Nevada Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys

The amount you might receive often depends on the severity of your injuries. Nevada offers three types of damages for those injured in a drunk driving accident: Economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages. Economic and non-economic damages are meant to make you whole again. Economic damages are those with a fixed price and include:

• Past and future medical expenses;
• Past and future lost wages;
• Medical aids, including but not limited to ambulatory aids;
• Medical upgrades to your home, including but not limited to making your home wheelchair accessible;
• Replacement or repair of damaged or destroyed personal property; and
• Funeral and burial expenses.

Medical expenses also include therapy sessions, including cognitive, physical, and psychological therapies. Some might suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder if the accident was particularly severe, while others may suffer from depression or anxiety because of long-term injuries or fear of getting into a motor vehicle after a serious accident. Non-Economic damages are those that do not have a fixed price attached, and may include:

• Pain and suffering;
• Emotional distress;
• Loss of consortium;
• Loss of companionship;
• Loss of use of a body part or bodily function, such as your eyesight;
• Amputation;
• Paralysis;
• Disfigurement; and
• Inconvenience.

Punitive damages are only offered in certain situations of egregious negligence or malicious conduct, including when someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol causes an accident. The court orders the defendant to pay punitive damages as a punishment to the defendant—this compensation is not meant to make you whole again. The statutes do not cap a punitive damage award if the defendant was under the influence when he or she caused the accident.

An experienced Nevada drunk driving accident lawyer works to obtain compensation for those innocent victims from anyone who has legal responsibility for the drunk driver’s actions. Every drunk driving case has its own features, but knowledgeable Nevada attorneys will frequently:

• Investigate. Experienced lawyers know there is no such thing as an ordinary drunk driving accident. Every crash, and crash victim, has a story to tell that a lawyer needs to understand, in full, to ensure that a client receives maximum compensation under Nevada law. Lawyers will often dig into the details of a drunk driving accident by collecting police reports, interviewing witnesses, reviewing available video or photographic evidence, and even employing forensic experts to reconstruct the crash.
• Evaluate. Attorneys do not simply gather evidence for evidence’s sake. They put the information they collect to work with two principal goals in mind: (1) identifying all parties who have legal liability under Nevada law for the drunk driver’s conduct; and (2) calculating the full measure of money damages a client deserves as compensation for the injuries and losses inflicted by the drunk driving accident. Experienced lawyers know multiple parties may have legal liability for the drunk driver’s actions, and that it takes careful analysis to capture and calculate all of the harms done by a drunk driver.
• Plan. Armed with information and analysis, experienced Nevada drunk driving accident lawyers develop a plan for obtaining maximum compensation for a client’s individual situation and needs, and communicate that plan in clear, understandable terms to the client.
• Execute. Finally, lawyers for Nevada drunk driving accident victims execute on the plan they and their clients have developed. This often includes negotiating with insurance companies and defense attorneys in pursuit of a fair and reasonable settlement of the client’s injury claims, and litigating in Nevada courts to achieve an outcome when a settlement is not in the cards.

In most cases, a personal injury lawsuit must be filed within two years of the accident, or when the defendant became aware of injuries. There are a few exceptions to this rule. It is best to consult with a lawyer to discuss the situation and determine if you can still press charges.

Typically, you do not. Some cases do end up in court, depending on the extent of injuries and harm that occurred as a result, but most do not. Having an experienced attorney by your side will help you get the most optimal outcome for your claim.

Other than the driver, you may sue the person or establishment that allowed a drunk driver to get behind the wheel if that person or establishment knew or should have known that the defendant was intoxicated. You might also hold liable a vehicle manufacturer if the vehicle contained a defective part or was otherwise defective, and that defect contributed to the accident. Multiple parties can sometimes share liability for an accident—your attorney can help ensure that all potentially liable parties are identified, and help you obtain the maximum compensation possible for your injuries following a Nevada DUI accident.

Whether the injuries are minor or severe, it is important to hold the at-fault party responsible for the consequences of their actions. The first person you should contact is a drunk driving attorney in Nevada who is experienced in helping clients pursue compensation for their injuries.

After being involved in a drunk driving accident, the first thing you should do is to schedule a consultation with a lawyer. They will determine if you have a viable case, and will guide you through the process of filling a claim and pursuing compensation for your injuries.

There are generally two options if the driver did not have insurance: you can file a settlement claim through your own insurance, or file a personal claim against the driver and force them to pay out of pocket for the damages. You will need the assistance of an experienced attorney!

The family of the decedent can file a wrongful death claim against the defendant. While money cannot bring a loved one back, it does go a long way in reducing the stress caused by the financial downturn of losing your loved one’s income. The money can also help pay medical expenses incurred by your loved one, including ambulance or life flight charges and emergency room charges. It will also help you keep your bills paid while you are working through the grieving process.

No. The insurance company is in business to make money. Any amount it pays out decreases their profit margin. An insurance company may twist your words in an attempt to deny your claim or offer you a low settlement. Additionally, you could inadvertently say something that could work against you in getting a fair and reasonable settlement. Let our Nevada drunk driving accidents attorneys speak to the insurance company for you.

If the police suspect a driver is intoxicated and the driver refuses to take a chemical test, that driver could lose his or her license for at least a year. If the driver cannot take the test, do not worry; multiple forms of evidence can establish liability on the part of the drunk driver, even without a sobriety test. Your attorney can help establish important evidence in pursuing your claim for injury.