Local news reports indicate that a pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries after being involved in a traffic collision in Reno one Monday evening in late November. At around 9:30pm, the Reno Police Department (RPD) responded to a car crash scene that occured on Keitzke Lane.
According to authorities, a 32-year-old male was suddenly struck by a blue sedan while he was crossing the road. Then, according to authorities, the driver of the sedan fled the scene of the accident. As a result of this pedestrian accident, the victim suffered life-threatening injuries. The events of the crash still remain under investigation by authorities, who are looking for a blue sedan with front-end damage.
Pedestrian Accidents
Every year thousands are injured in life-changing pedestrian accidents across the United States. Oftentimes these accidents require victims to seek medical attention in hospitals due to their sustained injuries. Despite there being many treatment options available to pedestrian accident victims, when they are involved in an accident there is no guarantee that they will be able to completely recover from their injuries. In fact, many Nevada accident victims experience permanent disabilities as well as pain and suffering.
Damages Available
If an at-fault party in a pedestrian accident is found guilty, a Nevada court may award the injured victim compensatory damages for:
- Lost wages;
- Doctor’s bills;
- Lost earning potential;
- Pain and suffering;
- Punitive damages; and/or
- Wrongful death damages.
Notably, pain and suffering monetary awards are capped at $350,000 under Nevada law. Moreover, if the driver who struck the pedestrian was a government employee who was acting in the course of his or her job, then the at-fault driver is responsible to the pedestrian accident victim for only $100,000 in medical bills and lost wages. Outside of this scenario, there is typically no limit to compensatory damages.
If the at-fault driver purposely struck a pedestrian, he or she would likely be facing paying punitive damages as well as compensatory damages to the victims. Punitive damages are meant to punish wrongdoing above and beyond compensatory damages — which are only meant to make the victim whole again. Under Nevada law, the general punitive damages limit is:
- $300,000 if the compensatory damage award to the plaintiff is less than $100,000; or
- Three times the compensatory damages if the compensatory damage award to the plaintiff is more than $100,000.
Fault Under Nevada Law
Nevada’s comparative negligence law allows for a pedestrian to still recover monetary compensation for injuries suffered as long as the at-fault party is found to be at least 50% at fault by a Nevada court. Therefore, if the pedestrian is found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident that resulted in harm, his or her award will be reduced by the percentage of blame. If, however, a pedestrian is found to be 51% or more at fault for the accident that caused the injuries, he or she will not be able to recover any compensation.
What to Do if You are in a Bike Accident
If you are involved in a Nevada pedestrian accident, contact the skilled personal injury attorneys at H&P Law. Our attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve.
