For most people, a car accident is a rare event. It can be difficult to know what to do, what your rights are and how you can get the settlement you need for your injuries. That is why we offer personal attention to every client at Koch & Brim. Our Las Vegas car accident attorneys have handled auto accident cases throughout our 45 years of combined experience.
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Why Choose Koch & Brim to Handle Your Las Vegas Car Accident Case
- We have a reputation for excellence throughout Nevada. Our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys have accreditations from Martindale Hubbell, The Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Nevada State Bar Association, and more.
- We work directly with our clients and use proven legal strategies to obtain the maximum financial recovery possible for each person that we help. We can go to trial, if necessary, for fair results.
- Our Las Vegas car accident attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you will not have to pay attorney’s fees unless we succeed in securing financial compensation for you.
“I’ve used Koch & Brim for any and every motor vehicle accident I’ve had – Bill Brim is amazing, you won’t find many firms in LV that will take care of you the way this man and his company does.” –Jordan C. 6/21/2023
“My boyfriend and I got into an car accident last year and Bill Brim helped the whole process smoother. He always keep us updated and took care of us. Highly recommended” -San M. 3/10/2021
Get the Help You Need From an Attorney, Not a Paralegal or Assistant
Many law firms will assign an attorney to meet briefly with a new client, but then hand the case off to a staff member, such as a paralegal or associate. This is a strategy used to accept as many cases as possible at a mill-type law firm. At Koch & Brim, we don’t engage in these time-saving tactics. We guarantee that an attorney will meet with you and personally handle all aspects of your case. Your accident attorney will listen to your story, develop a customized plan for your case and make sure that you have everything you need in the aftermath of a car accident. You will never be passed off to anyone else.
Las Vegas Car Accident Quick Links
- Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents in Las Vegas
- How Much Does A Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney Cost?
- What Compensation is Available to Las Vegas Car Accident Victims?
- Determining Liability in a Las Vegas Car Accident
- How to Request a Car Accident Report in Nevada?
- Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Las Vegas
- What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident in Nevada?
- The Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Las Vegas
- Common Injuries From Las Vegas Car Accidents
- Contact a Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney
Early Case Preparation Leads to Strong Settlements, Without a Lawsuit
The beginning is the most important stage of an accident case. Early preparation at the start of a case can convince an insurance company to offer a better settlement. Insurance companies will want to avoid the cost of a lawsuit by compromising and achieving a settlement. Strong case preparation by an accident attorney early in the case is the best way to achieve a fair resolution while avoiding the time, expense and stress of a trial.
At Koch & Brim, our car accident attorneys can thoroughly investigate your crash, gather evidence and documentation, request copies of important records, interview eyewitnesses, and take other steps to build a compelling auto accident case right from the beginning of the claims process. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, with the strictest attention to detail, for the best possible results.
Frequently Asked Legal Questions About Car Accidents in Las Vegas
When clients call or come to the Las Vegas car accident lawyer offices of Koch & Brim, LLP after an automobile accident, they are looking for answers. How can I get my car fixed? How can I get medical treatment? How can I get a fair settlement from the insurance company? There are different answers for each unique situation. Use these frequently asked questions to learn more about the car accident claims process:
- What if property damage was involved? Our law firm can explain how to make a property damages claim and set the process in motion to get your vehicle repaired quickly.
- What if I have no health insurance? You need to seek medical treatment immediately. If you do not have health insurance, contact our law firm. We can arrange treatment with a competent doctor – even with specialists – so that you can get treatment and begin recovery for your personal injury.
- What if the health insurance company won’t pay for my treatment? If the health insurance company does not want to pay for your treatment, we can help. We will contact the medical insurance company and give them the information they require to process and pay your medical bills. Our lawyers will help you with your injury claim.
- What if you get in an accident with a person whose car isn’t registered? In the event of an accident with a vehicle that has not passed Nevada’s inspections or is not registered, we will work to hold the other party accountable for driving without the proper registration as it relates to Nevada’s car inspection laws and requirements.
