Battle Born Injury Lawyers | August 15, 2023 | Car Accidents
Nevada is a fault state for car accident claims. Therefore, if you are responsible for causing a car crash, you could be liable for paying the victim for their injuries, financial losses, and other damages.
Drivers in Nevada are required to purchase minimum amounts of liability insurance coverage. Nevada law directs that drivers must have at least the following car insurance coverage:
- $25,000 ($50,000 per accident) of bodily injury coverage
- $20,000 of property damage coverage
Liability insurance protects you if you cause a car accident. Your insurance company is liable for damages up to the policy limits if you are at fault. The company investigates the claim and either denies or pays the claim.
Even with car insurance, the accident victim can sue you for damages. You are responsible for any amount over your policy limits if they win the lawsuit.
What Happens if I Don’t Have Car Insurance and Cause a Car Accident in Nevada?
Accident victims can sue you for the entire amount of their damages. For example, suppose a jury finds you caused the accident and awards the injured party $200,000 for damages. Then, you would be responsible for paying the entire amount of the judgment.
Nevada allows judgment holders to garnish wages if the judgment is not paid. Therefore, your wages could be garnished. The victim may also have other legal remedies to collect the debt.
What Happens if the Person Who Caused My Reno Car Accident Does Not Have Insurance?
If you are the victim and the at-fault driver does not have car insurance, you can sue the driver for damages. However, obtaining a judgment does not guarantee receiving money for your damages. The party might not have sufficient income or assets to garnish.
You might have other options if an uninsured driver hits you in Nevada.
Car insurance companies in Nevada must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage when you purchase your car insurance policy. You are not required to purchase underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage. However, the coverage is usually inexpensive compared to the benefits you receive if an uninsured driver hits you.
How Does Uninsured Insurance Coverage Work in a Nevada Car Accident?
Uninsured motorist coverage essentially takes the place of a liability insurance policy. It applies in hit-and-run accidents and crashes caused by uninsured drivers.
Typically, uninsured motorist coverage is equivalent to the minimum liability insurance requirements. However, you can purchase higher amounts of uninsured coverage.
When an uninsured driver causes an accident, you file a claim with your insurance provider. You must prove that the other driver caused the car accident and did not have insurance coverage. If so, your uninsured motorist coverage should pay your damages as if it was the liability insurance carrier for the at-fault driver.
What Damages Can I Receive for an Uninsured Motorist Insurance Claim in Reno, NV?
Your insurance company is liable up to the policy limits for your economic and non-economic damages. Therefore, you could receive compensation for your:
- Medical bills
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Lost wages
- Decrease in quality of life
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical pain and suffering
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Mental anguish
- Reduced earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Impairments and disabilities
The amount you receive depends on the facts of your case, including your policy limits, severity of injuries, and evidence proving fault. Prompt medical treatment and legal advice can improve your chances of receiving a fair settlement for an uninsured motorist claim.
Should I Hire a Lawyer to File an Uninsured Motorist Insurance Claim in Reno, NV?
You are not required to hire a lawyer to file a claim with your car insurance company. However, it is in your best interest to meet with a lawyer for a free consultation as soon as possible after an accident.
Even though you are working with your insurance company, you are in an adversarial position. The insurance adjuster investigates your claim like all other claims filed by accident victims. Therefore, your claim may be denied or undervalued to protect the insurance company’s profits.
A Reno car accident lawyer from Battle Born Injury Lawyers can help. An attorney has the resources to investigate your car accident to gather evidence proving the other driver caused the crash. The attorney can also defend allegations of contributory fault intended to reduce the amount the insurance company must pay for your claim.
An attorney also calculates how much your case is worth based on your damages. Therefore, you know your claim’s value before agreeing to a settlement offer. It is at least worth the time to speak with a lawyer during a free visit to protect your rights after an accident with an uninsured driver.
Contact the Las Vegas Car Accident Attorneys at Battle Born Injury Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident in Las Vegas and you need legal assistance, contact our car accident attorneys at Battle Born Injury Lawyers and schedule a free consultation with our legal team.
Battle Born Injury Lawyers
400 S 4th St Suite 290,
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 357-4868
https://www.battleborninjurylawyers.com/
Battle Born Injury Lawyers – Las Vegas Office
10789 W Twain Ave #100
Las Vegas, NV 89135
(702) 570-9000
Battle Born Injury Lawyers – Reno Office
675 W Moana Ln #206
Reno, NV 89509, USA
(775) 535-7768
Battle Born Injury Lawyers – Henderson Office
8540 S Eastern Ave #200
Henderson, NV 89123
(702) 500-0287
