Should I Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident

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Why Keeping a Personal Injury Journal Could Help Your Case

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If you’ve been hurt through no fault of your own, it can be stressful to negotiate your finances, injuries, and your day-to-day responsibilities. There are several ways you could help strengthen your personal injury case, from following your doctor’s orders to speaking with a qualified attorney. In addition, you could keep a personal injury journal and document important details pertinent to your case, e.g., your pain levels, limitations to everyday activities such as cooking or driving, and your inability to get a good night’s sleep.

If you are ready to move forward with your Vegas personal injury claim, contact us at Valiente Mott for a free case analysis and more information on how to get started with a journal.

What is an injury journal?

An injury journal is more specific than a standard diary. It is a detailed record of your accident and its effects on your life. It may be used as evidence in your case to increase its value, so the information must be accurate and complete. Your lawyer can advise how often to make entries and what information to include or exclude.

What to put in the journal

Focus on a few specific types of entries. First and foremost, it is a good idea to write down as much about your accident as you can remember before your memory fades. Next, discuss the daily impact your injuries have on you and your family. Las Vegas personal injury cases can result in serious health consequences and long-term pain. Notating how these injuries have changed your life can provide a clear picture of the damages you deserve. For example, shopping for groceries and cooking meals for your family may not be possible. You may not be able to pick up the kids after school. Golf outings or family vacations may also not be possible. Therefore, it’s essential to be as detailed as possible about these limitations.

Finally, include specific details about your medical treatment. It should illustrate that you followed every protocol, including physical therapy, established by your doctor–to alleviate as much pain as possible. These details will also help establish the severity of your injuries.

Use the journal appropriately

Finally, a journal can be a helpful tool—when used appropriately. However, it is crucial that you are careful about what you commit to its pages. While having a record of your injuries and recovery can be invaluable, errant details about your personal life could work against you. The defendant and their lawyers could eventually read everything you have written. Keep the tone professional. Stick to the facts—pain levels, limitations, doctor’s visits, sleep patterns. The attorney for the other side will not hesitate to take anything you write out of context and avoid details that might be embarrassing or harmful to your case.

Contact Valiente Mott today for a free consultation

If you have been injured through the negligence of a third party, a personal injury lawsuit could be your best avenue for justice. Keeping a journal to track your pain levels, limitations, and adherence to your doctor’s protocols can improve your chances of success. Contact us at Valiente Mott as soon as possible for a free consultation.

Should I Contact My Insurance Company after a Las Vegas Car Accident?

Yes, you will need to notify your insurance company after a car accident. However, you are not obligated to discuss every aspect of your case. A Vegas auto attorney from Valiente Mott can help you navigate communications with your insurance company. Our law firm is dedicated to helping personal injury victims, including but not limited to car crashes, defective products, and catastrophic injuries. As your advocate, our goal is to protect you and ensure that you are not out-muscled, out-maneuvered, or manipulated by insurance companies.

It’s Important to Understand Your Insurance Policy

Most of the time, auto insurance policies require insured drivers to promptly notify the company following an accident. While there are exceptions for seriously injured drivers, you are generally required to report your accident to them as soon as possible. There can be steep consequences if you fail to do this. Your carrier is entitled to investigate the crash independently, and notifying them in a timely manner allows them to do so. In fact, you must inform the insurance company of an accident regardless of whether you intend to file a claim on your policy.

You Do Not Have to Give a Recorded Statement

 

While you must inform your insurance company about the accident, that is where your obligation ends. Your insurer might ask you to provide a recorded statement describing what happened. This is optional, and doing this might not work out in your favor. Your insurance company is a for-profit business. They are bound by contract to provide you with benefits, but their top priority is paying as little as possible. Given that reality, it is often best to share as little as possible.

Do Not Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company

 

No matter what your insurance policy requires of you, you never need to discuss your case with the other driver’s insurance company. Not only is speaking with them optional, but it is rarely in your best interest. The other insurance company could twist anything you say to appear that you admitted fault.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

Dealing with insurance companies is frustrating. The good news is that you don’t have to deal with them on your own. If you were in a crash, an auto accident attorney in Las Vegas at Valiente Mott is ready to help—we are proud of our detailed and aggressive representation and exceptional customer service. We know how to deal with insurance companies while maximizing your recovery. Call as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation. Because we work on a contingency fee basis, there are no upfront legal fees.

What to Do if You’re Injured on Vacation in Las Vegas

If you’re injured during your Las Vegas vacation, seek medical attention, gather evidence, report the accident to the proper authorities, and immediately contact a personal injury attorney. Do not be swayed by offers of discount tickets or free nights at a hotel—your injuries may be more serious than you realize. Our team at Valiente Mott fights on behalf of tourists injured in Vegas. You have a right to a diligent, hardworking attorney who delivers client-centered results. Anything less is unacceptable.

