What To Do After a Pedestrian Is Hit by a Car in Las Vegas
After a pedestrian accident in Las Vegas, take these steps to help protect your case for compensation:
- Follow your doctor’s advice and stick to your treatment plan.
- Hold on to any evidence that could be helpful, including photos from the scene, the police report, witness contact information, medical bills, letters from insurance companies, etc.
- Keep a journal about your treatment and how you feel. Make notes about how your injuries are affecting your daily life.
- Refrain from using social media to talk about your accident. Anything you post could be used against you.
- Contact a pedestrian accident lawyer from our Las Vegas personal injury law firm to discuss your rights. We will review your case for free and answer all your questions.
Do I Have a Valid Pedestrian Accident Claim?
If you were a pedestrian hit by a car, you have the right to pursue a pedestrian accident claim against the driver. The most important thing you need to focus on is getting the right medical treatment. Your injuries may be more serious than they appear due to the impact of a vehicle striking you. With the help of experienced accident attorneys, you can better understand your options to pursue a pedestrian accident claim.
Documenting Your Claim
Treating your injuries is your first priority. If the accident was particularly bad, ambulance transport to the emergency room may be necessary. Even if the accident was minor, you should still seek immediate medical treatment, because your initial injuries may worsen. Getting to a doctor documents your injuries and creates a solid claim.
To further document your claim, cooperate with the police investigation and request a copy of the incident report. Take photos of the scene and of the car if you can. Also useful is contact and insurance information of the other driver and of any witnesses.
Insurance adjusters want to devalue or deny injury claims, even when injuries are obvious. Preparing yourself with a fully documented claim protects your right to compensation.
Know the Liability Issues Affecting Your Claim
Drivers have an obligation to pay attention to the road while driving and look out for pedestrians. But an issue of comparative negligence may complicate a pedestrian claim. For example, the driver could have been speeding, and the pedestrian could have been jaywalking.
Nevada is a modified comparative negligence state. This means your case will compare the negligence of both parties and assign percentages in their share of the blame for the accident. Consequently, a pedestrian’s percentage of fault will reduce any recovery the pedestrian receives. If the pedestrian was more than 50% at fault, there is no recovery.
Pedestrian Accident FAQs
Our best Las Vegas pedestrian accident attorneys are always available to answer questions about your case. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from clients:
It’s very possible as jaywalking may be against the law in Las Vegas, but it’s not automatic grounds for denying your injury claim. Using the principle of comparative fault, we may be able to prove the driver who hit you was more responsible for the pedestrian accident than you were. That can secure you much-needed compensation for your treatment.
A good personal injury lawyer will explore all available avenues for your compensation. That includes your own car insurance. Even if you were not driving at the time of the pedestrian accident, your optional uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy can pay for car accident-related injuries.
You will want to hire a Las Vegas pedestrian accident lawyer for several reasons. First, because state law determines how accidents are compensated, only a Nevada-licensed lawyer can help you. Additionally, a personal injury lawyer knows the law better than out-of-state lawyers who partner with Nevada firms or get temporary permission to practice in-state. Additionally, a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer is best positioned to use all local resources to investigate and build your case.
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