Car accidents are one of the top causes of unintentional injuries and related deaths in the State of Nevada. If you get involved in an automobile crash as a resident of Nevada or someone who is visiting from out of state, learn what to expect from the car accident claims process so that you can prepare yourself and protect your rights.
If you would like expert legal help, contact our Las Vegas car accident lawyers for a free consultation today.
Nevada Is a Fault-Based State
There are two main types of car insurance laws in the United States: fault and no fault. The majority of states are “fault” states, including Nevada. In these states, the driver or party that is at fault for causing an automobile accident is held liable, or legally and financially responsible, for damage suffered by victims. If Nevada were a no-fault state, on the other hand, all drivers would seek coverage from their own car insurance companies, regardless of who is at fault.
Required Car Insurance Coverage in Nevada
It is against the law to operate a motor vehicle in Nevada without having the required types and amounts of automobile insurance coverage. Currently, these amounts are:
- $25,000 per person in bodily injury coverage
- $50,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage
- $20,000 in property damage coverage
Drivers also have the option of purchasing more than the minimum amount of coverage, if desired, for greater crash protection. This includes collision and comprehensive insurance, medical payment insurance, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
How to File a Car Accident Claim in Nevada
If you get hurt or suffer property damage in a car accident in Nevada, you can file a claim by contacting your own car insurance provider to report the crash. You can then contact the other driver’s insurance company to file a claim, or have your insurance provider file a claim for you. If for some reason the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to cover your losses, your own insurance provider may offer coverage.
The Car Insurance Process in Nevada
When a car insurance company receives a new claim, it assigns someone known as the insurance claims adjuster to review the case and recommend to the insurance company to either accept or reject coverage. The insurance company’s investigation may involve visiting the scene of the car accident, interviewing witnesses and the parties involved, and analyzing available evidence to determine the cause of the crash.
Throughout this process, you may be contacted by the insurance company directly for your own statements. It is important not to agree to give the insurer a recorded statement, as this could be used to twist your own words around and use them against you later. Instead, state that you will speak to an attorney before providing a written statement. Once the insurer has completed its investigation, it will notify you of its decision in writing.
Do All Car Accident Cases Go to Trial in Nevada?
The majority of Nevada car accident cases are resolved via settlement, which means a private agreement between the car insurance company and the claimant. A settlement agrees to release the insurer from any further liability for the crash in exchange for an agreed-upon sum of money. However, complicated cases may proceed to trial.
If your car accident claim initially gets rejected by an insurance company or the insurance adjuster is refusing to offer a settlement that is reasonable based on the extent of your injuries and losses, a car accident attorney may recommend filing a personal injury case in court. This may be the best course of action for you to achieve maximum case results.
For more information about how your particular car accident claim might work, contact Edward Bernstein & Associates for a free consultation.