Can I Recover Compensation If I Was a Passenger In A Car Accident In Las Vegas?
In most car accidents, the passengers involved experience some of the most devastating consequences. A common mistake many passengers injured in a Las Vegas car accident make is not wanting to pursue a personal injury claim or any legal action for fear of causing harm or negative implications for the driver, mainly if the driver involved in the accident is a friend or family member.
If you have been injured as a passenger in a car accident in Las Vegas and are contemplating legal action or want to pursue compensation, do not hesitate to contact an experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney.
Am I, As An Injured Passenger, Entitled To Any Compensation After A Las Vegas Accident?
Yes. You have rights as a passenger, and it’s important to know what those rights are and what steps to take to recover from a car accident in Nevada. Passive passengers in Las Vegas accidents cannot be found liable for collisions, which could help maximize the compensation they can recover from a personal injury claim.
Steps to Take After You Are Injured in a Car Accident
Your most important priority after being injured in a Las Vegas car accident is receiving prompt medical attention.
Getting prompt medical treatment is very important, no matter how minor you think your injuries are. Even if you feel fine, you may have injuries you are unaware of. Some injuries, such as whiplash, may take days or weeks to show symptoms.
It is also essential for you to obtain information such as a copy of the police report, witness statements, and injury/property damage photographs.
Your Rights as a Nevada Car Accident Victim
Nevada law makes it clear that passengers are eligible for full compensation if they were injured in a car accident that was not their Fault. That means that passengers can pursue both economic and non-economic damages. There is no cap on non-economic damages in Nevada, so your Las Vegas car accident lawyer can be very aggressive when going after the insurance company for this type of compensation.
Determining Fault
it is doubtful that you would be considered at Fault for the accident as a passenger.
If you were injured in a single-vehicle accident involving no other driver, you may have the option to sue the driver of the car you were a passenger in.
Suppose you were injured as a passenger in a car accident that involved multiple vehicles. In that case, you may be able to file claims against all drivers who were responsible for causing the accident.
If the driver responsible for the accident is uninsured or under-insured (which means the at-fault driver does not have enough coverage to compensate for your injuries fully), you may be able to pursue a claim against your own insurance company if you have uninsured or under-insured motorist coverage.
Nevada is considered an at-fault state. This means the person at Fault for the accident must cover all related damages. You can begin the claims process by contacting the at-fault party’s insurance company. Remember that an experienced car accident attorney in Las Vegas can handle this step on your behalf.
This is called a third-party claim since you aren’t a driver involved in the crash but a passenger in a vehicle.
Individuals with a registered vehicle in Nevada must maintain liability insurance covering at least $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people, and $20,000 for property damage.
What If the At-fault Driver Was Someone You Know?
If you were the passenger of a vehicle in an accident and the at-fault party is someone you know, and may not want to sue them directly. If this is a worry for you, breathe easy.
Drivers have insurance to remove the financial liability of an accident from their shoulders. As a result, their insurer will pay for damages, not the driver.
Can Passengers Share Liability For Las Vegas Car Accidents?
Generally, investigators do not commonly find passengers liable for causing car accidents. However, it is possible that you could be found to share liability for your injuries. If a passenger’s actions are determined to be negligent in some way, they may be partly at Fault for the accident.
For instance, if you were not wearing your seatbelt at the time of the accident, the judge will assign you some percentage of Fault for your injuries, or if you provoked the driver to drive recklessly, the investigators or judge might consider that when determining Fault in the accident.
Pacific West Injury Law – Putting Passengers First: Las Vegas Car Accident Attorneys for Injured Passengers
Las Vegas car accident lawyers at Pacific West Injury Law have extensive knowledge and experience in handling cases similar to yours.
Our law firm can help you identify all the damages you may be entitled to, including lost wages, medical bills, future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.
The legal professionals at our personal injury law firm can anticipate potential roadblocks and devise strategies to overcome them, increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome for your claim.
If you are a passenger who has been injured in a car accident in Las Vegas, Henderson, or North Las Vegas, don’t try to take on the car insurance companies on your own. Team up with Pacific West Injury Law’s legal experts to ensure you receive all the compensation you deserve.
Our firm provides consultations that include free case evaluations.
