A hit-and-run accident is a type of vehicle collision that can have serious consequences for a victim. When the culprit does not stop at the scene, a victim may not receive the emergency medical care that he or she needs. This can lead to more severe injuries and even deaths.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a hit-and-run car accident in Las Vegas, help is available at the law firm of Koch & Brim, LLP. Our lawyers will guide you through the aftermath of a hit and run to pursue justice, whether or not the at-fault driver has been apprehended.
Our experienced and dedicated Las Vegas hit and run accident attorneys can help you win compensation for your case! Offering two convenient offices in Las Vegas. Call us today for your free consultation! (702) 410-6034.
Why Choose Us?
- Our personal injury attorneys have practiced car accident law for more than 40 years. We can navigate any challenges that come our way, including hit and runs.
- We know how to get the results that our clients need. Our attorneys have collected millions of dollars in jury verdicts and out-of-court settlements for our clients.
- Our law firm intentionally maintains a small caseload so that we can dedicate our full attention to each case and client. You will meet with your lawyer, not a secretary or paralegal.
How Our Hit and Run Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas Can Help You
A Las Vegas hit-and-run accident attorney can play a pivotal role in helping you recover compensation and move on after your crash. Your lawyer will not allow an insurance company to take advantage of you, such as by rejecting a valid claim or withholding fair compensation for your injuries. A car accident lawyer can help you in many ways, including:
- Comprehensive crash investigation: Working with crash experts, investigators and law enforcement to identify the responsible party and collect evidence to support your case, such as surveillance footage or witness statements.
- Legal guidance for victims: Providing a free case review, answering your questions, addressing your concerns and building a personalized legal strategy for your individual hit-and-run auto accident case.
- Insurance claims assistance: Identifying your options for seeking a financial recovery and taking over the claims process for you, such as by negotiating with insurance adjusters.
- Litigation and other legal actions: If a settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, your car accident lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.
Hit-and-run accident cases are complex. Hiring an experienced car accident attorney in Las Vegas is the most effective way to protect your rights and achieve the best possible results for your case. You can rest and focus on healing from your injuries while your attorney takes care of complicated legal processes for you and potentially track down the at-fault driver.
A Hit-and-Run Accident Can Inflict Life-Changing Injuries
The major risk associated with a hit-and-run car accident is that injured victims do not receive prompt medical care. Some hit and run accident victims are not discovered for many hours after the accident. The failure to call for an ambulance right away can exacerbate a victim’s injuries and lead to preventable deaths. Hit-and-run collisions can result in severe to catastrophic injuries for victims, such as:
- Amputations
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Herniated disks
- Internal organ damage
- Muscle sprains and strains
- Permanent disability, such as paralysis
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Wrongful death
Car accident injuries can be extremely expensive, painful and inconvenient. A successful hit-and-run car accident claim in Las Vegas can make it easier to move forward from your crash by providing compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, property damage and other losses. Whether you suffered a minor or major injury in a recent hit-and-run accident, consult with our attorneys about how we can help.
Get Compensation for Hit-and-Run Accident Injuries
Nevada is a fault car insurance state, which means the at-fault driver or party is responsible for paying for a victim’s medical bills, property damage and losses caused by the crash. If you cannot find the other driver, how will you get the compensation you need for hit-and-run accident injuries? Talk to the Las Vegas car accident attorneys at Koch & Brim in Las Vegas. We can explain your rights and your legal options.
Legal recourse for a hit-and-run accident victim may include uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance. This is a type of first-party insurance, meaning it can be found on the victim’s auto insurance policy. UM/UIM in insurance is optional in Nevada but generally must be rejected in writing. If the victim has this coverage, his or her own insurance provider will pay as if the hit and run driver stopped at the scene but did not have insurance.
If UM/UIM insurance is not an option, another possibility if the hit-and-run driver is not identified is bringing a claim against a third party. This may be possible if an outside party contributed to the crash. A vehicle manufacturer could be held responsible through a product liability claim, for example, if a defective seat belt contributed to the victim’s injuries. Our attorneys can investigate your crash to search for evidence of third-party liability.
What Is the Victims of Crime Compensation Program?
The State of Nevada Victims of Crime Program (VOCP) may offer financial compensation to victims of hit-and-run crimes in Las Vegas. The VOCP processes claims and can help pay for certain crime-related expenses. A police accident report should be provided with an application for VOCP compensation after a hit and run. Our attorneys can explain this program in more detail to you and may be able to assist you with filing a claim if this option is available.
