This is particularly important for seats facing the direction of travel.
2. Avoid Using Side-Facing Seats While Driving: Side-facing seats are more dangerous in a crash because they provide minimal support in the event of a collision. Whenever possible, use forward-facing seats equipped with lap-shoulder belts.
3. Educate Your Passengers: Make sure all occupants understand the importance of wearing seat belts while the RV is in motion. It’s not just a legal concern—it’s about ensuring everyone’s safety on the road.

For more detailed information on state-specific RV seat belt laws, check out KRNV NBC Reno for recent articles on how regulations differ across regions and what RV owners should know to stay compliant and safe.

Injuries That Can Result from an RV Accident

Some of the most common injuries that can occur due to an RV accident are:

• Spinal cord injuries: this injury occurs when there’s damage to the cells and nerves that sends and receives signals from the brain to and from the rest of the body. The most common cause is direct injury to the spinal cord or damage to the tissue and bones that surround the spinal cord.
• Traumatic brain injuries: this represents the most common cause of disability and death in adults. This term describes a vast array of injuries that can occur to the brain. The damage can be focal or diffuse and the severity can range from a mild concussion to severe injury.
• Burns: these injuries can have a vast range of damage depending on the severity of the burn you can even need treatment from specialized burn centers and months long follow care.
• PTSD 
• Loss of limbs 
• Broken bones/ fractures: these injuries are quite common in RV’s accidents.
• Paralysis
• Internal organ damage

RV accidents can cause more serious injuries because of:

• Lack of seatbelts used by or available to, all passengers in the vehicle.
• Absence of airbags in some of the RVs
• Increased force of the collision due to the size of RVs

Responsibility in RV Accidents

In RV accidents there might be more than one party responsible for your injuries and this can make a case a lot more complicated. Some of these include:

• The driver of the RV
• The owner of the RV
• The company that rented the RV
• The manufacturer of the RV
• The people who loaded the RV vehicle or trailer
• The people in charge of maintaining the RV

When an accident occurs, the responsible party or their respective representatives are going to try to make you settle for as little as possible and attempt to shift the blame for the accident onto you. This is why you need an experienced lawyer in injuries from RV’s accidents that can fight for your rights.

Steps to Follow After an RV Accident

There are certain steps that can help you keep going if you’ve been involved in a RV accident, some of these are:

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible even if you cannot see any of the injuries and are feeling ok, some injuries take more time to show symptoms and can create a sense of false security.
• If your injuries are not too severe, preferably wait for the police to report the accident.
• If you can take pictures of the scene and the bruises or other injuries you may have, if you can’t take pictures by yourself, ask someone to take the pictures for you.
• Try to get the contact information from possible witnesses and the driver, and ensure to get a copy of your own medical record when you go to the hospital.
• If you can write down all the details related to the accident
• Contact a car accident attorney in Las Vegas for a free evaluation of your case.

Damages for Which You Can Obtain Compensation 

There are several factors that can influence in the compensation for your injuries, some of these can be classified in two categories such as economic and non-economic damages, which include:

• Future and past medical bills: these include the costs for rehabilitation and long-term care if required.
• Loss of income: this will depend on the period it will take you to recover from your injuries, and how you may not be able to generate any money during this time.
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium 
• Emotional Distress: even though this can be harder to prove, you still qualify for compensation.
• Property damage: if any of your property was damaged during the accident you will be compensated for this.
• Loss of life’s pleasures: when your injuries left you unable to participate in your hobbies and other things that used to bring you joy after the accident.

Is There a Time Limit to Present a Claim for an Accident?

Yes, there is a period of two years for filing your claim, which is known as the statute of limitations, and it differs depending on the state, in the state of Nevada that’s the period for personal injuries. That is why it’s important that you speak to an attorney as soon as possible after suffering injuries from an RV accident.