Injuries from accidents often lead to financial uncertainty. An injured party typically deals with medical expenses, lost wages, and problems in their personal life. Whether you were injured in a car accident, slip-and-fall, or other type of accident, a northern Nevada personal injury attorney can help provide peace of mind and answers to any questions you have after an accident. Before you connect with legal representation, let’s examine how Reno personal injury claims work under Nevada law.
What Are the Parts of Reno Personal Injury Claims?
Every personal injury claim hinges on the concept of negligence. To pursue a Reno personal injury claim, a plaintiff needs to prove:
- That a defendant had the duty of care to prevent an injury.
- Breached that duty of care (the negligence).
- Causation between the breach of care and the injury.
- Damages that were caused by the injury.
Our personal injury lawyer in Reno can help a plaintiff identify the defendant’s role in the case and decide whether to pursue a claim.
What Are Common Types of Reno Personal Injury Accidents?
There are several types of common personal injuries, which include:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Product-related injuries.
- Animal attacks and dog bites
- Electric vehicle collisions
In Nevada, slip-and-fall accidents are prevalent in public places like casinos and hotels. The tourist scene can contribute to car accidents and pedestrian accidents. A Northern Nevada personal injury lawyer at Lerner and Rowe has the experience and resources to file successful Reno personal injury claims.
How Often Do Reno Personal Injury Claims Go to Trial?
It’s estimated that about 90% of civil claims are resolved before a claim goes to trial. A lawyer’s priority is to get the best settlement for their client as quickly as possible. When a claim does turn into a lawsuit, there are usually some reasons:
- Disagreement on liability in the claim
- The plaintiff’s demand for damages is greater than what the defendant is willing to pay
- The defendant might believe they have a stronger case
Our Reno personal injury attorney is always trial-ready and prepared to represent our injury clients in and out of court.
Time Limit for Filing Reno Personal Injury Claims
You should be aware of civil torts in Nevada and the law surrounding the statute of limitations. For most personal injuries, you generally have two years to pursue a case. For medical malpractice, the statute of limitations in Nevada is generally three years.
The statute of limitations is fair to the injured party and the defendant. It gives them time to negotiate before filing a case. The statute also gives plaintiffs time to think about the best way to resolve their case.
What Can You Recover in a Personal Injury Case?
There are two types of damages in a personal injury case. Economic damages, which include lost wages, medical expenses, and anything related to the direct dollar cost of their injury. For example, if you can’t drive and need to pay for transportation for your treatments, you can ask for this as part of your settlement.
Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. You can also ask for damages for “loss of companionship.” Non-economic damages often require the input of individuals, such as psychiatrists as expert witnesses. Punitive damages are rare but can be applied in certain types of cases with gross negligence.
How Much Are Reno Personal Injury Claims Worth?
No amount of money will help you fully recover from your injury. But a personal injury claim settlement will help you cover medical treatment expenses and makeup lost wages. Your damage amounts will be determined by:
- The out-of-pocket expenses you had for healthcare and your lost wages
- The effects of your injuries
- The severity of your injuries
- Whether or not the injuring party carried insurance appropriate for the situation
According to the Bureau of Justice, the average payout for personal injuries was about $28,000. Medical malpractice payouts come in at around $400,000.
Why Should You Consult with a Personal Injury Lawyer in Reno?
Reno personal injury claims filed without a lawyer tend to get dismissed if they reach court. Having a lawyer can also potentially result in a better settlement amount. Cases without a lawyer tend to get dismissed because:
- The plaintiff does not file the right type of paperwork to a case
- The plaintiff misses filing deadlines or does not react promptly to the other party’s motions
- The plaintiff might not correctly prove negligence, resulting in a summary judgment for the other party
A Reno personal injury lawyer can do things for a client, such as file paperwork, serve subpoenas, and investigate the patient’s case fully to help ensure the highest settlement gets recovered. If you were injured in an accident in Reno, a personal injury lawyer from Lerner and Rowe can help. Schedule a free 24/7 consultation by calling 775-644-4444 or connecting with us online through LiveChat and secure contact form today.