Catastrophic Injuries Archives - LV Personal Injury

California Plane Crash Kills 6

In July of 2023, a Cessna 550 business jet was attempting to land on a runway when it suddenly crashed at around 4 A.M. The jet was on its way back to Murrieta after visiting Las Vegas when the incident occurred. Devastatingly, everyone aboard the plane perished.

Those on board included: Riese Lenders, Abigail Tellez-Vargas, Manuel Vargas-Regalado, Lindsey Gleich, Ibrahem Razick, and Alma Razick. There were two pilots and four passengers.

According to reports, those on board were visiting Las Vegas and decided to land near Murrieta despite unfavorable weather. Reports show that the Cessna initially asked for clearance to land, attempted to hit the runway, but missed the target upon approach.

Safety officials later confirmed that this type of landing behavior is very typical when pilots can’t actually see the runway. Later reports also confirmed that visibility was down to three-quarters of a mile as a result of low-hanging clouds at the time of the incident.

Nothing has been confirmed yet, but safety consultants who looked into the incident have stated that the Cessna descended below the minimum height at which pilots must be able to see the ground before getting into the crash. This major error typically occurs when the pilot doesn’t actually have eyes on the ground before attempting to land.

In light of these findings, investigators are looking into whether fatigue may have played a significant role in the fatal airplane accident. The pilots may have been eager to get home and decided to continue to try to land at the airport despite visibility issues.

Investigators also confirmed that the plane could’ve made landing attempts at other airports that were nearby and were experiencing more favorable weather.

After failing the first attempt, the Cessna attempted to land again. This time, the airplane smashed into the ground 800 feet short of the runway. The plane immediately burst into flames. No one was able to survive the impact and fire.

Unfortunately, all the initial investigators agree that the crew should’ve attempted to land at a different airport instead of attempting the dangerous maneuver.

How to Handle a Loved One’s Fatal Accident

Tragically, the loved ones of those who passed away in the plane crash will now have to deal with the grief, loss, and consequences associated with losing their loved ones unfairly as a result of someone else’s bad decisions.

One small ray of hope, though, comes in the form of laws that protect the families of individuals who lose their lives in similar wrongful death situations.

When someone else’s negligence results in the loss of life, the loved ones of the deceased can seek out compensation from the responsible party by filing a wrongful death claim. This type of lawsuit can help the family financially recover from expenses like burial costs, a loss of financial support, pain and suffering, and more.

Before you attempt to seek out this type of claim, it’s best to talk with a lawyer to ensure that you’re using your time wisely. If you’re in the Las Vegas area, then we can help. Contact our office now to get in touch.

17-Year-Old Killed Riding Electric Scooter

Tragically, a 17-year-old female lost her life on Friday morning after getting stuck by a U-Haul while she was riding on an electric scooter. According to initial reports, the incident occurred at around 10:30 A.M. Witnesses saw a white U-Haul traveling east on Sun Shadow Avenue. The truck then turned onto Pecos, where the 17-year-old was riding her scooter in the bike lane.

Unfortunately, the U-Haul truck went in front of the pedestrian who didn’t have time to stop before slamming into the truck. The Henderson Police Department confirmed that the truck driver says they did not see the pedestrian when the crash happened.

The 17-year-old was severely injured and quickly rushed to the nearby Sunrise Trauma center in critical condition. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries shortly later.

Investigators initially suspect impairment may have played a major role in the crash, but they have not confirmed or denied whether those allegations proved to be true or not. The investigation remains ongoing.

How to Cope With the Many Losses Associated With DUI Wrongful Death Accidents

When someone loses their life, it’s always a tragedy. When that loss of life is sudden, unexpected, and the result of someone else’s very poor decisions, however, that loss can feel even more devastating. A wrongful death as a result of a DUI could lead to a windfall of financial losses for the victim’s loved ones including:

Medical bills acquired prior to the fatality
Burial expenses
Other costs associated with the funeral
Costs associated with closing the person’s estate
A loss of support when that person was a breadwinner for a family or spouse

What’s more, the surviving loved ones are sure to have to deal with significant amounts of emotional distress and grief.

