Car Accident Guide For Out-Of-Towners
Las Vegas, Nevada
Car accident liability claims for non-residents of Nevada
If you are an out-of-towner injured in a car accident, sustained severe injuries, required hospitalization, suffered intense pain and emotional distress, or your injuries interfere with your ability to work, call us at 702-432-1000 to discuss your case.
We don't charge for consultations.
We represent clients in Las Vegas and Nevada.
Filing a liability claim
The car accident victim typically files a liability claim in the accident's jurisdiction. In other words, if a car accident happened in Las Vegas or Nevada, your accident liability claims should have originated in Las Vegas or Nevada. You need to hire a local attorney to represent you.
Should I fly back to Las Vegas?
No. Our office handles hundreds of liability claims for clients who are NOT Las Vegas residents and get in a car accident while visiting Las Vegas or Nevada.
An accident victim can receive medical treatment in their home city or state and still get compensated for medical bills and other damages. We collect medical receipts and track the case's progress, from inception to settlement, from our office in Las Vegas, and when we settle the case, we mail the settlement check to our clients.
Our attorneys and case managers are always available to answer all your questions by phone, ZOOM, or text, whatever you prefer.
The only exception is if involved parties refuse to settle, and the case goes to trial.
Car accident liability
In this article, we covered 5 scenarios about how car insurance works, whether you were driving your personal car, business car, or rental car for pleasure or business and were in a car accident in Las Vegas or Nevada.
#1. Driving your personal car
Car insurance policies usually extend coverage to drivers even outside their home state. So, your car insurance from your home city and state would cover an accident in Las Vegas or Nevada.
However, remember to review the specific terms and conditions of the car insurance policy to ensure coverage applies in out-of-state accidents. Additionally, Nevada law mandates specific minimum coverage requirements, so confirming that your car insurance policy meets or exceeds these requirements is necessary.
#2. Driving a rental car
In most cases, the person's car insurance from another city or state should provide coverage while driving a rental car in Las Vegas or Nevada.
Check the specifics of your car insurance policy to confirm coverage for rental vehicles and out-of-state driving. Additionally, the rental car company typically offers insurance options at the time of rental, which the individual may have opted for. But, if your car insurance policy includes coverage for rental cars and extends to out-of-state driving, it should cover damages resulting from the accident.
#3. Using your car for business
In this scenario, determining what insurance is responsible for covering the damages can depend on various factors:
Scope of Employment: If the car accident occurred while the person was conducting business activities on behalf of their employer, the company is liable under the legal doctrine of "vicarious liability." In simple terms, if you were driving your car for business and got into an accident, your employer is financially liable because you were performing work-related tasks at the time.
Company Policy: The company has a policy for business travel and car insurance coverage. Some companies provide insurance coverage or reimbursement for employees' vehicles used for business purposes, while others may require employees to rely on their insurance.
Personal Coverage: The individual's car insurance may cover accidents while driving on a business trip. However, the extent of coverage depends on the policy's terms and conditions, including any limitations on out-of-state driving or business use.
Coordination of Coverage: In cases where the individual's and the employer's insurance may apply, coordination between the two policies may be necessary to determine which policy is primary and which is secondary in covering the damages.
If you need more information or got injured in a car accident while driving on business in Las Vegas or Nevada, call us.
#4. Driving a company car
When a person gets into a car accident while driving a company car, the responsibility for covering the damages can depend on several things:
Employer's Liability: Typically, when an employee is driving a company-owned vehicle for business purposes, the employer is responsible for any accidents during employment. According to the "vicarious liability" doctrine, when driving the company car, employers are financially liable for the actions of their employees while performing job-related duties.
Company Car Insurance: The company responsible for the vehicle maintains insurance coverage tailored to its fleet of cars and covers accidents. Should a car accident occur, the company's insurance is the primary resource for covering the resulting damages.
Employee's Insurance: While the employee may have personal car insurance from their home state, it is less likely to apply. Personal insurance usually does not extend coverage to accidents that occur while using a company-owned vehicle for business purposes, especially when the employer has its insurance policy for company vehicles.
Coordination of Coverage: In some cases, coordination between the company's and the employee's insurance may be necessary to cover certain aspects of the accident, such as medical expenses or deductible reimbursement. However, the employer's insurance policy is responsible for covering the damages.
Call us if you got injured in a car accident while driving on business in Las Vegas or Nevada and need help coordinating liability coverage.
#5. Driving a rental car for business
If a person drives for business, rents a car in Las Vegas or Nevada and gets into an accident, the responsibility for covering the damages can depend on several elements:
Rental Car Insurance: The rental car company typically offers insurance options during rental. If the individual opted to purchase rental car insurance, that coverage would likely apply first to cover damages resulting from the accident.
Personal Car Insurance: An individual's car insurance from another state may provide secondary coverage for accidents involving rental vehicles. However, the extent of this coverage depends on the policy's terms and conditions, including any limitations on out-of-state driving or rental car usage.
Employer's Responsibility: If the accident occurred while the person was conducting business activities on behalf of their employer, the employer may also be held responsible for any damages. It could include liability for the rental car used for business purposes. For more information, give us a call.
Steps to take after an accident
What to do if you get in a car accident:
Ensure Safety: First, check for injuries and move to a safe location.
Contact Authorities: Call the police and obtain a police report.
Exchange Information: Collect all parties' names, contact details, and insurance information.
Document the Scene: Take photos and videos and note down details of the accident scene.
Seek Medical Attention: Get medical help even if you feel injuries are minor.
Compensation for multiple victims
If multiple victims were involved in a lawsuit, under Nevada law, all victims who filed a claim should receive compensation for medical bills and other damages.
If you are partly at fault
Nevada would use the modified comparative negligence rule if you were partially at fault. It means the plaintiff can collect compensation from all other at-fault parties if the plaintiff is less than 51% responsible for the accident. It includes all car accident cases involving out-of-towners.
Non-injury accidents
If only the car were damaged, but nobody was injured, you can file a liability claim with the at-fault driver's insurance; having an attorney in cases like this is unnecessary. All car accident claims involving out-of-towners are in this category.
The statute of limitation
In Nevada, the time limit for filing an injury claim is two (2) years from the accident date. After that, the statute of limitations expires. This role affects all claims where the victim is an out-of-towner.
We can help
We work on a contingency basis, which means that if we cannot collect your car accident injury compensation, we will not be paid, and you will not owe us anything.
If Nevada is not your home state, but you got injured in a car accident in Las Vegas or Nevada, call our office at 702-432-1000 and ask to speak with a car accident injury attorney.
Consultations are free.
Next, read our article "8 Dos and Don'ts for Travelers Injured in a Car Accident in Las Vegas or Nevada."
Last updated on June 2, 2024.