What Are a Driver’s Responsibilities After a Car Accident in Las Vegas?
According to the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS), Chapter 484E, all motor vehicle operators have a legal duty to stop at the scene of any crash involving personal injury, death, or damage to vehicle or property. Drivers must immediately stop their vehicles at the scene of the crash or as close to the scene as is practicable and remain there until fulfilling the requirements of NRS 484E.030:
- Give your contact information: name, address and vehicle registration number.
- If requested and available, show your driver’s license.
- Cooperate with a police officer by providing requested information.
- Render aid and reasonable assistance to anyone injured in the car accident.
- If the crash involved an unattended vehicle, leave a note in a conspicuous place on the vehicle.
Failing to adhere to these requirements at the scene of a car accident is a crime in Nevada. Hit and runs are typically misdemeanors but can be increased to felonies with aggravating circumstances, such as if the crash caused serious injuries or deaths. The penalties for a hit-and-run criminal conviction can include thousands of dollars in fines and a jail or prison sentence.
Most Common Types of Hit and Run Accidents in Las Vegas
A hit-and-run car accident means that one of the drivers involved in the collision flees the scene without stopping, rendering assistance or exchanging contact information. Many different types of accidents can become hit and runs in Las Vegas. Common examples include:
- Colliding with another vehicle and not stopping.
- Hitting a parked car.
- Driving under the influence (DUI) hit and run.
- Striking a pedestrian or bicyclist and not stopping.
- Pedestrian hit and run on the Las Vegas Strip.
- Parking lot hit and runs.
- Intersection hit and runs caused by red-light running.
- Highway or freeway hit and runs.
- Hit and run by commercial vehicles.
If you were injured in any type of hit-and-run accident in Las Vegas, consult with our attorneys to discuss your rights. Depending on the circumstances, you may have grounds to recover compensation from an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against one or more parties.
What To Do After A Hit and Run Accident in Las Vegas?
Hit-and-run victims often feel doubly victimized – they have been injured and the person who caused the injury tries to evade all responsibility. Whether you were hit in your vehicle or as a pedestrian, what you need to worry about most is getting the medical treatment you need. Our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers can help you find a doctor even if you do not have medical insurance. We will also help you pursue financial compensation for your injuries.
Here’s what to do after being involved in a hit and run in Las Vegas:
- Contact the police: It is crucial to immediately contact the local police department to report the incident. Provide them with as much information as possible that will aid in the investigation.
- Seek immediate medical care: Request an ambulance if you have serious injuries. Even if you initially think you are not injured, see a doctor right away for a check-up. You may have hidden or delayed symptoms due to the adrenaline from the crash.
- Track the driver: If you or a witness was able to get any identifying information about the vehicle that hit you – a full or partial license plate, description of the car, driver description – there is a good chance that we can determine who was responsible for your accident injuries.
- Document the scene: Before you leave the scene of a hit-and-run, document it as much as possible. Take photos of all relevant details and the crash scene as a whole. Look to see if there are any surveillance cameras in the area. Write down the names of any eyewitnesses. Ask for your police report number so that you can get a copy later.
- Uninsured motorist coverage helps you if you can not find the driver: Your own car insurance – the uninsured motorist coverage on your policy- can pay for your injuries if you were involved in a hit and run accident. You paid the premium, and you are entitled to coverage. Contact your own insurance company to find out if you have this coverage.
- Consult with an attorney: If you have questions about using your uninsured motorist coverage for a hit and run accident or seeking compensation through other means, contact a personal injury lawyer who will explain your rights. You may also need an attorney if an insurer is making it difficult to obtain the compensation you deserve.
While you should be honest with the authorities during your description of events after a hit and run, you should not admit fault for the wreck or apologize for contributing in any way. Saying you are sorry could be construed as an admittance of guilt. Instead, wait for an official investigation to determine the cause of your accident and assign fault. Always seek immediate medical care to document your injuries for insurance purposes.
Contact Koch & Brim, LLP for a Free Hit and Run Case Evaluation
You may be feeling confused, overwhelmed or hopeless as a victim of a serious hit-and-run accident in Las Vegas. The attorneys at Koch & Brim, LLP are here to help you during this difficult time. We know how these cases work and can guide you through the legal process from start to settlement. We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay us a dime in attorney’s fees unless we win your case.
Consult with our attorneys today during a free case evaluation in Las Vegas, Nevada. Call (702) 410-6034 or contact us online and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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“I have had most wonderful experience with the family here at Koch & brim. They went way & beyond with assisting my needs.”
– Lisa