At Shook & Stone Injury Lawyers, we pursue full compensation for people who have been hit by drunk drivers. These collisions can cause serious, life-altering injuries, and with your Las Vegas car accident lawyer’s 150+ years of combined experience on our side, we will make sure nothing gets overlooked.
To speak with your Las Vegas drunk driving accident lawyer with Shook & Stone Injury Lawyers, call us today and find out how we can help.
How a Lawyer Can Strengthen Your Drunk Driving Case
You should not have to manage insurance forms, medical records, or legal deadlines on your own. When you work with your Las Vegas personal injury lawyer at Shook & Stone Injury Lawyers, we take that weight off your shoulders and focus on getting your case moving in the right direction.
Legal Advocacy in the Shadow of Criminal Charges
A drunk driving crash almost always leads to criminal charges. Even if the driver is found guilty, that outcome does not guarantee compensation for you.
Civil claims are handled separately from the criminal case, and they often move more slowly. You may be facing medical bills, lost wages, and insurance delays while the criminal side plays out in court. We help bridge that gap.
Our firm is experienced in working alongside the criminal process without waiting for it to be over. We can collect evidence while the police investigate, request video footage, and build your civil case early. That way, when it is time to file your injury claim or go to court, we are ready, and we will not let criminal timelines slow down the help you need.
Evidence, Liability, and Maximizing Compensation
In drunk driving cases, the evidence often goes beyond basic police reports. We look at surveillance footage, field sobriety tests, breath and blood testing records, and witness statements.
If there are any doubts about who caused the crash or how it happened, we take the time to review it all. You deserve a full picture of what happened and how it connects to your injuries.
The damages in these cases are often higher because the injuries are more severe. However, that does not mean the insurance company will offer a fair settlement. We build cases that show exactly how the crash has affected your life and what it will take to move forward. From lost income to future medical costs, we will prepare your claim with every piece of evidence the insurance company needs to see.
Issues That Make Drunk Driving Litigation Especially Difficult
Every drunk driving case comes with challenges, even when the driver was clearly impaired. From missing test results to blame-shifting by insurance companies, there are many ways your claim can be unfairly delayed or denied. If you are dealing with painful injuries and increasing bills, you need a legal team that knows how to take on these complications and protect your case.
Proving Fault Without a Test Result
If the driver refused to take a breath or blood test, or if law enforcement mishandled the process, that refusal can complicate your claim. Nevada law operates under an implied consent rule, which means drivers are expected to submit to chemical testing after a DUI arrest.
Under NRS § 484C.160, refusing to take a test can lead to license suspension, but it also creates evidentiary challenges.
If your case involves a refusal, our firm may need to rely more heavily on witness accounts, police observations, or other signs of impairment. Even when a test was performed, there are still important legal thresholds that affect your case.
Under NRS § 484C.110, a driver under the influence with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is considered legally intoxicated.
If the test was delayed, poorly calibrated, or improperly administered, it may not hold up. As your Las Vegas catastrophic injury lawyer, we will examine every part of the timeline and testing procedure to determine whether the evidence actually supports what the insurance company is trying to claim.
Insurance Tactics and Civil Blame Games
Insurance companies are quick to protect their bottom line, even in cases involving drunk drivers. One of the ways they do this is by trying to place some of the blame on you. Nevada follows a system of modified comparative fault. Under NRS § 41.141, if the insurance company can argue that you were even partially at fault, they can try to reduce or deny your compensation.
Your drunk driving accident attorney in Las Vegas knows how to push back when insurers make unfair claims or twist the facts. Another problem you may face is unnecessary delays or low settlement offers that ignore what you have actually been through. Some insurers try to settle fast, hoping you will accept a check before speaking to a lawyer.
According to NRS § 686A.020, insurers are not allowed to act in bad faith, but that does not mean they will treat you fairly without pressure. We know how these companies operate, and we will not let them take advantage of you.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Drunk Driving Crash
If you were hit by a drunk driver, the damage may go far beyond the crash itself. You may be dealing with bills you cannot afford, pain that makes daily tasks harder, or time away from work that you never planned for.
Your drunk driving accident lawyer in Las Vegas builds every case with one goal in mind: helping you recover what this crash has cost you. You may be able to pursue compensation for:
- Ambulance bills, ER visits, and follow-up care
- Surgery, physical rehab, and medical support at home
- Prescription medications and assistive devices
- Missed days, weeks, or months of income
- Ongoing limits on your ability to work
- Pain that keeps you from enjoying your daily life
- Continuing anxiety, fear, or emotional stress
- Trouble focusing, remembering, or processing information
- Reduced mobility or coordination
- Strain on your family relationships
Pedestrians and cyclists often suffer the worst injuries in these crashes. If the driver was uninsured or carried minimal coverage, we can help identify other options through your own policy or the driver’s assets.
