Las Vegas Car Accident Attorneys
Gazda & Tadayon are top-rated car accident attorneys in Las Vegas, NV, and surrounding areas. Our law firm has helped numerous clients receive the compensation they deserve after experiencing a car accident. We have over 50 years of combined experience in personal injury cases and are one of Nevada’s most experienced traffic accident attorneys. Additionally, Attorney Lewis Gazda has been named as one of the Top 25 motor vehicle accident attorneys from a national organization composed of premier trial attorneys in a state or region and is invitation-only.
Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
As former insurance defense counsel attorneys, we have the insider knowledge on what it takes to win these types of cases. Therefore, we will use all possible resources at our disposal to get results, including our insider knowledge of insurance companies. Since we have formerly served as defense counsel for these insurers, we know how the “other side” thinks. This is a huge asset when handling a car accident case – we know exactly what questions to ask, and the right steps to take in order to get the compensation you deserve.
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Car Accidents FAQs
There are several things you can do after a car accident to protect your rights and safeguard your ability to obtain the money you deserve for your losses. In short, you should establish and keep records of every aspect of your accident and injury.
If you need emergency care, getting that is your first priority. Even if you don’t think you have been injured, see a doctor as soon as possible. Some serious injuries do not show symptoms right away.
Next, report your accident to the police and get a copy of their report when it’s available. Contact your auto insurance company to start a claim. See a doctor about your injuries. Each of these steps establishes the facts of your accident and injuries.
If you can, get or take photos or videos of the accident scene and your injuries. Get contact information from any witnesses. Make sure to find out where your vehicle has been towed so that investigators can examine it and preserve important evidence.
Keep records and receipts of every expense connected to your accident and injuries. Keep a written or video diary of your recovery. Go to all your doctor’s appointments and therapy sessions.
Avoid making posts to social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) that could undermine your case.
You should also contract a car accident lawyer who has experience with Nevada personal injury law. An attorney will work to protect your rights to be compensated for your losses.
If you suffered because of the defendant’s negligence, your lawyer could request compensation for property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and, in some cases, punitive damages. Here are the details about each type:
Property damage, which in most car accident cases means repair or replacement of your vehicle. It could also include money for other property damage, such as damage to your cargo, a boat or trailer you were towing, a bicycle or motorcycle you were riding, or to your home or other real property if a car crashed into your home.
Medical expenses, including reimbursement for ambulance transport, emergency room treatment, hospitalization, surgery, prescription drugs, rehabilitation therapy (physical, vocational, occupational), chiropractic care, medical and assistive devices (crutches, wheelchair, hospital bed, modifications to your home, etc.), in-home assistance and more.
Lost wages from not being able to work or for having to take a job that pays less because of an accident-related disability. Depending on your previous employment, job skills and education, a projection of future losses may take into account fringe benefits (including retirement fund contributions), and lost opportunities for bonuses, commissions, promotion and other career growth.
Pain and suffering, which considers the physical and emotional stress you experience because of your injuries separate from your actual financial losses. This decision is often based on a consideration of your medical damages, property damages and other more. In some cases you could also obtain compensation for disability, disfigurement and loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive damages are awarded under particular circumstances to punish a driver whose actions were particularly bad, such as a drunk driver or a hit-and-run driver who was later caught.
In a wrongful death lawsuit, immediate family members may seek the damages described above, as well as money for funeral and burial expenses, loss of household services, and loss of companionship, love and guidance.
A judge or jury would decide the actual amount of money awarded if your lawsuit went to court. Settlement negotiations would take into account what the courts would likely award.
How you will pay for a lawyer is truly the last thing we want you to worry about after a car accident. Gazda & Tadayon offers free consultations and reviews of your accident case and unless we win or settle your case, you don’t pay for our legal services. Even then, the fees and costs we charge are taken out of the settlement so you will never have to pay us out of your pocket!
The car accident attorneys at Gazda & Tadayon work on a contingency fee basis. This means the legal fees paid by our clients are based on the compensation we obtain for them.
