Experienced Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyers Near You
Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world, suffers a serious problem on its roads with countless motor vehicle accidents occurring every day.
These car accidents which occur in Las Vegas range from minor fender benders to severe life crashes which potentially result in catastrophic injury or life changing affects.
With the countless automobile accidents in Las Vegas, if you or a loved one were affected by one, contact the experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyers at The Rodney Okano Car Accident Lawyer Law Firm to immediately begin your personal injury claims process and obtain the financial compensation to which you are entitled.
With over 20 years of experience in motor vehicle accident law, our Las Vegas personal injury law firm has recovered millions for hundreds of personal injury victims and vow to do the same for you.
Schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyer from our personal injury law firm today by calling (702) 566-3600 or submitting an inquiry.
About Founding Attorney Rodney Okano
Attorney Rodney Okano is a skilled Nevada personal injury lawyer with over 20 years of experience in Nevada and personal injury law. With his expertise, he has helped thousands of people injured in accidents obtain the financial settlement they're entitled to.
Contact Attorney Rodney OkanoWhat Clients Say About Us
"I would 100% recommend Rodney Okano to anyone who gets into a car accident."
"Rodney and his staff were tremendously helpful and made my legal processes smooth and straightforward."
"Very professional staff. I've used Rodney before, and I highly recommend him"
"After my car accident, Rodney and his team were great! They really went out of their way to come up with innovative solutions to address my case with the insurance company. I would definitely use them again."
Is It Worth It to Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
Following a car accident, you may ponder whether hiring a Las Vegas auto accident attorney is worthwhile.
However, hiring a team of dedicated personal injury attorneys to assist in your personal injury claim can come with a lot of personal benefits, which are covered below.
Maximize Your Settlement
Insurance companies, even your own, will attempt to minimize your settlement following a car accident by deploying tactics such as:
- Offering low settlements in hopes that you'll accept them without learning the true value of your claim
- Purposely stall when handling your claim
- Denying your claim
With the backing of a Las Vegas accident attorney, insurance companies will often throw out the deceitful tactics and engage in purposeful negotiations where your attorney will only accept a fair settlement that covers all your injuries and damages.
Handle Negotiations with the Insurance Company
Insurance company negotiations are often challenging tasks as insurance adjusters work to minimize payouts.
These negotiations can be intense and stressful, making it no task for a motor vehicle accident victim.
By hiring a skilled Nevada car accident lawyer, you can be ensured that all communications and negotiations are handled correctly and are directed in your best interests.
Provide Legal Representation with No Upfront Costs
Most people believe that the cost of a car accident lawyer in Las Vegas is a sizeable financial investment. However, the truth is that most Las Vegas personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they will only charge a fee if they win your personal injury case.
If your attorney wins your case, the fee will be taken out of your awarded settlement, not your pocket.
Build a Winning Case
A personal injury attorney will work hard to analyze your traffic crash case, collect evidence, interview witnesses, and talk with experts in order to build the strongest case possible.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Las Vegas
In Las Vegas, most car accident lawyers provide legal representation on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs; instead, the attorney will take a percentage of the client's awarded settlement.
The typical percentage accident lawyers take as a fee from a client's settlement is around 33% to 40%.
In addition to working with no upfront costs, most attorneys offer a free, no-obligation consultation in which you can learn your case's worth, timeline, and other important factors.
Why Choose Attorney Rodney Okano to Represent You
20+ Years of Experience
Attorney Rodney Okano and his law firm have been helping injured accident victims obtain the compensation they are entitled to for over twenty-plus years, making them experts in personal injury law.
Millions Recovered
Attorney Rodney Okano and his team have helped recover millions of dollars for clients and vow to recover the maximum possible settlement in your case.
99% Case Success
99% of cases handled by Attorney Rodney Okano and his law firm result in a win; whether through litigation or negotiation, you'll be ensured fair compensation.
