I retained Paul Padda after firing my other lawyer. Best decision I ever made! He did a fantastic job for me in handling my personal injury case. Always courteous and cares about his clients. Great office staff that cares about people. With Mr. Padda, I felt comfortable every step of the way. My first choice for a lawyer!
Paul Padda is a great attorney that cares about his clients. I hired him and was impressed. Very good in court and handled my case really well. He took the time to understand my case and cared about me as a person. He would be the first person I call if I need an attorney again.
Overview
Don’t Let Uncertainty Delay Your Recovery
A car accident in Las Vegas changes your life in a split second. One moment you are driving down I-15 or navigating the Strip, and the next, you are dealing with police lights, crushed metal, and adrenaline. Once the shock wears off, the questions begin to pile up: Who pays for this? How will I get to work? Do I really need a lawyer?
At Paul Padda Law, we understand that a crash isn’t just a legal event, it’s a physical and financial crisis. We are more than just attorneys. We are your Recovery Team. Our goal is to handle the insurance companies and the legal complexity so you can focus entirely on what matters most: getting better.
Below, we have compiled the most frequently asked questions about Las Vegas car accidents. These answers are designed to cut through the confusion and help you protect your rights immediately after a crash.
Critical First Steps: What to Do Immediately After a Crash
The minutes and hours following an accident are chaotic, but the actions you take here can determine the success of your future claim.
Should I call the police about a minor accident in Las Vegas?
Yes. In Nevada, you are legally required to report any accident to the police if it results in injury, death, or property damage that appears to exceed $750. In reality, modern car repairs almost always exceed $750.
Calling the police creates an official record. When Metro Police or the Nevada Highway Patrol arrive, they will create an accident report which serves as a neutral third-party account of the scene.
Insider Tip: If the police do not respond to the scene (common in minor fender benders during bad weather), you must still file a report. You are required to submit a Report of Traffic Accident (Form SR-1) to the Nevada DMV within 10 days. Failing to do so can result in license suspension.
What evidence do I need to gather at the scene?
If you are physically able to move safely, it is in your best interest to act as your own investigator until help arrives. Insurance adjusters will look for any reason to dispute your version of events. Gather the following:
● Photos of the Scene: Don’t just photograph the damage. Take wide shots showing vehicle positioning, skid marks, traffic signs, and weather conditions.
● License Plates and Insurance Cards: Snap a photo of the other driver’s documents.
● Witness Information: Passengers in your car don’t count as independent witnesses. If a pedestrian or another driver stops, get their name and phone number immediately because they often leave before police arrive.
● Surveillance Presence: If your crash happened near a casino, gas station, or major intersection, look for cameras. Note their location so your attorney can subpoena the footage before it is deleted.
Should I go to the doctor even if I feel fine?
Absolutely. You should seek medical attention immediately, even if you believe you only have minor bruises.
There are two critical reasons for this:
1. Adrenaline Masks Injury: The stress of a crash releases adrenaline that can hide pain signals. Serious injuries like traumatic brain injury, whiplash, internal bleeding, or soft-tissue damage may not present symptoms for 24 to 48 hours.
2. The “Gap in Treatment” Defense: If you wait a week to see a doctor, the insurance company will argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident, or that you made them worse by waiting. Immediate documentation links your injury directly to the crash.
Understanding Liability: Who Is at Fault in Nevada?
Nevada laws regarding fault can be confusing, especially if you are a visitor from a state with different regulations.
Is Nevada a “No-Fault” state?
No. Nevada is an at-fault (tort) state.
In a “no-fault” state, you rely on your own insurance (PIP) to pay your medical bills regardless of who caused the crash. In Nevada, the person who caused the accident is responsible for the damages. This means you must prove the other driver was negligent to get their insurance company to pay for your medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages.
What is the “Modified Comparative Negligence” rule? (51% Rule)
Accidents aren’t always 100% one person’s fault. Nevada uses a doctrine called Modified Comparative Negligence.
This rule states that you can recover compensation as long as you are less than 51% responsible for the accident. However, your settlement will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
● Example: A jury decides you have $100,000 in damages, but they find you were 20% at fault (perhaps you were speeding slightly). You will receive $80,000.
● The Danger Zone: If you are found to be 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any compensation. This is why having an attorney to dispute fault allegations is critical.
Can I still get compensation if the other driver was uninsured?
Yes, but it depends on your own policy.
Despite mandatory insurance laws, Nevada has a high rate of uninsured drivers. If you are hit by someone with no insurance, or someone who carries only the state minimum ($25,000), your damages may exceed their coverage.
In this scenario, you would turn to your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This is an optional coverage you purchase on your own policy. We strongly recommend all Las Vegas drivers carry UM/UIM. If you have it, your own insurance steps in to act as the at-fault driver’s insurance.
