Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer

Determining the Value of Your Auto Accident Claim

No exact formula exists for determining the amount of a Nevada car accident settlement. 

Factors that contribute to a settlement amount include:

• The severity of your injuries, including scarring, disfigurement, pain, and emotional duress.
• The cost of necessary medical expenses and predictable future medical expenses.
• The total amount of your property damage.
• The total amount of your lost wages and lost earning capacity.
• How much you contributed to the cause of the accident.
• Your lawyer’s ability to present evidence and argue your case.

Each accident has unique circumstances that will impact the amount of a claim. Nevada is a “fault” insurance state, so the laws allow an injured person to file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier. 

Furthermore, Nevada law requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance coverage. However, the presence of insurance coverage does not mean you will recover the entire amount of the policy.

Sideswipe Accidents

Sideswipe accidents are those between two motor vehicles, typically traveling in the same direction, where the sides of both cars impact one another. These collisions usually occur because one of the two vehicles moved out of its lane when it was unsafe. 

Sideswipe accidents can cause significant damage and severe injuries, mainly on highways. Often, neither motorist is aware that an accident is about to happen. The surprise of the impact can cause drivers to lose control or overcompensate. 

This can lead to a chain reaction involving more than just the two motorists in the initial sideswipe accident. Our attorney understands the causes of these accidents and how to manage resulting claims. 

Fault in a Sideswipe Accident

Nevada law requires drivers to stay in a single lane until they have given the appropriate turn signal and determined that they can move forward with safety. In a sideswipe accident, the driver who fails to stay in their lane is generally the party at fault. 

However, as is often the case, this may not be the end of the analysis. For instance, another driver may do something that causes you to leave your lane. In cases like this, hiring an attorney who can identify all the parties responsible for the accident is essential. 

Common Causes in Sideswipe Collisions

These collisions can occur for different reasons. Most happen simply because one of the drivers was momentarily inattentive. 

Common causes of sideswipe accidents include:

• Distracted drivers illegally using their cell phones while driving
• Drivers failing to check blind spots before changing lanes
• Road rage incidents, racing, or reckless driving
• Failure to signal a lane change
• Merging onto the highway without being careful
• Two drivers changing lanes at the same time
• Drunk drivers drifting out of their lane
• Hydroplaning on wet roads

Work Directly with an Attorney at Cohan PLLC