See a Doctor for a Thorough Medical Evaluation

After suffering an injury in Vegas, your first step is to seek medical care from a local facility. It is integral to prove your injuries occurred in Las Vegas and ensure you take action to protect your health. Be sure to keep all of the records from your medical care providers and have the correct contact information for the facility. When you head home, continue to seek treatment if necessary.

Secure As Much Evidence as You Can

To pursue a claim for Nevada personal injuries, you must gather as much evidence as possible. Every successful injury claim is supported by a strong foundation of evidence–whether from a car accident or a slip and fall. Try to take pictures of the scene of the accident and damage to your property and person. If it resulted from hazardous conditions, do your best to capture this, e.g., if you slipped on a spilled drink, get a photo immediately before it is cleaned. Of course, if you’re in severe pain, you won’t be able to do this on your own. If anyone nearby can help you take photos, enlist their assistance. 

Get Contact Information from Witnesses 

When you’re injured on vacation in Las Vegas, there’s a strong possibility your witnesses may also be tourists. Therefore, getting their contact information is crucial before they leave town. You can give witnesses your contact information as well. If they’re sympathetic, you can ask them to briefly explain what they observed and follow up later to receive a more detailed statement. 

Report the Incident to the Proper Authorities

All Vegas personal injury claims begin with reporting the accident to the proper authorities. The circumstances surrounding your accident will determine who you need to contact. For example, if you were in an auto collision, under Nevada Law, you must report the crash to highway authorities. If you slip and fall in a hotel, you may need to report it to the manager. Failure to do this could potentially harm your case.

Don’t Accept Tickets or Discounts Instead of Filing a Formal Claim

In some cases, representatives from where the injury occurred may offer you a free future stay at their hotel or a significant discount for tickets to a show, because you don’t need to file a formal claim. Don’t take their word for it. Instead, take steps to preserve evidence and contact a personal injury attorney. 

Contact Valiente Mott for a Free Consultation

If you suffered an injury while vacationing, our team of Vegas attorneys at Valiente Mott could help you build your case. We will discuss your options, ensure evidence is preserved and optimized, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation. Since we work on a contingency basis, there are no upfront legal fees. Hablamos Español.

How Does PIP Insurance Work?

States with no-fault auto insurance laws generally require motorists to carry personal injury protection or “PIP” insurance. It covers specific losses and injuries that motorists may suffer in accidents, regardless of who is at fault. PIP insurance is optional in Nevada. However, motorists who do not carry it can face substantial expenses if an at-fault driver in an accident is uninsured or underinsured.

The car accident lawyers at Valiente Mott represent drivers and their passengers who have sustained severe injuries and losses in car accidents. Even if you carry PIP insurance, that coverage will not pay all of your expenses and damages, and you will need to file a car accident lawsuit to recover full reimbursement. Our lawyers are compassionate yet aggressive when protecting personal injury victims who have been seriously injured due to the negligence of another driver.

What are the benefits of PIP insurance?

If you carry PIP insurance, you will submit claims for reimbursement for medical costs and expenses directly to your insurance company—not to the insurer that covers the at-fault driver. Your insurance carrier is responsible for paying those expenses up to the limits of your PIP coverage. Depending on your policy, it might also reimburse the following: a portion of the wages you lose if you are unable to work, funeral expenses if the accident resulted in a fatality, certain losses incurred by survivors of an accident victim, and essential services that you need while recuperating from injuries.

Because you are filing claims directly with your PIP insurance carrier, you will likely receive reimbursements more quickly.

If you carry PIP insurance, do you still need to file a car accident lawsuit against an at-fault driver?

Yes, because your expenses after a serious car accident will likely exceed the limits of your PIP coverage. At that point, you will need to pursue the at-fault drive to recover compensation for all your damages and losses. Further, PIP insurance does not cover vehicle damage and other costs associated with your pain and suffering.

Even if you carry PIP insurance and anticipate that your damages will be reimbursed, you should always consult with an experienced Vegas accident attorney. They can determine if other reimbursements are available for losses and damages that may not be readily apparent immediately after your car accident.

Call Valiente Mott in Las Vegas for More Information on PIP Insurance in Nevada

For a complimentary assessment of the damages you may be eligible to recover from your PIP insurance and the liability insurance of the at-fault driver, please call Valiente Mott as soon as possible. Our injury attorneys will review your case and provide a fair estimate of the damages you may be entitled to recover from all available insurance carriers. If you retain us and we accept your case, we will fight to recover the maximum damages award so that you can rebuild your life.