Car accidents in Reno, NV, are scary and life-changing events. If you’re involved in a car accident, it can have significant impacts on your personal, professional, and financial life.
In Nevada, the party that caused an accident is responsible for the damages incurred by all victims. That said, getting fair compensation from insurance companies or at-fault parties can be hard.
If you’ve been in a car accident in Reno, Nevada, a Reno car accident attorney can help you understand your rights and get the compensation you deserve. Contact a Reno car accident lawyer at De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers to discuss your case, or call (775) 526-4809 for a free consultation.
How De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Reno Car Accident
When you’re injured in a car accident in Reno, NV, caused by someone else, you’ll have to file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
Insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with and likely will deny responsibility, defer claims, and minimize claims. At De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers, our team has over 100 years of combined experience representing Nevada accident victims.
We know how to deal with insurance companies and get results for clients. If the insurance company is unwilling to offer a settlement, we’ll file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
Our Reno personal injury lawyers have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients. We’ve gained a reputation in Nevada for providing aggressive and dependable legal representation.
After a car accident, our Reno personal injury attorneys will work closely with victims to help them get the compensation they deserve.
We get the best results possible for clients by:
- Investigating the accident to determine what caused the accident;
- Gathering evidence to show who is responsible for the damages caused by the accident;
- Calculating all current and future damages;
- Gathering evidence to document damages;
- Filing a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company;
- Negotiating with the insurance company to ensure a fair settlement;
- If the insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, filing a lawsuit to recover damages;
- Representing clients in court;
- Handling all administrative tasks and correspondence;
- Complying with all deadlines, including the statute of limitations
To discuss your case or schedule a free consultation, contact our Reno Car Accident lawyer today.
How Common Are Car Accidents in Reno?
Unfortunately, car accidents are common in Nevada and Reno. Car crashes are the leading cause of unexpected death and severe injury in the state of Nevada.
Data from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety reports that the number of car accidents and traffic fatalities has increased over the past 10 years. In recent years, the data shows over 1,000 injuries and over 300 deaths annually from car crashes. The majority of accidents happen in urban areas.
What Causes Most Reno Car Accidents?
While car accidents are on the rise, the reality is that many accidents can be prevented.
Some of the most common causes of Reno car accidents are:
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failure to yield
- Failure to stop at an intersection
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued driving
- Driving outside of the correct lane
If another driver caused your accident by engaging in one of the above behaviors, you’re likely entitled to compensation for your injuries. A car accident lawyer will investigate your case to determine the cause.
Your team will also gather evidence to prove who was at fault, including the following:
- Crash reports and police reports
- CCTV or other footage of the accident
- Pictures and videos from the accident scene
- Eyewitness testimony
- Expert testimony
- Accident reconstructionists
After determining who was at fault for the accident, your personal injury lawyer will file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. The evidence your legal team has gathered is key for dealing with insurance companies and will help your lawyer negotiate to get a fair settlement.
What Damages Are Available to Car Accident Victims in Reno?
The primary purpose of damages is to compensate accident victims for their losses after an accident. Damages aim to make victims “whole” after a car accident.
With this in mind, compensatory damages compensate victims for all losses. There are two types of compensatory damages: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages reimburse victims for tangible losses after an accident. These are damages that can be documented.
Examples of economic damages are:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Home care services
Non-economic damages compensate victims for less tangible losses after an accident.
Examples of non-economic damages are:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Emotional anguish
- Decreased quality of life
- Loss of consortium
In addition to compensatory damages, punitive damages are also available in Nevada. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish wrongdoers for reprehensible conduct and to deter this type of behavior.
Punitive damages are rarely awarded and are only available when the at-fault party:
- Acted in a way that was likely to harm others and did nothing to prevent that harm;
- Engaged in fraudulent behavior; or
- Engaged in “despicable conduct”
Your legal team will gather evidence to document your damages and support your claim.
This evidence includes:
- Medical bills
- Medical diagnoses
- Pay stubs
- Employer testimony
- Receipts and invoices
- Expert witness testimony
- Financial experts
A Reno car accident lawyer can help you understand the damages available in your case.
What’s My Reno Car Accident Case Worth?
One of the questions we get the most from clients is, How much is my car accident case worth? This is understandable, given the significant financial hardship that car accidents can cause. In addition to medical bills, many victims have reduced income due to missed work or a reduced workload.
Our team understands how crucial compensation is for helping victims get their lives back on track after an accident. We work hard to get clients the most compensation possible as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, there’s no average settlement amount. Cases vary widely based on the facts of each accident. As a result, you have to look at each case individually to estimate its value.
During an initial consultation, our team will analyze your case. We can tell you the damages available to you and give you an estimate of what your case is worth.
Factors that impact how much your personal injury case is worth include:
- The severity of injuries and the amount of economic damages. Cases involving severe injuries with long-term impacts are worth more than cases with minor injuries.
- Whether there is shared or comparative fault. If you’re partly at fault for the accident, your settlement award will be lower.
- The applicable insurance policy. The limits of the at-fault party’s insurance coverage can impact recovery. Even if your damages are substantial, if the policy does not cover them all, you might not be compensated for all of your losses.
Schedule a free consultation with De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers to discuss your case. Our team will analyze your case, identify factors that will impact the value of the case, and give you a strategy for getting the compensation you deserve.
Who Could Be Liable for My Injuries After a Reno Car Accident?
Another common question we get from clients is, Who is responsible for my injuries? The short answer is that the party who caused the accident is responsible.
However, many different parties can be liable for car accidents, including:
- Other drivers
- Truck drivers
- Operators of commercial vehicles
- Public transportation operators
- Bicyclists
- Motorcyclists
- Car manufacturers
Your car accident lawyer will determine who is liable for your injuries and ensure the responsible party compensates you for your losses.
Can I Still Recover Damages if I’m Partly at Fault?
Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence rule. Under this policy, as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages from the at-fault party.
When you’re partially at fault, your damages award will be reduced by the percentage of your fault. For example, if your damages were $100,000 but you were 20% at fault, you would only be entitled to recover $80,000.
How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit After a Reno Car Accident?
The statute of limitations in Nevada is two years. This means that you have two years from the time of your accident to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
If you don’t file a lawsuit within this timeframe, you’ll lose your right to recovery. Your personal injury lawyer will know when the statute of limitations expires. If necessary, your legal team will file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires.
Contact Our Reno Car Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been involved in a Reno Car Accident, contact De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers. We’re available 24/7 to take your call and discuss your case. Call today or visit our Reno, NV, personal injury office to schedule a free consultation with our Reno car accident attorneys.