Moving on from a bad car accident can prove to be challenging. Depending on how severe your accident was, you could be dealing with life-altering injuries, both physical and mental, that could be difficult to fully heal from. Even a minor car accident has the potential to cause you emotional trauma. Making the decision to pursue legal action against the liable party can be a tough one, as is knowing what to do after a car accident in Whitney, NV.
Car Accidents in Whitney, NV
Few incidents in your life can be as unpredictable and hard to control as car accidents. They can be small annoyances, enormous tragedies, or anything in between. The fallout of the accident will depend largely on the details of the incident in question, such as who was driving, what caused the accident, the weather conditions, the road conditions, and so much more. When you begin the healing process, holding the right people accountable can be a good start.
Most car accidents that are reported in Whitney’s city limits are the result of negligent behavior, which includes speeding, distracted driving, and other moving violations. The Nevada Department of Transportation has cataloged 63,354 vehicle accidents between 2016 and 2020 in Whitney. The Whitney Police Department is largely responsible for answering car crash calls, but the fatal vehicle accident count is often under the state average.
If you end up deciding to take legal action against the party that wronged you, it is important that you pay close attention to Nevada’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases, such as car accident claims. The state will give you two years from the date of your initial accident to:
- Establish a justification for a claim.
- Develop a strong case.
- Gather the evidence you need.
- Consult a car accident lawyer.
- File a claim to recover compensatory damages.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Whitney
It is important to keep in mind that the actions you take after a car accident are going to reflect the strength of your claim when the time comes to file. It is vitally important to your claim that you take the right steps to protect yourself and your claim. Making informed decisions based on logic and not emotion can make a real difference. Here are some measures you can take after a car accident to protect yourself:
- Keep Calm: It can be very difficult to keep yourself calm after a car accident. After all, you have just been in a very traumatic experience. Your natural instinct may be to panic. It is important that you try to control this instinct, as panicking can’t help your situation. It might make things worse. Get yourself together, and assess your situation.
- Check for Injuries: Depending on the severity of the accident, you may be looking at serious injuries. You may be unaware of these injuries due to shock. Once you calm yourself, you should start checking your body for visible injuries. Do the same for any passengers you may have. Look for red spots, wet areas, sprains, broken bones, bruising, and protrusions.
- Call 911: You should call the authorities as soon as you can. You are going to want law enforcement officials to secure the accident scene, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) can look over survivors for any injuries. If you are too hurt to call, make sure someone else reports the accident.
- Move Your Car: If you are physically able to, you may want to consider moving your car. You don’t want to accidentally cause another accident because you left your car in the middle of oncoming traffic. Move it over to the side of the road if the police give you the all-clear. If the car is too damaged or you are too injured, don’t worry about it.
- Document the Scene: Once you are cleared by the EMTs and have spoken with the police, you may want to start documenting the accident scene for your own records. This includes taking plenty of photos of your injuries, the damage done to all vehicles, the road conditions, and posted signs. Speak to any witnesses who may be willing to help you.
- Exchange Information: You and the other driver will need to exchange insurance and contact information to move forward with a claim.
- See a Lawyer: Once you feel you are ready to file a claim, you should speak with an experienced Whitney car accident lawyer and start the process.
FAQs
What Do I Do If I Have a Car Accident in Nevada?
If you have a car accident in Nevada, you should try your hardest not to panic. These things happen. It is important that you take the right steps to protect yourself. Check yourself for any injuries, and call 911. Get looked at by the EMTs, and exchange insurance information with the other driver. Once you can do so, see a lawyer.
How Do You Deal With the Aftermath of a Car Accident?
The most effective way to deal with the aftermath of a car accident is to keep calm and try your hardest to react logically, not emotionally. This can be difficult, but it is vital to your future claim. Make sure you make the effort to document your injuries and the property damage. When the time comes, hire an experienced car accident lawyer who can help you make important decisions.
How Long Does a Car Accident Stay on Your Record in Nevada?
Generally, a car accident stays on your insurance record for three years in Nevada. If the accident was particularly serious and resulted in someone’s death or a criminal conviction, the accident may stay on your record for up to 10 years. It depends largely on the details of the case.
How Long Do I Have to Report a Car Accident in Nevada?
Generally, in Nevada, you have 10 days to report a car accident to the proper authorities, which include the police or the Nevada Department of Public Safety. It is recommended that you file a report as soon as possible to avoid further complications. Failure to report an accident could result in severe legal penalties.
Reach Out Soon
At Easton & Easton, we can provide quality legal assistance with your car accident case. Contact us to schedule a consultation as soon as you are able.
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