I had a terrible accident and my case was handled by Dallas Horton. They got me what I deserved and am happy with my settlement. They went above and beyond.
Car accidents can leave lasting physical and emotional trauma, especially when you are injured or a loved one is killed in the accident. Understanding what you need to do after being involved in a car accident in Las Vegas will help you defend any future legal claims you might need to file. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Las Vegas car accidents. Please reach out to us at the Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney Law Firm if you have any further questions.
A car accident can be traumatizing, and it's usually hard to think clearly afterward. Even so, the drivers involved in any car accident in Las Vegas must take the following procedures after a car accident occurs:
Although it is not compulsory, try to collect the contact details of any witnesses. Their statement could be crucial in identifying who is at fault. Also, take photos of the incident and take notes on what transpired on your cell phone. Maybe the other motorist was responsible for DUI or reckless driving, or your vehicle had a manufacturing fault that you were unaware of.
If you happen to collide with an unoccupied car, you should either find the owner or put your address and phone number in a visible spot. Many individuals in this scenario place their cards on the windshield with a message written on them. This will help the owner of the other vehicle in locating you.
Yes. Following an accident, your health is the most vital element. Even if you do not believe you have been injured, you should still seek medical attention. Whiplash and concussions, for example, might take days or weeks to show any symptoms. A doctor can examine you thoroughly to make sure you don't have any concealed injuries.
Seeing a doctor is extremely necessary from a legal aspect. If you do not, the insurance company may claim that you weren't wounded or that the car accident wasn't to blame for your injury. You'll need health records to tie your injuries to the accident, and the easiest way to do so is to see a doctor as soon as possible.
After a car accident, some of the victims' injuries are usually too critical for them to get out of their vehicles safely. Sometimes, getting out of your vehicle can aggravate your injury. If you have any doubts about the seriousness of your injuries, stay in your car till emergency services arrive at the scene.
If the following conditions apply, you must file a Nevada DMV Report of Traffic Accident Report (SR-1) within ten days after the day the incident occurred:
If a Nevada Highway Patrol or law enforcement officer filed an accident report that contained the driver's contact details and liability insurance details, you are not required to make a report of the accident to the DMV. If you're not certain if this detail was included on the police report, it's advisable to file a DMV report personally just to be safe.
A person's driving license will be suspended for 1 year if they deliberately refuse to report an accident as mandated by law. The suspension period may be lifted sooner if one of the following conditions is met:
People who deliberately provide incorrect information in an accident report in Nevada receive a gross misdemeanor charge. It doesn't matter whether the misleading information is delivered orally, electronically, or in writing. The following are the consequences:
In Las Vegas, if you weren't wearing a seatbelt at the moment of your injury, and not doing so considerably aggravated your injury, your compensation may be reduced proportionately. In a personal injury case involving a car collision, however, the idea that you had not been wearing a seatbelt cannot be used as evidence that the accused was not at fault.
If you weren't to blame for the accident and had not been wearing a seatbelt at the moment you sustained your injuries, you can still file a claim or file a lawsuit, though your compensation could be reduced.
If you are injured in an automobile accident in Nevada, you are responsible for your health expenses. You do, nevertheless, have a few alternatives that can help you pay those bills more easily. You can make use of:
Your health-care coverage. After sustaining severe injuries in a car accident, your medical insurance can provide an important form of security, making it easier to pay for your medical bills.
PIP insurance. You could still add PIP insurance to your coverage even if Nevada doesn’t have a no-fault statute, which provides that each motorist is responsible for the first percentage of their expenditures following an accident. Personal injury protection insurance (PIP) pays for your short-term financial losses in the event of a major motor accident, such as medical costs and lost income.
You can file a personal injury lawsuit against the motorist who caused the collision. Following a traumatic Nevada automobile accident, a personal injury claim might assist you in obtaining much-needed compensation. If you are unable to pay your hospital expenses while waiting for a settlement, your lawyer can create a statement of protection that informs your physicians and any other healthcare providers of your intention to pay. This letter should prevent legal action till your case is resolved.
