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Getting injured in a car accident is a traumatic event that can have a long-lasting impact on every aspect of your life. If you are seriously injured because of another person’s negligence, you need the legal assistance of a Las Vegas car accident lawyer. A serious injury can turn your world upside down. You might find yourself with a growing mound of medical bills and no longer capable of earning an income. Trying to navigate the insurance process alone might result in you not getting the maximum compensation to cover all your expenses and damages. The experienced Las Vegas accident lawyers at Bay Law can help.
It isn’t difficult to find an auto accident lawyer in Las Vegas, but your situation demands quality representation. Our team of accident attorneys understands that a car accident is a life-altering event that carries an overwhelming emotional toll. “Better with Bay” isn’t just a motto or slogan. It’s our promise to always give you the understanding and attention you need to get through a devastating time. We aim to make them pay with Bay, and we are here to advise you on the resources you need and give you the best legal strategy for handling your personal injury claim.
Some reasons to make Bay Law your first choice when you need an accident lawyer in Las Vegas include:
- Extensive experience dealing with cases like yours
- Personal attention based on each client’s individual needs
- Our determination to get you the maximum settlement for your personal injury claim
- No up-front fees and you only pay for our services if we are successful at obtaining compensation for your case
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is difficult — especially when you’re in pain and struggling to heal from your injuries. The problem is that ignoring the legal aspect of your claim will only make things worse. You only have one chance to get compensation for your personal injury, and there’s a time limit for filing a claim against the at-fault driver. Waiting too long after an accident or otherwise delaying treatment for injuries can ultimately negatively affect your claim for a personal injury. Let us help you deal with the process and advise you on which path to take in pursuit of your legal claim.
Why Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Las Vegas?
Most people never think about the impact a car accident might have on their lives until the unthinkable happens. You don’t think a serious car accident can happen to you. When it does, you don’t know what to do to cover your medical costs, lost wages, and the pain and suffering your injuries cause. An experienced Las Vegas lawyer like those at Bay Law accident attorneys has experience filing claims and negotiating with insurance companies. A caring, knowledgeable professional can get the best results possible for your case.
Common Causes of Automobile Accidents in Las Vegas
Car accidents happen without any warning. Nothing compares to the sound of metal crashing into metal when another vehicle collides with yours. Although the accident happens in a matter of seconds, the emotional and physical impact might last for days, months, or the rest of your life.
Car crashes almost never happen because of an “accident.” Someone is usually at fault, either from negligence or willful disregard. When their actions or inactions result in injuries, you should get compensation for the harm they caused. You might not realize the total impact the crash will have on your life for some time. You might even feel some responsibility for the accident even though you did nothing wrong. Once a car injury attorney examines the evidence of your case, they can explain what caused your accident and why the other driver is to blame.
Some common causes of automobile accidents include:
Intoxicated Driving
Drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs are a serious danger to other drivers. Driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving while under the influence (DUI) with a BAC level of 0.08% or higher is a serious crime. Intoxication affects a person’s driving skills in several ways. Alcohol slows down reaction time, reduces concentration, and decreases vision. Alcohol and drugs also inhibit a person’s judgment, which might be the reason they got behind the wheel when they were not in any condition to drive.
If the driver that caused your injuries was intoxicated, your case requires the expertise of an accident attorney in Las Vegas, like those at Bay Law accident attorneys. The attorney must collect all the available evidence to prove that a drunk driver was at fault for the wreck. If the at fault driver is convicted of drunk driving at the time of the accident, it could help with your personal injury lawsuit.
Part of the job of an accident lawyer is to gather evidence that will prove fault in the case to assist their clients. When too much time passes, some types of evidence can be lost. Examples of this might be deleted security tapes or overwritten body cam footage . The sooner you get in touch with an accident attorney, the sooner they can get to work on your car accident claim.
Reckless Driving
Nevada law defines reckless driving as “operating a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property.” Driving recklessly includes traffic violations such as not using turn signals, failing to stop at stop signs, failing to stop at red lights, running yellow lights, road rage behavior, speeding in excess amounts above the speed limit, and hitting other vehicles or objects.
