How Long After a Car Accident Can I Sue in Nevada?
The days right after a car accident may drag slowly. You may feel exhausted from your injuries, stressed out from the trauma, and bogged down with paperwork. While it may feel like it takes forever for you to get better, time marches on for the rest of the world. If you were hurt in the accident, you do not have forever to seek financial compensation from the other driver.
If you were injured or lost a family member in a car accident in Nevada, you may be entitled to financial compensation, legally known as damages, from the liable party. You can seek damages through a settlement with the other party’s insurance provider, or you can sue him directly. A lawyer with De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you weigh your options and make sure that you sue before time runs out.
You Have a Two-Year Time Limit to Sue for Personal Injury and Wrongful Death in Nevada
Nevada law NRS § 11.190(4)(e) establishes the statute of limitations for personal injury and wrongful death at two years. You generally have two years from the accident date to sue for personal injury, and two years from the date your loved one died to sue for wrongful death. This date may not be the same as the accident date.
A statute of limitations is a law that establishes the time frame in which you can sue for damages. Once the set time frame has passed, you lose the right to sue even if you have a valid case. For personal injury cases, the clock typically starts on the date of the incident. For wrongful death cases, the clock starts on the date the injured party dies.
Is Your Case Approaching the Legal Deadline to Sue?
If it has been almost two years since the date of your accident, you need to act quickly to preserve your legal rights. Once the window closes, you forfeit your right to sue, no matter how severe your injuries were, how much money you have lost because of the accident, or how clear it is that the accident was not your fault.
You can file a lawsuit on your own, but if you have no legal experience, that may not be your best option. Our lawyer with De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers will examine your case, determine when the clock started on your case, and file a lawsuit on your behalf before time runs out.
Testimonials from Our Clients
Our lawyers at De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers fight hard for our clients to get the best possible outcome in a difficult situation. Here are some of our client testimonials:
- Johnna B.: “They made the entire process seamless for me. I got rear ended in a 4-car collision on the freeway and had to go through a lot of treatments for almost a year after the accident. The entire team at De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers helped me get the treatments I needed and took all the pressure off me so I could focus on healing myself. I would highly recommend them to anyone! They cared about my health and making sure I got what I needed to recover. I am very satisfied with their service and will go back to them if I ever need their services again. Thank you so much!”
- Gianna G.: “By far the best lawyers you could ask for. They completely alleviate you from any stress and hassles from your case and they always end up giving good news. I’m so happy I was able to utilize De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers and would never consider going anywhere else. Craig Hendricks and his team are phenomenal.”
- Andrea G.: “Great experience. I have had two cases with them and they are very quick to respond with any questions. They notify me about everything that is going on with my case. They made it super easy and took a load off my back. I will be using them for all my future legal needs.”
What to Do if You Were in a Car Accident
Whether you were hit by another driver or you hit someone else, seek medical attention first after a car accident. Then, report the accident to the police by calling 911 or filing a report yourself. Information from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) states that you must report all accidents involving injuries or more than $750 in property damage within 10 days.
You should also report the accident to your insurance provider, which will typically have a 24-hour hotline for this purpose. Tell the agent that you were in an accident and give the facts but be careful what you say. Never admit fault or apologize because the insurance company records these conversations and may use your words to deny you compensation in the future.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Many drivers cause accidents with their negligence, which is careless or reckless driving that puts others at risk of harm. Some of the most common types of negligence that result in accidents include:
- Speeding
- Driving while intoxicated
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals
- Following too closely
- Driving without regard for current weather conditions
- Weaving in and out of traffic
Our lawyer will investigate your accident, looking for evidence of the other driver’s negligence.
Damages Available After a Car Accident
According to Nevada’s DMV, Nevada drivers must carry liability insurance that meets these requirements:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in one accident
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death or two or more persons in one accident
- $20,000 for injury to or destruction of another person’s property in one accident
If another driver caused your accident, you can file a claim with their insurance provider for damages. If your damages are much greater than the value of the insurance coverage, you may be better off suing the driver for the full value of your losses. Our lawyer can help you weigh your legal options and choose the strategy that will get you the best possible outcome.
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers Can Represent You
If you were hurt or lost a family member in a car accident that another party caused, you may be entitled to damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our lawyer may be able to help you recover damages for these losses and more. Reach out to De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers today for a free case consultation. We work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we win your case.