When we first meet with a new client, one of the first questions they ask us is how much their personal injury case is worth. Some of them get frustrated when we try to explain that we won’t know what their case is worth until we have a chance to review it. This is why we offer new clients a free, initial consultation. This gives our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys a chance to review your case, review the evidence, and it determine if it has merit. If any personal injury attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada promises to get you a certain amount of money, they’re doing you a disservice. We would rather be upfront and honest with our clients than make promises we can’t keep.
Here, we’ll discuss what kinds of damages your attorney can demand in your personal injury case. Will also explain what your Las Vegas personal injury attorney has to do to prove your case. If you aren’t able to prove your case, then you won’t be collecting any damages at all. This is why we don’t like to tell somebody that their case is worth a specific amount of money. Finally, we’ll talk about what happens if the court finds that you’re partially at fault for your injuries.
If you were recently hurt in any sort of accident, it’s a good idea to schedule your free consultation with one of our lawyers. They can address any questions or concerns you may have and give you a ballpark figure of what your case might be worth.
Your Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney Must Prove Negligence
Before you can talk about damages and what your case is worth, you must be able to prove that the defendant was at fault. In almost every personal injury case in Nevada, your attorney will have to prove negligence. Negligence means that the other party did not behave the way a reasonable person would have given the circumstances. In order to demonstrate negligence, you must prove four separate elements:
- You must be able to prove that the defendant owed you a duty of care
- You must also demonstrate that they breached this duty
- Your Las Vegas personal injury attorney must prove that you suffered damages
- Finally, you’ll have to demonstrate that the defendant’s breach caused your injuries
If you’re able to prove these four things, you’ll have a good chance of recovering damages.
What Kind of Damages Will Your Personal Injury Attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada Demand?
Once you’ve proven that the defendant was negligent, you can start discussing what damages you may be entitled to. Since every case is different, there’s no way to know for sure exactly how much you’ll receive. However, in almost every personal injury case we handle, or personal injury attorneys in Las Vegas, Nevada demand the following:
- Medical bills and future medical bills-Obviously, the defendant will be responsible for any medical bills you incur as a result of your accident. This includes things like hospital bills, physical therapy, and any durable medical equipment you need. In addition, you can demand compensation for any future medical care you may need.
- Lost wages-If your injuries are serious, there’s a good chance you’ll miss at least two or three weeks from work. Some of our clients are out of work for months before they are able to go back. You can demand that the other party reimburse you for any wages that you lost.
- Future lost income-In addition to demanding compensation for lost wages, your Las Vegas personal injury attorney can also demand compensation for lost future income. For example, imagine that you were a full-time truck driver prior to your accident. As a result of the accident, you suffered significant damage to your spine. Not only can you no longer drive a truck, but you may end up in a wheelchair for the rest of your life. The defendant will be liable for the difference between what you would have earned had you not been hurt and what you’ll actually earn collecting disability.
- Pain and suffering-In almost every personal injury case our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys handle, we demand damages for pain and suffering. These damages are meant to compensate you for any physical or mental anguish caused by your accident. The general rule is that we will demand pain and suffering in the amount of three times your medical bills. This means that if your medical bills were $200,000, we’ll demand pain and suffering of at least $600,000.
What Happens if You Were Partially at Fault?
Nevada is a modified comparative fault state. What this means is that you’re still able to collect damages against the defendant even if you were partially at fault. However, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, imagine that somebody smashed into the back of your car in a rear end accident. When your Las Vegas personal injury attorney files your complaint, they demand damages in the amount of $750,000. However, the defendant has evidence showing that your brake lights were not working properly at the time of the crash. They’re arguing that you are at least 50% at fault for the accident. The court determines that you were only 20% at fault. What this means is that your initial demand of damages for $750,000 will be reduced by $150,000. Your remaining demand will be for approximately $600,000.
Schedule Your Free, Initial Consultation with a Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you or your loved one were recently injured in any sort of accident, it’s time for you to call a Las Vegas personal injury attorney. In the days and weeks after your accident, you’ll be in no position to fight with the insurance companies and file legal papers. That’s something we can do for you. This will give you the opportunity to focus on getting better and recovering from your injuries.
What we recommend is that you call our office as soon as possible after your accident. When you call ask if you can schedule your free, initial consultation. Take the time to sit down with a seasoned attorney who’s handled several cases like yours in the past. They can answer any questions or concerns you may have and can even give you an idea of what your case is worth.
Since your initial consultation is free you really have nothing to lose. And remember, you don’t pay our firm a dime until your case settles.