Jessica Burgoyne, leveraging a deep background in research methods and a passion for legal issues, distills complex legal concepts into accessible insights. With over 100 published articles, her work has been featured in Forbes Advisor and other respected publications. Her work, underpinned by rigorous research and a commitment to quality, offers readers trustworthy, actionable information.
Jessica Burgoyne
Jessica Burgoyne, leveraging a deep background in research methods and a passion for legal issues, distills complex legal concepts into accessible insights. With over 100 published articles, her work has been featured in Forbes Advisor and other respected publications. Her work, underpinned by rigorous research and a commitment to quality, offers readers trustworthy, actionable information.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
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Jeffrey Johnson, J.D.
Jeffrey Johnson has written novels and movies in addition to legal analyses of eminent domain and immigration law. His experience in writing engaging fiction makes him uniquely capable of making the most dry and academic legal topics interesting (or as interesting as possible).
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world—but, unfortunately, that title comes with some downsides. With 16 annual tourists for every resident in the Las Vegas Metro area, traffic is a way of life, and with increased traffic comes the increased risk of accidents.
If you’ve been injured in an accident, you need representation to ensure you get the recovery you deserve. Here is our list of the 10 best car accident attorneys in Las Vegas.
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Best Car Accident Attorneys in Las Vegas
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Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit in Nevada
If you’ve been in a car accident in Las Vegas, the laws and statutes in Nevada will govern your case. If you’re a visitor, it is probably in your best interest to hire a local Las Vegas law firm who understands the ins and outs of Nevada law.
Nevada Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations refers to how long you have to bring a case after you’ve been injured. In Nevada, the statute of limitations for a personal injury case like a car accident is two years. If your injury occurred more than two years ago, you might not be able to bring a lawsuit, but it’s worth speaking with an attorney to see what your options are.
Nevada Laws for Car Drivers
- In Nevada, traffic laws can be criminal. In most states, traffic law violations are considered civil infractions, rather than criminal misdemeanors. However, before January 1, 2023, traffic violations in Nevada were criminal misdemeanors that could mean jail time and a criminal record. As of January 1, 2023, many minor traffic violations are now considered civil infractions, meaning that they charge a fine but no jail time will be imposed. More severe offenses are still considered criminal misdemeanors or felonies. Since this law is so recent and there are exceptions to it, an experienced car accident attorney is strongly recommended if you receive a traffic citation in Nevada.
- No texting while driving. Nevada prohibits texting, using the internet, and using handheld devices while driving. You may use a phone with a handsfree headset.
- Obey move-over laws. When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle or a car accident, unless a police officer tells you otherwise, you should:
- Reduce your speed to a reasonable level that is below the posted speed limit;
- Drive cautiously and be prepared to stop.
- If it is possible and safe to do so, drive in a lane that is not adjacent to the emergency vehicle or accident.
You may turn right on red unless otherwise posted, providing that you have made a full stop at the stop light, turn from the far right lane, and yield right of way to other vehicles and pedestrians.
Identifying Fault for a Car Crash
Nevada is a modified comparative negligence state. This means that fault for an accident can be assigned to one or all parties, depending on their actions. For example, imagine you are rear-ended while you are driving. However, one of your tail lights was not working properly. The court may determine that the person who rear-ended you was 80% responsible for the crash, but you were 20% responsible because of your broken tail light. You would be entitled to collect 80% of your damages from the accident.
However, if you are more responsible than the other party (such as the rear-ending driver in the above example), you cannot collect any damages. You must be 50% or less responsible for the accident in order to recover damages.
How Can an Attorney Help You?
You are not legally required to hire an attorney for a personal injury case in Nevada, but it is likely in your best interest to do so. Here’s why:
- As mentioned above, traffic laws in Nevada have recently changed. As new laws are implemented, the way they’re understood and enforced can change quickly. A qualified attorney will be up-to-date on the most current version of Nevada law and can answer any questions you may have.
- An attorney can help you negotiate a settlement. Insurance companies often begin with a lowball offer that will not sufficiently cover the medical costs of an accident. Your attorney can negotiate a more fair settlement for your case.
- Your attorney can represent you in court. Most personal injury cases don’t wind up in court, but if yours does, you’re going to want someone who is familiar with the case to represent you. If you’re from out of the area, it becomes even more important that you have skilled local counsel if your case is going in front of a judge or jury.
- You don’t have to worry about all the paperwork. If you hire a lawyer, they can help you handle the majority of the paperwork required after an accident.
How to Find the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas, NV
It’s important to remember that there is no such thing as the best car accident lawyer. There’s only the best attorney for you and your situation.
- Ask friends and family for recommendations. Someone you know may have recently been involved in an accident. Ask which attorney they used and whether they would recommend them.
- Take advantage of free consultations. Most attorneys offer free initial consultations. Schedule one of these with any lawyer you’re strongly considering and pay attention to how you feel during the meeting. Is this someone you could see yourself working with long-term?
- Make sure you ask about fees. Personal injury attorneys typically work on a contingency basis, meaning that you don’t owe anything unless they win your case. However, attorney fees can range from 30 to 40% or more. Make sure you know up-front what fees you’ll pay if your lawyer wins your case.
Methodology
To come up with the Best Car Accident Lawyers in Las Vegas in 2024, Forbes Advisor considered many factors. Forbes Advisor’s mathematical module considers and weighs the information collected to calculate a specific rating and reviews these results to find the best attorneys in a given practice area.
Within the model, we take into account factors that legal professionals and consumers value in an attorney’s qualifications. After assigning weighted scores to hundreds of data points, we narrowed the field down to our top choices based on:
- Legal experience
- Special licenses & certifications
- Ethics and bar disciplinary measures
- Legal thought leadership
- Education & employment background
- Scholarly lectures & writings
- Awards & honors
Forbes Advisor collects public data from a variety of sources, including state bar associations, court records and other published sources on the internet. This information should not be considered comprehensive, however. It might not include additional relevant information on an attorney’s legal skills and experience.
Each lawyer listed here has their own merits. Bear in mind that our list relates to these lawyers’ legal backgrounds, but does not evaluate their personalities or their knowledge of the law. One attorney may be more suitable than another for your specific legal situation.
One thing that can’t be quantified, though, is the rapport you establish with your attorney. Personality goes a long way when teaming up with an attorney, especially when going through a potentially difficult legal situation. These rankings should serve as a reference and potential starting point in your search for the right lawyer for you and your legal concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is car insurance required in Nevada?
Nevada drivers are required to carry at least 15/30/10 car insurance coverage. This means that the minimum insurance you can carry is $15,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $30,000 in bodily injury coverage per incident and $10,000 in property damage coverage. However, these minimums can be exceeded quickly even in a minor accident. Consider carrying more than the minimum coverage if you can.
What happens if I’m in an accident with a rental car?
Rental cars in Nevada are required to have the same minimum coverage as other vehicles. If you currently have a car insurance policy, check to see if it covers rental vehicles, as well. If not, you can typically purchase insurance with your rental car. You are liable for any damage you cause when driving a rental car, so do not skimp on insurance.
Do I need to call the police if I’m in an accident in Nevada?
You probably need to call the police after an accident in Nevada. If there was any damage to vehicles or property or if anyone was injured, Nevada law requires you to call the police. If there was no damage or injury, you technically do not need to call the police, but often injuries don’t present themselves until you’ve left the scene. It is in your best interest to contact the police after an accident, no matter how small.