Let Us Handle Your Case
What Are the Common Causes of Car Accidents in Las Vegas
Car accidents happen every day in Las Vegas and are caused by various reasons.
Understanding the common causes of car accidents in Las Vegas can potentially allow you to spot hazards and avoid crashes.
Distracted Driving
With all the in-car technology, such as GPS systems, radios, and phones, distracted driving has become a common cause of car accidents not only in Las Vegas but in the entire U.S. as well.
Driving Under the Influence
While Las Vegas's constant nightlife brings enjoyment and economic boom to the state, it also leads to a high number of DUI-related car accidents.
In response, Nevada imposes strict DUI laws. However, DUI accidents still seem to be on the rise.
Speeding
Many drivers, especially motorcyclists in Las Vegas, ignore the speeding laws, creating dangerous situations for themselves and other drivers.
Reckless Driving
Reckless and aggressive driving actions such as tailgating, running red lights, brake-checking, and changing lanes without signaling can all lead to an automobile accident.
Drivers who engage in reckless and aggressive driving are typically almost 100% the negligent driver in the event of a car wreck and are held liable for the resulting damages and injuries.
Poor Road Conditions and Heavy Construction
Anybody who has driven in Las Vegas has experienced endless cones, barriers, bumps, and potholes.
These factors, which poor road conditions and construction zones cause, can all result in car crashes.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Nevada
A car accident is a stressful and dangerous situation that can be made worse if the correct steps are not taken immediately after it.
Following an auto accident in Nevada, you should:
- Check for Injuries: A car crash can result in serious and fatal injuries, so it's crucial that you check yourself and your occupants for any injuries and call emergency medical services if anybody is injured.
- Move to a Safe Location: Move yourself and others out of traffic and to a safe area, and if possible, move your vehicle as well so you may prevent any further accidents.
- Call Law Enforcement: Under Nevada law, you must report a car accident to the local police if it resulted in injury, death, or property damage over $750.
- Exchange Information: Approach the other drivers involved in the car crash and exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, driver's license numbers, and insurance and vehicle information. In addition, if there were any witnesses to the automobile accident, collect their information as well.
- Document the Accident Scene: Take photos and videos of the car accident and prioritize capturing elements such as vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, injuries, skid marks, and stop lights.
- Seek Medical Treatment: It's crucial in personal injury cases that you seek immediate medical treatment following the incident. Not only is it good for your health, as some injuries may go unnoticed initially, but it can also help support your claim and increase its value.
- Notify Your Insurance Company: Inform your insurance company that you were involved in a car accident; however, avoid discussing fault or going into details before speaking with a personal injury lawyer.
- Contact a Car Accident Injury Lawyer: If you seek to obtain the maximum settlement and to avoid liability in the auto accident, it's a good idea to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney from our Las Vegas injury firm by calling (702) 566-3600.
Common Nevada Car Accident Injuries
Car crashes can result in a wide variety of injuries, ranging from minor to potentially fatal.
Common auto accident injuries include:
- Whiplash: One of the most common car accident injuries, whiplash is caused by the head snapping back and forth suddenly and can result in a potentially worse neck injury if not correctly treated.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: A powerful car crash can result in herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or spinal cord damage. Severe cases of spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries: During a car accident, if the head is struck by or strikes a solid object, it can result in a traumatic brain injury.
- Broken Bones: In an automobile accident, bone breaks and fractures can commonly occur in arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma can result in internal injury or bleeding, which can both be fatal if not treated promptly.
- Lacerations: Broken glass, metal shards, or the deployment of the airbag can cause cuts, scrapes, or lacerations.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains and strains to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments can occur if the body is thrown around during the crash.
- Mental Distress: In addition to physical injury, auto accidents can cause severe emotional distress and psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Suffering any of the injuries listed above in a car accident will make you eligible to file a claim and obtain compensation.
Don't wait; schedule a free consultation with our personal injury law office by calling (702) 566-3600.
