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Interstate 15, known as the I-15, is the major interstate highway that connects Southern California and Las Vegas. It starts near the US-Mexico border in San Diego County and travels all the way to Alberta, Canada. Every year, millions of drivers travel along the stretch of I-15 that connects to Southern California. Unfortunately, not every driver makes it to his or her destination. If you get into an accident on the I-15, find out how to proceed with a claim.
The I-15 is one of America’s deadliest roads. Its nickname is the Highway to Hell. Car accidents on the I-15 cause thousands of serious injuries and kill dozens of victims each year. In a five-year study period, 173 people lost their lives in fatal accidents on the I-15. The stretch of highway running from Southern California to Las Vegas is 125 miles long. A combination of factors contributes to the risk level involved with driving along this stretch.
Nevada is a fault-based car accident state, meaning the person or party who caused the accident will have to pay for the victim’s damages through his or her insurance. Before you can recover benefits for your medical bills and property damages, however, you may need to prove fault through evidence such as a police report, eyewitness interviews, medical records, crash reconstruction, expert testimony or official photographs from the scene of the accident. A Las Vegas car accident lawyer may be necessary to help you determine who or what caused your accident on the I-15.
Your ability to recover compensation for your I-15 accident may depend on whether you can prove someone else’s fault for the crash. Do your best to collect information and evidence from the beginning to build a claim to money damages that is as strong as possible. While still at the scene of the car accident, retrieve the other driver’s name, phone number and insurance information. Call 911 so you will have an official police report describing your accident. The police can also cite the other driver if he or she broke a law, such as speeding or driving while intoxicated. This could serve as evidence during your claim later.
If the car accident gave you any injuries, go to a hospital near you. Even if you do not think you are injured, pay attention for signs of injuries in the hours or days after your collision. Injuries such as concussions and back injuries could have delayed symptoms, especially with the adrenaline of the accident masking pain. Call the other driver’s insurance company as soon as you can to file an initial claim. Before you resolve to settle your insurance claim yourself, however, discuss your case with a car accident attorney.
A serious auto accident may require a lawyer’s assistance during claim negotiations or an injury trial. If you were out of state when your crash happened, Nevada’s car accident and insurance laws will preside over your case instead of California’s. You will need a California attorney licensed in Nevada to handle your accident claim in this situation. Your lawyer will need knowledge and experience in Nevada car accident law to navigate your case. Nevada has different comparative fault rules, statutes of limitations and other laws involved in bringing a claim to damages than California. Contact a lawyer for assistance with the claims process as soon as you can after a crash on the I-15.