- Can you start an accident investigation? Most auto accidents do not require an investigation, but if there is an issue about how the accident happened we will hire an accident expert. That should be done as quickly as possible, while the evidence is still fresh.
- What if Wrongful death was involved? If a loved one was killed in an auto accident, you have our sympathy and our help. We will do everything we can to provide family members with compensation from every source possible.
- What if I’m a tourist and got in a car accident? We represent out-of-state clients who were injured in an auto accident while visiting Nevada.
If you don’t see your question or concern on this list, contact us to request a free in-depth consultation. Our Las Vegas car accident attorneys can provide you with tailored answers and legal advice that you can trust. Our number one goal is always to achieve high client satisfaction by focusing on each individual’s unique needs and circumstances.
How Much Does a Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer Charge?
At Koch & Brim, we believe that every car accident victim should have the benefit of a high-quality accident lawyer. We understand the financial straits that crash victims often find themselves in while they deal with expensive medical bills and property repairs. This is why we accept these cases on a contingency fee basis. With this payment arrangement, we only charge for our legal services if and when we win the case.
If our accident lawyers succeed in securing financial compensation for your losses, we will charge our fees as a percentage of the total amount won in a settlement or judgment award. That way, you do not have to afford your Las Vegas car accident lawyer out of pocket after a wreck. If we don’t win your case, you won’t owe us a dime in attorney’s fees – guaranteed. We keep our fees reasonable and affordable for injured crash victims.
What Type of Compensation Can Car Accident Victims Recover?
If a careless driver or someone else caused your car accident in Las Vegas, you may be eligible for financial compensation to cover your past and future losses. Although no amount of money is adequate to make up for a serious car crash, a fair compensatory award could allow your family to pay off related expenses and move forward with financial peace of mind.
A successful car accident case in Nevada could result in the following types of compensation for victims, depending on your case:
- Medical bills for bodily injury
- Disability costs
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional injuries
- Lost quality of life
- Loss of consortium
- Death benefits
- Punitive damages
Discuss the value of your car accident case with one of our attorneys. There is no average settlement amount that will apply to your specific circumstances. Instead, you will need an in-depth evaluation using the unique facts of your case to understand what it could be worth. From there, your attorney can help you fight for maximum financial compensation using aggressive legal strategies – including going to trial, if necessary.
Determining Liability in a Las Vegas Car Accident
Nevada is like most states in that it uses a fault-based car insurance system. This means that after a car crash takes place, you will have to determine fault before you can file an insurance claim. Your claim will be filed with the insurance company of the at-fault person or party. Your lawyer must prove the policyholder is at fault for your accident using a preponderance of the evidence. This means enough evidence to convince a jury that the defendant is more likely to be responsible for your car accident and related injuries than not.
Determining liability for a Las Vegas car accident requires an investigation into the collision. Investigators may return to the scene of the crash, review the police accident report, look at photographs, examine physical property damage, speak to eyewitnesses and use other means to reconstruct the accident. In general, the party that is held liable for a car accident is the one that violated a traffic law, such as by speeding or texting while driving. The driver’s fault for the crash must be proven using compelling evidence.
However, a third party could also be held liable for a car accident in some circumstances. A third party is someone who was not present during the accident but still contributed to the crash. Examples include the manufacturer of a defective car part or a government agency that negligently failed to repair a road defect, such as a pothole. Our lawyers can investigate your car accident in Las Vegas to determine the liable party or parties and hold them accountable on your behalf.
How Do I Request a Car Accident Report in Las Vegas?
An accident report is one of the most important pieces of evidence to support your Nevada car accident claim. Whether your crash was major or minor, you should call the police to request an official car accident report. The report will contain important facts and information about the collision, such as the date, time, location, a description of both vehicles and the other driver’s contact information. If the other driver was violating a traffic law, this will also be recorded in the accident report.
