Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer

It’s very important to understand who is liable for the car crash. It’s also not always as simple as “it’s the other drivers fault.” There are oftentimes many other parties a car accident attorney can help examine for liability. It’s essential to identify them in order to pursue fair compensation for affected parties.

This section explains what other parties may be at fault and could be liable for your Nevada car accident.

Possible At-Fault Parties

In the state of Nevada, the personal injury laws allow for claims to be brought against any party whose negligent behavior contributed to the crash.

To fully determine liability, your Las Vegas car accident lawyer will investigate:

• Driver behavior
• Vehicle conditions
• Vehicle ownership
• Road hazards

Negligent Drivers

In many cases, the defendant in a car accident claim is the other driver. Oftentimes, they may have acted negligently, which is a breach of their duty to operate their vehicle safely. Their negligent behaviors may include:

• Speeding
• Texting while driving
• Failing to yield
• Running red lights
• Distracted driving
• Impaired driving
• Aggressive driving

Employers of Commercial Drivers

In Nevada, there is a law called the legal doctrine of respondeat superior. That basically means an employer may be liable if a driver caused a crash while on the clock.

Some examples of drivers who may be at work while driving include:

• Delivery drivers
• Rideshare drivers
• Trucking companies
• Commercial transportation services

Some examples of what employers can be held responsible for are:

• Negligent hiring
• Inadequate training
• Unsafe vehicle maintenance
• Unreasonable delivery schedules

Vehicle Manufacturers, Parts Suppliers and Mechanics

Someone who was in charge of making sure the vehicle was built or fixed right can be a potentially liable party in a car wreck.

In the possible case of defective car parts, a product liability claim may be brought against manufacturers, distributors, or parts suppliers.

Some examples of defective components may include:

• Brakes
• Tires
• Airbags
• Steering systems

Government Entities Responsible for Road Conditions

In certain instances, the conditions on the road may be deemed to have contributed to a car accident. In these cases, it’s possible that the government agencies may be liable.

Some examples of this include hazardous conditions such as:

• Missing traffic signals
• Dangerous road design
• Potholes
• Lack of warning signs

It’s important to note that making a claim against the government may include special timelines and procedures.

Settlement Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique, and compensation depends on individual circumstances.

People that have been injured or suffered losses in a Nevada car accident may be able to seek financial recovery via a personal injury lawsuit.

Potential financial recovery, also called “damages” in legal context, are meant to compensate affected parties.

It’s important to note that the damages your Las Vegas auto accident lawyer may seek for you are not limited to just direct financial losses. In reality, a car accident can create big ripple effects in one’s life. That means there may be more damage than just physical injuries and damage to your car.

Keep in mind, the amounts that affected parties generally receive are tied to the seriousness of the injuries and causes of the accidents.

Economic Damages

Settlement Disclaimer: Past outcomes don’t predict future results. Each case is different.

In terms of car accident settlement amounts, economic damages refers to financial losses with exact dollar amounts. This can include costs for things like:

• Medical bills
• Hospital stays
• Rehabilitation
• Medication
• Surgery
• Lost wages,
• Reduced earning capacity,
• Property damage (example: vehicle repair or replacement)
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Home care assistance

Non-Economic Damages

Settlement Disclaimer: Past outcomes don’t predict future results. Each case is different.

Non-economic damages compensate affected parties for physical and emotional suffering. These do not come with fixed amounts and are based on how the crash affected one’s quality of life. Here are some examples:

• Pain and suffering (examples: daily discomfort, sleep problems, etc)
• Emotional distress (examples: PTSD, anxiety while driving, etc)
• Loss of enjoyment of life (example: not being able to participate in hobbies, etc)
• Disfigurement or permanent disability (examples: limb loss, scarring, etc)

Non-economic damages are generally calculated by evaluating the severity of your injuries and their long-term impact.

Wrongful Death Damages

Settlement Disclaimer: Past outcomes don’t predict future results. Each case is different.

Fatal accidents can leave family members dealing with both financial and emotional losses. In Nevada, relatives of one killed in a car accident can seek damages for both of these aspects.

Some items these may cover include:

• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of financial support
• Loss of companionship

Punitive Damages

Settlement Disclaimer: Past outcomes don’t predict future results. Each case is different. Punitive damages are rare and only apply to extreme cases.

