Automobile accidents are a leading cause of severe injuries and fatalities in Nevada. Thankfully, most wrecks are relatively minor—but they still have physical, mental, and financial consequences.
Drivers must have insurance to cover liability for vehicle collisions, but filing and pursuing a claim can be a hassle. Insurance companies work hard to limit the amount they pay, and negotiations can require substantial time and energy.
If you live in Rhodes Ranch, Sovana, Sun City, or Summerlin, an experienced personal injury attorney at Shook & Stone could handle the legal side of a crash for you. Working with a Summerlin auto accident lawyer allows you to focus on healing your injuries and getting back to your regular routine, while a legal professional protects your rights and ensures you receive a favorable settlement.
The Costs of a Motor Vehicle Collision
People sometimes underestimate the cost of a crash. The damage to the vehicle is one expense plus the cost of any personal property that might have been lost, damaged, or destroyed in the wreck. There might be medical expenses such as an ambulance, treatment at an emergency room, and even hospitalization.
There are other, less obvious costs as well. If the injured person and their family members miss time at work due to the accident, they might lose out on wages or use paid time off. They will absorb the cost of traveling to medical appointments, might need to hire someone to do household tasks they cannot perform, and might have to buy over-the-counter medications and products that insurance does not cover.
There are also costs associated with lost opportunities, such as participating in family gatherings or losing a pleasant day because the injured person is experiencing pain. Working with a Summerlin auto accident attorney after a crash can ensure that a person receives compensation for all their financial losses and the incident’s negative impact on their day-to-day life.
Navigating the Claims Process
Drivers must have liability insurance to cover other people’s losses if they get into a collision. Nevada follows a fault-based system for handling auto accident claims, meaning the driver that caused the wreck must pay the damages of other involved parties. A person who suffers losses must file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
However, determining fault is not always clear-cut. A police report could offer clues, and a citation is evidence of negligence. In many cases, the insurance companies for the involved drivers usually negotiate between themselves to allocate responsibility. A skilled auto accident lawyer in Summerlin could be involved in those negotiations to protect the rights of an injured driver.
Nevada Revised Statutes § 41.141 establishes the policy of comparative negligence. An injured driver, biker, or pedestrian cannot collect damages if they are primarily responsible for a crash. However, if other parties bear more responsibility, the injured party can collect a reduced damages award. The higher the injured person’s portion of responsibility, the lower the percentage of the monetary damages they can collect from other responsible parties.
Pursuing an Auto Accident Claim in Court
Sometimes, an insurance company does not negotiate in good faith. In other cases, an at-fault driver might be uninsured but owns a home, business, or other assets. These are just two examples of situations where a seasoned Summerlin auto collision attorney might advocate filing a personal injury lawsuit rather than accepting an unacceptable settlement offer.
An injured person has two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. There are a few limited circumstances that might delay the start of the clock or stop it ticking for a period of time, so it is wise to consult a qualified legal professional rather than assume the time for a lawsuit has passed.
After a lawsuit is filed, the involved parties exchange evidence and information like medical records, employment records, tax returns, vehicle maintenance records, and other relevant information. Negotiations continue during this process, and many cases settle before they get to trial. However, our skilled team of lawyers at Shook & Stone always prepares a case as if it will be presented at trial and is ready to make a persuasive argument before a jury if necessary.
Contact a Summerlin Auto Accident Attorney After a Wreck
Claiming the compensation you deserve after a car, truck, bus, bicycle, or pedestrian accident can be complicated. You could spare yourself the aggravation and turn the case over to a professional, and you will usually see better results than if you tried to handle the matter yourself.
If you live in Rhodes Ranch, Sovana, Sun City, or Summerlin, a Summerlin auto accident lawyer at Shook & Stone is ready to help you obtain an appropriate settlement that covers all your losses. Call now to schedule your free consultation.