You can request an accident report in Nevada by calling 911 from the scene of your crash. Calling the police immediately will bring them to the scene before anyone can remove or alter evidence. When the police arrive, give them your side of the story but do not admit fault. The police officer will draw up a detailed accident report with eyewitness information and – in some cases – an opinion on who or what caused the crash. Before the officer leaves, ask for your police report number.
Within one to two weeks of the date of the crash, you can request a copy of your accident report by contacting the correct office. This can help you with an insurance claim. Find the Nevada Highway Patrol office in the city where your car accident took place. Call the contact phone number during office hours and provide the crash report number, your last name and the date of the accident. An attorney can help you obtain a copy of your accident report.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Las Vegas?
It is important to take the correct actions in the aftermath of a car accident in Las Vegas. Otherwise, you may be at a greater risk of an insurance company taking advantage of you or denying your claim. If possible, take the following steps to protect your rights, best interests, and handle your responsibility as a driver after an accident:
- Seek immediate medical attention if you have suffered serious injuries.
- Call the police and wait for them to arrive. Even if the other driver admits to causing the accident, he or she may change the story later. The police are trained in determining fault. A written accident written report helps avoid confusion later with the other driver’s insurance company.
- Do not admit fault. Never tell the other party, the police or an insurance adjuster that you were at fault. You may not know all of the facts; someone else may share fault for the collision.
- Gather and exchange information. Get the other driver’s name and address. Take photographs of the other driver’s vehicle registration, license plate and proof of insurance. If the other driver is uncooperative, wait for the police to arrive and get that information.
- Speak to eyewitnesses. Get the names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the accident take place. Eyewitness statements can be important in piecing together how a crash took place.
- Take pictures of your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle. Photograph vehicle damage and the crash scene as a whole.
- Never accept a cash offer from the other driver to fix your vehicle or pay for your medical bills. Report the car accident to their insurance company and the police to protect yourself legally and financially.
- Request any necessary medical treatment at the scene. If you are in pain or someone else appears injured, report it when you call the police. They will send emergency medical personnel to the scene to evaluate your health and transport you to the hospital, if necessary.
After you leave the scene of the accident, consult with a car accident attorney before contacting an insurance company. Insurance companies may use tactics to take advantage of you. Your lawyer can help you identify and combat these tactics and negotiate with any insurance companies on your behalf for a fair settlement and maximum compensation. Your lawyer can also help you with issues such as getting medical care (even if you don’t have health insurance), having your vehicle repaired and getting a rental car while you wait.
Special Considerations for a Hit-and-Run Accident
A hit-and-run car accident means that the other driver fled the crash scene without stopping or exchanging information. If you were injured in a hit-and-run accident in Las Vegas, write down the other driver’s plate numbers, if possible. Even a partial plate could help the police locate the driver. If you have the license plate number, your attorney can usually access the driver’s insurance information for coverage.
Look around the area where the crash took place for any surveillance cameras, such as intersection cameras or CCTV footage from nearby businesses. If there are any eyewitnesses, get their information for statements. Call the police and give them all of the information that you have about the other driver and vehicle. If you’re injured, request an ambulance.
Before you begin the insurance process, contact an attorney. You may need to rely on your own auto insurance policy for coverage for a hit-and-run accident. If you don’t have uninsured or underinsured driver insurance, however, your attorney may be able to help you go up against the other driver (if found) or a third party, such as the government.
Nevada Statute of Limitations Law
A statute of limitations is an important law to know as the injured victim of a motor vehicle accident. This is a law that places a time limit on your right to file a lawsuit. With only rare exceptions, if you wait too long and miss your window to file a car accident lawsuit, the civil courts will refuse to hear your case. This means you will be unable to recover financial compensation for your losses even if there is evidence that the other driver is at fault.
