You’ve Been in an Accident…
Now What?

After an accident, you probably have a lot of questions about your rights and what steps to take next. While talking to one of our lawyers is the best way to get advice, the Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm answers the most commonly asked questions in this article. For more information about what we can do to help, please contact us for a free consultation.

What do I need to do immediately after the accident?

By taking a few simple steps after your accident, you may be able to increase your chances of having successful case. The personal injury lawyers at Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm recommend that all of our clients:

Collect Contact Information

Gather the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the other parties involved, or any witnesses of the accident. Have these contacts handy so you can share them with your personal injury lawyer and case manager.

If you didn’t collect the contact information of anyone at the scene, you can find this information in the police report. To pick up a copy of the police report, visit your local police station or contact the police station where your accident occurred.

Seek Medical Care

Sometimes injuries take time to present themselves, so even if you don’t think you’re hurt, we recommend you visit a doctor after your accident.

Take notes about how you feel after the accident, what the doctor says, and your recovery process. Detailed information about your condition, medical treatment, and work status can be helpful when your attorney and case manager are preparing your case.

Don’t Sign Anything

Don’t sign anything without talking to our Nevada personal injury lawyers first. Once you have secured representation from an attorney at our firm, we will communicate directly with the insurance company for you. If your insurance company or the insurance company of the other party contacts you, call us so we can make sure your rights to compensation are protected.

Why the Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm?

When you’ve been injured, or lost a loved one in an accident, the lawyer you choose does make a difference. The Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm has been helping injured people for over 30 years. We’re recognized for having some of the most accomplished personal injury lawyers in Nevada. Our firm has the highest possible ratings from Martindale-Hubbell® and Avvo, the respected national legal directories. We’re also certified members of the prestigious Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Elite Lawyers of America, Outstanding Lawyers of America and Platinum Members of The Verdict Club, organizations limited to lawyers who’ve achieved significant results for their clients.

We take great satisfaction in receiving many referrals from other lawyers and judges who have personal knowledge of our reputation. The Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm handles all personal injury cases, as well as workers’ compensation and Social Security disability claims. Our clients range from the temporarily injured to the permanently disabled to the families of loved ones lost as a result of wrongful death.

We understand most people are interested in having their case settled out of court and, for this reason, we invest substantial time and energy preparing every case. But, if we can’t reach a fair result through negotiations, we pursue the case through trial, if necessary. Our proven track record in the courtroom gives us the credibility vital to obtaining the best possible settlement. The Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm takes great pride in providing the finest legal services available to injured people. We look forward to putting our special abilities to work for you.

What About Medical Treatment and Bills?

As the victim of an injury accident, you’re concerned about where to get medical treatment and who’s going to pay for it. As one of Nevada’s largest and most respected personal injury law firms, our office can make arrangements for our clients to be treated by some of the most qualified health care professionals available. If necessary, payment for treatment can be deferred until your case is settled. Oftentimes, other insurance is available to pay medical expenses now, in addition to the eventual settlement proceeds from your case.

We understand some people are reluctant to use their own insurance when the accident is someone else’s fault. We help our clients identify and use all available insurance without reducing the claim against the responsible party, or increasing our client’s insurance rates. At the Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm, we deal with insurance policies every day. We know what’s covered and what’s not, and how best to get medical expenses paid for our clients.

What About Car Repairs?

One of the most frustrating circumstances following a car accident is how to handle the property damage claim involving your automobile. While personal injury claims may take several months to resolve, in most cases, the property damage claim can be settled within a few weeks of the accident.

Be sure to ask for our booklet, “About Your Vehicle Damage Claim—50 Questions and Answers.” This information enables our clients to quickly and fairly settle the property damage claim.

With our help, clients of the Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm receive compensation for vehicle towing, storage, repair, or total loss and car rental. When we handle your personal injury case, we usually don’t charge for additional legal services regarding routine property damage claims. In some cases, we make additional claims for diminished value and loss of use.

How Much Is My Case Worth?

Naturally, one of the most frequently asked questions by our injured clients is, “How much is my case worth?”

Determining the value of any claim requires assessment of a number of factors. The nature and severity of injuries, amount of medical bills, length of treatment, permanent impairment, loss of earnings and individual damages for pain and suffering must all be considered. There are other variables affecting case value, such as preexisting medical conditions, comparative fault and applicable insurance policy limits.

Also, the initial injuries you receive could worsen, or your doctor could later find problems related to the accident you didn’t originally know about. No two cases are exactly alike. Remember, no one can accurately predict the value of your case until all evidence affecting your claim has been documented.

Most importantly, the value of your injury claim is influenced by the reputation and skill of your lawyer. After considering all the factors, including the effect on you as an individual, we place a range of value on your case. We identify the responsible parties and locate the applicable insurance coverage from which the claim can be paid. The Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm then takes the necessary legal steps to recover the full and fair value of your case.

How Will Our Law Firm Help You?

As the victim of an accident, you have a number of rights which could be lost if you don’t have the benefit of an experienced personal injury lawyer. The law is complex and provides many opportunities for insurance companies to deny or reduce benefits. Insurance companies have no legal obligation to advise you of your rights or pay you reasonable compensation.

Keep in mind insurance adjusters are trained professionals whose job is to settle claims quickly, for the least amount possible. You, on the other hand, want your case settled for a fair amount as soon as possible.

The Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm handles your personal injury case from start to finish. We work quickly to gather the evidence needed to build a successful case. We obtain the accident report, contact witnesses and verify insurance coverages. Our law firm monitors your property damage claim, makes recommendations for medical treatment if you request, and coordinates the payment of your medical bills by all available insurance. We obtain comprehensive medical reports regarding your injuries and verification of your loss of earnings. We handle all negotiations with insurance adjusters and are committed to take your case to trial, if necessary. Our reputation, experience, skill of our lawyers and quality of our staff are the keys to making sure you receive full compensation for your case in the shortest possible time.

What About Attorney’s Fees?

The Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm offers a free consultation to discuss the details of your case. We also explain the attorney’s fees and costs which apply. Cases are handled for a contingency fee of a percentage of the amount we recover for you. Most often, our fee is one third of the settlement amount. This may vary depending on the complexity of the case, or whether it is resolved after a lawsuit is required. There are several advantages to a contingency fee. You’re not required to make any payment up front, or as the case progresses. We only get paid when the case settles. Our firm gets paid when you get paid. In the unlikely event your case is unsuccessful, you owe us no fee. You may have to pay the opposing parties’ attorney fees and costs in the event of a loss.

We also advance costs, which are the out-of-pocket expenses necessary to present your case. Costs include, among other things, charges for obtaining the accident report, medical records and court filing fees. Costs advanced by our firm are reimbursed from your portion of the settlement at the successful conclusion of the case. The Richard Harris Personal Injury Law Firm is pleased to provide our clients a contingency fee. This arrangement allows any injured person to retain the best legal help available.