Carson City Personal Injury Lawyer

A personal injury case can feel overwhelming, especially if you are walking into it without having any legal representation from an experienced attorney. Taking such a risk can lead to mistakes that can cause a detrimental impact on your settlement, which is something we want to avoid. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we believe that with the right guidance, you will have a higher likelihood of getting the best outcome possible while also focusing on your recovery. If you were involved in a serious accident because of someone else's negligence, you may file a lawsuit to obtain compensation. Our knowledgeable Carson City personal injury attorneys will provide top-quality services by doing the following:

• Protect your legal rights,
• Evaluate your personal injury case,
• Aggressively argue with the opposing side, and
• Get you full and fair compensation.

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you owe us nothing until we settle your case. To schedule a free consultation at our Carson City office, we welcome you to reach out by calling (775) 429-8368 or completing our quick online contact form.

Key Takeaways

• Reach out to a skilled Carson City personal injury lawyer to learn what legal requirements are enforced and how to maximize compensation.
• Our team has over 150 years of collective experience in handling personal injury cases, and recovered more than $1.6 billion on behalf of our clients. We specialize in the following services: car accidents, wrongful death cases, motorcycle accidents, and more.
• Schedule a free case evaluation with West Coast Trial Lawyers today to get started on the filing process.

Knowing Personal Injury Law in Carson City

Accidents can happen when you least expect it to. It is encouraged for Carson City residents to know personal injury laws and how to utilize it when pursuing legal action against the liable party. From car accidents to slip and fall accidents, each case will vary significantly from the other. These unique circumstances will require specific approaches, meaning that the outcome of a settlement will differ for everyone.

It is important to familiarize yourself with these aspects to ensure no mistakes are made when filing a lawsuit. Hiring a personal injury law firm, like West Coast Trial Lawyers, to assist you will also improve your chances of submitting a strong claim that will get you the compensation you deserve for your losses.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases

Personal injury claims may be filed due to a variety of factors, including:

• Auto accidents,
• Dog bites,
• Premises liability, and
• Defective products.

These events can directly affect an individual by causing them to sustain a minor to fatal injury that can result in financial and/or emotional losses. In such a case, the injured victim (or the decedent's estate or surviving family) can sue the at fault party to obtain compensation.

How Is Liability Determined?

To determine liability, you will need to collect as much evidence as possible to show how the opposing side's reckless behavior caused the accident. The proof provided will need to cover the three elements of negligence, which includes the following:

• The defendant owed you a duty of care,
• The defendant breached their duty of care, and
• The defendant's conduct caused you to sustain an injury and/or damages.

You may also share a copy of your medical records or receipts. This can explain the diagnosis you were given after the accident and the treatment you had to go through to recover.

Why You Should Hire a Carson City Personal Injury Lawyer

Choosing a personal injury law firm to represent you is a big decision to make. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we break down step by step what to expect out of the services we provide and how we will take care of you from start to finish. We strive to ensure we deliver client satisfaction by providing quality services to meet your legal needs.

Experienced Attorneys

Our skilled Carson City attorneys have over 150 years of collective experience in handling personal injury cases. Due to our successful track record of recovering $1.6 billion in settlements and judgments, we are confident that we will fulfill your expectations so much so that we run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you will receive free legal services until we settle your case.

We believe that our clients should not have to worry about any financial burdens while undergoing challenging circumstances. Our primary goal is not to win cases, but to ensure personal injury victims receive the support they need and get the justice they deserve.

24/7 Availability

Our Carson City personal injury lawyers are available 24/7 to offer legal assistance whether it be through the phone, email, or in-person at our office. One of our top priorities is to ensure we are easily accessible and that we respond quickly to your needs. We want you to feel supported and keep you informed about your personal injury case on a consistent basis.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Carson City

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we offer legal services for several types of personal injury cases in Carson City. If you were harmed due to negligent actions committed by an individual or entity, we are here to help. You can explore the sections listed below to learn about what practice areas we cover.

Car Accident

Car accidents are one of the most common types of personal injury cases. Many factors can easily trigger such an event to occur, like:

• Distracted driving,
• Impaired driving,
• Road hazards, and
• Poor weather conditions.

