Speeding-related car accidents in Nevada are one of the top causes of crashes. According to Zero Fatalities, there have already been 263 fatalities as of August 31, 2024, with speeding and impairment as the top contributing factors — 188 of these deadly crashes took place in Clark County. 
Being injured in a speed-related car accident can result in severe life-changing injuries and death. It is crucial to seek expert legal advice from Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, after being involved in a crash where you or a loved one are injured. Our experienced Las Vegas attorneys help ensure you receive maximum compensation for your speeding accident claim.

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    Nevada Speeding Laws And Regulations

    A car speeding down the road.

    The majority of Nevada speeding laws are considered traffic infractions, not criminal offenses. If someone is caught speeding, they are issued a ticket, pay the fine, and have points added to their license. 

    Nevada has a “basic speeding law,” which means people should drive at speeds that are considered reasonable with regard to road conditions and traffic. This “basic law” also prohibits excessive speeding that could endanger others and cause injuries, death, or property damages. 

    Nevada also has an “absolute speeding law,” which requires people not to drive at any speed above the posted speed limit. Additionally, drivers are not allowed to drive at speeds faster than 80 mph. 

    The criminal speeding offenses in Nevada include:

    • Reckless driving
    • Driving under the influence
    • Vehicular manslaughter
    • Hit-and-run accidents

    Each of these offenses can carry license points, potential suspensions, and varying fines and jail time. 

    Liability in Speeding-Related Car Accidents

    Nevada is an at-fault state, meaning whoever is liable for causing the car accident is also responsible for personal injuries and property damages they caused to others. How to determine fault in a car accident when speeding is involved usually means the speeding driver is deemed responsible. Speeding is considered a type of negligent behavior. If the injured party can establish speeding was the cause of the accident, it can be easier to prove the other party is liable for their injuries and property damages. 

    Criminal Penalties For Speeding In Nevada

    The penalties for speeding in Nevada are considered a civil infraction and result in fines and points being added to one’s driver’s license. However, for criminal driving offenses, the criminal penalties can vary depending on the specific circumstances. For example, a first reckless driving offense could include fines of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. 

    Additionally, Rex’s Law went into effect on July 1, 2023, and has harsher penalties for reckless drivers, as follows:

    • One to six years in prison for speeding up to 50 mph over the posted speed limit
    • One to 10 years in jail for speeding over 50 mph over the posted speed limit

    The law also applies to drivers speeding in school zones, pedestrian safety zones, and crosswalks. 

    Insurance Implications For Accidents Caused By Speeding

    If you are at fault for a speeding accident, your insurance will cover any injuries and property damage you caused up to your coverage limits. Your insurance rates will also increase depending on the type of accident and the number of points added to your license. In certain cases, you could be deemed a high-risk driver and be required to pay even more for insurance coverage. 

    How Speeding Affects Fault In Nevada Car Accidents

    Speeding is a top contributor to car accidents in Nevada. 30% of Nevada car accident fatalities from 2017 – 2021 were caused by speeding. 72% of those crashes occurred in urban areas, while 28% occurred in rural areas. In addition, over the past decade, there has been a steady increase in car accidents caused by speeding.

    If you were speeding at the time of the accident, and the injured party can prove this, they have essentially won their case. Nevada considers speeding negligent behavior. Negligence occurs when one person fails to use reasonable caution and care when driving. 

    Drivers have a duty of care to one another. Failing to fulfill that duty can result in you being liable for any injuries and property damage from a car accident, especially if you were speeding. 

    Defending Against Speeding Charges After A Car Accident

    There are different defenses one can use when attempting to fight speeding charges as well as their responsibility for the car accident. One common defense used is based on Nevada’s comparative negligence law

    If you can prove the other driver was also speeding at the time of the crash, then they could be found to be partially at fault. This would reduce the amount of compensation they could receive. Yet, if you can prove you were both 50% at fault, then they would not be able to seek damages against you since they were also speeding. 

    You could also question who hit whom. Even if you were speeding at the time of the accident, if they hit you, they could be considered at fault or mostly at fault. 

    Another defense that could be used is the amount of traffic congestion on the road at the time of the accident. If it can be established other drivers were speeding as well or acting negligently, their actions may have contributed to the accident.  