While nothing can bring back a lost loved one, there are laws in place that can help surviving family members seek financial justice after the ordeal. Loved ones can seek out a wrongful death claim against the driver who was at fault for the accident.

Under the law, every motorist has a legal duty to provide for the care and safety of everyone else on the road. If they fail to uphold that duty by driving recklessly, getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, or otherwise causing an accident, then the law will hold that person legally and financially responsible for the fallout of that accident.

In the event of a wrongful death, the at-fault driver will be held responsible for the losses associated with the fatality.

If you believe that your loved one’s death may have been the result of someone else’s negligent behavior, then it’s best to consult with an experienced wrongful death attorney about what happened. A quality lawyer will listen to what happened, analyze the facts, and then give you their honest take on whether your situation has the necessary elements to seek out a valid legal claim against the other party.

Schedule a consultation with our office here at LV Personal Injury Lawyers to learn more about how we can help.

Community Mourning After Child Killed in Crash

Car accidents are always devastating, especially when they cause fatalities. Unfortunately, the community of Las Vegas is in mourning after a recent multi-vehicle accident left one teen in jail, another suspect on the loose, and a 12-year-old beloved child deceased.

Authorities say the car accident happened on Tuesday, June 20th, in North Las Vegas. According to their initial investigations, an Escalade and Camaro were both speeding and driving recklessly on the road. Suddenly, the Escalade collided into a pickup truck. The cars both spun out of control and smashed into another SUV.

As the three cars screeched and spun, they entered onto the sidewalk. 12-year-old Yelina Tarango was walking along that sidewalk at that moment, and she was sadly struck by the vehicles. A nearby neighbor rushed outside to see one of the vehicle’s drivers fleeing down the street. The other driver, a 19-year-old, was helping the injured young girl who was fatally wounded.

Once police arrived at the scene, the girl was declared deceased and the 19-year-old driver was taken to jail. Unfortunately, police say the driver of the Escalade is still on the run. Anyone with any information on what happened should call the North Las Vegas Police Department.

The Police Department is also asking for the community’s help when it comes to reporting poor and unsafe driving. Traffic units are happy to respond to calls concerning driving behaviors. You can report any concerning driving you witness in North Las Vegas on this website.

What Can Families Do After a Fatal Car Accident?

If your family has ever lost someone as a result of a fatal car accident, then you know first-hand how serious the situation can be. Not only are you forced to deal with the unexpected grief of losing a loved one, but you’re also often hit with a wall of financial losses, too.

Losing your loved one could mean a loss of spousal or parental support, paying for medical bills prior to your loved one’s passing, paying for repair bills towards their property, bearing the expenses associated with that person’s estate, and shelling out whatever it costs to bury and pay your last respects to your loved one.

Seeking out criminal justice and having the driver arrested for their actions is one way to seek out justice, but it isn’t the only legal recourse that families have.

If you’ve endured significant losses after a loved one’s fatal car accident, then it might be possible to recover from some of your losses by seeking out a claim. You may have the basis to seek out a claim if the other driver was negligent and caused the accident.

To learn more about your legal rights and options, it might be best to schedule a consultation with a wrongful death attorney who can help you better navigate your situation.

Here at LV Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand how trying your situation is. Let us help you with the legal aspects of your claim so that you can focus on what’s important – grieving your loss.

Bicyclist Killed by SUV

At around 8:50 P.M. on May 22, Las Vegas police were called out to Cheyenne Avenue after a bicyclist was struck by an SUV. Sadly, the biker was reportedly riding in a parking lot before he pulled out into the street. Initial reports suggest that the 22-year-old male may have pulled out into traffic right into the path of the SUV.

Once the bicycle pulled out, the SUV struck the cyclist. The 39-year-old female driver of the SUV stayed at the scene of the crash and called the authorities. She wasn’t injured, but the biker was in serious condition. Once emergency responders arrived at the scene, they attempted to perform life-saving medical care on the male. He was rushed to the University Medical Center, but he was unfortunately declared deceased.

Initial investigations suggest that neither the cyclist nor the motorist appeared to be intoxicated when the crash occurred. Sadly, this recent incident was the 52nd traffic-related fatality in Metro’s jurisdiction since the beginning of 2023.