What Damages Can You Seek in a Car Crash Claim
When you file a car accident injury claim, you can seek both economic and non-economic damages.
Common types of economic and non-economic damages that are typically composed of a claim are as follows:
Medical Bills
In your claim, you can recover damages for all your past and future medical bills, including emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, prescription medications, physical therapy, and any medical devices you may need because of your injuries.
Lost Wages & Loss of Earning Capacity
If the injuries suffered in the auto accident cause you to miss work and lose out on wages, you can seek compensation for your lost income in a claim.
Also, if your injuries result in you being unable to work as you were before or not at all, you may be able to seek damages for the loss of earning capacity.
Property Damage
The costs to repair or replace your personal property, such as your vehicle, can be sought in a claim.
Pain and Suffering
The physical pain or emotional distress the accident causes you can be sought in a claim.
However, it's important to understand that proving pain and suffering can be a difficult task as it often requires extensive documentation, statements, and sometimes a diagnosis from a medical professional.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
If the injuries sustained in the car accident prevent you from enjoying activities you once partook in, such as sports, hobbies, or social events, you can seek compensation for the loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the negligent driver acted extremely recklessly or maliciously, a judge or jury may award you punitive damages meant to punish the at-fault driver and discourage similar future conduct.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Nevada
Under Nevada's statute of limitations, which is outlined under NRS 11.190(4)(e), you have two years from the date the car accident occurred to file a claim with the correct Nevada court.
However, if you are filing a claim simply for property damage and not injuries, you'll have three years from the accident date to file a property damage claim.
If you fail a claim within the time given by the statute of limitations, your case could be dismissed, and your right to compensation lost.
Exceptions to the Nevada Statute of Limitations
While under Nevada personal injury law, the deadline for filing a claim is two years from the accident date, there are exceptions to this rule which are:
- Minor Victim: If the victim was a minor, the statute of limitation deadline may not start until they turn 18.
- Wrongful Death Claim: In the case of a fatal car accident, the statute of limitations will begin on the date of the person's death, not the date of the accident.
- Government-Related Accidents: If you're involved in a car accident with a government vehicle, special factors and a shorter deadline may apply.
What Are the Nevada Insurance Requirements
Under NRS 485.185, Nevada requires all drivers to carry the following minimum liability coverage:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in an accident
- $20,000 for property damage in an accident
These insurance requirements are often referred to as 25/50/20 coverage and can be further explored on the DMV's insurance page.
While you are only required to carry the state-mandated liability coverage when driving, investing in other insurance options such as uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, medical payments coverage, and comprehensive/collision coverage is highly recommended.
How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth
The worth of your car accident case will depend on various factors, which, by understanding them, can allow you to calculate a rough estimate of your case's value.
Key factors that typically determine your car accident case's worth include:
- Severity of Injuries: More serious injuries, such as a spinal or brain injury, will typically increase a case's value due to the more significant impact the event had on your life.
- Amount of Medical Expenses: The amount of medical expenses you incur because of the car crash will greatly affect your case's worth.
- Lost Income Incurred: The amount of income you lost because of your injuries, both past and future, will be accounted for in your case's worth. Higher-paying jobs will typically result in larger settlements for lost income.
- Property Damage Costs: Repair and replacement costs for your property can increase a case's value.
- Insurance Policy Limits: The at-fault driver's insurance policy limit often limits how much compensation you can seek, so if a driver only has the minimum policy, your settlement may cap out at $50,000.
- Liability: In Nevada, all parties involved in a car accident can share fault and have their compensation reduced by their fault percentage. This means that if you share fault in a car accident, your final settlement may be reduced.
To learn the true value of your car accident case today, schedule a free consultation with a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer from our law firm today by calling (702) 566-3600.
How Is Liability Determined in a Las Vegas Auto Accident
While Nevada is a fault state and holds the person responsible for an accident liable for the resulting injuries and damages, you still must prove liability to obtain the financial compensation to which you are entitled.