Victims should try to gather evidence at the accident scene to use in a personal injury claim and seek legal assistance soon after.

Bicycle Accident

Bicyclists are vulnerable to others while on the road due to lack of protection. Specific circumstances that can lead to this type of collision include:

• Reckless drivers,
• Inexperienced bicyclists, and
• Dim lighting.

Immediate medication attention should be administered after the incident. Failing to get yourself checked and treated could influence the opposing side to claim that your injury was caused by other factors or that it was not as intense as you stated.

To avoid mistakes like this from happening, our Carson City personal injury lawyers will advise you to make the right actions during each stage of the legal process.

Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycles are known to be dangerous vehicles to ride. It comes with built-in speed and can be difficult to operate, especially for beginners. Motorcyclists are also left vulnerable while on the road since they do not have a protective barrier surrounding them from intense impact, meaning that serious or fatal injuries are likely to occur if they are involved in an accident.

Compensation may be provided if the injured motorcyclist can prove that the opposing side holds 51 percent or more accountability for causing the crash. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our experienced attorneys are highly skilled in proving damages to insurance companies so that you can get a fair settlement.

Wrongful Death

A wrongful death case is when a decedent's estate or surviving family takes legal action against the liable party. To determine compensation, the court will consider the victim's:

• Age,
• Income,
• Health, and
• Life expectancy.

Damages you may receive in a wrongful death claim include:

• Medical expenses,
• Funeral and burial costs,
• Loss of financial support, and
• Loss of consortium.

Premises Liability

A premises liability case typically involves injuries or deaths that occur on someone else's property due to hazards, like:

• Slippery surfaces,
• Damaged staircases,
• Loose cords, and
• Poor lighting.

The property owner may face liability for allowing guests to enter the facility without informing them about the problem or having it resolved in a timely manner. However, if the person entering the facility exhibited reckless behavior that caused them to get injured, liability will not be put on the property owner.

If you are unsure of whether you have a premises liability case on your hands, you can contact our Carson City office for assistance.

Truck Accident

A truck accident can lead to catastrophic outcomes due to the vehicle's large size and power. Certain circumstances that are known to trigger such a collision include:

• Bad weather conditions,
• Reckless drivers, and
• Poorly constructed roads.

Liability could fall under an individual or government entity. Truck accident victims should get a case evaluation done to learn how much time they may be granted to take legal action against the at fault party.

Dog Bite Cases

Dog owners are required to have their canine companions on a leash when out in public (excluding dog parks or designated off-leash locations). Allowing a dog, particularly one who has a history of aggression, to roam freely can put others in a dangerous position of getting harmed.

Since Nevada follows the "one-bite rule," dog owners may be held liable for injuries caused by their pet only if they knew or should have known about their violent tendencies. Basically, the owner will not be found at fault for the first bite if they claim they did not know about such behavior prior to the attack. However, if this happens again, compensation will need to be provided to the injured victim to cover the costs of damages they endured.

In terms of premises liability, a dog owner who has a misbehaved pet should place warning signs on the property for safety reasons. The dog should also be kept in a room to prevent it from attacking guests. If they fail to take these precautions, they are likely to face legal consequences for any injuries that occur within the area.

Scooter Accident

Scooter riders share the same vulnerability as bicyclists and motorcyclists. With a lack of protection surrounding them, they are more susceptible to serious or fatal injuries. Some factors that are known to contribute to this type of accident include:

• Negligent drivers,
• Untrained scooter riders,
• Bad road conditions, and
• Manufacturing defects.

Scooter accidents can be complex, and with the help of our experienced attorneys, we will negotiate a reasonable settlement to ensure it covers damages pertaining to the event.

Burn Injury

A burn injury can occur in various places, like:

• Your home,
• The tanning salon,
• At a restaurant, or
• The workplace.

Compensation awarded to burn injury victims will depend on the severity of the wounded area and the amount of negligence committed by all parties involved.

Bus Accident

Bus accidents can lead to catastrophic outcomes since it can affect more than one party, like:

• Passengers,
• Other motorists, or
• Pedestrians.

If you endured any injuries and/or damages after being involved in such an incident, reach out to our Carson City legal team to schedule a free consultation.

