Car insurance is a legal requirement for all motor vehicle drivers in the State of Nevada. Unfortunately, hundreds of drivers break this law and drive while uninsured or underinsured every day. If an uninsured driver hits you, collecting fair financial compensation can be a challenge. Review your legal options with an experienced car accident lawyer in Las Vegas.
An Uninsured Motorist Insurance Claim
If you have automobile insurance, you may have one or more types of coverage on your own policy to pay for an accident caused by an uninsured driver, starting with uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance. This coverage can protect you if you are involved in an accident with a driver who does not have any insurance or does not have enough to cover your losses.
UM and UIM coverage are optional types of car insurance in Nevada. State law only requires drivers to carry bodily injury, death and property damage liability coverage. However, uninsured and underinsured motorist insurance generally must be rejected in writing upon purchasing a policy. If you don’t remember rejecting this coverage, it may be available to cover your losses if an uninsured driver hits you.
A Comprehensive or Collision Insurance Claim
You may also have other types of car insurance coverage on your policy that can pay for your medical expenses and property repairs if an uninsured driver is at fault for the crash.
Examples include:
- Medical payment (MedPay) insurance
- Collision coverage
- Comprehensive coverage
- Rental car coverage
Again, these are all optional types of insurance, meaning they are not required. Contact your car insurance company after the car accident to find out what coverage is available.
A Claim Against a Third Party
Depending on the scenario and cause of the crash, you may have grounds to hold a third party responsible. A third party is an individual or entity who was not physically present at the scene of the car accident but who contributed to the crash in a material way, such as the manufacturer of a defective auto part or the government agency responsible for road maintenance and upkeep.
In some cases, another party could be held vicariously liable for the uninsured driver’s actions. If the uninsured driver was an unlicensed teenager, for example, his or her parents could be held accountable. If the uninsured driver was an employee who was driving for work at the time of the accident, his or her employer could be held vicariously liable.
A Personal Injury Lawsuit
You may be able to hold the uninsured driver liable for your losses despite a lack of insurance by filing a personal injury lawsuit directly against the driver. However, people who drive without insurance often do not have the assets to pay for a judgment award won in a lawsuit. Find out whether this option is worthwhile by speaking to an attorney about your specific case.
Discuss Your Legal Options With a Car Accident Attorney in Nevada
If you get into a car accident and discover the at-fault driver does not have adequate automobile insurance to pay for your damages, contact an attorney in Las Vegas for legal advice. A Las Vegas personal injury lawyer can investigate your circumstances and list all of your options for seeking a financial recovery. Koch & Brim, LLP offers free initial case reviews.