Normally, reckless driving is charged as a misdemeanor in Las Vegas. In 2021, Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak signed a bill into law that decriminalizes most minor traffic offenses and classified them instead as civil infractions. Any traffic offense might lead to jail time in Nevada, but those charged as felony criminal offenses carry harsher penalties.
If a driver is guilty of reckless driving and they cause the injury or death of another person, they will get charged with a felony. If you lose a loved one because of another person’s felony reckless driving, you need a fatal car accident lawyer who will help you get justice for your loss.
It isn’t enough to rely on the accident report to prove the other driver caused the accident from reckless driving. It is up to you to prove that the other driver caused the accident by committing a traffic offense. Your Las Vegas car accident lawyer will investigate whether the other driver has pleaded guilty to a traffic offense in connection with the accident and whether they received a ticket. An accident attorney knows where to look for evidence that will help prove fault in your car accident case. It is important to have the right representation if you or someone you know has been killed as a result of someone else’s wrongful actions.
Follow Too Closely
Drivers that follow too closely are at risk of hitting you from behind. One of the biggest reasons for tailgating is that they want you to speed up. If there isn’t a passing lane or traffic is heavy, they might not have any choice but to continue driving behind you. Drivers that follow too closely likely don’t take the road or traffic conditions into consideration. If there isn’t enough room for them to stop suddenly, they may crash into the car in front of them.
If you are rear-ended while driving in Las Vegas, there are some things you should do right after the accident. You should also call 911 and report the accident to law enforcement indicating that someone is hurt or injured. . Getting hit from the rear often leads to injuries to the neck and spine, and having medical attention could help lessen the long term devastating impacts of accident related injuries. If the accident is minor, move your vehicle out of the road and exchange information with the other driver. In either case, make sure to take plenty of photographs if it is safe to do so.
The driver in the rear is almost always at-fault for a rear-end collision. They have the responsibility to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of them and to be aware when conditions change. When you get injured because a driver failed to meet their obligation, you have the right to receive financial compensation for your injuries and damages. The accident lawyers in Las Vegas can help you take steps to report the accident and pursue the damages by legal means if needed.
Failure To Yield
Las Vegas has right-of-way laws that determine which car must wait to go when another vehicle is present. When a driver either lacks a comprehensive understanding of the law or they fail to follow it, it often results in serious accidents. Some instances where drivers must yield include when cars enter the same intersection from a different roadway or yielding to drivers in the right lane when approaching an intersection simultaneously from the same direction.
Failure to yield accidents occur when one vehicle hits the other in the side. This impact commonly causes severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, whiplash, bone fractures, back and spinal cord damage, soft tissue injuries, and death. If you are seriously injured from a failure to yield accident or you’ve lost a loved one, talk to an auto accident lawyer in Las Vegas like the lawyers at Bay Law accident attorneys about the circumstances of your accident. If the other driver was negligent, you might have a right to seek compensation for your medical costs and lost wages.
The biggest challenge in a failure-to-yield case is proving that you had the right of way and that the other driver failed to yield. Negotiating your claim with insurance companies isn’t something you need to do alone. Often times insurance companies will try to offer you much less than what your injuries, pain, and suffering are worth. Let an experienced accident attorney build a stronger case while you spend your time healing.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Dealing with the pain and devastation after a car crash can be overwhelming. When you are a victim of a hit-and-run, the situation is even more difficult. You can’t contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company and receive compensation for your medical bills or damage to your vehicle. You must find another route to cover your expenses. A Las Vegas auto accident lawyer from Bay Law can help.
Every driver on Nevada’s roads has the duty to stop at an automobile wreck that causes bodily injury or death. State laws also require drivers who are involved in a crash resulting in property damage, personal injury, or death to provide their personal information and render aid where needed. Failing to remain at the scene and follow these basic legal requirements makes the accident a hit-and-run. In addition to breaking several laws, failure to remain at the scene is also useful as evidence of negligence.
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run accident, follow the same procedure that you would after any car accident. That includes hiring a Las Vegas car accident lawyer with experience handling hit-and-runs. At Bay Law, our lawyers have handled various hit and run accidents and have gotten the compensation our clients needed to pay for their injuries.