    You could even argue mechanical failures as a defense against speeding. However, you must be able to prove the vehicle failed in some manner, resulting in the car speeding out of control. 

    Steps To Take After A Speeding-Related Accident

    Nevada law requires all accidents where someone is injured, dies, or there is property damage to be reported immediately by calling 911, so this should be your first step. You should also request medical help for any injuries for yourself or others involved in the accident. Other steps to follow are:

    • Seek medical treatment even if your injuries seem minor
    • Document the accident scene by taking pictures and video of the vehicles involved, their damages, and the area around the scene
    • Exchange insurance and contact information with the other driver
    • Obtain contact information for any witnesses
    • Look for any traffic cameras or video cameras on nearby businesses or homes
    • File a police report and obtain a police report number
    • Notify your insurance company of the accident
    • Schedule a free consultation with a Las Vegas injury attorney as soon as possible

    Call (702) 382-0000 For a Free Consultation

    Hiring A Lawyer For Speeding Accident Cases In Nevada

    Hiring a lawyer for assistance after a speeding accident in Nevada where you were injured can make it much easier to secure the compensation you deserve. Having legal representation provides you with several benefits, including:

    • Properly value the amount of compensation you could receive
    • Knows how to prove speeding in a car accident
    • Collect evidence to support your claim and show the other party was negligent
    • Can call on experts to assist in building your case
    • Handles all negotiations with the insurance company for a favorable settlement
    • Will aggressively litigate your case at trial if necessary
    • Can help you pursue civil actions against the responsible party when they lack insufficient insurance coverage

    Nevada Statutes On Speeding And Reckless Driving Injury Claims

    The Nevada statutes that cover speeding and reckless driving are covered in NRS 484B and are found in NRS 484B.600 through NRS 484B.637 and NRS 484B.650 through NRS 484B.657. 

    Regarding your right to file an injury claim against the responsible party, you usually have two years from the accident date, as covered in NRS 11.190. However, there can be exceptions, like if the accident involved a government agency or the injured party was a minor. Therefore, it is imperative to speak to a Las Vegas car accident lawyer as soon as possible. 

    Get Help Filing Your Car Accident Injury Claim Today

    If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident caused by a speeding driver, speak with one of our car accident injury attorneys for sound legal advice before talking to the insurance companies. At Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, we provide a free case evaluation and consultation. 

    We will advise you on how best to proceed with your injury claim. Our goal is to provide the support and guidance you need during this difficult time while helping you obtain the monetary compensation you deserve. 

    Call (702) 382-0000 For a Free Consultation

    Speeding in Nevada FAQs

    What Are The Penalties For Causing A Car Accident Due To Speeding In Nevada?

    You could face a speeding ticket, points on your license, and insurance rate increases. You could also be charged with a criminal offense if you were driving under the influence, driving recklessly, or killing someone. Car accident criminal offenses can include fines and prison time. 

    How Does Speeding Affect Liability In Nevada Car Accident Claims?

    Generally, speeding is viewed as negligent behavior, making the driver liable and at fault for a car accident. If the injured party can prove the other driver was speeding when the accident occurred, it usually means they have won their claim. 

    Can I Be Sued If I Was Speeding And Caused A Car Accident In Nevada?

    You can be sued in civil court if you were speeding and caused a car accident that resulted in personal injuries, property damages, or death. It is important to note this is a separate legal action from any potential criminal charges you could face. 

    Adam S. Kutner reviews and testimonials

    “We were in a car accident – we were coming off of the interstate and were waiting – yielding at the exit and a car sped through the exit and smacked us in the rear.

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    They contacted us saying you know, explain the process on how the settlement gets done and about a week after that happened we had our settlement which was great and in my opinion Adam S. Kutner is the best attorney in Las Vegas.”

    – Janae Reynolds. 5/5 Stars

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      Adam s. Kutner - las vegas car accident lawyer
      Adam S. Kutner
      PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER

      With more than 33 years of experience fighting for victims of personal injury in the Las Vegas Valley, attorney Adam S. Kutner knows his way around the Nevada court system and how to get clients their settlement promptly and trouble-free.