If we believe we can represent you successfully in a legal claim and you agree to retain our services, we will enter into an agreement that specifies costs and a percentage of the final settlement or court award that will serve as our legal fee. You don’t pay us until your case is closed but our work for you begins with an initial legal consultation that is absolutely free, even if we do not proceed with a claim on your behalf.
Immediately. Failing to hire an attorney right away can have very negative results for you claim. Remember, insurance companies are in the business of collecting premiums and do not want to pay claims. They will do whatever they can to prevent paying you what is fair and just compensation. Let the experienced car accident attorneys at Gazda & Tadayon take all of the stress away by hiring us and allowing us to protect you from the insurance companies
In most instances the fact that you were not wearing a seatbelt cannot be used against you and will not reduce the amount of your recovery. If you were a driver or a passenger in a motor vehicle that was not a taxi then the failure to were a seatbelt cannot be considered by a judge or jury when awarding damages. However, if you were operating a taxi or were a passenger in a taxi then the failure to wear a seatbelt can be used to decrease the amount of your recovery.
In Nevada we have a statute, NRS 484D.495, that says the failure to wear a seatbelt “May NOT be considered as negligence or as causation in any civil action or as negligent or reckless driving”
However, if you were in a taxi then NRS 484D.500 applies and it say that failure to wear a seatbelt “May be considered as negligence or as causation in any civil action or as negligent or reckless driving”
Definitely not. Medical record releases should only be signed under limited circumstances and after consulting with your qualified personal injury trial lawyer at Gazda & Tadayon. If your medical information gets into the insurance adjuster’s hands, it could hurt your case.
Both you and your passengers should consider seeing a doctor after an accident. The doctor may recognize injuries, sometimes serious, that are not apparent to you. The charges for a doctor visit and medical treatment may be covered by your insurance. It’s not recommended that you settle claims from an accident until a doctor has seen you and advised you about the extent of your injuries.
The vast majority of cases settle without having to go to an actual trial. Most of the time the negligent driver’s insurance company agrees to settle and your case will not go to trial. Some cases do require a trial or other formal proceeding. In either situation, hiring a personal injury attorney that is experienced in going to trial such as the lawyers at Gazda & Tadayon is critical to obtaining to fair and just recovery for your injuries.
It’s very common for people to say things at the time of an incident that they later realize were inaccurate. Sometimes, a witness may misstate what you said about how the incident took place. You might have a hard time explaining how it is that you now remember things differently than you did at the time of the incident, but if you consult with us as your attorney we have the experience handling such a situations and can help find support for your side of the story.
That depends, as there are several factors that dictate whether an air bag will deploy in a collision. You should consult with an attorney, who will investigate the airbag devices in your car and determine, with the assistance of an engineer, the circumstances under which the airbags were supposed to deploy. If the circumstances of your accident were such that the airbags should have deployed, you very well may have a product defect claim against the manufacturer.
Insurance companies are in the business of paying money to injured victims. They have very sophisticated claims adjusters that are trained to find ways to avoid making a full and fair settlement. Very often, the insurance companies will eventually settle. To get a fair settlement it is recommended that you consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure that your best interests are being protected.
Yes, you can, but you need to take action now. Nevada law says that you have two (2) years from the time of your accident to file a personal injury claim in court. But you must take into consideration the time it takes to develop the case for a car accident claim, as well as other time limits that may apply.
Personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits are complex. There is time-consuming work that goes into preparing a claim. The investigation behind a lawsuit includes looking into the accident to determine how it happened, and the other driver’s role. This may include technical work by accident reconstruction consultants, as well as work to review police records, interview witnesses and more.
In some cases there is a third party who should be held liable for a car accident. That would require developing a separate claim before time runs out.
The other key work required in a personal injury investigation is determining your losses so we know how much compensation to ask for. Compensation you are due may include money to repair or replace your car, pay your medical bills, cover lost wages during your recovery and compensate you for your pain and suffering. This requires study of your medical records by experts who can project future medical costs and losses in cases of serious injury or disability. For cases of permanent disability, your projected costs would be outlined in a full life-care plan.
Each case is different, and some can be developed and settled faster than others. But it is always better to get started as soon as possible. We urge you to contact Gazda & Tadayon about your case today.
