August brings some of the busiest summer travel days to Southern Nevada. Tourists visiting Las Vegas frequently make the trip to Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and Arizona, bringing increased traffic through Boulder City and along the U.S. 93 corridor. When a US-93 tourist car accident happens, the consequences can be serious. A crash involving an out-of-state driver may also raise questions about insurance coverage, liability, evidence, and where a claim should be handled.
If you were injured in a Hoover Dam distracted driving collision on US-93, Boulder City Parkway, or another road near Hoover Dam or Lake Mead, understanding your rights can help you protect your ability to seek Lake Mead traffic accident compensation. Read on for this guide from the Boulder City auto accident lawyer team at The Paul Powell Law Firm.
US-93 Tourist Car Accident: Why Late Summer Is Dangerous
US-93 is an important travel route connecting Southern Nevada with the Hoover Dam area and Arizona. Nevada transportation officials identify the corridor through Boulder City and toward Hoover Dam as part of the region’s broader highway network.
Although the opening of Interstate 11 provided a bypass around much of Boulder City and helped reduce congestion, drivers still use US-93 and Boulder City Parkway to reach local destinations, Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and surrounding attractions. Late-summer tourism can create additional challenges, including the following.
Unfamiliar Drivers
Tourists may be unfamiliar with Boulder City’s streets, highway entrances, turns, traffic patterns, and recreational destinations. A driver who is simultaneously trying to identify a turnoff or follow GPS directions may fail to recognize slowing traffic or changing road conditions.
GPS and Distracted Driving
Navigation apps can be useful, but looking down at a phone while driving creates an obvious safety risk. A motorist may miss a stop, drift from a lane, fail to maintain a safe following distance, or react too slowly to congestion.
Nevada law generally requires drivers to operate their vehicles safely. When distracted driving causes a collision, evidence of that distraction may become important when determining liability.
Rental Cars and Tourists
Rental vehicles can present additional questions after a crash. The driver may live hundreds or thousands of miles away, while the rental company may be based in another state or have a separate claims process. That does not mean an injured Nevada driver has to handle the claim alone.
RVs, Trailers, and Large Vehicles
The Lake Mead and Hoover Dam areas attract travelers towing boats, personal watercraft, campers, and other recreational equipment. Larger vehicles and trailers can require additional stopping distance and maneuvering room.
A driver who is unfamiliar with towing may have difficulty responding to sudden traffic changes, increasing the potential for rear-end crashes, sideswipes, or other collisions.
What If the At-Fault Driver Lives in Another State?
One of the most common concerns after an out-of-state driver crash in Nevada is whether the victim can pursue a claim when the other motorist lives somewhere else. In many cases, the answer is yes.
The fact that the other driver has an Arizona, California, Utah, or other out-of-state driver’s license does not eliminate your ability to pursue compensation for an accident that occurred in Nevada.
It can matter from a practical standpoint, but an out-of-state driver’s residence does not automatically prevent you from pursuing a Nevada accident claim.
For a person injured in Boulder City, the most important first step is usually determining who was responsible and what insurance coverage is available.
The circumstances of the collision, applicable Nevada law, insurance policies, and other facts will determine how the claim should proceed.
An out-of-state driver’s insurance company may also have its own procedures for handling Boulder City auto accident claims. That can make communication more complicated, particularly when the insurer begins requesting recorded statements, medical records, vehicle information, or other documentation.
An out-of-state driver crash lawyer in NV can help determine what information should be provided and how to protect your interests during the claims process.
US-93 Tourist Car Accident: Out-of-State Drivers
Nevada requires qualifying motor vehicles registered in the state to carry liability insurance. Under NRS 485.185, Nevada’s minimum liability limits are currently:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in a crash
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in a crash
- $20,000 for injury to or destruction of property belonging to others
However, an out-of-state driver’s insurance policy may be subject to the requirements of the driver’s home state and the specific terms of the policy.
This is one reason an accident involving a nonresident driver should not automatically be treated like a simple claim between two Nevada motorists.
An injured person may also have potential coverage through their insurance policy, depending on the circumstances and applicable coverage. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can become particularly important when the at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient to cover the victim’s losses.
What If a Tour Bus or Commercial Vehicle Causes the Crash?
A collision involving a commercial tour bus, shuttle, or other transportation company can introduce additional legal and insurance considerations.
For example, the investigation may need to determine:
- Who owned the vehicle?
- Who was driving it?
- Was the driver an employee or independent contractor?
- Which company operated the tour?
- Was another company responsible for maintenance?
- What insurance policies apply?
- Were there passengers who witnessed the collision?
- Does the company have electronic or video evidence?
- Were there driver hours, training, or qualification issues relevant to the crash?
Nevada’s NRS 41.130 provides for liability for personal injury caused by wrongful act, neglect, or default and addresses circumstances in which an employer or corporation responsible for an employee’s conduct may also be liable.
Bus accidents can involve substantially more evidence than a typical two-car collision.
US-93 Tourist Car Accident: Nevada Comparative Negligence
Insurance companies may sometimes argue that the injured driver was partially responsible for a crash.
Nevada follows a comparative negligence system. Under NRS 41.141, a plaintiff’s negligence does not automatically prevent recovery when it is not greater than the negligence of the defendant or defendants against whom recovery is sought. When recovery is permitted, the damages can be reduced according to the plaintiff’s percentage of negligence.
For example, if a jury determines that a person suffered $100,000 in damages but was 20% responsible for the accident, the recovery could be reduced to $80,000 under the statute.
This makes evidence particularly important when an insurance company disputes fault.
Photos, police reports, vehicle damage, witness statements, surveillance footage, cellphone evidence, medical records, and accident reconstruction evidence may all help establish what happened.
How Long Do You Have to File a Nevada Car Accident Lawsuit?
Nevada generally provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from the wrongful act or neglect of another person.
NRS 11.190(4)(e) states that an action to recover damages for personal injury or death caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another generally must be commenced within two years, subject to exceptions that may apply to particular cases.
Do not wait until the deadline is approaching before speaking with a Boulder City Parkway crash attorney. Important evidence can become harder to obtain as time passes, witnesses may become difficult to locate, and insurance issues can take time to resolve.
Different deadlines can apply in particular circumstances, including claims involving governmental entities or other special defendants.
Injured in a US-93 Tourist Car Accident? We Can Help
A summer road trip should end with memories—not medical bills, vehicle repairs, and an insurance dispute.
If you were injured in a US-93 tourist car accident in Boulder City, whether the other driver was a local resident, out-of-state tourist, rental-car driver, or commercial tour operator, you may have legal options for pursuing compensation.
The Boulder City personal injury lawyers at The Paul Powell Law Firm can help investigate your accident, identify potentially responsible parties, deal with insurance companies, and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to under Nevada law.
To speak with a US-93 tourist car accident lawyer from The Paul Powell Law Firm today, call us, communicate with our LiveChat agents, or submit your case details through our encrypted contact form. Great Results. Lightning Fast.™
The information on this blog is for general information purposes only. Nothing herein should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.