Police Reports
When a police officer is called to the scene of a car wreck, they will file an official police report, which will include key information such as their observation, statements from parties involved, and any citations they may have issued.
This police report can be crucial in determining liability as it provides third-party insight into the car accident.
On-Scene Evidence
Photos and videos of the motor vehicles involved, skid marks, traffic signs, road conditions, traffic lights, and debris can all help to piece together the car accident and determine liability.
Witness Statements
A witness's statement can work as an unbiased account of the accident and can be powerful in proving liability in negotiations or court.
Expert Testimony
In more complicated accident cases, your lawyer may call in experts such as an accident reconstruction expert to analyze evidence and provide insights on how the car crash happened.
However, your injury attorney will most likely only call on experts if your case goes to court, as experts are often expensive.
Who Could Be Liable for a Car Accident in Las Vegas
Under Nevada's modified comparative fault rule, multiple parties can be liable for a car accident in Las Vegas.
Commonly liable parties in a car accident in Nevada are outlined below.
Other Drivers
In most car accident cases, the other driver or drivers involved are liable as they commit a negligent act such as speeding, running a red light, driving distracted, or DUI, which resulted in the crash.
Employers
Under vicarious liability laws, an employer can be held responsible for a car accident if the driver at fault was working during the time of the auto accident.
Vicarious liability laws typically go into effect in accidents involving delivery drivers, rideshare drivers, or any other driver operating a company vehicle.
Manufacturers
When car crashes occur because of defective car parts, such as brakes, steering, tires, or accelerator, the car manufacturing company or parts supplier can be held liable for the damages through product liability laws outlined in NRS 695E.090.
Government Entities
A government entity or contractor can share liability in the auto wreck if poorly maintained roads, broken traffic lights, or missing signs contribute to a car accident.
However, it's crucial to understand that claims against government entities operate differently than claims against non-government entities.
Rideshare Companies
If you were involved in a car accident with a rideshare driver such as Uber or Lyft, and the driver was on duty, the rideshare company may be liable for the accident.
How to Deal with the Insurance Companies After a Car Accident
After a car accident, you will most likely have to deal with insurance companies, and if you don't know what to do, you could be cheated out of your rights and compensation.
When dealing with insurance companies, you should:
- Watch What You Say: Insurance adjusters will analyze every word you say in hopes of using it against you, so it's crucial that you tailor your words to protect your rights.
- Avoid Giving a Recorded Statement: If the insurance company requests a recorded statement, decline it until you have sought legal protection from a lawyer.
- Document Everything: Every communication with the insurance companies, including emails, letters, and phone calls, should be documented as it could be used as evidence.
- Don't Accept the First Settlement Offer: It's important not to accept an insurance adjuster's initial settlement offer as it's often lower than the actual value of your case.
- Let a Lawyer Handle Communications: The best way to protect yourself against the insurance company is to enlist the help of an experienced injury lawyer, as they have the knowledge and legal expertise to protect your rights and obtain fair compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents
Is Nevada a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?
Nevada is not a no-fault state but instead follows a fault-based system for car accidents.
Where Do I File a Police Report in Las Vegas After a Motor Vehicle Accident?
If a law enforcement officer didn't file a police report at the scene of your motor vehicle accident, you can file one at the LVMPD's report filing page.
Should You Report a Minor Car Accident?
Yes, you should also report a car accident, even if it is minor.
How Long Will My Las Vegas Car Accident Case Take?
Most car accident cases in Las Vegas take several months to a year; however, since your case is unique, the timeline can differ due to factors such as case complexity and worth.
What Are the Las Vegas Car Accident Statistics?
In Clark County, key car accident statistics include:
- A 47% increase in pedestrian accident deaths
- Over 51% of Nevada's traffic fatalities are related to impaired driving
- Around 30% of Nevada's total crashes resulting in fatalities are due to speeding
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