With so many states enacting new cell phone laws, it’s hard to keep track. Some people aren’t sure anymore about what they can and cannot do in Nevada. It’s not like the states are putting new laws into place for the fun of it. They realize just how dangerous distracted driving can be. They want to find a way to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on the road.
With this in mind, it’s worth it to take a look at the cell phone laws in Nevada. In 2012, the state decided to take a look at distracted driving statistics. They found that over 3,500 people had died the year before in distracted driving accidents.
Knowing how staggering these numbers are, Nevada examined the reasons behind the statistics. They found the following:
- You are 4 times more likely to crash while talking on a cell phone and driving
- Talking on the phone or texting can delay reaction times as much as drunk driving
- Police reports don’t document all distracted driving accidents because there’s no way to know every incidence
- The number of fatalities and injuries is probably much higher than 3,500 a year
Because of these factors, Nevada enacted a law in 2012 that prohibits texting and talking on any handheld device.
Car Accident Lawyers in Las Vegas, Nevada Know the Law
It’s important for car accident lawyers in Las Vegas to understand the cell phone laws in Nevada. In order to help their clients, they need to know what the rules are. As long as everyone plays by the same rules, the playing field will be fair.
The cell phone laws in Nevada are as follows:
- Texting, accessing the internet or talking on a handheld cell phone is illegal
- First offense is a fine of $50
- 2nd offense is $100 fine
- 3rd offense is $250 fine
- The 2nd and 3rd offenses do count as moving violations
- You can talk using a hands-free headset and while making calls, you are allowed to hit a button to start or end a call
Like all other states, Nevada has exceptions to the cell phone ban. These exceptions apply rarely. Usually, you’re going to be issued a ticket. If you qualify for one of the exceptions, you’ll probably need a lawyer to help you prove it.
Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyers Know the Exceptions to the Rule
In order to properly handle their cases, Las Vegas car accident lawyers need to understand the exceptions to the rule. If they file a claim against a defendant who was talking on the phone, they want to be able to submit this in court. If the defendant got a ticket for this offense, it serves as evidence of liability.
In order to anticipate any defenses, your car accident lawyer needs to be aware of the exceptions to the cell phone law. These exceptions are:
- Reporting a crime or medical emergency
- Using GPS that is voice activated
- Using two-way radio with separate headset
- Law enforcement officers and first responders
- Utility workers responding to emergency
If a defendant claims any of these exceptions, your lawyer will try to disprove it. It really depends on the circumstances of your case.
If a defendant receives a ticket for violating the cell phone laws, it almost counts as per se evidence of liability. Your lawyer will take full advantage of this. However, if the defendant qualified for an exception, your lawyer has to account for this too.
Should You Call an Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas?
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you need to contact an accident lawyer in Las Vegas. If the other driver was talking on his cell phone at the time of the accident, your lawyer will find out. He can check to see if any tickets were issued to the defendant.
The defendant will have an attorney too. His attorney will try to prove that the defendant was not at fault. Part of this includes proving that his client wasn’t guilty of violating the Nevada cell phone laws.
The general rule is to use common sense when driving. Just because you can technically talk on a phone that isn’t a handheld device, doesn’t mean you should. If you know it’s dangerous, don’t do it. It’s that simple.
A lot of accidents can be prevented. If people put their cell phones away while they’re driving, the number of accidents would go way down. Call and schedule your free initial consultation today. Let an experienced accident lawyer in Las Vegas review your case.
