Hit-and-Run Laws in Nevada

Hit-and-run accidents are infuriating for crash victims because it’s a clear case of offenders trying to dodge responsibility for their actions. Drivers have specific obligations under Nevada law after a car accident, and breaking those rules is a crime. A hit-and-run driver can also be held financially liable for the injuries they cause through a personal injury claim if they’re found.

Did you suffer injuries in a car accident in Las Vegas? You could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, missed income, property damage, and other losses. But recovering money can be challenging when the at-fault driver flees the crash scene. The hit-and-run accident lawyers at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys will work aggressively to find the responsible driver and hold them accountable for their negligence.

The law is on your side after an accident with a driver who leaves the scene, but you still need to act quickly to give your case the best possible chance of success. Call or contact us today for a free consultation.

Visit a Nearby Hit-and-Run Car Accident Attorney

Hit-and-Run Laws in Las Vegas

According to Nevada’s hit-and-run laws, drivers must stop and exchange certain information after any motor vehicle accident involving an injury, death, or property damage.

Specifically, NRS 484E says any driver involved in a crash must provide their name, address, vehicle registration number, and driver’s license (upon request) to any other driver(s) involved in the collision. Motorists should also wait for the police to arrive and provide the same information to law enforcement. Finally, drivers should provide aid as best they can and call 911 immediately if anyone suffered injuries.

After a crash, drivers should leave their vehicles where they are unless they are causing traffic problems or cannot be moved safely. If the vehicles are creating a safety hazard, moving them to a safer location near the accident site is OK.

What Happens If a Driver Flees the Scene of an Accident?

Hit-and-run drivers can face criminal charges if they’re identified and found after leaving the scene of an accident. The penalties can range from fines to as long as 20 years in prison, depending on the facts of the case.

In addition to facing criminal charges, hit-and-run drivers who are caught can be held liable for the injuries they cause through a civil court case. In these claims, victims file a personal injury claim demanding compensation for their losses. A Las Vegas hit-and-run accident attorney can help you seek the damages you deserve from the negligent driver and their insurance company.

Can the Victim of a Hit-and-Run File a Lawsuit?

Obtaining compensation for your losses after a hit-and-run accident can be difficult. The amount and type of compensation you receive will depend on whether you can identify the driver and your auto insurance policy terms.

Let’s start with the worst-case scenario: The driver who fled the scene is never caught. In this case, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company to recover compensation. Depending on the terms of your policy, you may be able to recover no-fault benefits like Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage. However, these benefits will likely not cover the full extent of your losses, and you can only be compensated up to your policy limits.

Another insurance option could be your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). If you purchased this coverage with your policy, you can treat the hit-and-run driver as an uninsured motorist to file a claim. Depending on your uninsured motorist coverage limits, you may be able to recover substantial compensation. However, Nevada does not require drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage. A hit-and-run accident lawyer can check whether UM/UIM compensation is possible in your case.

If the driver who fled the scene of an accident is found, you can file a claim with their auto insurance carrier, assuming they are insured. In this case, your claim would proceed in the same way any other car accident claim would.

Most car accident claims settle out of court. But in some cases, filing a lawsuit and taking your case to trial may be a better option. Always get help from an experienced trial lawyer before taking your hit-and-run accident case to court. Trials are risky, so you’ll want solid legal advice before moving forward.

What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Las Vegas, NV

Here are the key steps to take if you’re involved in a hit-and-run accident in Las Vegas:

• Get as much information as you can about the vehicle that hit you – If possible, snap a photo of the car before they’ve fully left the scene. If you can’t get a picture, note the vehicle’s color, make, model, license plate number, if you can see it, and anything else that might help police identify it.
• Don’t pursue the driver – Your car may be unsafe to operate due to vehicle damage. More importantly, you could be more hurt than you initially realize. You also need to stay at the crash scene to report the accident and preserve evidence.
• Call 911 – This will summon paramedics and police to the scene. You need to be checked for injuries, and the police need to investigate the scene. Without an official police accident report, you’ll have no proof the crash occurred and no basis for an injury claim.
• Document the crash scene – Once law enforcement is on their way, take a moment to document the accident scene. Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle, your injuries, and the area around the crash site.
• See a doctor – If you aren’t taken to a hospital, seek medical attention right away. You may have hidden internal injuries that haven’t fully manifested yet. Seeing a doctor also documents your injuries and connects them to the crash in your medical record. This link will be a crucial component of your hit-and-run injury claim.
• Talk to a car accident lawyer – You’ll want help from an attorney to gather evidence, handle settlement negotiations, and generally make life easier while you focus on healing. The sooner you speak to a lawyer, the faster they can get started on your case.

Get Help From a Las Vegas Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer

After a hit-and-run accident, you may feel like there’s no way to obtain compensation for your losses. But you could have legal options even if the at-fault driver is never found. Don’t give up ― contact a Las Vegas hit-and-run accident lawyer at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation.