Motorists today face risks on the roadways, no matter how diligently they drive. Careless, inattentive, and inexperienced drivers cause crashes and injuries every day. If you have been hurt in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, contact The Janda Law Firm in Las Vegas right away. Our Las Vegas car accident lawyer is also a neurologist with the medical experience and knowledge that can be of benefit to you when filing a claim or lawsuit.
A number of factors contribute to car wrecks, many involving driver errors. Common causes of car accidents include:
Car accidents can be very serious and result in painful, sometimes life-threatening injuries. Many survivors of Las Vegas car accidents live with lifelong impairments due to the crash, such as mobility difficulties, post-traumatic stress disorder, and brain damage.
Examples of injuries in Las Vegas car accidents include the following.
Nevada is a fault accident state when it comes to motor vehicle collisions. If a negligent driver causes an accident, the victims have the right to hold him or her accountable for their losses. Typically, Las Vegas car accident victims have three options to pursue compensation after a collision.
Many car accident cases begin as insurance claims and reach a settlement during this stage. If the claim is unsuccessful, the plaintiff can choose to escalate his or her claim to a lawsuit. However, there are certain situations where you should file a lawsuit from the beginning.
For example, if you have extensive damages that exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits, you will not be able to collect full compensation in an insurance claim alone. You may want to file a lawsuit so that you can recover the highest award possible.
This decision may seem complex, but an attorney can help. Your Las Vegas car accident lawyer from the Janda Law Firm can evaluate your case and identify your optimal pathway to maximum compensation.
By filing a Las Vegas car accident claim, you can recover compensation for the economic and non-economic losses that you experienced due to the crash. Economic damages involve financial hardships, such as medical care and property repairs. On the other hand, non-economic damages refer to the physical and emotional pain and suffering that you endured.
Examples of damages available to Las Vegas car accident victims include the following.
In a car accident lawsuit, you may also be eligible for punitive damages. Unlike compensatory damages, which reimburse you for your losses, punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault driver. You can collect this compensation if you can prove that your accident was caused by fraud, malice, oppression, or a conscious disregard for your safety.
Like many other states, Nevada operates under a modified comparative negligence rule in car accident cases. Each driver involved in a crash may be assigned some portion of fault for the accident. If you are not more than 50% at fault for a car wreck, you may recover compensation for your injuries. However, your award will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned, if any. The first step is a full evaluation of the facts in your case.
The moments after a car crash can feel overwhelming. However, this time is the most crucial for a future car accident case. Your actions after the accident will impact your future claim, so it is important to take the following steps to protect yourself and your right to compensation.
First, call 911 and report the accident to the police. When the responding officer arrives, provide your side of the story, but avoid making statements about the severity of your injuries or your potential liability. You can state how the accident occurred if you remember the facts, but be cautious. If you do not know an answer, say “I don’t know.”
After speaking with the responding officer, collect his or her name and badge number so that you can find the police report at a later time. This document will serve as a critical piece of evidence in your claim and can help validate important facts about the accident.
As soon as possible following the accident, seek medical attention for your injuries. Visit a hospital and save all records related to your treatment and injuries. These documents will also serve as important pieces of evidence by validating the cause, extent, and long-term implications of your injuries.
You should always go to the doctor after a motor vehicle collision, even if you do not feel injured after the accident. You may have underlying or internal injuries, or shock could be numbing your symptoms. Going to the hospital can help you receive necessary medical care before it is too late.
Additionally, failure to visit a doctor can cast doubt on your claim. Insurance companies may view this information and believe that your injuries are not serious, using these facts to reduce or deny your claim. Protect your future case by going to the hospital as soon as possible following the collision.
If you are able to move around the accident scene without putting yourself in danger or at risk of further injury, document as much evidence as possible. Collect physical items like clothing or broken possessions. If any witnesses are in the area, ask for their contact details so that you can speak to them about the accident.
Take as many photographs as you can of the accident scene, including the following objects.
You should also briefly exchange contact, license, and insurance information with the at-fault driver. Keep the interaction short and do not make any statements about the accident. If the driver offers to settle the matter at the scene, deny his or her request.
After the accident, a representative from the at-fault driver’s insurance company may contact you and ask for a statement. While this offer may seem tempting, you should not speak to an insurance representative before consulting with a Las Vegas car accident lawyer.
Insurance companies have a duty to protect their interests and may try to limit your compensation by obtaining an early statement. On the other hand, a car accident lawyer from the Janda Law Firm is dedicated to achieving your maximum compensation.
If an insurance company contacts you after the accident, politely decline the request. Speak to an attorney as soon as possible following your accident to discuss your legal options.
After a Las Vegas car accident, you may wonder if you need a lawyer to resolve your case. Your injuries may seem minor, and the claims process feels relatively straightforward. In cases involving complex collisions or accidents that result in injury or property damage, however, it is in your best interest to hire a car accident lawyer.
By hiring a car accident attorney from The Janda Law Firm to represent your case, you hire an advocate who is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome on your behalf. You also gain access to several important benefits, such as the following.
At The Janda Law Firm in Las Vegas, we provide strong legal representation and full documentation to support your case, to increase your chances of prevailing in settlement negotiations or in the trial. Contact us today for dedicated legal advocacy from our experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyers.