Who is Liable After a Fatal Bicycle Accident?

Courtrooms in Nevada operate on a modified comparative negligence standard. Under this type of arrangement, the surviving loved ones can seek out financial compensation after a fatal bicycle accident so long as the bicyclist wasn’t more at fault for the accident than the other driver.

In general, the surviving loved ones will experience a reduced amount of compensation depending on the percentage of fault attributed to the biker.

For instance, if courtrooms determine that the motor vehicle driver was 100% at fault for the crash, then they’ll pay 100% of the damages. If the driver was 75% at fault and the biker was 25% at fault, then you can expect the driver to only pay about 75% of the overall losses associated with the crash.

If your family is experiencing significant financial losses after a fatal accident, then it makes sense to investigate what caused the incident. To find out, it’s best to request a copy of the original police report to see what the authorities determined. It’s also a good idea to sift through other types of evidence like any dash cam footage or eyewitness testimony.

What Losses Can Get Recovered Through a Personal Injury Claim?

Fatal bicycle accidents often result in a whole host of losses for the loved ones of the deceased. Depending on the circumstances of the crash and the deceased’s relationship to their surviving loved ones, compensation may be available in the form of:

Medical bills prior to your loved one’s passing
Funeral costs
Property damage to the bicycle
Loss of spousal or parental support
Pain and suffering

If you believe that your loved one’s fatal accident was caused by someone else, then it’s important for you to research your legal options and rights. You may be able to seek out compensation so that you can focus on what’s most important – grieving your loss and moving forward.

To discuss your situation in more detail with one of our best lawyers, schedule a consultation with our firm now.

Plane Crash Near Boulder City Leaves 2 Injured

At around 1:30 PM on August 26th, a small plane plummeted to Earth and smashed into the ground near the Townsite Solar project in Las Vegas. According to officials, no solar equipment was damaged in the accident, but two individuals were aboard the plane at the time of impact.

The crash reportedly happened near I-11 and mile marker 12. The plane was a single-engine General Aviation GmbH. It remains unclear what caused the aircraft to spiral out of control, but the two passengers did endure some minor injuries. Right now, the entire incident is under investigation by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.

While these instances are rare, it’s important for you to understand your rights if you ever decide to fly in a private aircraft. Learn more about plane-related accidents and injuries below.

Who is Liable After a Private Plane Accident?

Thankfully, the plane accident described above only resulted in minor injuries and little damage to the crash zone. The plane itself took the brunt of the collision, so most of the losses associated with this accident are confined to the damage to the plane itself and the minor injuries sustained by the passengers.

Reading about a story like the one above might have you wondering – who is liable after a private plane accident? It might surprise you to learn that multiple parties might be legally responsible for the losses associated with a private plane accident depending on what caused the accident. Potentially liable parties could include:

The operator of the private aircraft
The owner of the private aircraft
The airplane manufacturer
A combination of the operator, owner, and manufacturer

To identify who is responsible, you’ll need to know who was negligent or failed to uphold their duty of care towards you as a passenger.

If you’ve recently been involved in a private plane accident, then it’s important to learn more about your injuries and options. While this article describes the passenger’s injuries as “minor,” it’s hard to imagine that serious injuries didn’t result from plummeting to the Earth from the sky at high speeds. If you get involved in a crash, then make sure to get a full medical physical. From there, it’s a good idea to talk with a good lawyer about what happened.

Are You Looking for Legal Advice After a Personal Injury Accident in Las Vegas?

A quality personal injury accident lawyer can help you better understand your legal options. They’ll help investigate what caused the accident, which will help you identify the potentially liable parties. Then, they’ll do the work to ensure that you have all the documentation and proof you need to back up your claims. From there, they’ll help you file all the legal paperwork you need to file a claim.

Are you ready to get started? Here at LV Personal Injury Lawyers, our experts have years of experience representing clients like yourself. Schedule a consultation with our office now to learn more about your options after your accident.

3-Year-Old Fatally Struck in Neighborhood Accident

A horrific tragedy occurred in a Las Vegas neighborhood at around 5:20 PM on August 11th. According to initial reports, a 36-year-old male driver was on Roxella Lane in an SUV. He was reportedly dropping off a few passengers at a residence on the 500 block. After dropping off his passengers, he reportedly attempted to make a U-turn in the middle of the road.

