In Nevada, where motor vehicle insurance is mandatory for all drivers, there are penalties associated with driving while uninsured. One of the potential consequences comes in the form of the state’s “No Pay, No Play” law. This law bars individuals from receiving compensation for noneconomic damages if they are uninsured at the time of the crash. Understanding how this affects your claim often requires consulting a Las Vegas uninsured car accident lawyer.
What Is the No Pay, No Play Law?
No Pay, No Play is a law in Nevada that was passed to provide an incentive for every motor vehicle driver to obey the state’s car insurance requirements. It limits the amount of financial compensation an uninsured driver can receive in a car accident claim or lawsuit by prohibiting noneconomic damages. Also known as “pain and suffering,” noneconomic damages can refer to physical pain, emotional distress, mental anguish, psychological trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, loss of consortium, and other general or intangible losses associated with a car accident or the victim’s injuries. The No Pay, No Play statute prohibits drivers who are unlawfully driving without insurance from receiving certain financial benefits – even if the driver is not at fault. However, the driver could still receive compensation for medical bills, property damage and lost wages. Despite similar laws being challenged as unconstitutional in several other states, it is still in place in Nevada.
Exceptions to the Rule
State law in Nevada lists exceptions to the No Pay, No Play rule. If an uninsured motorist is hurt by a driver who gets convicted of driving under the influence, the injured party can still receive noneconomic damages despite not having insurance. There are other exceptions for drivers who cause car accidents and are subsequently convicted of felony crimes or intentional acts.
Consequences of Driving Without Insurance in Nevada
Nevada’s insurance laws currently require all motor vehicle owners to purchase minimum amounts of liability coverage for their vehicles. These amounts are no less than $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury or death and $20,000 for property damage. If a driver is discovered to be operating a vehicle without adequate insurance, he or she could receive a ticket with a mandatory fine of up to $1,000. The price of this fine will depend on how long the driver has gone without coverage. In addition, the driver’s license could be suspended until proof of insurance can be shown. If you get into an accident while uninsured, even if you are not responsible for causing the crash, you will be barred from collecting pain and suffering damages under the No Pay, No Play law in Nevada. This could hurt your ability to be made whole again from a car accident that gives you a serious injury.
How to Navigate the No Pay, No Play Law
You have rights as a motor vehicle driver in Nevada, even if you are hurt in a car accident during a time when you do not have adequate automobile insurance. It is important to work with a Las Vegas car accident attorney to help you protect your legal rights in this situation. A lawyer can help you navigate the No Pay, No Play law in a way that maximizes your financial recovery as much as possible. Your attorney can search for exceptions that allow you to receive noneconomic damages, for example, and prevent you from making mistakes when dealing with insurance claims adjusters.