Over the years, Nevada has witnessed far too many fatal motorcycle crashes due to the reckless or careless conduct of someone else. To make matters worse, many of those accidents could have been prevented entirely but ultimately resulted in loss of life.
Fatal motorcycle accidents in Las Vegas can be uniquely complex. It is certainly understandable to question whether pursuing legal action is worthwhile after the sudden loss of a loved one. However, with help from our compassionate motorcycle accident lawyers at Shook & Stone, you could proactively enforce your rights and those of your loved ones to minimize the negative effects of your loss as much as reasonably possible.
What Damages Are Available After a Fatal Motorcycle Wreck?
No amount of money could replace a life cut unfairly short in a fatal motorcycle crash in Las Vegas, and a lawsuit or settlement demand is not about that. Instead, the goal is to identify specific economic and non-economic losses that you and other close family members of the decedent could suffer because of their premature death. Our dedicated attorneys at Shook & Stone could then demand compensation for those losses and alleviate the strain they would otherwise place on your family.
Compensable losses in this sort of situation may include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost love, companionship, and affection
- Emotional anguish experienced by surviving family members
- Medical expenses for care the decedent received after their accident
- Lost financial support the decedent would have provided in the future
- Physical pain and suffering experienced by the decedent between their accident and their eventual death
In rare instances involving extreme negligence or malicious conduct, a court may impose additional “punitive damages” against the person or people at fault for the incident. These damages would serve as additional compensation to the surviving family members of the decedent.
Understanding Nevada’s “Wrongful Death” Laws
Nevada state law is fairly generous compared to other states in terms of who is allowed to recover compensation through a “wrongful death” claim. In addition to the decedent’s surviving spouse and children, their parents, siblings, and sometimes other close family members may be eligible to file this sort of claim and then obtain compensation through it. The decedent’s “estate representative” could also pursue a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the estate.
As our Las Vegas Shook & Stone lawyers could explain, no matter who actually files the claim, they will need to formally start the legal process within two years of the decedent’s death—not necessarily the date of their motorcycle wreck. Otherwise, Nevada Revised Statutes § 11.190 may prohibit that person from pursuing legal action at all because they breached the “statute of limitations” for personal injury claims.
Call a Las Vegas Attorney About a Fatal Motorcycle Accident Claim
Fatal motorcycle accidents in Las Vegas are never easy to handle emotionally, especially when they are someone else’s fault. However, when you lose a family member in this way, you should know that you may have several options for legal recourse available to you.
Our accomplished attorneys at Shook & Stone could assist you in recovering financially so you have time to grieve. Call today for a free and confidential consultation.
