How Reno Hit-and-run Accident Lawyers Can Help
A Lawyer Can Track Down a Driver That Fled the Scene
Reno hit-and-run accident lawyers have two options for pursuing compensation on behalf of the victims of hit-and-run accidents in Reno: either finding the driver responsible or maximizing your insurance policy.
A hit-and-run attorney’s first step in taking action regarding a hit-and-run is to investigate the incident and try to identify the other driver. A lawyer might use multiple means to identify the other driver, including:
- Traffic camera footage
- Business security camera footage
- Dashboard camera footage.
They will explore every avenue to identify the driver of the other vehicle. The more information the victim can provide, the easier it will be to find the driver who fled the scene. If locating the other driver proves impossible, Reno hit-and-run accident attorneys can still help you come out ahead. Your driver’s insurance policy may contain no-fault coverage options like uninsured motorist coverage or medical payment coverage. These options are specifically designed to protect you when you are the victim of a hit-and-run. However, even if these should be present in your policy, getting the most out of them is not easy.
Reno hit-and-run accident lawyers can help you receive the highest possible compensation by investigating the full extent of the damage caused by the accident, building a case with evidence that corroborates your claims, and thoroughly researching your policy terms and limits.
Insurance companies do not pay for hit-and-run damages without a fight, which can make it impossible to get the most out of your policy unless you have experienced Reno hit-and-run accident attorneys fighting for you.
Why Choose Leverty & Associates Law Chartered?
Over $150 Million Recovered for Clients in Nevada
Leverty & Associates Law Chartered has been fighting for justice on behalf of clients in Nevada for over forty years, and during that time, our firm has grown to be a leader in personal injury and insurance law not just in Reno but also in the surrounding areas.
We routinely secure six- and seven-figure settlements and verdict outcomes for clients injured through negligence and bad-faith insurance practices. We know how to hold insurance companies responsible for compensating injured victims who depend on them to honor their policies.
We have recovered over $150 million for victims since our establishment in 1979, and our client testimonials lend voice to our ability to achieve and exceed the results our clients deserve and expect. Founding attorney Gene Leverty has been a leader in the field of Nevada personal injury law for over forty years, while lead attorney Patrick Leverty holds a master’s degree in insurance law and a long list of various honors and awards.
Our foundation in insurance law gives our multigenerational firm an advantage over other personal injury firms. The Leverty & Associates team possesses a deep knowledge of how to build an argument that shows how insurance policy coverage applies to cover the losses endured by a client.
How We Can Help After a Hit-and-run Accident in Reno
A Personal Injury Firm with a Foundation in Insurance Law
The attorneys at Leverty & Associates Law Chartered have built themselves a reputation for their knowledge, experience, and creativity when it comes to interpreting and applying insurance policy terms to a client’s advantage.
The team possesses an unparalleled knowledge of how to interpret policies in ways that maximize a client’s compensation and how to then build an airtight argument for our interpretation according to insurance and personal injury law. We communicate closely with our clients, ensuring they clearly understand their options through every step of the process.
If you have been the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Northern Nevada, the attorneys at Leverty & Associates Law Chartered understand what it takes to gain proper compensation. We will work to hold the other driver responsible for their negligence, and we will fight to ensure the insurance company upholds its obligation to you.
Call Leverty & Associates Law Chartered today at (775) 322-6636 to learn more about your options for gaining compensation after a Reno hit-and-run accident.
Fighting Bad Faith Insurance Tactics After a Reno Hit-and-run
The driver at fault for causing any car accident is responsible for paying for the damages. Not only is it right to hold the negligent party responsible, but it also usually pays more. Your injuries should be covered under the other driver’s bodily harm coverage.
Still, once the other driver is located, it is not uncommon for them to deny involvement and for their insurance company to claim that you do not have sufficient evidence to prove they were responsible. Even when your insurance policy contains protections like uninsured motorist coverage, it is common for your insurance company to try to minimize the amount they are required to pay out.
Regardless of which insurance policy you seek compensation through, you should be aware that insurance companies often engage in strategies designed to deprive accident victims of money they are otherwise entitled to under a policy’s terms.
Bad Faith Insurance Tactics to Watch For
Bad faith insurance tactics can take many forms, but some of the most common practices to watch for include the following:
- Denied claims
- Reasons for denial unclear or not given
- Extremely low compensation offers
- Delayed claim responses
- Delayed investigations
- Repeated requests for evidence or documentation
- Lengthy or unreasonable wait times
- Lack of communication or responses.
