After getting into a car accident I called Barbara and it was the best decision I ever made. She is amazing! I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer to represent me. She got me the best settlement to pay back my medi...
The fight with insurance companies is just as hard as fighting for your life after an accident. As long as you dont give up on yourself Barbara will fight for you. The staff at Kidwell and Gallagher were great as well. I...
These two are specialists in two related fields, personal injury and workmen’s comp. Both they and their staff were VERY responsive to me and my questions, and handled my case with patience and competence. I would,...
I feel like kidwell & Gallagher went above and beyond for me. Craig himself and his staff are so nice and helpful. I would highly recommend this law office for your workmans comp/injury needs. You will not be disappo...
The best place to go if you need good hometown lawyers. They are very informative and kept us updated on what was going to happen through out our case.
Was the best experience, we told them the problem and they took over everything, was such a relief. Always there to answer any questions and help is fast is possible.
I was at my job mountain crew changes there in the basement of kidwell and Gallagher
They weren’t able to help with my case, but they directed me to someone who could.
Navigating daily traffic involves adhering to numerous regulations and legal terms that are often misunderstood. One such term is the driving violation, which frequently prompts the question: “What is a moving violation?” A moving violation occurs when a driver breaks a traffic law while operating a vehicle in motion. Common examples include speeding, running red lights, failing to yield, and reckless driving. These infractions carry fines, demerit points, and higher insurance premiums.
When a moving violation contributes to a collision, a car accident lawyer in Reno can protect your rights and pursue fair compensation. At Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers, we help injured Nevadans understand how traffic infractions affect their cases and what to do next.
A moving violation covers any violation of those rules that occurs while a vehicle operates on a public road, such as exceeding posted speed limits, failing to yield, making illegal turns, or following another vehicle too closely. Each conviction adds demerit points to a driver’s license, which the Nevada DMV tracks on your record. A single point comes from minor offenses like going 1 to 10 mph over the limit, while more serious offenses can add eight or more points at once.
Our blog Is a Citation a Ticket? Understanding the Key Differences clarifies how each type of enforcement action affects your record.
Many Reno drivers confuse moving and non-moving violations because both generate fines. The key difference comes down to whether the vehicle was moving and whether the offense adds points to your license.
Moving violations:
Non-moving violations:
Drivers in Reno who accumulate 12 or more demerit points within 12 months risk license suspension, per the Nevada DMV Driver’s License Points schedule. The most common point-bearing offenses include:
Nevada records demerit points on your driving record upon conviction or uncontested payment of a moving violation. While point values remain constant, fines double for infractions in school or construction zones.
Commercial vehicle operators face stricter federal standards alongside state penalties. Teen drivers with a learner’s permit or provisional license may reach suspension faster, as Nevada applies shorter timelines for younger drivers.
A moving violation directly shapes what you pay for auto insurance. According to the Nevada Division of Insurance 2025 Auto Insurance Guide, insurers review your driving record when you apply for coverage, examining accidents and traffic violations from the preceding three to five years. Carriers may also request a motor vehicle report from the Nevada DMV to verify your history. Drivers with previous violations are considered higher risk and charged higher rates. Getting pulled over without your license in Nevada can add another layer of complexity to an already costly traffic stop.
The guide notes that your driving record represents the greatest controllable factor in determining your premium. See How a Stop Sign Violation Affects Your Insurance Rates for a closer look at how specific citations affect what you pay.
Still asking yourself, What is a moving violation and how does it affect your case? A citation can lead to points, higher premiums, and legal liability for years. When injuries occur, Reno drivers need an attorney who understands Nevada traffic law.
Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers serves injured Nevadans across Reno, Elko, and surrounding communities with decades of combined experience. We offer free consultations and charge no fees unless we win. Call (775) 323-2667 today to speak with a Reno car accident lawyer.
Craig W. Kidwell is the managing partner of Kidwell & Gallagher, Ltd., and exclusively represents injured workers in Nevada. Mr. Kidwell has been practicing workers’ compensation law in Nevada since 1999 and has acted as lead counsel on over 2,000 contested workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Kidwell represents injured workers in Nevada through all stages of Nevada’s complex worker’s compensation system. Craig regularly appears in all levels of Nevada’s administrative workers’ compensation system and has represented injured workers in Nevada’s districts and Supreme Court.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Managing Partner, Craig W. Kidwell who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.