How Long After a Car Accident Can You Claim an Injury?

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in Nevada?

You may be wondering, “What is the car accident injury claim time limit in Las Vegas”? The answer is not as clear as it may seem, but the clock begins running the moment your accident occurs.

This is why it’s always in your best interest to contact a Nevada personal injury attorney right away. When facing injuries from an accident, time is never on your side. Aside from the statute of limitations, memories fade, security footage may be erased, and physical evidence is harder to preserve as time goes on.

For most cases involving personal injury, the statute of limitations is two years. This means you have two years from the date of your accident that caused injury to you to file a claim for compensation.

For claims involving personal property, the law says you have three years from the date of the accident to make a claim. For car accidents, this typically refers to things like vehicle repair costs and costs to other personal property.

It is important to understand that injury claims and property damage claims can have different deadlines arising from the same accident. An injured driver in a Nevada car accident generally has two years to file a lawsuit for bodily injuries but three years to file a lawsuit for vehicle damage. 

It should also be noted that these claims refer to everyone involved in the accident — drivers of the vehicle, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and anyone else who may be involved.

Are There Exceptions to the Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in Nevada?

Yes, there are some exceptions to the two-year rule for personal injury claims. If you are unsure if your case falls within the statute, give us a call. We are happy to perform a free case review to see if your injuries may be entitled to compensation.

What if the At-Fault Driver Flees Nevada After the Accident?

The state of Nevada recognizes people should not be able to escape justice by hiding from it. If a driver who is at fault for an accident flees the state or is otherwise unable to be served in a lawsuit, in general, the clock on the statute of limitations pauses. This is known as “tolling.”

This is not as easy as it sounds. It usually needs to be ruled upon by a court and requires evidence. In general, you or your attorney will have to prove the person you are trying to sue is indeed outside of the state or otherwise unable to be served. This is very difficult to do alone and will need the aid of an attorney who knows the laws and how they work.

Are Deadlines Different for Rideshare Accidents, Like Uber and Lyft in Las Vegas?

In general, no, the deadlines remain the same. If you have been injured as a passenger in a rideshare accident or if you have been injured by a rideshare driver, you generally still have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim, barring any other exceptions.

Does Hiring a Lawyer Extend the Statute of Limitations in Nevada?

No, hiring an attorney does not extend the statute of Limitations in Nevada. However, hiring an attorney can mean the difference in receiving justice and compensation and being unable to file because of a missed deadline.

While hiring an attorney won’t extend the deadline, hiring an attorney can help you file exceptions to the deadline or ensure you are filing within the correct time. It’s always beneficial to contact an attorney as soon as possible when you have been injured. If you believe your case is borderline or has been overlooked, contact us for a free case review.

Can “Partial Injury Recovery” Restart the Clock?

Many people wonder if their injuries worsen over time, if this may restart the clock on the statute of limitations. Unfortunately, this is not often the case. The statute of limitations generally begins from the time of the accident in Nevada, not from the discovery of injury.

In some very rare cases, there are exceptions for some injuries that could not be reasonably identified immediately, but again, this is an exception. If you think this has happened to you, contact us and we can investigate. 

If you have been in an accident, it is essential to be seen by medical personnel as soon as possible and be checked out thoroughly. Injuries from car accidents are often far worse than that may seem initially.

Insurance companies also regularly try to cast doubt that injuries were, in fact, caused by accidents as a way to get out of making payments. If there is no record of medical treatment after the accident, this becomes much easier for them. Always see a doctor after an accident, even if you feel okay.

What if Multiple Parties Are at Fault in a Nevada Chain-Reaction Crash?

When multiple drivers are involved in an automobile crash, the statute of limitations does not change and remains two years from the time of the accident. During this time, all drivers involved in the crash must be named and notified. 

If you or your attorney fails to include a negligent driver before the deadline expires, this can prevent recovery from that person, even if evidence later shows they played a role in the crash. Identifying all at-fault parties early is essential in complex accidents.

What Is Comparative Negligence, and Can It Affect My Case?

Nevada is known as a comparative negligence state. This means that in accidents, fault is assigned to each party for the accident, and compensation may be limited, based on who is at fault.

Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence statute, which means that drivers cannot file a suit if they are more than 51% at fault for the accident. This means if you have suffered injuries in an accident, but you are more than 51% at fault for the accident, you may not be able to file a claim.

However, determining fault is not always precise, and, in some cases, can be challenged based on evidence and expert testimony. If you believe you have been wrongly placed at fault, call for a free case review.

Don’t Miss Your Deadline for Justice — Call Adam S. Kutner Today

If you’ve been injured in an accident, call Adam S. Kutner, Injury Attorneys, today for a free review of your case. It will cost nothing out of pocket. We do not charge any upfront fees, and we only get paid if you win. Any money we make will come out as a percentage of your settlement, not from your pocket.

Don’t delay calling, as time is of the essence. If you wait, time may run out for justice. It is always advantageous to contact a Las Vegas injury attorney as soon as possible so the clock doesn’t run out on your chance for fair compensation.

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