While it is not required, having uninsured motorist coverage is certainly a good idea in addition to Nevada’s required liability insurance. The more coverage you have, the less it may cost you if you are involved in a car accident.
Consider your auto insurance as a safety net, just in case. It is vital when you have an accident, no matter who is at fault. Another essential following a vehicle accident is a good car accident lawyer.
Nevada Auto Insurance Requirements
Nevada requires its drivers to carry liability insurance of $25,000 per person and up to $50,000 per accident for bodily injury. In addition, $20,000 for property damage is required, according to the Nevada Department of Insurance.
Adding Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Insurance Options
Some drivers elect not to carry additional insurance options in an attempt to lower the cost of their insurance. If you are in an accident, however, that can backfire. Just over 10% of Nevada’s drivers do not have any auto insurance coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III).
Uninsured motorist insurance provides coverage for you if the at-fault driver does not have insurance. Underinsured motorist coverage helps when the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to cover injuries and damages for you and your passengers following an accident.
While auto insurance companies are required by Nevada law to offer uninsured coverage, drivers can reject it. To refuse it, you must sign a form opting out of the additional coverage.
How Is Uninsured Motorist Coverage Used?
When you are hit by another driver, you and your passengers may incur injuries and your car can be damaged. If the at-fault driver has proper insurance, their coverage should pay for bills and non-economic damages resulting from the accident. A car accident attorney can help you receive proper compensation from the other driver and their insurance company.
Economic damages the at-fault driver is responsible for include:
- Medical bills for injuries resulting from the accident
- Future medical bills for those injuries
- Loss of income while recovering from your injuries
- A future loss of income
- Short or long-term disability
- Repair or replacement cost of your car
But there can be other forms of injury.
What About the Emotional Toll from the Accident?
You may be suffering from emotional and psychological damages as well. These may manifest as:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental trauma
- Loss of enjoyment or fulfillment in life
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of consortium
While these types of damages do not bear a price tag, your experienced car accident attorney will research past cases to set an appropriate figure for your non-economic damages.
Unfortunately, while an uninsured driver can still legally be held accountable for the damages you suffered, they likely cannot cover the cost of those damages on their own. This is when your uninsured motorist coverage can provide help.
Why You Need a Car Accident Attorney
Following a car accident, determining fault, and proving it is crucial in your receiving proper compensation. While you are nursing your injuries, you should have a knowledgeable Nevada car accident attorney working to assure your rights.
Get a Free Initial Consultation
Pacific West Injury Law offers a free, no-obligation consultation. During that meeting, you will need to provide the attorney with all the information you have on your case. They can review that evidence and see if you have a viable legal claim for compensation.
You can learn a lot from this consultation and assure you are comfortable with your attorney to move forward with your legal case.
What Your Car Accident Lawyer Will Do
After your initial meeting, your lawyer and their legal team will collect more evidence regarding your case including:
- Your testimony
- The police report
- Photos from the accident scene
- Eyewitness testimony
- Your medical records and bills
- Copies of an estimate for your car repair
With evidence in your favor, your attorney should be able to build a solid legal case. At that time, they can start negotiating with the at-fault driver’s legal team and their insurance company.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
If the other driver was driving without insurance, they were breaking the law. However, that in and of itself will not help you receive compensation. The other driver can still be held responsible.
But unless that driver has a large net worth, you will likely need to also rely on your uninsured motorist coverage. That, too, can be tricky.
Insurance companies want to make money, not spend it. Even your own insurance company will try to pay you as little as possible from your uninsured coverage. Your attorney will negotiate to get you the compensation you need.
What Will a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
After your free consultation and when you hire your attorney, you will sign an agreement that outlines the services your lawyer and legal team will provide. It will also designate a percentage of compensation as coverage for your legal fees.
Before a settlement, you will not be billed by Pacific West Injury Law for any of their legal services. When there is a settlement, the compensation will be paid to your attorney who will deposit it into a holding account. Once it clears, your attorney will write you a check for your compensation minus the pre-agreed upon legal services percentage.
If for any reason, your attorney is unable to get you compensation, you will owe them nothing.
Choosing the Right Lawyer
Car accident cases can be complex. So can dealing with insurance companies. Choosing a personal injury lawyer with extensive experience in car accident cases is key to getting you a winning result.
You should look for a lawyer familiar with Nevada insurance and traffic laws. You should also look for someone familiar with the area in which your accident happened. In Henderson, Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas, that someone is Kris Helmick, founder of Pacific West Injury Law.
Contact Pacific West Injury Law Today
Nevada has a statute of limitations for car accident cases of two years. This means you only have two years from the date of the accident to file a legal case. That is not a lot of time to research and write up a proper claim for your case.
Contact Pacific West Injury Law as soon as you are able for your free consultation. Then let Kris and his team get to work on your case to help you receive proper compensation for the injuries you have endured.
