Driving around in Las Vegas, you can’t help but take in the sights and sounds. There is just so much to see, do, and experience. This also means that something as frightening as a car accident will be the last thing on your mind.
Sadly, Las Vegas is almost known just as much for car crashes as it is for glitz, glamor, and fun. 2024 saw more than 375 people lose their lives, many of them because of wrong-way crashes.
If you are injured in a car accident in Vegas and you survive, it is crucial to know what to do next. Taking all the right steps can make a huge difference in whether you can secure fair compensation.
Your Immediate Actions Matter
Immediately after an accident, you will feel dazed, confused, or shocked. You may also be visibly injured.
If you can move to a secure area, ensure you do so immediately. This means moving out of the way of other traffic. Call 911 and request medical assistance for yourself and others involved in the accident if possible.
It is also important to contact the police, who will send a responding officer to the scene. The officer will note their observations of the accident in an official police report.
While you wait for the authorities to arrive, you should take photos of the car damage if you can. Also, get pictures of damaged road infrastructure and your injuries.
If the other driver is conscious and not seriously injured, exchange contact and insurance information with them.
Go to the Emergency Room
If a first responder evaluates your condition at the scene and tells you to go to the ER, do so. Getting fast medical attention will help detect hidden injuries. Going to a hospital will also provide you with medical records. These documents are critical when filing a legal case.
Inform Your Insurance Company
Afterward, when you have been treated, report the accident to your insurance company. Ideally, you should call your insurer within hours of the accident. The longer you wait, the higher the risk of your claim being denied.
When you speak to the insurer, only provide an accident account. Do not make guesses or speculate about who or what caused the accident.
Very important: Do not admit fault, even if it is inadvertent. Steer the conversation away from anything that could be misconstrued as you admitting fault.
All you need to do is cooperate with the insurer without saying things that could incriminate you. At this point, it is best to have a lawyer help you.
What to Remember When Filing a Claim
Your lawyer will explain to you that Nevada follows modified comparative negligence rules.
If you are found partially to blame for the accident, your settlement will be reduced. So, if you are 20% to blame, your final settlement amount may have 20% deducted.
Your lawyer will also create a demand letter, including the damages you want to claim. This may include medical expenses, property damage, lost income, and pain and suffering.
If the accident happened while you were in company care, your lawyer may add extra factors like business interruption losses.
How the Settlement Process Works
When all the details of your case have been laid out, your lawyer will file a claim. They will use supporting documents like the police report and medical records to strengthen your case.
The relevant insurance company and your lawyer will review all the evidence and decide whether expert opinions are required.
Settlement negotiations can occur at any time during the claim filing process. Let your lawyer handle all discussions with the insurance company. They will aim to reach a settlement that compensates you fairly.
Business Implications
The relevant business may face additional liability if the accident involves a company car. The lawyer and insurer will investigate where negligence occurred before the accident.
The business that owns the vehicle may also need legal assistance. If you were driving the company car, a business litigation lawyer and a car accident lawyer can work together to resolve your case.
Moving From Accident to Settlement
Whether you are a business owner driving a company vehicle or just a regular driver in your own car, hiring a lawyer is the best way to win a settlement.
Moving from accident to settlement on your own can be very overwhelming. Relying on a reputable lawyer for assistance can make all the difference. They will use the systems already in place to help you get the compensation you deserve.