The quick answer is maybe. It depends on the type of insurance coverage you have and whether you will be making a claim to your own insurance company. Often, pursuant to your agreement with them, your insurance company is entitled to your statement regarding the accident. However, even when you are required to provide your insurance with a statement you need an attorney to protect you because anything you say to them could potentially be used against you.
Remember, insurance companies work together and share information so they can pay as little as possible to settle your claim.
It could happen on the way to work or on the routine trip to the grocery store. A car collision comes out of nowhere, and is often totally out of the control of the victims involved. Some of the most common causes of traffic accidents in Nevada include:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Driving while texting
- Drunk driving or driving under the influence (DUI)
- Right of way fault
- Running a red light
For a auto accident injury claim to be successful, there must be proof that the negligent third-party was partially responsible for the incident. Even if the victim was also partially responsible for the incident, they can may be able to claim compensation as long as they can demonstrate that they are less at fault than the other party: that is, 49% or less at fault. This percentage of fault applies to the amount of compensation that can be collected.
Immediately following a car accident, the victim may or may not experience symptoms. Some injuries take days, weeks, or even months and years to reveal their full scope, so it is critical for the victim to seek medical attention regardless of the perceived severity of the accident. Sometimes, a collision can cause minor visible damage to the vehicles and still cause significant injury to the victims. Even if the vehicles may look unscathed, the sensitive tissues and structures inside the human body may still have been direly impacted.
Common auto accident injuries include:
- whiplash
- sprains and strains
- back injuries
- bone fractures of different types
- head and neck injuries
- soft tissue injuries
Many of these injuries involve sensitive and complex structures in the body, including the brain, spine, and musculoskeletal system. It takes specialized medical care to treat even a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury after an accident, as well as any type of spine or spinal cord injury. Long term rehabilitation is often needed for any joint, bone, or muscle issues, which are together referred to as orthopedic care. Victims of traffic accidents often suffer more than one type of injury, since these delicate systems are closely connected, and the symptoms can last for years and require careful pain management and rehabilitation.
In the case of an insurance claim, the insurers will often attempt to cover just the present symptoms and their immediate treatment. However, the types of injuries sustained in car crashes can last a lifetime, and only a car accident personal injury lawyer can help ensure that both present and future medical costs are covered by your compensation.
In some cases, a serious traffic crash can result in a fatality. In Nevada, there are hundreds of drivers killed in auto accidents each year, especially in Las Vegas where we see a lot of motorists from out of state and people who choose to drive after a night out of drinking.
If injury from the auto collision can be demonstrated, the victim can be entitled to substantial compensation. They can claim for a number of damages including:
- property damage to the vehicles
- lost current and future income
- medical treatments
- long-term rehabilitation services, including physical therapy
- medication for chronic pain and suffering
- post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
GAZDA & TADAYON INJURY LAW PRACTICE AREAS
Attorney Lewis J. Gazda
Awards
- Million and multi-million advocates forum
- Martindale Hubbell with AV Ratings
- Top-Rated Avvo Lawyer
- Top 25 Motor Vehicle Accident Attorneys
- National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Civil Plaintiffs Lawyers
With almost 30 years of experience, Attorney Lewis Gazda is one of the most respected lawyers in the Las Vegas community. Attorney Gazda specializes in both personal injury and wrongful death cases. He is recognized by his peers for his superior negotiation skills and extensive legal knowledge, earning the highest possible rating of AV Pre-eminent from Martindale-Hubbell.
Learn More About Attorney Lewis J. Gazda
Attorney Afshin Tadayon
Awards
Attorney Afshin Tadayon has more than 20 years of experience as an attorney in Las Vegas, with a diverse range of practice areas including personal injury, premises liability, wrongful death, criminal law, and mass tort litigation. Attorney Tadayon formerly served as a defense lawyer for insurance companies; his insider knowledge of their legal tactics makes him a potent advocate for clients seeking the compensation they deserve after an accident.
Attorney Tadayon is ranked AV Pre-eminent by Martindale-Hubbell, a rating reserved for only the top 10% of attorneys as designated by their peers.
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Awards & Accolades
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