Car accidents are a leading cause of personal injuries in Tonopah, and according to the Nevada Department of Transportation, car accident fatality rates surged from 2012 to 2021. While there was a slight decrease in fatality rate from 2023 to 2024, car accidents consistently cause serious injuries in the Tonopah area. If you are hurt in such an accident, you need to consult a Tonopah car accident lawyer at Aaron Law Group.
The team at Aaron Law Group excels at resolving complex motor vehicle accident cases. An accident victim in Tonopah is likely to have many questions about proving liability for the crash, their options for recovery, and how much compensation they are legally eligible to claim. Our goal for every client is maximum recovery, and we can help with your case in several ways:
You have a short time to build your car accident case in Tonopah. The evidence you may need to prove liability may not be available for very long, and the first steps you take immediately after the accident can profoundly influence the outcome of your recovery efforts.
If you are able to do so after an accident, call 911 immediately to report the crash. Nevada law requires drivers to report any accident that causes significant property damage, injury, or death. Calling 911 will ensure that first responders can arrive as quickly as possible to help anyone who was injured, and your call will generate a police report that you will need later.
Be careful not to admit any fault for the accident when first responders talk to you. Even if you think you may be partially to blame, answer the responding officers’ questions honestly and concisely until they allow you to leave. Seek medical care even if you think you only suffered minor injuries, and do not talk to any insurance company representatives until you consult an attorney.
In Nevada, the fault rule applies to all car accident cases involving multiple drivers. This means the driver at fault is liable for the resulting damages, and an injured driver must prove fault before they can recover any compensation.
The majority of car accidents reported in Tonopah and throughout Nevada are the result of driver negligence. This means a driver failed to meet a duty of care or failed to act with reasonable care in some way that directly caused the accident. Distracted driving, speeding, and moving violations are a few examples of how driver negligence can easily cause serious accidents.
Another commonly cited cause of accidents in Tonopah is intoxicated driving. When a driver causes an accident because they were driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, they not only face liability for damages they caused to others but also criminal charges. This could lead to an injured driver collecting punitive damages alongside the compensation they receive for their other claimed losses. The defendant is also likely to face severe penalties in criminal court.
One issue that might arise and complicate your car accident case is comparative fault. It’s possible for the facts of the accident to show that you share liability for causing the accident. In this situation, Nevada’s modified comparative fault rule will come into effect and each liable driver will have a fault percentage assigned.
As long as the plaintiff’s fault percentage is less than the defendant’s, the plaintiff can still recover compensation for their losses. However, their fault percentage is subtracted from their total compensation to reflect their shared liability. If you are worried about bearing comparative fault in your case, your Tonopah car accident lawyer can explain what you might expect.
Once you have resolved any issues pertaining to fault and establish liability for your accident, you can proceed with filing a claim against the defendant’s auto insurance policy. It is possible that their insurer could reach out to you directly shortly after the accident, but you need to consult an attorney before discussing any kind of settlement.
Insurance companies will generally do everything they can to avoid paying out fair settlements. They may try to coerce you into accepting a lowball settlement offer, hoping you will not be willing to fight. They may also attempt to unfairly deny your claim. Aaron Law Group has extensive experience handling difficult insurance claims and will do everything we can to ensure you are treated fairly.
Ultimately, you may need to file a personal injury case against the at-fault driver to recover your losses. With the help of an experienced attorney, it is possible to claim compensation for your medical expenses, property losses, lost income, and the pain and suffering you experienced. The sooner you connect with trustworthy legal counsel, the more likely you are to reach the optimal outcome of your case.
Aaron Law Group is ready to help you navigate the aftermath of your accident and guide you to the recovery you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Tonopah car accident lawyer. We look forward to helping you recover.