A Las Vegas car accident lawyer explains what drivers should know

A recent construction zone car accident in Las Vegas that left one person dead and another person critically injured illustrates just how dangerous road work zones can be for drivers and other people.

The construction zone collision occurred early on a Monday morning at the intersection of Silverado Ranch Boulevard and Crisman Ridge Street near South Valley View Boulevard, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

A pickup truck crashed head-on into another vehicle on Silverado Ranch Boulevard. The passenger in the other vehicle died later at a nearby hospital. The driver of the other vehicle was critically injured. The pickup driver fled the scene on foot, making the crash a hit-and-run accident.

How common are construction zone car accidents?

Auto accidents that occur in construction zones have become increasingly common in recent years. More than 800 people on average die each year in collisions that occur in construction zones, according to the Federal Highway Administration. In 2019, for example, 842 people died in car accidents in construction zones.

Many construction zone car accidents involve rear-end collisions. Specifically, 24% (182 deaths) of fatal construction collisions in 2019 involved rear-end accidents, according to the Federal Highway Administration. Many of these accidents (38% in 2019) occur on interstate highways.

Why do these accidents happen?

Construction zone car accidents often occur because of the reckless or negligent behavior of drivers in work zones. Speeding remains one of the most common reasons why these accidents occur. A total of 31% of fatal construction collisions in 2019 involved speeding drivers.

Other common causes of construction zone car accidents include:

• Distracted driving, especially texting while driving or not paying while driving in a construction zone.
• Aggressive driving, especially tailgating and following other vehicles too closely.
• Falling asleep at the wheel, especially in cases involving highway construction accidents at night.

Commercial drivers, like delivery van drivers and truckers, also often cause construction zone accidents. Overall, 33% of construction zone accidents involve drivers with a commercial drivers’ license (CDL).

Whatever the circumstances of the accident, crash victims need to make sure they fully understand their legal rights. If you've been injured in an accident that wasn't your fault, make sure you talk to an attorney right away.

How can a car accident attorney help me?

You might think you don’t need a lawyer if someone caused your construction zone car accident. The police will likely investigate your crash. But it’s important to understand that their investigation will only focus on determining why your crash happened, not whether you’re fairly compensated for your losses.

The dedicated legal team at Lasso Injury Law LLC in Las Vegas can help you every step of the way. We know how the legal system works in Nevada when it comes to car accident claims. That’s because we have years of experience fighting for the rights of injury victims and their families. When you have our law firm on your side, you can demand the money you rightfully deserve for medical bills, replacement income, and other injury-related expenses.

Get the law firm that gets results. Contact us and schedule a free case consultation with a Las Vegas car accident attorney you can trust to fight for the compensation you deserve. Schedule an appointment at our Las Vegas office on West Park Run Drive.