Suddenly, it’s alleged that a young 3-year-old boy ran out into the middle of the street unattended.

The vehicle struck the young boy. It’s reported that the child may have been run over by the left front tire. 911 was immediately called, and emergency responders rushed the child to the Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center. Unfortunately, the boy passed away moments after getting to the facility.

It’s important to note that authorities do not suspect impairment played any role in the accident.

Wrongful Death: Who is Liable for the Fallout?

A tragedy like the one described above is devastating for everyone involved. Not only has a precious life been taken too soon, but it appears that the driver in question was not driving recklessly when the accident occurred. What’s more, the child who ran into the road was unaware of the dangers.

Despite these factors, the tragedy remains, and the loss of the youngster will likely cause a windfall of losses for the family. How’s so? The family will need to pay for funeral costs, any medical costs incurred prior to the passing, and more. Even worse, the emotional scars and pain and suffering will likely make it difficult for the parents to continue to work and function normally for an extended period of time.

For that reason, it’s always advised that you reach out to a lawyer after a tragedy like the one described above. A wrongful death lawyer not only understands the sensitive nature of the situation you’re going through, but they’ll also be skilled in looking over the details of your case and determining whether a lawsuit is worth pursuing.

If you do have the basis for a claim, then a good lawyer will handle the legal details of your case while you take the time you need to grieve and be with your family.

How LV Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You Move Forward

Losing a loved one is hard enough on its own, but your grief can be even more complicated when someone else’s actions have led to your loved one’s passing. It is normal to initially want to put all the blame on the other person.

A good wrongful death lawyer will help you determine if that placed blame is warranted and whether it could lead to a successful claim or not. If you do have the basis for a claim, then your lawyer will help you better understand what to do next.

Are you interested in learning more about your legal options after your loved one experienced a fatal accident? Request a consultation with our firm now to learn more about how our lawyers can help.

Las Vegas Community Grieves After Fatal Bike Accident

At around 8:20 A.M. on May 15, a 31-year-old man was hit by an SUV around North Las Vegas Park. The victim, Ben Black, reportedly rode his bike around the park every day, twice a day. He would ride in the morning, and he would ride in the evening. Often, he’d bring along his one-year-old son who would sit in a red booster bike seat. His son was not with him on the morning of the crash.

According to initial reports, intoxication was not a factor, but it is suspected that the driver was speeding at the time of the crash.

To help spread awareness and prevent future tragedies, the Ghost Bikes Las Vegas organization placed a white bike in the area. The monument will serve as a reminder for motorists and bikers to be cautious and vigilant while driving. Per Nevada Law, vehicles must give bike riders 3 feet of space on the road.

Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Worth Pursuing?

A wrongful death situation is traumatic for those who survive the ordeal. Not only will survivors have to grieve the untimely death of their loved one, but they’ll also have to deal with a windfall of financial losses, too. The whole situation can get extremely complicated very fast.

For many, a wrongful death lawsuit is the last thing on their mind. For others, the idea of getting justice and receiving compensation for the losses they’ve endured is crucial. Without it, they may not be able to get back up on their feet for a long time. After all, the losses in a wrongful death suit are often pretty substantial including things like:

The costs of medical care prior to passing away
Funeral expenses
Loss of spousal support
Loss of consortium
Pain and suffering

While you likely do not want to spend your time pursuing a lawsuit in what’s arguably one of the hardest moments in your life, it might be necessary to ensure you get the financial support you deserve during your time of need.

Are You Looking for a Wrongful Death Attorney in Las Vegas?

The good news is that if you hire the right wrongful death attorney in Las Vegas, then you won’t have to deal with the ins-and-outs of a wrongful death lawsuit alone. The best lawyer will understand and respect your situation. They’ll allow you the space you need to grieve while also ensuring that everything gets taken care of when it comes to the legal aspects of your case.

Considering your situation, you likely do not want to spend hours researching various firms in Vegas attempting to find the right one to help you. Here at LV Personal Injury Lawyers, we strive to ensure every one of our clients gets our full respect, attention, and compassion. We know you’re going through a lot, so let us help by taking care of the legal aspects of the situation.

