The Las Vegas, Nevada personal injury lawyers at Wooldridge Law Injury Lawyers are here to help you if you or someone you love was hurt in an accident due to the negligence or neglect of another person or party. Individuals who have been hurt in an accident in Las Vegas, may have the right to receive compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and more.
If you or someone you love has become disabled or was seriously injured in an accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for future medical expenses, nursing costs, and rehabilitation costs. In some instances of severe negligence, individuals and families may even be entitled to seek punitive damages, or damages intended to punish negligent parties for their actions.
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There can be many factors that go into making a successful personal injury claim. What is required for a successful personal injury claim? Here are some things a Las Vegas, Nevada personal injury law firm can do to help you:
- Proving Negligence. Building a case that shows that the negligent party owed you or your loved one a duty of care and failed to honor that obligation is one of the key factors that go into a successful personal injury claim. Your Las Vegas personal injury attorney would need to prove negligence and show that you and your family suffered losses as a result. An example would be in the case of a car accident, where a driver had the responsibility to obey posted speed limits but failed to do so.
- Estimating the Value of Your Claim. Estimating the value of a personal injury claim can be complicated. The Las Vegas personal injury lawyers at Wooldridge Law Injury Lawyers can review the details of your case, as well as review medical bills, the severity of your injuries, and other factors to estimate the value of your claim. Many factors can play a role in determining the value of your claim. If you have become disabled because of your accident, you might be entitled to receive a more significant settlement. And if you have had to change careers or lost your job because of your injuries, you might be able to seek money to cover lost wages. In some accidents, both parties may share some responsibility in the accident. Under Nevada law, if you are more than 50 percent responsible for an accident, you are not permitted to recover damages. Yet, proving negligence isn’t always straightforward and sometimes individuals may try to avoid liability by trying to blame the other person. A Las Vegas personal injury lawyer at Wooldridge Law Injury Lawyers can review the details of your case and build the strongest possible case.
- Insurance. The personal injury lawyers in Las Vegas, Nevada at Wooldridge Law can negotiate with insurers to help you get the best possible settlement permitted under the law. Insurance companies have a legal obligation to honor your policy, but when it comes to estimating the value of your settlement, there might be room for negotiation. The quality of data that your insurance company uses to estimate the value of your settlement can impact your settlement amount. The Las Vegas, Nevada personal injury lawyers at Wooldridge Law can review the data insurers are using, read the fine print of your insurance policy, and work to get you the best possible settlement permitted under the law. For example, if you are being offered a settlement to cover the losses for a totaled vehicle, your personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas can determine how the value of the vehicle is being determined. Is it the Blue Book value? Or is it based on actual sales data from Las Vegas car deals? These numbers can sometimes be different.
- Fighting Your Case Inside or Outside of Court. The Las Vegas personal injury lawyers at Wooldridge Law work to settle cases outside of court. In many instances, responsible parties and their insurers want to avoid a costly court battle and are willing to settle fairly and negotiate outside of court. Yet, if negotiations break down, you need a Las Vegas, Nevada personal injury law firm willing to fight your case in court. The Las Vegas car accident attorneys at Wooldridge Law Injury Lawyers are here to help you with your case, whether it’s settled outside of court, or whether you need representation in court, we are here to help.
Personal Injury Lawyers in Las Vegas, Nevada
These are just some of the ways a personal injury law firm in Las Vegas, Nevada may be able to support you as you navigate the claim process. Victims and their families often face new stressors and challenges in the aftermath of a serious injury. The personal injury lawyers in Las Vegas at Wooldridge Law can help you handle the legal aspects of your accident claim so that you can focus on what matters—your recovery.
You may only have a limited time to make a claim under the law. In Nevada, you only have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury claim. It can sometimes take your Las Vegas personal injury attorney some time to build your case, gather evidence, and negotiate settlements. Don’t wait to speak to a personal injury lawyer after you’ve been hurt. Contact the Las Vegas, Nevada personal injury attorneys at Wooldridge Law today.
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(702) 867-8900When Can I Seek Punitive Damages After a Las Vegas Personal Injury?
The two types of damages a person can receive after a Las Vegas accident are compensatory damages and punitive damages. To receive compensatory damages, you’ll need to show that the other person or party owed you a duty of care, was negligent, and show that the negligence resulted in financial loss. Compensatory damages are designed to make a victim “whole” again. While no one can undo the accident and take away your pain or injuries, compensatory damages are designed to cover you and your family’s costs for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and other losses.
Punitive damages aren’t awarded in all cases. Punitive damages punish individuals for especially heinous actions that result in another person’s injury or loss. To collect punitive damages, under Nevada law (NRS 42.001), the victim must be able to show that the person responsible for the injury showed “conscious disregard” for the wellbeing of other people, engaged in fraud or misrepresentation, acted with “malice,” or subjected another person to “cruel and unjust hardship.”
What are some examples of situations where punitive damages may be warranted under the law? NRS 42.001 provides some specific instances. These include:
- Victims of car accidents may be entitled to seek punitive damages if the other driver was found to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- If an employer instructed an employee to do something that resulted in injury or showed “conscious disregard of the rights or safety of others” then punitive damages can be sought in cases where a worker was hurt on the job.