Sometimes the court decides that the cause of the accident is more than just negligence. In these cases, it’s determined that the at fault party acted with clear disregard for the safety of others. For example:

• Repeated drunk driving
• Repeated safety violations

In such instances, the court may decide to further punish the at fault party to discourage future bad behavior.

Settlement Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Each case is unique, and compensation depends on individual circumstances.

This section will explain how many insurance companies calculate car accident settlement values. These are generally based on:

• Medical costs
• Liability evidence
• Long-term injury effects

The Multiplier Method for Pain and Suffering

Settlement Disclaimer: Past outcomes don’t predict future results. Each case is different.

In order to estimate the value of an affected party’s pain and suffering, many insurance companies use something called the “multiplier method.”

They use the calculable economic damages as a starting point to gauge how serious the accident was. They use that to estimate a number, generally between 1.5 and 5. The more serious the injuries, accident and long term effects are, the higher the number usually is.

For example, let’s say medical bills and lost income totaled to $20,000. Then the company decided that a multiplier of 2 would be appropriate. The estimate for pain and suffering damages would likely be $40,000.

This method is not fixed. Different insurers may calculate values in different ways. The final amount can vary based on the facts of the case, the available evidence, and how clearly the impact of the injury is shown.

Key Factors That Can Affect Settlement Amounts

Settlement Disclaimer: Past outcomes don’t predict future results. Each case is different.

Here are some potential factors that insurance companies will use to determine settlement amounts:

• injury severity
• medical treatment duration
• liability clarity
• insurance policy limits

Why Insurance Companies Often Undervalue Claims

Settlement Disclaimer: Past outcomes don’t predict future results. Each case is different.

It’s no secret that insurance companies want to limit the amount they have to pay in a car accident settlement. There are many tactics they sometimes use to achieve this. Here are some tactics your Las Vegas car accident attorney can help you overcome:

• Quick settlement offers
• Disputing treatment necessity
• Assigning partial fault

Here are some steps to take if you are involved in a car accident in Las Vegas. Keep in mind, the goal is to protect both your health and legal rights. We also recommend trying to get as much documentation as possible to assist with potential future legal claims.

Ensure Your Immediate Safety

Directly after a crash, safety is the most important thing. Get yourself to a safe spot, make sure others in your party are safe. Check for injuries. Turn on your hazards and move your vehicle if you can. Try and stay out of the road as much as possible. You want to make sure you avoid further collisions.

Call for Help and Seek Medical Attention

Call 911 or instruct someone else to do so. It’s important for law enforcement and emergency medical responders to arrive at the scene quickly.

Request medical help and report the accident. Even if you think you are ok, it’s important to get checked out by a medical professional. Some injuries may not be obvious right away, for example, concussions.

Document the Scene

Attorney Aaron A. Winder’s top recommendation to parties affected in car accidents is:

Take pictures, take pictures and take pictures.

If it’s safe to do so, make sure you fully document the scene. Take photos of everything you can, even if you aren’t sure if it’s valuable or not. Try and show:

• damage to the vehicles
• damage to the road
• skid marks
• traffic signs
• anything else that can help explain what happened

Exchange or Collect Information

Collect as much information as you can from everyone involved or nearby. Ask the other drivers for their:

• names
• contact details
• insurance information
• license plate numbers
• driver’s license details

If there are any objections, try and explain that this information is needed for insurance purposes and accident reports.

Try to also get the contact information from witnesses nearby if there are any.

Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer Before Insurance Companies

As we discussed earlier, insurance companies may seek to minimize the amount they pay and use tactics to try and accomplish this. It’s very possible that insurance adjusters will record calls and try to offer early settlements.

We recommend speaking with a car accident attorney before this, so you know your rights and options.

Car accidents produce many injuries. These can range from concussions to minor soft tissue injuries to permanent disability.

Oftentimes, the severity of the injury depends on:

• impact speed
• vehicle type
• use of safety restraints

This section will discuss some of the more severe injuries people sometimes experience after a car accident.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

One common yet serious injury from car crashes are traumatic brain injuries, also known as TBIs.