If you are seeking hit-and-run accident compensation through an insurance company and you have experienced any of these bad faith tactics, or you suspect that the insurer is not acting honestly, you should bring in a hit-and-run accident lawyer right away.
Compensation for Hit-and-run Accidents in Reno
The compensation received following a Northern Nevada hit-and-run accident depends on many factors. First, the overall case value is determined by the extent of the damages incurred. The more experience a Reno hit-and-run accident lawyer has, the more likely they are to identify a higher case value.
Bodily injuries and property damage are handled differently by insurance companies. When it comes to car accidents, bodily injuries are usually where higher amounts of compensation come from. Insurance compensation can reimburse you for a wide range of factors related to your injuries, including:
- Medical bills
- Ambulance bills
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapists
- Lost wages.
The amount of compensation the victim might qualify for also depends on factors, including whether:
- They will make a full recovery
- They will be able to return to work if you are employed
- They have dependents who rely on your income
- The accident involved catastrophic or life-altering injuries.
Finally, a hit-and-run lawyer will also consider the non-financial damages that can help to increase a victim’s overall compensation eligibility. These can encompass damages such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Embarrassment and humiliation.
It takes an experienced lawyer to identify factors like these and then build the argument proving the damages. Once they have identified all the factors that may impact the total compensation value, they will work to negotiate with the relevant insurance company to achieve as much compensation for their clients as possible, given the evidence.
When the inciting driver of the hit-and-run has been identified, these negotiations should occur with that driver’s insurance company, but when the other driver cannot be identified, the victim’s attorney will work to maximize the possible coverage available under their policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
The hit-and-run attorneys at Leverty & Associates Law Chartered answer a lot of questions about hit-and-run accidents in Reno. Here are some of the more common questions new clients have working with a hit-and-run attorney after a hit-and-run accident:
You need an experienced hit-and-run lawyer if you hope to get the most out of a hit-and-run accident claim. After any car accident, having a lawyer improves your chances of gaining fair compensation, and after a hit-and-run accident, you need to have an attorney working diligently to locate the at-fault driver and interpret the relevant insurance policies.
The cost of a Reno hit-and-run lawyer depends on many factors, including the complexity of your case, the extent of the damage incurred, and the willingness of the relevant insurance companies to work with you. When insurances fight hard to avoid a payout, cases take more time and effort, especially if it becomes necessary to file a lawsuit.
Many hit-and-run accident lawyers work on contingency arrangements. With this type of payment agreement, you will only pay for legal services if your lawyer successfully receives compensation for you, and those legal fees will not be due until your case is closed. Payment typically comes directly out of the compensation you receive, so you never have to worry about attorney fees upfront.
The best way to prepare for a consultation with a hit-and-run lawyer is to collect as much evidence as possible. Try to come to your consultation with relevant medical bills, police reports, and any other documentation from the police, healthcare providers, and your insurance company.
If you are consulting with a lawyer because you suspect you are dealing with bad-faith insurance practices, you should bring documents, emails, letters, and anything else that can help a lawyer assess your situation and the available proof.
In advance, it is hard to say how long it will take to receive your compensation. Many factors impact the timeline after any car accident, especially the extent of the injuries and the insurance company’s willingness to negotiate.
In cases involving hit-and-run accidents, a lawyer has additional work to do, particularly related to the process of working to identify the driver who left the scene, which can considerably impact your timeline for receiving compensation. However, it is often the case that clients who are willing to wait are rewarded with much higher compensation than they would have otherwise received.
Every case involves unique factors: Injuries, insurance policies, and accident details vary widely between clients. The attorneys at Leverty & Associates Law Chartered are available to answer any questions about your situation.
Give us a call today at (775) 322-6636 to arrange a free consultation with a Reno hit-and-run attorney.
Attorney Patrick Leverty
With his master’s in insurance law, Patrick routinely helps individuals and businesses who are having issues with their insurance company. He also has extensive experience with personal injury actions, complex tort actions, product liability matters, and class actions. Patrick Leverty is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell (the highest rating) and has been granted membership in the Million Dollar Advocate Forum, and Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Forum. Patrick Leverty has been certified as a Personal Injury Specialist by the State Bar of Nevada. [ Attorney Bio ]