T-Bone Accidents
T-Bone accidents occur when the front of another vehicle hits you from the side. T-bone accidents are among the most serious types of car accidents because there. is little metal between you and the other vehicle. This type of accident often results in serious injuries with long recovery periods. You might require extensive medical treatment for months or years. Retaining a Las Vegas auto accident attorney is imperative to your case.
It is important to note that the driver that strikes the side of the other vehicle isn’t always at fault. Sometimes these wrecks occur because a driver pulls into the path of an oncoming car. Proving fault in a T-bone accident is often more challenging than with other types of car crashes. It could be helpful to take photos of the accident if possible. Include shots of the damage to both vehicles, any traffic signals or signs, and weather conditions.
Compensation for injuries from a T-bone accident is often settled without going to court. Once your attorney files a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, you may receive a check for the requested amount, but this is unlikely. Indeed, oftentimes insurance companies will try to offer less if you don’t have an attorney. If the insurance company denies your claim or makes a counteroffer, you want an accident attorney by your side to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Uber and Rideshare Accidents
Uber, Lyft, and other rideshare companies are still a fairly new concept. Hiring a driver when you’re hitting the bars in Henderson or visiting the casinos in Las Vegas is usually a safe option. While many residents like the convenience of using rideshare services, these vehicles have the same odds of getting into a car accident as any other vehicle on the road.
The simplicity of the rideshare model can become complex in a hurry if you get injured and are hurt in an Uber or Lyft accident. Don’t be surprised if no one steps up to help you with your financial woes. You need an accident lawyer in Las Vegas who knows the ins and outs of Uber and other rideshare accidents like the lawyers at Bay Law.
Rideshare drivers are just ordinary people without any extra training or experience. The more hours they spend operating their vehicle, the greater the odds are that they will be involved in a car wreck. Rideshare accidents happen for all the same reasons that any car accident does. A rideshare accident attorney will investigate the accident and determine who is liable for your injuries. Let our legal team at Bay Law be your ally in your Uber, Lyft, or other rideshare accident case.
Las Vegas Car Accident FAQs
I was hurt in a car crash. Should I make a claim for my injuries?
Determining fault in a car accident is one of the most important and complex matters for anyone with injuries. Nevada law requires the driver who caused the accident to pay for injuries and damages to the injured parties – this includes passengers that were in the at fault driver’s vehicleA Las Vegas auto accident attorney will evaluate the circumstances of the accident and help you decide if filing a claim is the right choice for you.
At your consultation, the accident attorney will look at the evidence you have for your case. Bring any photos you took of the accident scene, eyewitness accounts, a copy of the police report, the date and location of the accident, and the makes and models of the cars involved.
The accident attorneys at Bay Law offer a free consultation to discuss the details of your claim. If you decide to pursue your claim, we will work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless you receive compensation. We will negotiate with the insurance company and represent you in court if we can’t reach an agreement. We understand how difficult it is to navigate the accident claims process while trying to heal from your injuries. We get to work fast to help you get better.
How much insurance do I need to have on my car?
Each state has minimum auto insurance requirements that every driver must carry. In Nevada, the minimum amount of liability insurance coverage is $25,000 in bodily per person and $50,000 in bodily injury per accident. They must also carry $20,000 in property damage.
Many people only carry the minimum amount of insurance required to drive their vehicles. Although you have the option to buy additional types and amounts of coverage, getting more insurance increases your premium payments. The problem is that medical bills and the cost of a new vehicle is typically more than the maximum payment by the insurance company. Two types of coverage you should add include uninsured/underinsured motorists and medical payments (Medpay.) These will help you cover injuries to yourself and your passengers regardless of who is at fault for an accident.
You should carry more than the minimum amount of liability required by the state. If you are at fault for an accident that causes injuries and damages far above the amount of your insurance, the injured party can sue you for the balance of the compensation. The only way that auto insurance protects you is when you carry enough. If you can’t afford higher premiums, consider getting a higher deductible to lower your payments.
Can you file an insurance claim without a police report?
Nevada does require filing a police report for most car accidents. However, there is no law preventing you from filing an insurance claim without a police report. However, don’t be surprised if the insurance company protests your claim. The accident report is a key piece of evidence. Without it, you will have a difficult time getting the full amount of compensation that you deserve.
