Las Vegas Hit-and-Run Accident Lawyer

When you’re in a car accident, the last thing you expect is the other driver to leave the scene. Unfortunately, many Nevadans find themselves in this unfortunate position every year. According to a study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Nevada has the fourth-highest rate of hit-and-run accidents in the nation.

Nevada law allows individuals to seek compensation for injuries they suffer in hit-and-run accidents. Usually, that means going through an auto insurance company — either the at-fault driver’s (if he or she is found), or your own. But insurers are reluctant to pay out hit-and-run claims. Expect to run into resistance when it’s time to get paid.

You don’t have to fight the battle for full and fair compensation alone. Get THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys on your side.

Our Las Vegas injury lawyers understand how shocking it can be to see another driver leaving the scene of an accident, especially when you’ve been hurt. We’ll explore every possible legal avenue to pursue the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us today for a free case review.

Hit-and-Run Laws in Las Vegas

There are several different hit-and-run laws on the books in Nevada. Motorists may be charged with serious offenses if they flee the scene of an accident in violation of these laws, no matter if they were at fault for the collision or not. All drivers throughout Las Vegas and greater Nevada are subject to the following hit-and-run laws:

• NRS 484E.010 (Duty to stop after accidents involving injury or death): Drivers involved in an accident resulting in bodily injury or death are required to stop and remain at the scene of the accident until they have met all of the requirements of NRS 484E.030. Violators may be charged with a category B felony and face penalties of two to 20 years in prison and $2,000 to $5,000 in fines.
• NRS 484E.030 (Duty to give information and render aid): Any driver involved in an accident that results in property damage, injury, or death is required to “give information and render aid.” This involves:
  •  Giving their name, address, license, and vehicle registration information to any drivers or injured parties involved in the crash
  • Providing information and surrendering their license to any police officers investigating the scene upon request
  •  Rendering reasonable assistance to anyone injured in the crash, such as by helping them arrange for or access medical care. If no police officers are present at the scene, this section of the law also requires drivers involved in hit-and-run crashes to file accident reports with local police or the Nevada Highway Patrol.
• NRS 484E.020 (Duty to stop after accidents involving property damage): Similarly, drivers involved in a crash resulting in property damage must stop at the scene of the accident to fulfill their duty to give information and render aid.
• NRS 484E.040 and 484E.050 (Duty to stop after accidents involving unattended vehicles or property): Drivers involved in crashes with unattended vehicles or property are required to stop, notify the owner of the damage, and provide their contact details. This can mean locating the owner and telling them the information in person or leaving a written notice in a conspicuous place. Drivers must also report accidents with unattended vehicles or property to the local police or the Nevada Highway Patrol as soon as possible.
• NRS 484E.080 (Penalties for false reports or failure to report): If a driver “fails, refuses, or neglects” to file a crash report per Nevada law, they may have their license suspended for up to one year unless and until the report is filed. If someone files a report that they either know or have reason to believe contains false information, they may be found guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

What to Do If Someone Leaves the Scene of an Accident

There may be a lot running through your mind after another driver strikes your car and speeds off, but there are several essential steps you should take to protect yourself and your ability to recover after a hit and run:

• Contact law enforcement. The best chance of catching a hit-and-run driver is getting law enforcement on the case right away. Call them immediately and share any identifying information you can about the hit-and-run driver and the vehicle.
• Write down any details you can recall about the accident. Do this as soon as possible while the facts are still fresh in your memory. Record information about the driver’s appearance, the other vehicle, and license plate details, or other identifying features. Write down everything you can remember about how the crash occurred and which way the other driver took off afterward.
• Seek immediate medical treatment. Even if your injuries appear minor, get them examined by a professional. Not only is this important for your health, but a medical exam will also create an official record of your condition and show that you take your health seriously. Make sure to follow your doctor’s orders and attend all appointments.
• Ask other vehicle occupants or witnesses for statements: Record or write down witness statements and ask for contact information so your hit-and-run accident lawyer can follow up with them if you need to file an injury claim.
• Note the location of any traffic or surveillance cameras. Visit local shops and businesses to ask if they have security cameras that may have captured the accident.
• Take photographs of visible vehicle damage or bodily injuries. Record images of any damage to your vehicle and any visible injuries you sustained due to the hit-and-run accident.
• Report the accident to your insurance provider. Most insurance companies require you to report accidents within a specific timeframe as part of your policy agreement. Your insurance provider may be your only option for recovering compensation in a hit-and-run, so make sure you adhere to their requirements.
• Contact a knowledgeable attorney for a free case review. A Las Vegas hit-and-run accident attorney from THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys can help you notify the insurance company, investigate the claim, and make sure that you seek compensation from every potential source.

If you were severely injured in a hit-and-run, you might not have had a chance to follow all of the above recommendations. Don’t worry. THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys can jump in and launch an immediate investigation so that your claim doesn’t get too far behind.

Hit-and-Run Accident Injuries

Like any car accident, a hit-and-run can leave crash victims with many types of devastating injuries, including:

How Can a Las Vegas Hit-and-Run Lawyer Help?

Pursuing compensation after a hit-and-run accident can be difficult, but an experienced Las Vegas hit-and-run lawyer can help by:

• Explaining your legal rights and the options available to you
• Helping you access the medical care you need to heal
• Conducting an independent investigation of the hit-and-run
• Locating evidence to identify the hit-and-run driver
• Working with accident reconstruction experts to analyze how the accident happened and support your claim for compensation
• Communicating with insurance representatives on your behalf
• Negotiating for a full and fair settlement for you
• Taking your case to trial if we believe that’s the way to get the best possible results for you

Call a Hit-and-Run Accident Attorney in Las Vegas Today

The hit-and-run lawyers at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys have years of combined experience serving injured people throughout Las Vegas and the surrounding Nevada areas. Our firm is solely dedicated to personal injury law, and our award-winning trial lawyers are successful at handling the most complex injury claims.

Contact us today to learn how we can help with your Las Vegas hit-and-run accident claim.