When you have been seriously injured in a motor vehicle crash, the liable party will be expected to cover your damages in full. However, that does not mean they will not go to great lengths to avoid being held accountable. Fortunately, when you have an experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyer at H&P Law in your corner, they will not get away with it.
Contact our legal team, with 60+ years of experience, to schedule a free consultation today to learn more about the laws impacting your settlement, how car accident claims unfold, and what you could win if your case is successful. Our Las Vegas personal injury lawyer will do everything possible to get the most out of your claim.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Las Vegas
The moments right after a crash can be confusing. However, if you are involved in a Las Vegas car accident, here is what you should do. Taking the right steps early on can protect your health and give you a stronger claim later. Even small decisions in those first few hours can shape how your recovery plays out.
Immediate Steps to Protect Yourself
Start with your safety. If you are hurt, get checked out as soon as possible, even if the pain seems minor. Some injuries take time to show up, and having a medical record from the start helps protect both your health and your case. Make sure the crash is reported to law enforcement and ask for a copy of the accident report when it is available.
If you are able, take photos of the scene and exchange information with anyone involved. Try not to admit fault or speculate about what happened. What you say in those early conversations could be used against you later, even if you are just being polite or trying to keep the peace. The more careful you are now, the more options you will have later.
Why You Should Call a Lawyer Right Away
A lot happens behind the scenes in the days after a crash. Insurance companies start investigating, evidence can disappear, and witnesses may become harder to reach.
The sooner you have a legal team on your side, the easier it is to protect the details that matter. We can request traffic footage, contact insurance adjusters on your behalf, and help keep your claim on track from the beginning.
This is especially important if your crash involved serious injuries or someone who should never have been behind the wheel, like in a Las Vegas DUI accident case. When we step in early, we do not just react to what the insurance company is doing. We help you set the tone, build the case the right way, and take pressure off your shoulders while you focus on healing.
Establishing Fault and Liability in Las Vegas Car Accident Claims
Proving fault is one of the most important parts of a car accident claim. You may know what happened, but the insurance company will want proof before it pays. That is where strategy and documentation come into play, and why working with the right legal team matters.
What Evidence Helps Prove Fault
The sooner we start gathering evidence, the stronger your case can be. Police reports can be helpful, but they are not always final. We also look at dashcam footage, photos of the vehicles, skid marks, damage patterns, and statements from anyone who saw what happened. These details may seem small, but they can paint a much clearer picture of what actually occurred.
Some vehicles also store internal data, like braking patterns or speed at the time of impact. This kind of information can help confirm what the other driver was doing before the crash.
Your Las Vegas car accident attorney will know how to request and protect that evidence before it disappears. When we build a case, we make sure every piece is there to support your side.
Challenges in Complex or Disputed Fault Cases
Not every crash is easy to explain. If multiple cars were involved, or if both drivers made mistakes, things can get complicated fast. Nevada uses a modified comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% at fault.
But getting the right share of the blame assigned takes careful work. Disputes are more likely when there is not much visible damage or when no clear eyewitness comes forward. Insurance companies may try to argue that your injuries were not serious or that you caused more of the crash than you actually did.
That is why we prepare for pushback from the start. When questions come up, we already have the answers. Our goal is to make sure your case is ready for whatever comes next.
Understanding the Car Accident Settlement Process
Most car accident claims are resolved through settlements instead of going to trial. That does not mean the process is simple, and it does not mean the insurance company will make things easy for you. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared and more in control of your case.
How Settlement Negotiations Work
Once your claim is submitted, the insurance company will review your medical records, lost income, property damage, and other details. It is common for them to come back with an initial offer that is far below what your case is actually worth.
That is their starting point, not the final word. We respond with a demand letter backed by real evidence and a clear explanation of what your losses look like on paper and off.
From there, the negotiation begins. Some cases settle in a few rounds of back-and-forth, while others take more time. The key is patience and preparation. We make sure the insurance company sees your claim as serious, well-documented, and ready for trial if needed. That pressure helps move the conversation in the right direction.
When Mediation or Trial Becomes Necessary
If negotiations stall or the insurance company refuses to treat your case fairly, mediation may be the next step. This is a meeting where both sides come together with a neutral third party to try to reach a resolution.
It is not a trial, but it can help resolve disputes without going to court. We prepare you for what to expect, represent your interests during the process, and make sure you are not pushed into accepting anything less than what you deserve.
Sometimes, filing a lawsuit becomes the best option. This does not mean you will end up in front of a jury, but it does put pressure on the other side to take things more seriously. We build your case from the beginning with trial in mind, so we are ready if that time comes. You will not have to face it alone. We are here to walk through it with you, every step of the way.
Filing a Claim with the Insurance Company After a Car Accident in Las Vegas
Pursuing compensation from the insurance company is common after a motor vehicle accident in Las Vegas. However, dealing with the insurance company is an entirely different matter. Here are some of the most important things you need to know about filing a claim:
- Nevada Auto Insurance Requirements – According to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, motorists are legally required to carry a minimum of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and $20,000 per accident in property damage liability coverage.