Contact our office now to discuss your situation in more detail with one of our attorneys.

Impaired Pahrump Driver Dies in Rollover Driving Incident

Las Vegas sees its fair share of alcohol and drug-impaired drivers. Earlier this month, an impaired driver was killed in a single-vehicle accident at South Durango Drive and West Badura Avenue. It is believed that the driver lost control, causing their 1990 Nissan Pathfinder to roll over. The driver died at the scene.

Fatal crashes don’t need to involve more than one vehicle when the driver loses control. Particularly when it involves alcohol or drug impairment, single-vehicle crashes often result in fatalities.

According to a study conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, drivers with blood alcohol levels of more than 0.15% are three times as likely to die in a single-vehicle accident than their non-drinking counterparts.

The Perfect Storm

We know that drinking and driving creates an added risk of a fatal accident. Add the rollover risk of an SUV, and you have a recipe for disaster.

While most people believe that SUVs are safer than passenger vehicles, the opposite may be true. SUV rollovers account for approximately 11,000 fatalities each year. Even the most sober driver can cause an SUV spinout or rollover if they attempt to maintain control by overcorrecting. Unfortunately, adding driver impairment to the mix never helps.

Anatomy of an SUV Rollover

From a design standpoint, SUVs are far more likely to result in single-vehicle rollovers. Given their higher center of gravity and narrower wheelbase than a typical passenger vehicle, SUVs are more prone to “tripping” accidents when a driver veers to avoid an obstacle, drives off the side shoulder of a highway, or even hits a curb. SUV design makes it inherently difficult to recover control in these scenarios.

Safety Experts Have Warned Manufacturers of Dangers

Over the decades that SUVs have become the preferred vehicles of soccer moms and families, experts have warned manufacturers of their dangers. A large study showed that SUVs were five times more likely to roll over in an accident than passenger vehicles. But manufacturers have been slow to address these dangers.

For those involved in SUV rollover accidents, common injuries and fatalities often involve roof crushes. When SUVs became common road vehicles instead of the original off-road intent, manufacturers did away with some of the utility design elements such as roll bars.

Consequently, most SUVs on the road lack adequate roof reinforcement, causing the support pillars to collapse in a rollover accident.

An SUV in these accidents basically gets crushed like a can when stepped on. This can cause seatbelts, fastened to the roof, to malfunction and windows to break. This means that occupants are often either crushed or get thrown from the vehicle during an SUV rollover.

While driving while impaired is never a good idea, we can surmise that the fatally injured driver in the single-vehicle rollover of earlier this month may have had a better chance of survival if they hadn’t been driving an SUV.

Getting Legal Assistance

If you have been involved in an SUV rollover accident, the personal injury team LV Personal Injury Lawyers may be able to help you recover compensation for your injuries.

Contact us or call us at (702) 800-4660 to schedule a no-cost consultation.

Tow-Truck Driver Killed in Hit-and-Run

The Nevada Highway Patrol recently arrested a suspect that caused a hit-and-run accident resulting in the death of a tow-truck driver on I-215. The tow-truck driver was a 48-year-old male.

The Crash

In the evening, the victim was working on the shoulder of westbound I-215 when the suspect’s car drifted onto the right shoulder. It struck the tow-truck driver. He was transported to UMC Trauma but was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Vehicle Accidents

Fatal vehicle accidents are common in Nevada. In 2020 alone, 314 fatalities occurred. Many accidents happen over and over due to the following:

Distracted driving
Speeding
Under the influence of alcohol, legal prescription medications, or illegal drugs
Driving while tired or upset.

These are readily avoidable. By driving sober and when not tired, paying attention, and not speeding, motorists can avoid a large percentage of vehicle accidents, both fatal and non-fatal.

What Happens if You Get in an Accident?

This latest accident gives us a chance to review what you should do if you’re involved in a car accident. First, check to make sure you’re not injured. If you are and can do so, call 911 for help. If you’re seriously injured, don’t move, and wait for emergency medical services to arrive. If you can move, get to the side of the road and out of traffic. Use your car if it can be driven. Otherwise, leave it and get to safety. Once safe, call 911 to report the accident.

