Nevada is a fault state, meaning the person responsible for an accident will also be held liable for property damage and injuries that result. As a start, the other driver will file a claim with your insurance company. If you have sufficient liability insurance, the matter could end there. Keep in mind, however, you’ll be personally responsible for damage costs that exceed your policy limit.
For example, if you have liability insurance covering $25,000, but cause property damage of, say, $35,000, you’ll be personally on the hook for the remaining $10,000.
Property damage is one thing, but what happens if there is an injury or death? These cases often result in settlements totaling hundreds of thousands—even millions—of dollars. Absent sufficient coverage, you could be forced to sell assets, like your home, to pay for damages. It is not unusual for the at-fault party to incur crippling debt as the result of an accident.
Depending on the circumstance, you could also be cited for traffic violations that led to the accident—in some cases, you could face criminal charges.
If you have been found to be at fault for anything more than a minor fender-bender, you have too much at stake not to hire legal representation. An experienced North Las Vegas auto accident lawyer can mean the difference between preserving your lifestyle and potentially losing everything.