Compensation & Settlements: How Much Is My Case Worth?
This is the most common question we receive. While online “settlement calculators” exist, they are marketing gimmicks, not legal tools. Real case value depends on specific evidence.
What is the average settlement for a car accident in Las Vegas?
There is no true “average” because every injury affects a life differently. A broken arm might be worth $50,000 to an office worker, but $500,000 to a surgeon who can no longer operate.
Your case value is generally calculated based on:
● Economic Damages: Medical bills (past and future), lost wages, and property damage.
● Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress.
● Punitive Damages: Available only in cases of extreme negligence, such as DUI accidents.
● Policy Limits: The maximum amount of insurance money available.
What is “Maximum Medical Improvement” (MMI)?
MMI is the point where your doctor determines your condition has stabilized and is unlikely to improve further.
Why it matters: You should never settle a claim before reaching MMI. If you settle while you are still treating, and you find out later that you need surgery, you cannot go back and ask for more money. Your case is closed forever. The Recovery Team at Paul Padda Law ensures that we have a full picture of your long-term health care needs before we even begin negotiations.
Why do insurance adjusters offer low settlements quickly?
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible.
Adjusters often use software programs (like Colossus) that reduce your human suffering into data points to generate a lowball offer. They may call you within days of the crash, offering a quick check to “cover your inconvenience.”
Do not sign. By cashing that check, you are signing a release of liability. When your back pain flares up two weeks later, you will have no recourse. Always have a lawyer review an offer before you accept it.
Special Scenarios: Tourists, Rideshares, and Taxis
Las Vegas presents unique accident scenarios due to our high volume of tourism and reliance on rideshare services.
I was injured in a rental car while visiting Las Vegas. Where do I file a lawsuit?
Generally, if an accident happens in Nevada, the lawsuit must be filed in Nevada courts, even if you live in California, Texas, or New York.
However, this does not mean you need to stay in Las Vegas. You can return home to receive medical treatment from your local doctors. Paul Padda Law represents clients from all over the world. We handle the local legal filings, court appearances, and investigations here in Vegas, so you don’t have to fly back and forth. We can handle your case remotely via phone, Zoom, and email.
Who pays if I’m injured in an Uber, Lyft, or Taxi accident?
Rideshare cases are complex because coverage depends on the status of the app at the moment of the crash.
● App Off: The driver is using their personal vehicle. Their personal insurance applies (and they may deny coverage if the driver was working).
● App On (Waiting for a ride): Uber/Lyft provides limited liability coverage (usually $50k/$100k).
● Active Ride (Passenger in car): This is the highest level of coverage. Uber and Lyft typically provide a $1 million commercial policy that covers passengers.
Taxis are governed by different regulations but also carry commercial insurance. In both cases, you are dealing with powerful corporate legal teams. You need an attorney who knows how to navigate these tiered insurance policies to find the coverage you deserve.
Legal Process: When to Hire a Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer
What is the Statute of Limitations in Nevada?
The “Statute of Limitations” is the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. In Nevada, the deadlines are strict:
● Personal Injury: 2 years from the date of the accident.
● Property Damage: 3 years from the date of the accident.
While two years sounds like a long time, do not wait. Evidence disappears. Surveillance footage is overwritten. Witnesses move away. If you miss the deadline by even one day, the court will dismiss your case, and you will receive nothing.
Can I handle the claim myself without a lawyer?
If you were in a minor fender bender with no injuries and only scratched paint, you can likely handle the property damage claim yourself.
However, if you were injured, the stakes are much higher. Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators. Without an attorney, you are at a distinct disadvantage. Industry studies consistently show that injury victims who hire attorneys receive significantly higher [LR1] settlements, often 3.5 times more, than those who represent themselves, even after paying legal fees.
How much does it cost to hire Paul Padda Law?
We operate on a contingency fee basis.
● No Upfront Costs: You pay nothing to start your case.
● We Advance Costs: We pay for the investigators, filing fees, and expert witnesses.
● No Fee Unless We Win: We only get paid a percentage of the settlement or verdict we win for you. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
This model ensures that high-quality legal representation is available to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.
Client Success Stories
While every case is different, our track record speaks to our commitment.
● We recently secured a substantial settlement for a family visiting from out of state whose rental car was sideswiped by a commercial truck.
● We helped a local hospitality worker recover maximum policy limits after being hit by a drunk driver, ensuring her lost wages were fully covered.
Get Answers and Get Your Life Back
After a car accident, you have one job: to heal. Let us handle the rest.
Don’t negotiate with insurance adjusters alone. Don’t let the deadline on your claim expire. Contact the Recovery Team at Paul Padda Law today. We will review your accident details, explain your rights, and give you an honest assessment of your options.
Call us now at (702) 707-7000.