How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth in Nevada?

After a crash in Reno, NV, you have the right to get compensation for your losses and damages from anyone who was at fault. Many people start this process by asking “how much is my car accident claim worth,” but it’s not possible to put a number on your case without knowing the details. Talk to a lawyer as soon as you can, and keep reading to learn about the main elements that will shape the number.

How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth in Reno, NV?

The value of your claim is going to depend heavily on several factors, the four most important of which are:

1. Liability
2. Total damages
3. Comparative negligence
4. Skill and experience of your lawyer

1. Liability

Liability is determined by who was negligent. Negligence happens when someone doesn’t act the way a reasonable person in that situation would to protect themselves or others. In car wrecks, liability often comes down to asking, “Who failed to perform their duty towards other road users by failing to follow the laws or acting unreasonably?” If you can show someone was speeding, ran a red light, was driving distracted, or similar, you can usually hold them liable. 

2. Total Damages

Your damages break down into two categories: economic and non-economic. 

Economic

These are the concrete financial losses, like medical expenses, lost wages from missed work, lost earning capacity if you can’t return to the same job or hours because of your injuries, and property damage. These are the foundation of your claim.

Non-Economic

Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and any lasting changes to your daily activities or relationships belong in this group. There is no fixed formula that automatically applies for calculating these. It all depends on the severity of your injury, how long recovery takes, whether the effects are permanent, and how the injury has altered your normal routine. It also depends on your attorney: a good attorney will know how to calculate this fairly and argue for it effectively.

3. Comparative Negligence

Nevada uses the 50% comparative negligence rule, and that can affect your claim. So long as you’re not more than 50% at fault, you can claim compensation, but your claim will get reduced by the same amount as your fault. So if you’re found to be 15% at fault and are owed $23,000 in compensation, you’d end up with about $19,550. It’s very important to have a lawyer if you have some fault in the incident, as your lawyer can make sure you’re protected from any attempt to call you more at fault than you are.

4. Your Lawyer

It matters whether your lawyer is experienced in personal injury cases and skilled at:

• Gathering evidence and putting it together clearly and effectively
• Negotiating with insurers and understanding their tactics for minimizing claims
• Dealing with the red tape of the Nevada legal system
• Arguing and winning in court, if needed

To get the help your claim needs, visit Bradley Drendel & Jeanney in Reno, NV now or call us at 775-335-9999 for a free consultation. We’ve been protecting Nevada personal injury victims for over 70 years. 

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