- Fault Insurance Laws – Nevada follows fault insurance laws per NRS § 485.185. You may have the right to file a claim with your own insurance company if necessary. Generally, you initiate the claims process by filing a claim against the liable party’s insurance.
- What Insurance Settlements Pay For – Expect your insurance settlement to cover a portion of your medical bills and vehicle repair costs.
Dealing with the insurance company will not be easy. You should expect some pushback. With help from your car accident attorney in Las Vegas, you can get the most out of your insurance claim.
Recovering Damages from Your Car Accident
“Damages” refers to money that compensates you for your losses. Since the burden of proof is based on a preponderance of the evidence per NRS § 233B.0375, the evidence we obtain to support your case is crucial. We will establish support for claiming damages by providing evidence such as:
- Medical expenses
- Reduced earning potential
- Proof of missed work and benefits
- Disfigurement, skin scarring, or permanent disability
- Documentation showing you can no longer perform household chores
- Records and professional reports that you are experiencing pain, suffering, and mental anguish
- Feelings of shame, embarrassment, fear, shock, or indignity
Even if you are partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover compensation for your losses. You must be found less than 51% at fault under modified comparative negligence laws per NRS § 41.141. Your damages will be reduced by the same percentage as your liability.
How a Car Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas Can Help
If you have been in a traffic accident, you could be unsure if you should seek advice from a Las Vegas catastrophic injury lawyer. At H&P Law, our case evaluations are always free, and we provide the best legal advice. In your personal injury lawyer consultation, we will analyze the facts specific to your case and help you decide whether you need to hire a Las Vegas car accident attorney.
As a general rule, however, if you are injured at all, you should seek out legal representation to make sure your rights are protected. Unfortunately, insurance companies are predictable.
They will be very nice to you on the phone, but try to get away with giving you far less than the amount you have actually lost as a result of the traffic accident. They may be eager to do this if they know you do not have representation.
If you think you are not hurt at all, you may think you do not need to consult with an accident attorney. However, you may not know the extent of your injuries for at least a couple of days after the traffic accident. Because of this, it cannot hurt to reach out to a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas to discuss your case further to learn whether you have grounds for a claim.
Las Vegas Car Accident FAQ
Pursuing justice after being involved in an accident can be overwhelming. However, with the right legal advocate on your side, you should not have to deal with any of the complex nuances. It is our goal to help you feel as empowered and confident as possible as we negotiate insurance settlement terms and demand full compensation at trial.
For this reason, our team at H&P Law has created this comprehensive FAQ below. It addresses some of the most common questions regarding car accidents and how insurance claims work across Las Vegas and the state of Nevada. Additional questions can be discussed in further detail when you contact our office for a free consultation.
Can I Sue if I Need Mental Health Counseling After a Car Accident in Las Vegas?
Emotional injuries can be just as debilitating as physical injuries. To treat your post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other mental health conditions, your healthcare provider may recommend therapy or mental health counseling. Several reputable counselors and therapists in and around Las Vegas may be able to help you get through this challenging time in your life.
When emotional trauma and distress are taking over, you can take action. Despite the fact that these types of damages are intangible, their debilitating impact must be taken into consideration accordingly. We can include compensation to cover your mental health counseling costs and other related expenses in your insurance and civil claims.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
The cost of hiring a Las Vegas car accident lawyer should not prevent you from getting the legal help you need. That is why H&P Law works for you in terms of contingency. We write our contingency agreements in accordance with Rule 1.5 – Fees, Nev. R. Prof. Cond. 1.5, ensuring our clients have access to the legal support they need when they need it most.
Our agreements are set up so that you always receive the bulk of the compensation you are awarded. Even our most complex cases typically do not account for more than 40% of your recovery.
Who Will Pay for My Physical Therapy After a Las Vegas Car Crash?
After being seriously injured in a car crash, you may need more than just a Las Vegas legal advocate to help you through these tough times. To regain as much functionality and mobility as possible, your physician may recommend physical or occupational therapy. Fortunately, the at-fault party will be expected to cover these costs on your behalf if your claim is successful.
How Much Longer Do I have to File My Car Accident Claim?
Your car accident lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations deadline. The personal injury statute of limitations under Nevada law, NRS § 11.190(4)(e), is typically two years from the accident date. This means that exactly two years from the date of the accident, the statute of limitations will pass, preventing you from taking further legal action.
Of course, there are some extenuating circumstances that may apply. If you have a child under the age of 18 who is injured, the statute of limitations may not start counting down until they reach the legal age to pursue a claim on their own.
Two years may seem like more than enough time to file your claim. Do not fall into this trap. We need as much time as possible to build a powerful claim against the liable party, so contact your Las Vegas car accident attorney with H&P Law as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.
Contact Our Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyers Today
Pursuing compensation for your damages after a catastrophic motor vehicle wreck can be overwhelming. Thankfully, when you have a highly qualified Las Vegas car accident attorney at H&P Law working for you, you do not have to go through it alone. Our team is here to help you maximize your payout and demand justice, as seen in our case results.
You can start to pick up the pieces of your life as soon as today. Contact our office to request a free, no-obligation consultation. You can reach us by phone or through our secure contact form to take charge of your future.