Your Las Vegas car accident attorney will use the information in the police report to build your case. It contains a great deal of information about how the accident took place. In addition to details about where and when the accident occurred, the report also provides the names of eyewitnesses, an assessment of the damage to both vehicles, and whether either driver was cited for a violation.
The police report serves as the foundation for your car accident case. If you need to file a claim with the insurance company, you should try to obtain a copy first. Read through the report and determine if there are any discrepancies between your account and that of the responding officer. If there are, describe them to your accident attorney. There might be other evidence to help support your understanding of the events.
Is Nevada a No-Fault State?
No, Nevada is a fault state, meaning that the person who is determined to be at fault for the accident is responsible for any damages or injuries. Determining who is at fault is essential to getting compensation. Often, the insurance company will try to put the blame on the victim to keep from having to pay a settlement.
Nevada also follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means that you can still collect a settlement if you are partially to blame if you are less than 50% liable. If the court determines that you were 25% to blame for the accident and you are awarded $100,000, you will only receive 75% or $75,000. If you are determined to be 75% to blame, you can’t receive any compensation.
Bay Law has a team of accident lawyers in Las Vegas who are ready to investigate your case. We know the kinds of evidence it takes to prove fault and the tactics used by insurance companies to shift the blame back to you. We also have the expertise to negotiate with insurance companies to get you a fair settlement. You should never have to navigate the claims process with the insurance company on your own.
What do you do after a car accident?
Getting medical attention for your injuries is always the first priority after a car accident. You should also check to see if anyone else is seriously injured. Even if your symptoms aren’t serious enough to require emergency transportation, have police come and write a police report, stay at the scene to get contact and insurance information from the other drivers and any witnesses.
Use your cell phone to take pictures of the vehicles, their license plates, traffic lights and signs, and any conditions that might have contributed to the accident. Look for skid marks on the road or any obstructions that might have contributed to the wreck. Make sure that you or someone else calls the police. When they arrive, ask them how to get a copy of the police report.
Report the accident to your insurance company right away. You do not need to contact the other driver’s insurance company. If the insurance adjuster from the other driver’s insurance company tries to contact you, refer them to your accident attorney. Often, insurance companies try to contact accident victims early on and make them an offer that is too low. That’s one reason that you need the services of a Las Vegas car accident lawyer at Bay Law Accident Attorneys to represent you.
How long do you have to report a car accident to your insurance?
Your time limit for reporting a car accident to your insurance company will depend on the terms of your policy. You should make every effort to understand all the terms of your policy. Failing to do so might allow the company to deny you coverage later on.
Drivers sometimes opt not to file an insurance claim when they hit a stationary object, or no one else got injured in the crash. Under these circumstances, you might prefer to pay for any damages out of pocket to avoid increasing your insurance rates.
For more serious accidents or a wreck where law enforcement responds and makes a report, you should report the accident. The same is true for accidents where even minor injuries occurred. The insurance company will receive a copy of the police report. If you haven’t reported the accident, the insurance company might penalize you by reducing or canceling your coverage.
If the driver that hit you was driving intoxicated at the time of the accident, they must obtain an SR-22 from their insurance company before they can get their driver’s license reinstated. This document serves as proof of financial responsibility that the driver has the minimum liability coverage to keep their driver’s license in Nevada.
Do you have to call the police after a minor car accident?
Nevada requires you to call the police after an accident unless there are no other vehicles or even minor injuries involved. Failing to report an accident can result in having your driver’s license suspended for up to one year.
Failing to call the police after an accident in which someone is injured might be considered a hit-and-run felony. It’s a good idea to call the police even if no one appears to be injured. Some injuries don’t present symptoms for hours or even days after the accident.
Sometimes drivers have reasons for not wanting to report the accident. They might try to persuade you to just settle the damages out of pocket without involving law enforcement. They might have a suspended license or have a warrant out for their arrest. If they become hostile, calling the police is probably the best solution.
Remember, it’s your legal obligation to report an accident any time there are injuries. If it’s a judgment call, don’t take chances. Meeting your legal obligation will help protect you when delayed injuries appear later.
What if I was partly at fault for an accident?
