How to Maximize Your Car Accident Case Value

Obtaining maximum compensation is essential if you’ve been seriously injured in a car accident in Las Vegas. At THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, our mission is to help you get it.

After a car accident, victims often face hefty medical expenses and time off work — both of which can quickly lead to financial hardships. These costs can be recouped by filing a car accident claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.

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Unfortunately, insurers are not in the business of making full and fair settlements. It’s in their financial interest to minimize the amount they payout in a settlement, and their adjusters use a variety of tactics in an attempt to reach that goal. The tough lawyers at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys won’t let your case be diminished. We’ll fight back to maximize your case value and get the justice you are owed.

Call or contact us today for a free consultation.

What Affects Las Vegas Car Accident Settlement Amounts?

Many factors can affect the amount of a settlement or judgment in a car accident case. These include:

  • The severity of your injuries: Minor cuts and bruises will not be as expensive to treat as catastrophic trauma, such as a spinal cord injury or traumatic brain injury (TBI). The higher the medical and rehabilitation costs, the larger the case value.
  • The amount of insurance coverage that each party holds: Nevada requires a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 in bodily injury coverage per accident, and $20,000 in property damage coverage. You can only recover up to the at-fault driver’s insurance policy limits. If your injuries and losses exceed those amounts, your ability to recover full compensation may be limited. However, if you purchased medical payments coverage (MedPay) or uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM), you may be able to recover additional compensation through your own car insurance policy. The facts of your case will dictate what coverage is available to you. An experienced car accident lawyer can review your policy thoroughly to make sure that all possible avenues of compensation are explored.
  • Economic damages: These are losses whose value can be quantified: property damage, medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses with a specific dollar amount. This number can also include anticipated future losses, such as lost earning capacity and the cost of future medical care. An attorney can work with vocational specialists, financial planners, and medical experts to forecast what your future costs will be when determining your case value.
  • Noneconomic damages: These costs are harder to calculate, but no less important after a car crash. Noneconomic damages include pain and suffering, lost quality of life, and mental trauma. Your lawyer will assign a value to these damages to account for these non-tangible losses.
  • Who is at fault: Nevada uses a rule known as modified comparative negligence, which means that the amount of your settlement may be reduced by the percentage of fault you are assigned for the car crash. Insurance companies work hard to shift the blame onto accident victims. Having a lawyer can prevent you from being unfairly blamed, even if you were partly at fault.
  • Strength of the evidence: You need strong, compelling proof that the at-fault party is responsible for the wreck and your resulting injuries. An attorney can launch a thorough investigation to find the evidence necessary to make a case for maximum compensation for you.

Dos and Don’ts to Improve Your Chances of Receiving a Fair Settlement

The value of your insurance claim or lawsuit can depend heavily on your actions after the accident. You want to make sure not to miss any important details that could impact your ability to obtain fair compensation for your injuries.

  • Do see a doctor as soon as possible after the crash. Even if you don’t feel like you were hurt, you may have dangerous internal injuries or head trauma that only a medical exam will find. A doctor’s diagnosis is essential to any compensation claim. If you delay, the insurance company may argue that you are exaggerating or that something else is responsible for your condition, not the crash.
  • Do call the police to the scene. A police report can provide information and evidence important to a compensation claim.
  • Do get photos of the accident scene, damage to your vehicle, and your own injuries. The more evidence you provide, the stronger your claim will be. Make sure to take pictures right away, as the scene will change and your injuries will heal.
  • Don’t speak with insurance company representatives without first talking to a lawyer. They will try to get you to say things that could reduce their financial responsibility. Your attorney will know how to present the facts so that your rights are protected.
  • Don’t sign anything sent to you by another party’s insurance company. They might try to get you to sign a medical release that misrepresents the extent of your injuries, which may reduce or negate your claim.
  • Don’t jump at an early settlement offer. The insurer will move fast in an attempt to get you to settle before you understand the full extent of your injuries. Almost always, the first settlement offer is far below what you deserve.
  • Don’t wait to call a knowledgeable car accident lawyer. At THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, we will determine the value of your claim and develop a strategy to fight for maximum compensation for you. Our Las Vegas lawyers have the skills needed to negotiate effectively on your behalf.

What Is the Average Las Vegas Car Accident Settlement Amount?

This is a difficult question to answer. Every car accident is different, and claims are examined on a case-by-case basis to determine a likely settlement amount. Your lawyer may be able to give you a general estimate of how much your case is worth by looking at past results in cases similar to yours. However, you should know that no attorney can — or should — promise you a particular result in your claim.

What If I Am Partially at Fault for the Wreck?

Nevada law allows car accident victims to collect compensation even if they are partially at fault for the wreck that injured them. An insurance adjuster, judge, or jury will assign a percentage to each party’s level of responsibility for an accident.

In Nevada, you must be 50 percent or less responsible for your car accident in order to obtain compensation for your injuries. The amount of your damages will be reduced by the percentage you are to blame. For instance, if your level of fault is 20 percent, and you are awarded $100,000 in damages, the most you will be able to receive is $80,000.

However, if you were found to be more than 50 percent at fault, you will be unable to recover any money at all. This is why insurance companies try so hard to push blame your way. It only takes one percentage point to cause you to lose everything. A lawyer can protect you from unfair accusations of fault.

When to Consult a Car Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one was harmed in a car accident in Las Vegas, you should contact an experienced car accident attorney as soon as possible. Although the statute of limitations on car accident claims in Nevada is two years, your claim will benefit if a lawyer can get working on it right away.

Keep in mind that not all car accidents will require a lawyer. Minor collisions with no injuries can usually be settled effectively on your own. But if the crash involved serious injuries, an attorney can be a valuable asset. Always contact a lawyer if:

  • Someone in the accident was injured or killed.
  • There are questions over who is at fault.
  • The accident involves other parties, such as trucking companies or pedestrians.
  • The crash occurred on government property.
  • The circumstances of the accident and resulting injuries are complex.
  • Your insurance company never offered you uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage.
  • You think the insurer may be acting in bad faith.
  • You don’t know what to do.

Most law firms, including THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, offer free consultations. You literally have nothing to lose by calling and speaking with one of our car accident lawyers in Las Vegas.

How Can THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys Help Me?

When you work with THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, you get a legal team that is committed to achieving full and fair compensation for you. Our law firm takes pride in our ability to provide top-quality, personalized legal services to everyone who walks through our door.

You can count on us to work diligently so that you get the best possible resolution to your Las Vegas car accident claim. Schedule a free consultation today for more information about how we can help.

Car Accident Claims Guide
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