A driver may have suddenly lost consciousness in the moments before he caused a serious three-vehicle automobile collision.
The accident occurred near the intersection of West Cheyenne Avenue and North Durango Drive. 33-year-old Shane Willie lost control of his SUV and veered into a Highway Patrol officer’s squad car. Several victims were rushed to local hospitals. The officer, whose name was not released, was seriously injured. Mr. Willie did not survive his injuries.
Officials are not counting Mr. Willie’s death as an accident fatality until the coroner’s inquiry provides more information.
Medically-Induced Car Crashes in Nevada
Driving is practically a necessity for many people. That’s especially true in spread-out areas like Las Vegas. So, many people keep driving even though they know it is dangerous to do so. People with certain conditions should not drive. These conditions include:
- Heart problems,
- Epilepsy, and
- Other issues that may cause loss of consciousness.
There are laws in place to prevent these dangerous drivers from getting behind the wheel. But the laws are rather weak and largely dependent on self-reporting. So, these laws are largely ineffective.
Driving with a dangerous medical condition is a lot like driving while fatigued or impaired. These operators know they should not be driving because they are too sick, impaired, or sleepy. However, they make a conscious decision to get behind the wheel and thereby put other people at risk.
That attitude often raises the possibility of additional punitive damages in a Nevada car crash case. This money is available if the victim/plaintiff presents clear and convincing evidence that the tortfeasor (negligent driver) deliberately ignored a known risk. A punitive damages cap may apply, in some cases.
Suing for Damages
Given the serious injuries in many car crashes, it’s not unusual for the tortfeasor to die in the crash. That death does not change the fact that the victims suffered damages as well, and they deserve compensation for their injuries.
If the tortfeasor left a probate estate, the victims may file claims with the estate administrator or another legal representative. If that person rejects the claim, even in part, the victim may file a claim with the probate court. There, the action proceeds like any other negligence suit in Nevada.
If there is no probate estate, perhaps because the tortfeasor had a trust, victims still have options. They may normally file claims against anyone who inherited under the tortfeasor’s will. Very strict time deadlines often apply in these cases.
As mentioned, car crashes kill or seriously injure thousands of people in Nevada every year. Some of the specific injuries often include:
- Head Injuries: Whiplash is the most common head injury in Las Vegas car crash cases. The extreme forces in a crash, and not a trauma injury, causes whiplash. So, seatbelts and airbags offer little or no protection against this brain injury.
- Blood Loss: Many victims are pinned inside vehicles and first responders must cut them out. By the time they receive treatment, their external and internal bleeding has often reached a critical level that’s close to hypovolemic shock.
- Broken Bones: Due to the aforementioned forces, bones are often almost literally shattered. These injuries require aggressive surgical correction as well as months of expensive and painful physical therapy.
Victims are entitled to compensation for both their economic damages, such as medical bills, and their noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering.
Contact an Aggressive Lawyer
Dangerous drivers often cause serious injuries. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Las Vegas, contact Naqvi Injury Law. Home and hospital visits are available.