Being in a hit and run accident can be a traumatic situation. After suddenly experiencing a collision, you are left to deal with injuries, vehicle damage, and financial stress while the at-fault motorist flees the scene to avoid liability. Far too many drivers fail to stop after causing accidents, leaving innocent people to pick up the pieces. A hit and run accident lawyer in Las Vegas can assist with your case.
Pursuing fair compensation after one of these incidents is something you may benefit from. Doing so also holds hit and run offenders accountable when found. However, with strict deadlines and complex laws, it is beneficial to consult H&P Law for a Las Vegas car accident lawyer. Our team has recovered over $100 million for our clients.
What to Do After a Hit and Run Accident
If you have been involved in a hit and run accident, it is important to remain calm and take the proper steps to protect yourself. First, seek immediate medical attention, as your health and safety should be your top priority. You should contact the police so an official report can be filed documenting the incident.
Document the accident scene as thoroughly as possible, including photos of the vehicle and surrounding damage, street names and landmarks, and contact information for any witnesses, if available. Writing down all the details quickly can be invaluable for ensuring important facts are captured accurately.
Contact an experienced hit and run accident lawyer in Las Vegas at H&P Law for advice on steps to take regarding insurance claims, potential investigations, and understanding your legal rights and options. A Las Vegas personal injury lawyer can provide guidance tailored to the specifics of the incident.
How Common Hit and Run Accidents Are
Unfortunately, hit and run collisions occur more often than you may think. Large metropolitan areas tend to have high rates of these incidents, including Las Vegas. With so many vehicles on the roads, collisions happen often, but not stopping after one is against the law.
Recently released statistics from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reveal the immense scale of these incidents across the city. In 2022 alone, law enforcement recorded nearly 20,000 total traffic collisions within city limits. Of that substantial figure, over 4,300 accidents were classified as hit and run crashes where a driver fled the scene without exchanging insurance or reporting the incident.
Beyond hit and runs, the thousands of documented accidents in Las Vegas last year led to extensive vehicle damage and injuries. Police reports show that over 11,000 people suffered harm in nearly 20,000 collisions. About 814 pedestrians were involved in crashes in 2022, representing a 15.5% increase over the prior year.
How the Severity of Injuries Can Impact Claims
The severity of injuries sustained in a hit and run accident directly correlates to the compensation one may receive. Minor damages and injuries typically lead to smaller settlement offers. Major, long-term, or permanent injuries can warrant higher rewards.
More severe collisions that lead to extended hospitalization, surgery, disability, or loss of wages can significantly strengthen a case. Precise documentation and medical records help verify these consequences for insurance claims or lawsuits. A hit and run accident attorney in Las Vegas can get expert witnesses to attest to health setbacks like pain and suffering.
In the worst cases, hit and run crashes lead to fatalities of drivers, passengers, cyclists, or pedestrians. While no amount of money replaces a life, damages in a wrongful death suit can be substantial, including funeral costs and loss of income over time. Justice is also often sought for surviving family members in these traumatic situations. Our Las Vegas fatal car accident lawyer can answer your questions.
Nevada Laws for Hit and Run Accidents
Nevada statutes clearly define hit and run incidents and outline associated penalties. Fleeing could also result in imprisonment of no less than two years.
Possible punishments for those convicted depend on factors like alcohol impairment, prior offenses, and actual harm caused. Terms can range from fines and license revocation up to years in prison and sizable civil penalties. Law enforcement leverages resources like cameras, and the scene of fatal or severe injury crashes can elevate charges to a Category B felony.
It is important to know that you have legal rights to recover damages even if the responsible party is unknown. Nevada is an at-fault insurance state, meaning injury claims are based on the fault of the parties involved. Uninsured motorist coverage can also help compensate if the at-fault driver remains unidentified after the crash.
How We Investigate and Build Your Case After a Hit and Run Accident
As a hit and run accident lawyer in Las Vegas, we see many people suffer serious, even devastating, catastrophic injuries, at the fault of others who do not stop and take ownership for what they did. After a hit and run, you need an advocate who is solely looking out for your best possible outcome. Our attorney will do that for you by providing a comprehensive investigation into your case. Consider the following steps:
- We investigate what happened. While the police lead the way in determining who is at fault and tracking down leads, you can expect your attorney to also work on your behalf. We will seek out all available evidence in the case, including any that the insurance company and police have not yet found. We are aggressive in finding this data.
- We seek to hold any party at fault accountable. For example, if the hit and run driver is not known, but we can show the city was partially at fault for the unsafe intersection, that may enhance your claim.
- Our attorneys review all evidence in your case to determine losses. We want to maximize the amount of compensation you receive. Expect us to be aggressive in documenting losses and filing a claim to maximize compensation.
