In a recent two-year period, 50,312 people were injured in Las Vegas car accidents. This means that odds are that you or someone you love may be involved in a car accident if you live in or visit Las Vegas.
If an accident happens, you will want to know whether you should hire a Las Vegas car accident lawyer and, if so, when. Understanding when to hire a car lawyer in Las Vegas can help make an overwhelming time more manageable.
Do I Have to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
There is no law that says you have to hire a car accident lawyer after an accident. However, car accident lawyers play an important role in a claim and perform many tasks for their clients. If you have been involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you might want to consider hiring a lawyer.
What Do Car Accident Lawyers Do?
Car accident lawyers act on the client’s behalf. They handle communications with insurance adjusters and other parties, submit claims, and advocate for their clients at every turn. Some of the critical things car accident lawyers do include:
Investigate The Accident
Car accidents can happen for various reasons, including the following:
- Distracted driving
- Impairment by drugs or alcohol
- Drowsy driving
- Speeding
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Following too closely
- Running red lights or stop signs
An experienced car accident lawyer can investigate the crash and determine how it happened and who is responsible. They can also determine if parties other than drivers might be responsible for the accident, such as product manufacturers, if a defective product was involved.
Level the Playing Field
While this might be your first accident, insurance adjusters deal in car accidents daily. They know how to minimize liability, shift blame for the accident, and convince injured victims to settle their cases for much less than they deserve. An experienced car accident lawyer can protect vulnerable car accident victims from insurance company tactics and fight for fair compensation.
Protect Your Interests
Insurance companies may try to use deceptive practices such as convincing you to give a recorded statement to use something you say against you. They may send you a fast settlement offer, hoping you will take it before you can consult an experienced attorney. They might claim they want to help by getting your medical records for you, only to then blame pre-existing injuries for your harm. An experienced car accident lawyer will know these tactics and work hard to protect your interests.
Negotiate for Fair Compensation
An experienced car accident lawyer can gather information and compile a demand package that justifies your request for a certain amount of compensation. If the insurance company refuses to offer this much compensation and makes a counteroffer, your lawyer can make their own counteroffer. A Las Vegas car accident lawyer can also advise whether you should accept the settlement or litigate the case in court to recover fair compensation.
Liability Is in Dispute
The insurance company may be trying to blame you or someone else for the accident in an attempt to get out of paying your fair compensation.
An experienced lawyer can fight back and gather evidence to establish liability, such as:
- Accident reports
- Witness statements
- Damaged cars and parts
- Photos of skid marks and roadside debris
- Videos of the accident
Often, the location of the vehicle damage and an understanding of Nevada traffic laws can help establish how the crash occurred and who is responsible.
You Were Seriously Injured
Car accidents can involve strong forces, high speeds, and serious injuries such as:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
- Amputations
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
These injuries can negatively impact your quality of life and limit you in ways you’ve never experienced. A lawyer can fight for the compensation you deserve and take this burden off your shoulders while you focus on your recovery.
You Want To Maximize Your Settlement
Car accident victims recover more on average when they hire a lawyer than when they don’t. An experienced lawyer can account for all of the ways that an accident can impact you and demand compensation for them.
A car accident lawyer might pursue compensation for:
- Accident-related medical expenses you have incurred
- Future medical expenses you will likely incur, such as costs for ongoing care, rehabilitation, and therapy
- Lost wages and income
- Future loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Past and future pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
Your lawyer will aim to achieve the highest settlement possible for your situation.
You Are Approaching the Statute of Limitations
Car accident victims have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit following an accident. You might need to file a lawsuit if the insurance company has denied your claim or refused to make a fair settlement offer. In Nevada, most car accident victims have a time limit of two years to file a lawsuit, or they risk losing their opportunity to recover compensation through the courts. If this deadline is approaching, reach out to a lawyer promptly to protect your rights.
Can I Afford an Attorney?
Some accident victims worry about the costs of hiring a lawyer and whether they can afford it. However, most personal injury attorneys take cases on a contingency fee basis, so you won’t have to pay them upfront. In fact, you only pay for their services if they successfully recover compensation on your behalf and only after you obtain a settlement or award when you can afford to pay them.
Contact a Knowledgeable Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer
De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers offers a free case consultation you can take advantage of to learn more about when to hire a car accident lawyer. Call us today at (702) 222-9999 to get started with your claim.