If you broke a law when the accident happened, you might be partially at fault. As long as you were less than 50% at fault, you can still file a claim for compensation in Nevada. Since the assignment of fault determines whether the insurance company must pay your claim, it is often an arguing point between the two sides.
Your accident attorney can help you determine what portion of the accident is your fault. Even if your share of the liability is small, the insurance company will try to shift the blame to you. This is a common tactic when handling insurance claims in the state.
If you are partly at fault for the accident, it will reduce the amount of compensation that you get. Although the award will still be for the same amount, an equivalent portion will be deducted from it. Depending on the damages you might receive, even a percentage of the compensation might be enough to relieve your financial losses.
How We Handle Your Car Accident Injury Claim
Our team of accident attorneys brings years of experience to your car accident case. We have worked extensively in the Nevada court system, helping clients in Las Vegas, Henderson, and the entire region of southern Nevada to get maximum compensation.
While a financial settlement won’t erase the physical and emotional impact you’ve suffered, it will alleviate your worries about paying medical bills and replacing lost wages. Once you have the money to take care of your financial needs, you can focus on healing and go forward with your life.
Choosing an auto accident attorney in Las Vegas to represent you is the most important decision you will make. The best attorneys will make an honest evaluation of your case and advise you on how to move forward.
At Bay Law, we understand what you’re going through. We never take a “one size fits all” approach to handling an accident claim. Instead, we will investigate your case and determine what makes it unique. Most importantly, you can count on us to make your needs our top priority.
Our team of Las Vegas accident attorneys has the experience and compassion to take on insurance companies. We are committed to making sure you get the comprehensive representation you deserve. We will help with every need, from finding the right medical care to getting justice for what you’ve lost.
Accident victims sometimes worry that seeking legal advice will only add to their financial worries. They think that a lawyer might take their case even if they don’t have a good chance of winning it. At Bay Law, we offer a free consultation so you can tell us about your case. We work on contingency so that you don’t pay anything unless we win. We believe it’s in your best interest and ours to make it easy for you to get the legal representation you need to get a fair settlement. We will give you an honest assessment and if we move forward, we plan to “Make them pay with Bay”.
Once you decide to go forward with your claim, we will begin investigating the accident right away. From the start, we work to get you the best possible settlement quickly. When we say, “Better with Bay,” it’s our commitment to you. Contact us today and schedule a consultation.
What Damages Can I Claim After a Car Accident in Las Vegas?
Every car wreck is different, and so are the injuries they cause. The extent of your injuries and the cost of your treatment will determine the type of damages you can claim and how much you might receive in compensation. Your Las Vegas car accident lawyer can explain the different types of damages you might receive and the best way to file your claim.
Economic Damages
These damages include the cost of repairing your car, medical bills, lost wages, or any other expenses that resulted from your injuries. You will typically have a bill or other documentation to verify the amounts. These receipts are used as evidence to support your claim. Keep receipts and other documentation for every bill you receive, whether it is paid or owed. Use your phone to take pictures to store as a backup.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages are for things that you its difficult to put an exact price tag on, such as a permanent disability, PTSD, or pain and suffering. Non-economic damages are more challenging to win because they don’t have a bill to back up your claims. You need a Las Vegas car accident attorney to get the best settlement for your non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
The state of Nevada allows clients to claim punitive damages in car accident cases under NRS 42.005. The court awards these damages less often than economic and non-economic damages. To receive them, you must prove that the other person acted in a malicious, fraudulent, or oppressive manner. Punitive damages are used to punish negligent drivers and to send a message of warning to those who might commit similar acts in the future.
Initially, you will file a claim with your insurance company or that of the other driver. If you file a claim with your insurance, they may pay your claim and then pursue a separate claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance policy.
There are caps on the number of punitive damages you can claim. You can collect no more than $300,000 in a case where the economic and non-economic damages are less than $100,000 or three times the number of compensatory damages if the latter is greater than $100,000.
Contact Our Las Vegas Car Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation Today
The court will base the number of damages awarded on the evidence presented in your case. The insurance company will only pay up to the maximum of the insured’s policy. If the settlement is for more than the insured’s policy, you can file a personal lawsuit against the at-fault driver for the remaining amount. The accident attorneys at Bay Law will help you if your case goes to court.
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