Uber and Lyft Accident

If a rideshare accident occurs in Carson City, certain elements can be involved with its occurrence, including:

• Distracted driving,
• Speeding, or
• Driving while under the influence.

Vicarious liability may apply in an Uber or Lyft accident. Even if rideshare drivers are classified as independent contractors, these companies can hold some form of liability if they do one or more of the following:

• No background checks,
• Hire unqualified people, or
• Conduct poor training sessions.

Spinal Cord Injury

A spinal cord injury can occur if intense impact is directed towards your back. The outcome may result in temporary or permanent paralysis depending on which bone sustained the most damage. Symptoms of a spinal cord injury can make it difficult to carry out daily tasks the same as how you did prior to the accident.

Under such circumstances, you will have to obtain medical bills and records to use as proof your condition was severe, and that you are receiving ongoing treatment to improve your quality of life.

To get legal assistance with your personal injury case, our Carson City legal team is readily available to assess your situation.

Food Delivery Accident

Food delivery drivers are known to be under pressure when making orders, especially if they decide to take on several requests at once. To ensure they meet the estimated time frame, they may feel the need to commit traffic violations, like:

• Speeding,
• Abrupt stops,
• Weaving in and out of traffic, and
• Ignoring road lights and signs.

Not only is this putting them in a dangerous position, but they are involving other people, as well. If you were in a food delivery accident, the potential defendants could be the delivery driver or the company they work under.

If you experienced food poisoning, it is possible that the restaurant you ordered from could hold liability for your injury and/or damages. In either scenario, our Carson City personal injury lawyers can take a look at your case and identify the at fault party based on the information provided.

Brain Injury

A brain injury can happen when powerful force is inflicted onto the head. This, in turn, can disrupt your brain function. Common causes of a brain injury include:

• Motor vehicle accidents,
• Slip and fall accidents,
• Physical violence, and
• Sports-related injuries.

In severe cases, a traumatic brain injury may occur. It is encouraged that you seek immediate medical attention to get a proper diagnosis of your condition. Once your physician has shared those details with you, you will start a treatment plan. Your visits, prescrip

Available Damages in a Personal Injury Claim

Since each personal injury claim involves unique factors, available damages will vary. The settlement will be distributed based on the amount of negligence contributed by all parties and the extent of your injury and/or damages. Usually, economic damages and non-economic damages are awarded. In rare cases, you may receive punitive damages, as well.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are financial losses you experienced as a result of the accident, such as:

• Medical bills,
• Lost wages, and
• Property damage.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are intangible costs that are not easily measured in monetary terms, like:

• Emotional distress,
• Loss of enjoyment of life, and
• Pain and suffering.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are granted in about 5 percent of verdicts. The intent is to punish the wrongdoer by enforcing them to provide additional compensation, and to prevent similar conduct from occurring in the future. Injured victims will need to prove that the defendant committed intentional harm, malice, or fraud to be given such pay.

Frequently Asked Personal Injury Questions

Below, we will answer some frequently asked personal injury questions we receive from people who are interested in or are pursuing legal action against a negligent party.

Is My Personal Injury Lawsuit Confidential?

It depends. Confidentiality may vary based on what contractual agreements have been made. Usually, personal injury lawsuits can be accessible to the public. But, if particular arrangements were accepted by all parties to prevent information from being shared, everyone's privacy will be protected.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Personal Injury Claim in Carson City?

The statute of limitations for a personal injury case in Carson City is two years from the initial date of when the injury occurred or was discovered. If you fail to meet the deadline, you will no longer be eligible to seek compensation against the at fault party.

What Happens if I'm Partially At-Fault?

If you are found partially at fault for an accident in Nevada, modified comparative negligence will take into effect. You may only receive damages if you are not more than 50 percent at fault for the accident.

What Evidence Do I Need to Include in My Personal Injury Case?

To strengthen your personal injury case, you will need to gather a substantial amount of evidence. This includes:

• Photographs of your injuries, damages, and the accident scene,
• CCTV footage,
• Witness information,
• A journal or diary entry of your perspective of what happened,
• Receipts of any financial losses you endured from the collision, and
• A copy of the police report and your medical records.