When speaking with the authorities about the accident, you should be cautious. When prompted, provide your name, license, and insurance details. Take care not to blame yourself for the accident. Witness accounts will almost certainly be taken by police officers, which you will be able to view after the incident has been filed.
In most scenarios, the police will identify who was to blame for the collision while on the site and issue the proper tickets (for instance, speeding tickets or failure to yield tickets). Do not, however, presume that this is the case at that moment.
In Las Vegas, if you have been involved in a car accident in which someone is killed or wounded, Nevada law compels you to contact the authorities or the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP). Calling 911 is the ideal way to call the police. Otherwise, dial 311 or *647.5 to reach the National Highway Patrol.
If a police officer is at the site of the accident or you are severely injured, you don't need to call the police or the highway patrol officer. However, authorities will not respond to an accident scene if there are no injuries and if the property damage is below $750.
You shouldn't. You could wind up giving away your freedom or assuming culpability for an accident without realizing it. If a lawyer representing the other entities in the accident contacts you, you should contact the Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney Law Firm immediately. We can ensure that your rights are protected and that you do not claim any responsibility in the case, which could reduce the amount of restitution you are entitled to in a Nevada court of law.
Even though you were partially to blame for the injuries, you could be eligible for significant compensation. “Comparative negligence” is a legal practice in Nevada. It implies that the insurance adjusters or the judge will determine the proportion of fault each side bears.
If the accused is judged to be 30% at fault for causing the accident, for instance, their entire compensation will be lowered by 30%. However, if a person is found responsible for more than 50% of an accident, the suit will be dismissed and they will not be capable of collecting.
Other drivers and their insurance companies will almost certainly try to blame you for the collision. To demonstrate otherwise, you'll need evidence. Photographs, witness accounts, police records, and your memory of the accident are all types of evidence that can be used to support your claim for damages.
In many circumstances, the driver who caused an accident may be easily identified. That doesn't suggest, however, that the motorist is solely responsible for the accident and injuries sustained. You could be able to find other people that share blame for the accident by engaging with a personal injury attorney, that can help you get the restitution you deserve. Consider:
Was the person who caused the incident on the clock? The employers of the motorist could be held liable for the incident, especially if the driver surpassed the legally mandated amount of hours he or she could operate due to the requirements of the company.
Was the accident caused by a mechanical failure? If this is the case, the vehicle's manufacturer or a mechanic who previously worked on it may be held liable.
Whenever you are involved in a car accident, many car insurance plans need you to contact them and make a car insurance claim, particularly if there are many cars involved. Most individuals, on the other hand, prefer not to inform their insurance company and file a car accident claim if:
However, if a law enforcement officer arrives and writes a report — or if someone is slightly harmed — you must report it immediately and then allow the insurance adjuster to handle the rest. If you fail to disclose the accident details, your insurer's responsibilities and insurance cover under your plan may be jeopardized.
When accidents occur as a result of driving under the influence in Nevada, the driver convicted of DUI will have to obtain an "SR-22" from his or her insurance carrier to have his or her driving license renewed. In Nevada, an SR-22 is the motorist's "evidence of financial responsibility," which shows that the motorist has the minimum liability insurance necessary to maintain a driver's license.
When you have submitted a claim with the insurer of the other driver, they will almost certainly want a copy of your health records or urge you to make statements before consulting your attorney. Don't give them anything until you have spoken with an attorney who is looking out for your best interests.
Insurance adjusters are often aiming to provide you with the minimum settlement feasible, so they could use anything you say to them as proof against you afterward. Avoid offering them personal information such as the details of your relatives and friends, your social security number, or other personal details.
However, for your records, it's critical to take account of and retain all evidence related to the accident. Medical documents, the police report made in connection with the accident, eyewitness accounts, photos taken at the site, and any tangible evidence gathered are all examples of this.