We work alongside the police to remain up to date on their investigation. Most of the time, there is no information to determine who is at fault. That is when our Las Vegas hit and run accident attorney will build a strong claim against them and their insurance company for the losses you incurred.
Civil Compensation for a Hit and Run Accident
If you are hurt in a car accident, and the other driver takes off, your own uninsured motorist coverage could serve as a tool for receiving some or all of your losses. To do this, you must have an uninsured motorist coverage policy in place. This policy protects you from instances in which the person who struck you is not known.
It is just as important in these cases as it is in any other type of car accident to arm yourself with a Las Vegas hit and run accident lawyer. Your attorney is not working for anyone other than you, which protects you from the most significant financial risks of denied claims.
Your uninsured motorist coverage is one route to recovering fair compensation, but not the only option. We will continue to determine who is at fault to file a claim against those parties for the losses you have incurred. Set up a consultation with us to review your case details and determine the best strategy.
Types of Potential Damages to Recover
There are a variety of potential financial damages you can attempt to pursue after a hit and run accident. Compensation may be available for immediate costs, such as vehicle repair or replacement, and medical bills for any necessary treatment. Lost income from missing work can also be recouped if sufficiently documented.
Insurance settlements may also cover expected future expenses related to an incident. Long-term healthcare, physical therapy, and even things like wheelchair ramps or mobility devices can add up. Projected wage losses or diminished earning capacity also qualify if supported by evidence.
Additional damages that can be sought include compensation for emotional distress, pain, and suffering. The mental and psychological impacts of collisions and injuries have real consequences.
Statute of Limitations for Hit and Run Accidents
Pursuing a hit and run claim in Nevada comes with strict deadlines that limit delays in taking legal action. For injury or wrongful death incidents, according to the statutes linked above, you have two years after the crash to file a lawsuit. Other factors, like the discovery of harm or the defendant’s identity, can extend the window longer.
Related damages, such as property loss or hospital liens, also fall under a three-year statute from the accident date. These deadlines start the day of the incident. Sufficient evidence must definitively prove crimes occurred for these terms to apply.
Given the complexities of Nevada state law, having legal representation is key to ensuring timely claims. A Las Vegas hit and run accident lawyer can develop optimal strategies based on the facts of the case and applicable court precedent regarding accident response deadlines. Moving promptly is critical to get the most potential out of your case.
What to Expect from the Insurance Claims Process After a Hit and Run Accident
After a hit and run accident, the insurance claims process may be slightly different than what you would expect from a traditional, straightforward claim. There is far more scrutiny on the process, and it could come from your own insurance company. Consider the following factors and what you can expect throughout this legal process:
- After your accident, an investigation occurs. Police will try to determine who is at fault. If you have an attorney working with you, they will also seek out the entity responsible. As that process is ongoing, you need to file a claim for your losses.
- Filing a claim against your uninsured motorist coverage policy. You will be able to submit a claim for the losses you have directly to your uninsured motorist policy issuer for your damages, up to the value of compensation you have.
- Negotiations will occur. Insurance companies will require an investigation and try to reduce the amount of compensation paid to you. Having an attorney minimizes the risk that you may not receive fair compensation for your losses. At this point, let us handle the insurance company.
- If the other party is found, there is a new way of seeking compensation for your losses. Expect the uninsured motorist insurance holder to seek a claim against the at-fault party in this case. That could expand the value of compensation available to you as well.
- Going to trial may occur. There are some situations where insurance companies are not fair to you, and they may dispute fault or claim details. If necessary, you can expect our Las Vegas hit and run accident lawyer to pursue legal action against those parties through a lawsuit.
- If your case goes to trial, expect our legal team to defend you and build your case. We are always honest and upfront with you about what to expect from this process. It is rare for a case to proceed to trial, as most settle out of court. But our experience is there, ready to work for you when necessary.
At any time during this process, the hit and run driver may be found out, and when that occurs, you may find it critical that your attorney moves to seek fair compensation from them. That may include filing a lawsuit for your damages against that driver, seeking an insurance company under their policy, and even seeking other assets to recover your losses.
You Need an Attorney for Peace of Mind
The law does not require you to hire an attorney through this process, but it is nearly always a good idea in a complicated matter like this. A Las Vegas hit and run accident lawyer from our firm will work closely with you to uncover all losses.
Get Help From a Las Vegas Hit and Run Accident Attorney
Going through a complex case like a hit and run situation can be challenging by yourself. Contact H&P Law to see how we can help you.
Schedule your consultation with our hit and run accident lawyer in Las Vegas, with 60+ years of combined experience, to determine the next step you should take.
