Experiencing a Nevada car accident can be unsettling and scary. This can be the case even if the crash is a minor fender-bender and no serious injuries resulted. Although all car accidents can cause emotional harm, some collisions result in much greater damage and financial losses than other crashes.
At H&P Law, our attorneys know that car accident victims have many questions after being involved in a collision, especially if the crash is a serious one. One question may be whether or not a crash victim needs to hire legal representation in order to navigate the car accident claims process. If you have been involved in a Nevada car accident and are unsure about hiring an attorney, there are a few things you should know.
Signs You Need an Attorney
It is generally a good idea to hire an attorney if you are involved in a car accident, although whether or not you need one is often dependent upon a multitude of issues. There are several factors that if present in your situation mean that hiring a skilled car accident attorney is a good idea and will likely improve the final outcome of your case.
- You have serious injuries: If you have suffered serious injuries, or if a loved one has passed away as a result of the crash, you should contact an attorney. The losses involved in your personal injury claim — including medical expenses, loss of income, and property damage — will probably be significant. Failing to work with a lawyer may result in a lower settlement;
- Fault is unknown: If fault has not been determined or there were multiple parties involved in the collision, you should contact an attorney. There can be numerous potential defendants who may be found legally and financially liable for your harm. Also, an investigation of the facts of your case will need to be conducted in order to prove fault and succeed in your personal injury claim;
- Your claim was denied: When the insurance company denies your insurance claim or offers you a lowball settlement, you should immediately contact an experienced personal injury attorney to enter into negotiation talks on your behalf;
- The other driver does not have insurance: If you have been severely injured due to the negligence of another, lack of insurance coverage is the worst case scenario for an injured victim. When an at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, a lawyer will be able to help you explore recovery options, including filing a claim with your own insurance carrier;
- You are partially at fault: If you are found to have contributed to the case of the accident, this can significantly affect the monetary compensation you can receive under Nevada law. This is because Nevada is a comparative negligence state and any monetary award will be reduced by whatever percentage of blame a plaintiff is found to have for the crash;
- You are unsure what is next: There are several stages of a personal injury claim where someone unfamiliar with the process may not know how to proceed. Sometimes insurance companies do not respond, deadlines need to be met, or the other driver is not cooperating. No matter the issue, an experienced attorney will know what to do.
Consult With an Attorney
While not every car accident claim requires the assistance of an attorney, most accidents are not so simple or straightforward. It is always a good idea to consult with a skilled personal injury attorney to learn about your rights and obligations under the law. Contact H&P Law today.
