It is no surprise that the fast-food drive-thru is a convenience that is welcomed with open arms across the United States, including Nevada. When the days are cold and snowy in the north, in cities such as Carson City, Elko, Reno, and Sparks, fast-food drive-thrus provide drivers the ability to grab a quick meal without having to get out of their cars. When the months are hot, using a fast-food drive-thru means avoiding a short but sweltering time away from air conditioning when you are walking from your car through the parking lot to the fast-food chain’s lobby. For those of us who are busy parents, it is the quickest way to feed hungry kids without taking them out of car seats. Surprisingly, car accidents happen at fast-food drive-thrus all over America.
Fatal Las Vegas In-N-Out Accident
Because drive-thru traffic is slow – at best – many of us would not imagine it to be a risky or dangerous place to drive. In fact, many drivers and passengers spend most of their time waiting in line in their cars before slowly edging forward to the order or payment window. It is a rare instance when a fatal accident happens in the drive-thru line – or at fast-food chain restaurants in general. Given the large amount of fast-food chains across the country, however, there are bound to be some accidents.
Last December, however, a Las Vegas man was tragically killed in an unlikely accident that happened at a Utah In-N-Out Burger restaurant. All the fast-food restaurant diners were enjoying their meals when a car veered off of the sidewalk and slammed through one of the restaurant’s walls. The vehicle sped through the dining room and hit several people who were eating at their seats. Four individuals were taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital. Several others sought out medical treatment themselves. One of the four victims that were taken to the hospital by ambulance died from his injuries. The cause of the accident continues to remain under investigation by authorities.
Common Causes for Accidents
Typically, a fast-food drive-thru may not seem dangerous because cars are moving slowly through the lanes. Even if a car accident were to happen, it is unlikely significant injury or property damage would result from the slow-speed collision. That being said, the mere nature of a fast-food drive-thru setting being low risk can create behaviors that result in careless or reckless driving. This behavior can increase the risk of accidents to drivers and pedestrians nearby.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that every day, nine people are killed and more than 1,000 are injured in America due to distracted driving. Distracted driving is engaging in any activity that takes a driver’s attention away from the road. Examples of common distracted driving behaviors include:
- Texting;
- Making a call;
- Adjusting the car settings;
- Eating or drinking;
- Talking to passengers; or
- Using a phone application.
Texting while driving is considered the most dangerous type of distraction behind the wheel. This is because doing so can take the driver’s attention off the road for as much as five seconds – which does not seem like a long time, but is enough to cause a potentially fatal crash. While Nevada state legislators have tried to pass distracted driving bans in the state, they have yet to succeed.
Hire a Nevada Attorney
If you have suffered injuries due to a Nevada car accident that was caused by another, contact the attorneys at Matt Pfau Law Group. Our lawyers will fight for the compensation you deserve so you can focus on your health. Do not try to handle this on your own. Contact us today to schedule your initial case evaluation.