If both parties are able, exchange relevant contact information, like identification, phone numbers, and insurance information. Take photos of the vehicles and the area where the accident occurred. When the police arrive, ask for their badge ID and request copies of the police report.

Getting Compensated

About ninety percent of motorists in Nevada have auto insurance, so if you’re involved in an accident where the other person is at fault, they should have insurance coverage to pay for it. Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t always pay what they owe.

Talking to your own insurer or with the insurance company of the other driver is not wise. Insurers don’t look out for your best interest. They care about profits and paying you what they owe hurts their bottom line. You could unintentionally say something and jeopardize your right to receive full compensation. That’s where we at LV Personal Injury Lawyers come in.

We’ll take your case and work hard to ensure that you get fully compensated for your injuries. This compensation includes medical expenses, future medical expenses, lost wages, future lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain, and suffering, and other losses. Under some circumstances, you can get punitive damages because of the recklessness of the other driver.

Give Us a Call

If you’ve been in a vehicle accident and are injured, don’t go it alone. At LV Personal Injury Lawyers, we have the experience and knowledge to work with insurance companies and negotiate or litigate as hard as possible to get you the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today to get the help you deserve.

Can Firefighters Sue for Injuries When Responding to an Incident?

Firefighters put themselves at risk every day – both fighting fires and responding to medical emergencies.

For example, say that a maintenance worker at a manufacturing company is working on repairing the hatch opening to an underground vault. The worker slips and falls into the vault, which stores chemical equipment. A co-worker nearby notices and calls 911.

Firefighters, who are also emergency medical technicians, rush to the scene. One of the firefighters, seeing the worker is seriously injured, jumps into the vault. She doesn’t see a glass bottle of acid that another maintenance worker carelessly left on the floor, in violation of safety regulations. The firefighter’s foot lands on the glass bottle, and she suffers severe damage to her ankle and foot.

She suffers much from the injury. It prevents her from walking her dog and easily performing everyday tasks like driving or cleaning the house. The question is, can the firefighter sue the manufacturing company for personal injury?

Firefighter’s Rule in Nevada

The answer is maybe. A traditional legal principle that governs this scenario is called the firefighter’s rule. Basically, it states that a firefighter responding to an emergency can’t sue the caller if injured when responding to the caller’s situation. The rationale is that firefighters are doing what they are paid to do – responding to dangerous and risky situations. They shouldn’t be able to sue if they end up getting injured when doing so. But there are exceptions.

In Nevada, the firefighter’s rule is codified in the Nevada Revised Statutes section 41.139. It states in relevant part:

“A firefighter may bring … an action for damages for personal injury caused … by another person’s lack of ordinary care … if the conduct causing the injury … violated a regulation.”

In this case, one of the manufacturing company employees carelessly left a glass bottle of acid on the floor. This may be a violation of Nevada OSHA regulations. So perhaps the firefighter can sue, as she may meet the requirements for an exception to the state’s firefighter rule statute.

However, the analysis doesn’t stop there. The Nevada Supreme Court appears to have taken a dim view of exceptions to the firefighter’s rule. It stated that Nevada Revised Statute 41.139(1) :

“was intended to narrow the firefighter’s rule to permit recovery in instances where recovery was previously precluded…. Although not explicitly stated in NRS 41.139(1), the legislative history of the statute clearly indicates the Legislature only intended the statute to apply where the injury was caused by the event giving rise to the public servant’s presence.” (Emphasis added). Moody v. Manny’s Auto Repair, 110 Nev. 320, 325-26 (Nev. 1994).

The statement that the codified firefighter rule only applies where “the injury was caused by the event giving rise” to the firefighter’s presence seems to narrow the exception in the statute, which allows liability if there was a violation of law or regulation – in this case, safety.

Call Us Today

The law of the firefighter’s rule and its exceptions, codified and then seemingly modified by the Nevada Supreme Court, has become complicated. If you’re a firefighter and get injured responding to a fire or medical emergency, call us today.

Our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys know the ins-and-outs of the law and stand by to help you with your claim.