Reno Car Accident Lawyers

Reno Car Accident Attorneys, Washoe County, NV

Strong advocacy for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians injured in a Nevada car accident

A car accident can change your life in an instant. In tragic cases, a loved one dies due to a Reno car accident. If you’ve been in a car crash, you’ll likely have a lot of questions starting with what steps you should take after the crash happened, how does the insurance process work, and who is responsible for paying for your medical bills, property damage, and your pain and suffering?

Our attorneys at Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers will help you understand and assert your rights if someone else carelessly or recklessly caused your car accident. We handle all types of car accident cases, including catastrophic collisions and fatal car crashes. We will walk you through the process of medical treatment, getting your car fixed, and dealing with the insurance company—don’t worry, we do that part—which allows you to focus on getting medical treatment and healing. It’s no secret that insurance companies are notoriously tough to deal with. They don’t want to pay a penny more than they have to on claims, and routinely deny claims or grossly undervalue them. Our Reno personal injury lawyers negotiate aggressively with the insurance company for a just settlement on your behalf. If the insurance company still does not treat you fairly, your lawyer will be prepared to take the case to trial—but most cases settle before trial. Our impressive record of settlements and verdicts includes more than 80 results of $1 million or more. Call today to learn more.

Areas of Focus

FAQ-Photo

Quick Questions

What types of Reno car accident cases do you handle?

I-80, Rte. 395, and I-580 – especially in the Spaghetti Bowl – are some of the most high-traffic roads in Washoe County. They’re also some of the more dangerous ones. According to Zero Fatalities, 349 people died in car accidents in Nevada in 2021. Reno car accidents usually involve one of the following types of crashes:

  • Head-on car accidents. Head-on crashes are often deadly because of the combined speed of the vehicles that strike each other. It is usually clear which driver is at fault. Head-on crashes usually happen because one driver is traveling in the wrong direction – often, because a careless driver was intoxicated, distracted, or chose the wrong on-ramp or off-ramp.
  • Broadside crashes. These crashes, also called T-bone crashes, happen when the front of one car (usually driven by the liable driver) strikes the side of another car. These crashes often happen at intersections or when the negligent driver enters, leaves, or crosses a lane. The injuries are often deadly or permanent.
  • Hit and run incidents. Horribly, there are too many drivers who fail to take responsibility for their actions. Drivers who cause injuries, death, or property damage are required to stop. If they don’t, it only adds to the stress. We work to locate those drivers and can handle claims against your own insurance company if you have underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage.
  • Sideswipes. Here, the sides of two cars strike each other. They often occur when one car is trying to pass another car, or a vehicle is merging into the lane of traffic of the victim’s car. A secondary danger is that after the initial impact, the cars may spin around causing more car accidents.
  • Rear-end collisions. Virtually all rear-end collisions are caused by the negligence of the car in the rear. They usually occur because the driver in the rear was speeding, intoxicated, or distracted.
  • Taxicab accidents. If a taxicab driver is negligent, our Reno car accident lawyers file claims against the driver and the company that owned the taxicab.
  • Uber and Lyft crashes. Rideshare services are incredibly popular in tourist locations like Reno. There are special rules that determine which liability insurance applies, and how much insurance covers an Uber or Lyft accident. It’s generally critical that accident victims show that the driver was on-duty at the time of the accident.

Whether you are injured in a multi-car pileup or a single car collision, by another passenger vehicle or a commercial truck, we are here to help. Call today to get started.

Why do car accidents happen in Reno?

Almost every car accident in or near Reno, or anywhere for that matter, is caused by someone’s negligence. That simply means someone’s carelessness or failure to drive like a reasonable person would under the circumstances. At Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers, our seasoned car accident lawyers work to show how the accident that injured you, or caused the death of a loved one, happened. We work to show that the driver’s negligence caused the car crash. Some of the many reasons drivers cause Reno car accidents include:

  • Driver intoxication. Unfortunately, drunk driving causes many accidents on our roadways. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), someone is killed in the United States by a drunk driver – every 52 minutes. Drunk driving often results in very serious crashes and injuries and Nevada law allows punitive damages when someone causes injuries while driving drunk.
  • Distracted driving. With nearly every driver on the road having a cell phone in their car, distracted driving has become one of, if not the, leading cause of car crashes. Distracted drivers don’t have their eyes on the road, their mind on traffic, and their hands on the wheel. Distracted driving includes texting, talking on a smartphone, eating, and drinking while driving.
  • Speeding and other traffic violations. Speeding is a major cause of Reno car accidents. Speeding doesn’t just mean going over the speed limit. Driving too fast for traffic conditions or too fast because of bad weather also causes many accidents. Drivers who run red lights, fail to yield, and commit other traffic violations are a risk to other drivers.

Not all wrecks, however, are the fault of drivers. Defective auto parts, unsafe work zones, uneven roads (from milling or washout) and other road hazards can also cause a crash.

