Reno Car Accident Lawyer

Advocating for Clients Throughout Nevada

Car accident injuries go far beyond the initial pain and suffering that the victims endure. Victims may face expensive medical bills for treating their injuries. They may have to miss work, depriving them of the wages needed to provide for their families. Accidents may destroy their vehicles, making it difficult to get to work, run errands, or take the kids to school. In some cases, a person may have to undergo extensive rehabilitation. Worse, the most tragic car accidents rob families of their loved ones.

Were you hurt in a car accident? Whatever the cause of your accident – drunk driving, texting and driving, carelessness on the part of the other driver – our Reno car accident attorney at Eric A. Stovall wants to answer your questions and help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Arrange for a complimentary consultation with our Reno auto accident lawyer by contacting Eric A. Stovall online or at (775) 256-5757.

What to Do After a Car Accident

Immediately following an accident, you should do the following:

Contact Law Enforcement

Call the police to the scene and they will document the events, the persons involved in the accident, and generally take the names and contact information of witnesses.

Take Photos If Possible

If you are safe and not seriously injured, it is beneficial to take as many photographs as possible. These should include pictures of the area of the accident, road signs, and traffic signals as well as pictures of the damage to the involved vehicles.

Seek Medical Care

Regardless of whether you believe you are hurt or not, it is imperative you should seek medical care at a local emergency room and with first responders. An ER physician will document bruises, pain, and other symptoms you may have. Keep in mind that you may not feel any pain immediately after an accident because of the adrenaline rush that typically occurs.

Notify the Insurance Company

Since all Nevada drivers must maintain certain levels of auto insurance, you will likely need to notify your insurance company of the accident. Use caution when providing information; it is advisable to simply provide the insurer with the facts and the other driver’s insurance information. Do not answer any other questions without speaking with an auto accident lawyer.

Common Car Accident Causes in Reno

More than 30,000 people die from car accidents each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In 2019, 304 of those accidents happened in Nevada. Here are a few common causes of car accidents in Reno, NV:

Distracted Driving

Distractions come in three forms: visual, cognitive, and manual. Visual distractions take the driver’s eyes off the road. Cognitive distractions occur when a driver is not mentally focused on the task of driving. Manual distractions take the driver’s hands off the wheel. While distractions come in many forms, texting and driving is particularly dangerous. Texting while driving fits all three categories of distraction.

Drunk Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 27 Americans die every day as a result of drunk driving accidents. Another sobering statistic from the Federal Bureau of Investigation states that the average drunk driver has driven drunk 80 times before the first arrest. All it takes is one person’s preventable mistake to result in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.

Driver Error

Failure to obey Nevada traffic laws accounts for a significant portion of car accidents. These laws include speeding, running red lights, and not stopping at posted stop signs. The NHTSA reports that 93 percent of car accidents are the result of driver error.

Manufacturer Errors

Defective car parts have led to several high-profile class-action lawsuits. Even the most attentive of drivers can fall victim to defective car parts. These include airbags that explode, tires that blow out, and defectively designed SUVs that easily roll over.

Poorly Constructed or Maintained Roads

Thousands of Americans die every year as a result of poor road quality or conditions. State and federal laws require cities, towns, and other municipalities to build, design, and maintain safe roads. But any number of deficiencies can lead to accidents. This can include damaged signage, lack of traffic signals, lack of nighttime lighting, and more.

Nevada Personal Injury Statutes

Accident victims often do not know the Nevada car accident laws, their rights, or the limitations of Nevada personal injury statutes. After an accident, a victim needs to know the time limits he or she has for filing a claim. This is known as the statute of limitations. In Nevada, it is two years from the date of the accident. This is the maximum amount of time following an accident you have to file a civil lawsuit against the other driver.

Nevada also governs fault, as most states do. Nevada works under “modified comparative negligence.” This means if you are found partially at fault for an accident, any settlement would be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. You may wonder if another driver strikes you how you could be partially at fault. An example of this would be if you are hit from behind while you were texting or using a cell phone. In this instance, the courts may find you are partially responsible for the accident.

Protecting Yourself from Comparative Fault

One of the most important things you can do after an accident is to ensure you are not inadvertently providing your insurance company or the other person’s insurance company with information that admits you may be partially at fault. Use caution answering questions from insurance adjusters including those that may seem innocuous, such as “how are you doing?” The insurance company may use your answers to demonstrate that you did not suffer any injuries or to show that you are partially at fault for your injuries.

How Our Law Firm Can Help

At Eric A. Stovall, we stand committed to providing the highest quality client representation during car accident lawsuits. Thus, we will be there for you every step of the way.

Reno car accident lawyer Eric A. Stovall helps clients after a car accident by:

• Helping determine the causes of car accidents as well as seek recovery for injuries.
• Handling all paperwork and procedures and keeping you informed of the progress of your claim.
• Providing aggressive and dedicated representation.
• Helping build a strong case against the at-fault party and that party’s insurance provider.

Eric is a former insurance agent who once ran his own insurance agency. He has been on both sides of insurance disputes. As a result, he understands insurance companies’ tactics to cut recovery for car crash victims. He will take on those insurance companies to ensure that you receive a full and fair recovery for your injuries and losses.

Common Types of Car Accident Cases We Handle

• Reckless/aggressive driving accidents
• Drunk driving
• Rear-end collisions
• Distracted behaviors while driving (i.e. texting and driving)
• Accidents involving running a red light or stop signs
• Sideswipe accident
• Turning into the wrong lane
• Accidents involving motorcycles
• Accidents involving commercial trucks or vehicles

Contact Our Reno Car Accident Attorney for Help

If you or a loved one has suffered injury or death in a traffic accident, it can be difficult to know what to do, especially if you have never been in an accident before. Nevada state laws are complex. Attorney Eric Stovall can guide you through your insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. 

Contact our firm at (775) 256-5757 or fill out our online contact form here.

If you have an adoption or surrogacy issue, please see our other website, www.NevadaAdoptionLawyer.com