TBI’s are generally caused by impact to the head to the brain moving inside the skull due to sudden acceleration or deceleration.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, some symptoms can include:

• Headaches, dizziness, or nausea
• Blurred vision or sensitivity to light
• Fatigue or feeling slowed down
• Trouble thinking, focusing, or remembering
• Confusion or grogginess
• Anxiety, irritability, or mood changes
• Sleep problems (too much or too little sleep)

Spinal Cord Injuries

Another serious injury we sometimes see from people affected by car accidents are spinal cord injuries. Spinal trauma can result in partial or complete paralysis.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some symptoms include:

• Loss of movement
• Loss of feeling (touch, heat, or cold)
• Numbness or tingling in hands, fingers, feet, or toes
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Trouble walking or keeping balance
• Muscle spasms or exaggerated reflexes
• Pain or stinging sensation from nerve damage
• Trouble breathing, coughing, or clearing lungs
• Weakness or lack of coordination
• Changes in sexual function

They also note several emergency signs to pay attention to after an accident:

• Severe back, neck, or head pain
• Loss of control in any part of the body
• Numbness or loss of sensation
• Trouble breathing
• Twisted neck or back

Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries

People may experience whiplash after a car accident. This occurs due to the neck rapidly moving forward or backward during impact.

Johns Hopkins lists symptoms such as:

• Neck pain
• Neck stiffness
• Shoulder pain
• Low back pain
• Trouble turning your head
• Dizziness
• Pain in the arm or hand
• Numbness in the arm or hand
• Irritability
• Trouble sleeping
• Fatigue

Broken Bones and Orthopedic Injuries

People break and fracture bones in car accidents all the time. Generally broken bones from car crashes are caused by collision impact. Sometimes these need surgery, casting and long term rehab.

According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, some symptoms someone with a broken bone may display are:

• Severe pain at the injury site
• Swelling and tenderness
• Bruising
• Inability to move the injured area
• Visible deformity (bone looks out of place)
• Bone sticking through the skin (in severe cases)

Internal Organ Damage and Internal Bleeding

Sometimes damage to internal organs or internal bleeding are injuries sustained in car accidents. This can include damage to organs such as the liver, lungs or spleen.

This is a good example of an injury that may not be immediately obvious but can pose a significant threat.

According to WebMD, some symptoms of internal bleeding are:

• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Weakness
• Deep bruising (dark purple skin)
• Swelling, tightness, or pain in a limb
• Headache
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness

Delayed Injuries After a Crash

It’s very important to undergo a medical exam after a car accident even if you feel fine. This is because many injuries take time to appear after the accident. Some examples are:

• Whiplash
• Concussions
• Internal injuries

This section takes a look at some of the places in Las Vegas that are highly prone to accidents.

High-Risk Intersections in Clark County

Fox5Vegas posted a list of the most dangerous intersections in Las Vegas in 2025. Here they are:

1. Charleston Blvd & Decatur Blvd
2. Flamingo Rd & Rainbow Rd
3. Charleston Blvd & Hualapai Way
4. Blue Diamond Rd & Arville St
5. Tropicana Ave & Decatur Blvd
6. Flamingo Rd & Arville St
7. Boulder Hwy between Sahara Ave & Karen Ave
8. Flamingo Rd & Pecos Rd
9. Flamingo Rd & Maryland Pkwy
10. Las Vegas Blvd & Cheyenne Ave
11. Washington Ave & Nellis Blvd
12. Las Vegas Blvd & Cashman Ctr

Dangerous Highways and Freeways in Las Vegas

Major freeways in Las Vegas include:

• I-15 – Main north-south freeway (California ↔ Las Vegas ↔ Utah)
• I-215 (Las Vegas Beltway) – Partial loop around the city (west, south, east sides)
• I-11 – Runs with US-95 near Vegas (future major corridor)

Major highways include:

• US-95 – Major north-south route through Las Vegas
• US-93 – Connects Las Vegas to Arizona (Hoover Dam route)
• US-93/95 (combined corridor) – Shared stretch northwest of Vegas

Tourist Traffic and Out-of-State Drivers

Lastly, it’s important to note that Las Vegas is a tourist city that is full of unfamiliar drivers from out of state. The lack of familiarity may increase the chances they will be distracted by attractions or navigation apps.

Here are some common causes of car accidents in the United States that are supported by data.

Distracted Driving

A quick glance away from the road can be enough to miss something important.

In 2022, 3,308 people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers. Another 289,310 were injured. Research links texting and cellphone use to higher crash risk. Data across the U.S. shows distraction plays a role in a share of fatal and injury crashes.

Speeding

Driving too fast limits how quickly a driver can respond to hazards. It also increases the force of a crash. Speeding is involved in about one-third of fatal crashes nationwide. In 2023, it was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities.