What injuries do car accidents cause?

Car accidents, especially when one or both cars are traveling at a high speed, can cause fatalities and catastrophic injuries. Many drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders who are struck by a vehicle live with permanent injuries that cause chronic pain. Even injuries that do heal require months of medical care.

Common injuries caused by car accidents include:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Spinal cord damage and paralysis
  • Broken bones
  • Burn injuries
  • Amputation/loss of limb
  • Soft-tissue injuries
  • Muscle, nerve, and ligament damage
  • Internal organ damage
  • Injuries to ribs and chest
  • Cuts and bruises
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Hearing and vision loss

In the most tragic cases, a spouse, child, or parent dies. We file wrongful death claims for the families of deceased car accident victims.

Our Reno car accident lawyers work with your physicians to verify your injuries, the medical care you need, and all the ways the injuries make your life difficult.

Is Nevada a no-fault car accident state?

No, Nevada is not a no-fault state. This means you must prove fault on the part of the other driver to recover compensation when you make a claim. If another driver causes a Reno car accident, you have a right to file a claim against all the responsible parties. Once you show that the other driver is liable, you can seek damages for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, car repair costs, and other applicable damages.

Is there a time limit for filing a Reno car accident claim?

Generally, you must file your car accident claim within two years of the date of the accident. As a practical matter, you should seek legal help immediately. The sooner you speak with our skilled Reno car accident lawyers, the sooner we can investigate the accident, answer your questions, and prepare the case for a possible settlement or for trial.

How much is my Reno car accident claim worth?

While there is no precise formula, and every case is different, our personal injury lawyers understand the key factors that insurance adjusters and juries review. We pay attention to all the small details for each of those factors. The combination of small details often leads to a substantial settlement or verdict. We’ve obtained numerous million-dollar-plus, and ten million-dollar-plus results for our clients.

Keep in mind, while you may be entitled to a type of damage under Nevada law, it doesn’t mean the insurance company will simply pay the full amount of your damages. Insurance companies make billions in profit by undervaluing claims and paying less than they should. At Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers, we work to recover full damages for all of the following:

  • Medical expenses. You are entitled to payment for all your ER, hospital, doctor, and therapy bills. You’re also entitled to payment for the assistive devices, medications, and other medical care you reasonably need.
  • Lost income. Reno car accident victims are entitled to compensation for their lost wages and lost earnings from the time of the accident until they can resume work. Victims who can’t return to work can claim lost income pay for the rest of their lives.
  • Pain and suffering. Every accident causes intense physical pain and agony. Victims also have anxiety and even depression worrying about their health, how they’ll pay their bills, and their family. Liable defendants should compensate you for your pain and suffering.
  • Property damage. Car owners can demand payment for the cost to fix their car and, if the car is totaled, the cost to replace their car.

Victims can also recover damages if they have any scarring or disfigurement. Spouses can claim loss of consortium damages. In egregious cases, such as drunk driving car accidents, we seek punitive damages.

We also seek wrongful death damages which include payment of the funeral bills, the income the decedent would have earned had he/she lived, and the value of the comfort, society, and guidance the decedent would have provided each family member.

What does a Reno car accident lawyer do for me?

Our lawyers work up your case   and communicate with you every step of the way, so you know what’s going on and where in the process is your case. These steps include:

  • Investigating the cause of the accident.
  • Conducting discovery (including oral and written questions) to determine what the defendants and any witnesses have to say about the accident.
  • Working with your doctors (and possibly independent doctors) to show how serious your injuries are, the care you need, and why you are in so much pain.
  • Working with any psychologists to assess your emotional suffering.
  • Itemizing all your economic losses.
  • Answering your questions.
  • Negotiating with the insurance adjusters.
  • Preparing and trying your case before a jury.

Our seasoned car accident lawyers have earned a reputation for obtaining just and strong results in car accidents. We’ve had a lot of success in the courtroom for our clients and insurance companies know that. Because of this, we can settle many cases for the insurance policy limits and get fair compensation for our clients.

Can I afford a car accident attorney?

At Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers, we handle all car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means, we only get paid if your case settles, or there is a jury verdict in your favor. In this way, we have a strong incentive to obtain the best results possible.

Is there a Reno car accident attorney near me?

Our Reno law office is located at 100 N Sierra St, Suite 220. We also discuss cases via video and on the phone. If you’re unable to travel, we can arrange to meet you at your home or over the phone or video call.

Contact our Reno car accident lawyers today

A car accident can cause serious injuries, such as bone fractures, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and internal injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car crash in Reno, don't hesitate to contact Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers. Our Reno car accident lawyers will calmly and clearly guide you through each step of the litigation process. Get help for your car accident claim today. Call 702-333-7777 or contact us now to schedule your free consultation.

Reno Office

100 N Sierra St, Suite 220
Reno, NV 89501

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