Accidents happen. But when they do, you have options. If you were injured in a recreational vehicle accident in Reno, NV, because of someone else’s negligence, then you may have the ability to hold them liable for your injuries and damages.
You need an experienced Reno recreational vehicle accident lawyer who understands how these accidents can occur and who will fight for you to receive maximum compensation. Battle Born Injury Lawyers is here to help.
To speak with one of our skilled Reno recreational vehicle accident attorneys, schedule your free consultation today at (775) 535-7768.
How Battle Born Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Recreational Vehicle Accident in Reno
We have the knowledge, training, and experience you can count on to fight for justice in your case.
Our highly skilled Reno personal injury attorneys have over 85 years of combined experience.
We’ve recovered over $100 million in compensation to date on behalf of our clients.
If you hire us to help, we can:
- Investigate your accident
- Collect evidence
- Evaluate all of your damages
- Hire industry experts
- Protect you from accusations of shared fault
- Negotiate for a settlement on your behalf
- File a lawsuit if necessary
Reach out to our office in Reno, NV, to learn more about how our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you.
How Common Are Recreational Vehicle Accidents?
Some reports estimate that RV-related accidents cause 75,000 hospitalizations and 26 fatalities per year. While these numbers are significant, RVs caused far fewer injuries and fatalities than car accidents, which resulted in more than 42,000 fatalities nationwide in 2021.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Recreational Vehicle Accident Victims in Reno?
Recreational vehicle accident victims may be able to recover compensation for their losses in the form of damages. Compensatory damages are meant to restore an injured plaintiff to their position before the accident, or make them “whole again.”
There are two main types of compensatory damages: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages, as the name suggests, are the direct financial losses caused by an accident. They may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Vehicle and other property damage
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning potential
- Transportation costs
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
Economic damages are sometimes called tangible damages, as they mostly relate to specific, documentable transactions. They are usually straightforward to calculate, but anticipated costs, like future medical expenses, can be tricky. An experienced recreational vehicle accident attorney in Reno can assess your past and future damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, relate to emotional, psychological, or otherwise subjective consequences of an accident. They may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement or disability
Non-economic damages are sometimes called intangible damages, given their subjective nature. They are harder to calculate than economic damages. A knowledgeable Reno personal injury lawyer can be very helpful if you’ve incurred non-economic damages.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Recreational Vehicle Accident Lawyer in Reno?
Personal injury lawyers, including those who handle RV accident claims, usually take cases on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee is collected at the very end of the case as a percentage of the client’s overall financial award.
The attorney only earns the fee if they successfully recover compensation on behalf of their client. So, if you don’t get paid, neither does the attorney.
Contingency fees allow accident victims to hire legal representation without paying any upfront fees, which can be especially helpful when you’re dealing with other unexpected costs associated with an accident.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for a Recreational Vehicle Accident in Reno?
You may be able to recover compensation if you’re being blamed for an RV accident in Reno, though it may impact the amount of compensation you can recover. Nevada has a modified comparative negligence law, which provides that injured parties can recover compensation so long as they are less than 51% at fault for the accident.
Thus, if your percentage of fault in an accident is 50% or less, you can recover compensation. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault.
For example, if you were 25% at fault in an RV accident and you incurred $100,000 in damages, then you could recover up to 75% of your damages, or $75,000.
What Causes Most Recreational Vehicle Accidents in Reno, NV?
Among the most common causes of recreational vehicle accidents are:
- Driving while tired
- Distracted driving
- Heavy wind
- Miscalculated turning and stopping
- Unevenly loaded or overly loaded vehicles
- Speeding
- Inexperienced driver
- Blind spots
- Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
If you were injured in a recreational vehicle accident caused by one of these circumstances, or others, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries through a personal injury claim.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Recreational Vehicle Accident in Reno, NV?
Most personal injury cases in Reno, NV, are based on negligence. Accordingly, if your case doesn’t settle and proceeds to the filing of a lawsuit, you will probably have to prove that the defendant was negligent. To act negligently means failing to exercise reasonable care and caution under the circumstances.
To successfully prove negligence, you must establish the following four elements:
Duty of Care
You must show that the defendant owed you a duty of care. This is usually the duty to act the way a reasonably prudent person would under the circumstances.
Breach
You must show that the defendant breached the duty of care, such as by acting unreasonably under the circumstances. For example, speeding is likely a breach of the duty of care when driving.
Damages
You must show that you suffered injuries or some type of harm.
Causation
Last, you must show that the defendant’s actions were the actual cause and proximate cause of your injuries. The “actual cause” means that the accident would not have happened “but for” the defendant’s actions. The “proximate cause” means that your injuries were a reasonably foreseeable consequence of the defendant’s actions.
You must prove each of these elements “by a preponderance of the evidence.” This means that you must present evidence sufficient to convince the jury that it is more likely than not that the claims you assert against the defendant are true.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After a Car Accident in Nevada?
Every state provides a deadline for filing a lawsuit after an accident. This is known as the statute of limitations.
In Nevada, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If your case is not filed on time, you will likely be prohibited from bringing your case to court.
Most personal injury cases will resolve before a lawsuit is filed, but missing this deadline can negatively impact your ability to recover compensation. It’s crucial that you’re aware of the deadline for filing your case.
Contact Our Reno Recreational Vehicle Accident Lawyers Today To Schedule a Free Case Review
If you were injured in a recreational vehicle accident in Reno, NV, due to someone else’s careless or negligent actions, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses. You need a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who understands recreational vehicle accidents.
Our attorneys are here to help. Contact our office at (775) 535-7768 to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.