Alcohol-Impaired Driving

Alcohol can affect how drivers think and react.

In 2023, 12,429 people died in crashes involving alcohol-impaired driving. That number represents nearly one-third of all traffic crash deaths across the country.

Drowsy Driving

A tired driver may not respond in time to avoid a crash. Fatigue affects both awareness and reaction speed. In 2017, there were about 91,000 police-reported crashes involving drowsy driving, part of a larger yearly total.

Types of Car Accidents

Car accidents happen in all different ways. Here is a list of some of the types of accidents we see happen to people:

• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on collisions
• T-bone or side-impact crashes
• Multi-vehicle accidents
• Hit-and-run collisions
• Rollover accidents
• Single-vehicle accidents
• Highway accidents
• High-speed collisions
• Fatal car accidents
• Construction zone accidents
• Commercial vehicle accidents
• Distracted driving accidents
• Reckless or aggressive driving accidents
• Accidents involving hazardous road conditions
• Accidents involving out-of-state drivers or visitors
• Underinsured motorist accidents

If you’re considering filing a lawsuit after a car accident in Nevada, it’s helpful to understand the laws that may apply. Below are some of the most important ones.

Disclaimer: These law summaries are not exhaustive and are provided for general understanding only. They reflect Nevada law at the time of writing and may be subject to updates or change. For legal advice or a full interpretation, consult an attorney. Always check with an attorney or the Nevada Legislature for the most current information.

Nevada Deadlines: Statute of Limitations

NRS 11.190 – Limitation of actions for various causes

Allows a person to recover damages if they are not more at fault than the defendant or combined defendants, with the amount reduced based on their percentage of fault.

Example: If you are injured in a crash on January 1, 2024, you generally have until January 1, 2026 to file a lawsuit. If you file after that deadline, your case can be dismissed even if you had a valid claim.

Comparative Negligence

NRS 41.141 – Comparative negligence; liability of multiple defendants

Allows a person to recover damages if they are not more at fault than the defendant, with the amount reduced based on their percentage of fault.

Example: If you are in a car accident and found to be 20% at fault, and the other driver is 80% at fault, you can still recover damages. However, your total compensation would be reduced by 20% based on your share of fault.

Nevada Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements

NRS 485.3091 – Motor vehicle liability policy: Requirements

Requires motor vehicle liability insurance policies to cover damages caused by the use of a vehicle. This law sets minimum coverage limits of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 for property damage.

NRS 485.187 – Unlawful acts; fines and penalties; exceptions

Makes it unlawful to drive or allow a vehicle to be driven without required insurance or proof of insurance, with penalties including fines and misdemeanor charges.

Other Nevada Laws Related to Car Accidents

NRS 41.085 – Actions for wrongful death

Allows heirs and personal representatives to bring a claim for damages when a person’s death is caused by another party’s wrongful act or negligence.

NRS 484E.010 – Duty to stop at scene of crash involving death or personal injury

Imposes a duty on drivers in injury or fatal crashes to stop and remain at the scene, with significant penalties for noncompliance.

NRS 484E.030 – Duty to give information and render aid

Requires drivers involved in a crash to provide identifying information and offer reasonable assistance to injured persons.

NRS 484E.070 – Report of crash to Department

Requires submission of a crash report within 10 days if the accident results in injury, death, or significant property damage.

NRS 484B.600 – Speed restrictions; basic rule

Prohibits driving at a speed greater than is reasonable and proper, having due regard for traffic, roadway conditions, and other existing factors.

NRS 484B.653 – Duty to exercise due care

Requires drivers to use due care to avoid hitting pedestrians and others using the road.

NRS 485.185 – Security required following certain accidents

Requires Nevada drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage for bodily injury and property damage.

NRS 484B.223 – Driving on highways with multiple lanes

Requires drivers to stay within their lane and only change lanes when it is safe to do so.

NRS 484B.127 – Following too closely

Prohibits drivers from following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and safe under current conditions.

NRS 484B.257 – Stop and yield at intersections

Requires drivers to stop or yield at intersections and give the right-of-way to approaching vehicles when necessary.

NRS 484B.307 – Traffic-control signals

Requires drivers and pedestrians to obey traffic signals and yield the right-of-way based on signal indications.

NRS 484B.413 – Turning and signaling requirements

Requires drivers to signal before turning or slowing and only make movements when it is safe to do so.

Come see us, we are located at:
7785 W Sahara Ave Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89117