Auto Accident Injury in Reno, NV

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Reno? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Reno, NV that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Reno, Nevada

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. The Nevada Department of Transportation had documented nearly 29,000 accidents in the Reno area alone. Officials in Nevada have designed an Interactive Heat Map, which allows you to specifically see crash statistics within any 20 mile radius in the state.

Nevada as a state is also, fortunately, experiencing a down-trend in accidents involving serious injuries. Still however, across the state, over 63,000 accidents involved injuries, and another 82,000 accidents resulted in property damage. The most common causes of auto accidents in Nevada are failure to yield, and reckless driving.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

The Reno Police Department states that if the accident is not severe and there is no need for Police, then you can leave the scene after an exchange of information. If someone was injured in the crash, you must call the police. If it turns out that there is over $750 damage to any one vehicle, you must submit a crash report to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles or to the police department. You can obtain a form at the scene, in person, at your local precinct, or on the Reno Police Department website.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

  • Full name, address, phone number and email address
  • Driver’s license state and number
  • Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

  • Burn injuries
  • Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
  • Brain and head injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Spinal injuries
  • Soft tissue injuries

According to the Center for Disease Control, crashes involving fatalities cost $498.2 million across the state of Nevada. Fifty four percent of those accidents involved motor vehicle occupants and crashes in which there are injuries can cost drivers on average $61,000 in Nevada. Drivers involved in accidents where there is only property damage can expect to be financially responsible for an average of $7,500. According to the Nevada Department of Transportation in the Reno area alone, there have been over 28,000 accidents so far since 2017.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Nevada

Liability Laws for Reno

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process.

Nevada is a comparative fault state. Reno, as a Nevada locality, also observes Comparative Fault Legislature. This means that the fault attributable to each party is compared and any award to the plaintiff is reduced in proportion to the plaintiff’s share of the fault. Basically, how much fault you hold or do not hold in causing the accident can greatly impact cost and financial responsibility.

Statute of Limitations in Reno

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. If you are injured or develop an injury, in Nevada, car accident injuries fall under the umbrella of personal injury claims, which have a 2 year statute of limitations. This means you must seek any and all damages before the 2 year anniversary of your accident.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Reno, NV

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Nevada!

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