The law also provides for certain situations where there are no caps, or limits on punitive damages when they are sought. Situations where there limits on punitive damages do not apply include:
- A victim can seek unlimited punitive damages in a defective product claim.
- If a person was a victim of insurance bad faith, he or she may be entitled to seek whatever punitive damages the court sees fit. Insurance bad faith occurs when an insurer explicitly fails to honor the obligations of the insurance contract. This can occur when an insurance adjuster misrepresents what is or isn’t covered in a policy or when an insurance provider wrongfully delays or denies coverage.
- If a family or individual has suffered housing discrimination, they may be able to seek uncapped punitive damages.
- Victims of toxic waste or those who were exposed to toxic chemicals may be able to seek uncapped punitive damages.
- Victims of defamation may also be entitled to seek punitive damages without caps.
Because punitive damages are in addition to compensatory damages, your personal injury lawyer may need to build a case to prove that the negligent party showed “conscious disregard,” engaged in fraudulent actions, showed malice, or subjected a victim to “cruel and unjust hardship.” The personal injury attorneys in Las Vegas, Nevada at Wooldridge Law are here to help you navigate all aspects of your personal injury claim. We can estimate the value of your compensatory damages and seek punitive damages when appropriate. If you have questions about the next steps or your case, reach out to the Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at Wooldridge Law today.
Navigating the Insurance Claim Process After a Personal Injury in Las Vegas, Nevada
Many personal injury cases will involve insurance claims. For example, if you were involved in a car accident, you’ll likely need to make an insurance claim and work with insurance adjusters to get a settlement for injuries and losses. If you suffered an injury on another person’s property or while patronizing a business, a property insurance claim will likely be involved. Even when individuals are injured due to medical malpractice, a victim’s claim will likely come up against the medical provider’s professional insurance. If you have been hurt in an accident in Las Vegas, Nevada, the personal injury lawyers at Wooldridge Law can help you navigate all aspects of the insurance claim process, whether that involves negotiating with insurance companies, reading the fine print of an insurance policy, or advocating for your rights. Insurance adjusters handle claims all the time and know the ins and outs of the claims process. This can sometimes be to the advantage of insurers. A personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the claim process and help you get the best possible settlement for your case.
Common Las Vegas Accidents and Injuries
Anyone can become a victim of an accident at any time. While many accidents remain minor, some involve more serious injuries that result in life-long or serious disability. Some common causes of Las Vegas accidents include:
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Impaired Driving Accidents
- Falling
- Poisoning
- Workplace Accidents
- Medical Malpractice
- Nursing Home Neglect
- And more
Some of the more serious injuries a person can sustain after a Las Vegas accident can include:
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Back Injuries
- Broken Bones
- Burn Injuries
- Internal Injuries
- Neck Injuries (including whiplash)
- Fractures
- Sprains and Strains
- Internal Injury
- Drowning
- And more
If you or someone you love was hurt in an accident in Las Vegas, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your losses. Individuals who sustained more serious injuries may be entitled to receive a more significant settlement. Many factors can go into the claims process, including how you were injured, how responsible the other party is for your injury, the severity of your disability, and other losses. If you have been hurt in an accident in Las Vegas, Nevada, reach out to the personal injury attorneys at Wooldridge Law today. We are here to help you take the next steps.
schedule a free consultationThings to Keep in Mind After a Las Vegas Personal Injury
The things you say or do after a Las Vegas accident can affect your personal injury claim. Insurance companies might reach out to you to make a statement, but it’s important to keep in mind that anything you say to insurance adjusters could impact your claim. If you are being asked to make a statement, you can always ask that the insurance company make the request in writing and then show the request to your personal injury attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada. One of the key ways that a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer can help you is by speaking and working with insurers on your behalf. Anything you say to police after a crash can also affect your claim. If you are found more than 50% responsible for the accident, you could be barred from seeking damages. When speaking to police, simply tell them the facts of what happened. Don’t claim responsibility. Leave the determination of responsibility to your insurance companies, lawyers, and police. After all, these professionals handle these situations every day and are more equipped to investigate and determine fault.
Another thing to keep in mind is that anything you say or post on social media could also affect your personal injury case. If you have been hurt in an accident, you may want to avoid social media for a while, at least until your claim is settled. Your personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas, Nevada can guide you if you have questions or concerns.
The things you do after an accident could also affect your claim. As Wooldridge Law Injury Lawyers has explored in its YouTube videos, sometimes investigators might try to see whether you can or cannot do certain things after your accident to determine your level of functioning. It’s important to be clear with your personal injury lawyer about what you can and cannot do, and whether you are doing these things in pain.
How Can I Contact a Las Vegas, Nevada Personal Injury Attorney?
The Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at Wooldridge Law can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 702-867-8900. We understand that accidents can happen at any time of the day or night, and we have someone available to take your call at all hours. We offer new clients a free initial consultation during which we can review your case and offer guidance on the next steps. Don’t delay. Reach out to our Las Vegas, Nevada personal injury lawyers today.