Every state has a unique statute of limitations for car accident cases. In Nevada, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident, in most cases. The best way to reserve your right to file is by consulting with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to avoid missing the statute of limitations.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
All of the most common causes of car crashes in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada are preventable. They often stem from human error and negligent driving, such as failing to carefully operate a motor vehicle or obey traffic laws. At Koch & Brim, we are passionate about holding careless and reckless drivers and other parties accountable for causing car accidents. If you are not sure who or what caused your car wreck, we can thoroughly investigate the accident for signs of fault.
The top causes of car accidents are:
- Driving too fast for conditions (speeding)
- Distracted driving
- Texting and driving
- Drunk driving/driving under the influence
- Reckless driving
- Following too closely
- Violating roadway rules
- Running a red light
- Failing to yield at an intersection
- Drowsy driving
- Incompetent driver
- Poor vehicle maintenance
- Road hazards and defects
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are common on the busy streets of Las Vegas – especially on The Strip. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department stated there has been a 35% year-to-date rise in pedestrian fatalities in 2022 compared to the previous year. All drivers have a responsibility to pay attention to the road and yield the right-of-way to pedestrians when applicable. If a negligent driver fails to drive with reasonable care and prudence, this could cause a serious car, bicycle or pedestrian accident. If another driver would have done something differently to avoid the crash, the driver’s insurance company will be liable. This means it will be that driver’s responsibility to pay for medical bills and property repairs.
Common Injuries From Las Vegas Car Accidents
Car accidents can easily cause catastrophic or life-changing injuries. A catastrophic injury in personal injury law is one that will have a debilitating effect on the plaintiff, such as the loss of an important bodily function or significant scarring and disfigurement. The mechanics of a car accident can inflict injury to virtually any part of a victim’s body. Many car accidents victims suffer multiple injuries in a single crash.
Common examples of injuries reported by car accident victims who visit emergency departments in Las Vegas include:
- Bone fractures: splits, cracks and breaks in one or more bones, such as in the arms, legs, pelvis, chest, ribs, spinal cord or skull.
- Whiplash: as injury to the soft tissues of the neck from a rapid back-and-forth motion of the head and neck, typically caused by a rear-end collision.
- Soft-tissue injuries: strains, sprains, dislocations, bruises, contusions and other types of soft-tissue damage, often caused by an impact with objects inside of the vehicle or a seat belt.
- Traumatic brain injuries: damage to any part of the brain caused by a car accident, such as a concussion, contusion, coup-contrecoup injury, diffuse-axonal injury or penetrating brain injury.
- Burns: tissue damage caused by contact with fire, such as in a car fire or explosion. Airbag deployment can also cause burns. Burns inflicted in a car accident can be often severe and include third-degree burns.
- Spine injuries: harm to the spinal cord, discs, or surrounding joints caused by blunt-force trauma or a penetrating injury. Damage to any part of the spine could result in permanent nerve damage or paralysis.
- Internal injuries: damage inflicted to the internal organs in a car crash, including the kidneys, liver, heart or lungs. Organ damage or internal bleeding may not be immediately apparent after a collision.
If you or a loved one suffered any type of injury in an automobile collision in Las Vegas, contact our attorneys right away for a free consultation. Insurance companies may try to downplay your injuries and undervalue your losses, especially if you were diagnosed with a catastrophic injury. Our lawyers will give you an accurate and honest review of your case and help you estimate its true value. We can also connect you to top doctors in Las Vegas to aid in your physical recovery.
Contact our Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you were injured in an auto accident, talk today to our Las Vegas car accident lawyers, not a staff member, to learn about your rights and receive the maximum compensation. The accident lawyers at Koch & Brim, LLP can answer any questions that you might have, explain your rights, and make the entire process easier for you and your family. At our law office, you will speak to an attorney, not an assistant, about your case. Remember: No recovery, No fee. Contact us today at either of our convenient Las Vegas locations. Call us at (702) 410-6034 for a free consultation! Se habla Espanol.
Find us at our S. Pecos office or our W. Twain location.
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