When an insurance adjuster calls, the wisest choice you could make is to refer him or her to your car accident attorney. If you've not had the opportunity to talk with an attorney, inform them then you're in the process of seeking legal representation and that your attorney will get in touch with them.
Do not agree to make a recorded statement or even sign a release form. The insurance company can manipulate whatever you say to avoid having to pay you the full and proper compensation. You must, however, notify your insurance provider about the collision.
Review your car insurance policy to see how long you have to contact them. Stick to the facts if you file the accident before dealing with an attorney. Inform them of the time and location of the car collision. Make no judgments on who is to blame. You are not compelled to answer any further questions until you've had the opportunity to seek legal counsel.
Insurance companies are well aware that the majority of drivers are oblivious to their constitutional rights after a car accident. If you're unable to find employment due to injuries that require time to recover, they hope you will accept a hasty offer. The reason for a swift settlement is because it allows them to “ close the door” on the incident, so they could be able to forgo any potential medical care costs or loss of earnings as a result of the settlement.
Following a car accident, three types of lawsuits are typically filed. Personal injury cases involving someone who has been hurt, like a motorist, passenger, biker, cyclist, or pedestrian, should be filed within 2 years after the injury date.
This time constraint is referred to as a "statute of limitations." Accidents that result in death may also be grounds for a "wrongful death" claim. The family of the deceased also has 2 years from the date of the victim's death to bring a claim in these circumstances. It's worth noting that in a wrongful death lawsuit, the fatality may have happened after the incident, and the 2-year time limit starts from that point.
If you weren't wounded in the accident but are contemplating submitting a lawsuit for property damage to your car or any other property, you have 3 years from the date of the occurrence to file a claim or file a lawsuit.
Nobody can say how much a vehicle accident settlement is worth. Victims, on the other hand, can utilize basic principles to figure out how much their claim may be worth.
These are some of them:
A personal injury lawsuit might include a wide range of damages, which are divided into two categories: economic and noneconomic losses. Medical fees, car repairs or replacements, days off work for recuperation, and any loss of potential earning ability if you have received severe and lasting bodily injuries are all examples of economic damages. Economic losses could also include funeral expenditures in the instance of wrongful death.
Pain and misery, lost companionship, psychological trauma connected with deformity or readjustment to living with a physical or mental disability, and the lost pleasure of life are all examples of noneconomic damages.
Punitive damages could be awarded in personal injury cases involving reckless endangerment, intention to harm someone, or driving while intoxicated with alcohol or drugs. As the term suggests, these damages are intended to penalize individuals who caused the accident and to deter others from emulating the accused's actions.
It could be anywhere between some months to a few years for a car accident case to be resolved. The duration of your case is determined by a variety of circumstances, including how long it will take you to completely heal, the level of proof gathered, and whether you engage with a car accident attorney. Depending on the fact of your case, your attorney can offer you a rough estimate but bear in mind that the time frame could fluctuate as the case progresses.
An attorney may not be necessary to handle your case in minor automobile accidents with minimal injuries. However, there are situations when consulting with a lawyer is necessary, including if:
We invite anyone who has been in a car accident in Las Vegas to consult the Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney Law Firm. Our legal team will gather the evidence necessary to validate your claim and negotiate with the insurance provider on your behalf. Call us at 702-576-0010 today.
When seeking a car accident attorney, you require a lawyer with proven results, resources, skills, and experience to fight for your rights. That is what you obtain with the Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney Law Firm.
We have many years of experience representing car accident-related accident victims. We have recovered a significant amount of dollars in trial verdicts and settlements for our clients. That means we could settle your car accident claim for considerably more money and faster. Our mission goes beyond recovering the highest compensation amounts for our clients. We aim to treat all clients with respect, care, attention, dignity, and compassion. As a result, we leave no stone unturned, work extremely hard, and marshal our skills, dedication, and experience to get our well-esteemed clients the most favorable case outcome.
Call us today at 702-576-0010 for your initial, no-obligation consultation. We will be glad to help you.