Our firm handles the details and fights for the full amount you deserve, so you do not have to manage anything alone.
Free Consultation We’ll help you win the benefits you need to get your life back.
What to Do After a Crash With a Drunk Driver
Everything feels like a blur right after a drunk driver hits you. You might be injured, confused, or unsure how to protect yourself. To keep your case strong and protect your health, try to focus on doing the following:
- Call 911 immediately and report the crash
- Stay at the scene unless you are taken away for medical care
- Cooperate with the police and give your statement when they arrive
- Gather the other driver’s name, address, and insurance information
- Take photos of all involved vehicles, visible injuries, and anything around you that seems important
- Get medical care as soon as you are able, even if you think your injuries are minor
- Avoid making any recorded or written statements for an insurance company
- Do not accept an early settlement offer before speaking with a Las Vegas drunk driving accident lawyer
Staying at the Scene and Cooperating With Police
After a serious crash, police will complete an official report that includes statements, observations, and any signs of impairment. Under NRS § 484E.030, every driver involved is required to stay at the scene and offer reasonable assistance.
Leaving the scene or refusing to cooperate can impact both the criminal case and any claim you file later. Your Las Vegas drunk driving accident attorney can help you figure out what this law means and how your case may be affected if the other driver failed to follow it.
Reporting the Crash to Protect Your Claim
In addition to cooperating with police, certain crashes must be reported to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles. Outlined in NRS § 484E.050, Nevada state law dictates when this is necessary, and missing that step can create complications.
If the crash caused serious injuries, a Las Vegas drunk driving accident attorney from our office can help make sure all required documentation is completed and submitted properly. We can also review what was included in the report and identify anything that could support your claim.
DUI Crash Statistics in Nevada
Drunk driving remains one of the top causes of serious crashes in Nevada, especially in Las Vegas. Whether you were on your way to work or heading home after dinner, another driver’s decision to drink and get behind the wheel can leave you with injuries that change everything.
These incidents are more common than many people realize, and the consequences are often devastating.
Where and When DUI Crashes Happen
According to recent data from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety, more than 100 fatal impaired driving crashes happen statewide each year. Many of these occur in Clark County, where late-night traffic and heavy tourism add risk. Local roads are not immune.
Even residential neighborhoods in Las Vegas have seen major injuries linked to impaired drivers. If you suffered head trauma or memory loss in one of these collisions, a Las Vegas brain injury lawyer from our firm can help you gather the proof you need.
How Nevada Penalizes Drunk Drivers
Under NRS § 484C.400, causing serious injuries or death while driving under the influence is a felony offense. That may lead to jail time, license suspension, and other criminal penalties for the driver who hit you.
Even when someone is charged, that does not automatically cover your medical costs, income loss, or other care needs. Our firm can pursue compensation for every part of your recovery while holding the impaired driver accountable for what happened to you.
How Long You Have to File a Personal Injury Case
In Nevada, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. That deadline applies to drunk driving claims, even if the driver was arrested or charged criminally. If you miss the two-year window, you may lose the chance to recover anything at all.
The statute that controls this deadline is NRS § 11.190(4)(e). This law gives injured people two years to take legal action, starting from the day the crash happened. If you are still receiving medical treatment or are unsure about what happened at the scene, it is still important to talk to someone before that time runs out.
Our firm tracks important deadlines in every case we handle. We do that so you do not have to worry about missing paperwork, filing issues, or unexpected barriers. You focus on getting better, and we will handle everything else on time.
What Makes Drunk Driving Injury Cases So Serious
Injuries from drunk driving accidents are rarely minor. The force of impact often leads to broken bones, brain trauma, or worse, especially if you were walking or crossing the street when the crash occurred. If that is what happened to you, a Las Vegas pedestrian accident lawyer at our firm can help you document your injuries and pursue a full claim. Some of the most common injuries we see include:
- Fractured or broken bones in the arms, legs, ribs, or pelvis
- Neck and back injuries that may include whiplash or herniated discs
- Internal bleeding or damage to organs like the lungs, liver, or spleen
- Spinal cord trauma can result in partial or total loss of movement and sensation
- Deep lacerations and heavy bruising across the face or body
- Concussions that cause dizziness, memory issues, or headaches
- Traumatic brain injuries that affect thinking, balance, or personality
- Permanent physical disability requiring home care or assistive devices
Under NRS § 41A.100, injury victims in Nevada can file a personal injury claim when another person’s actions clearly caused them harm. If the driver was reckless or intoxicated, NRS § 42.005 may also allow you to seek punitive damages.
If someone in your family was killed in a crash, a Las Vegas wrongful death lawyer from our office can help you exercise your legal rights and take the next step forward.
Connect With Your Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas for Support Today
If you have questions about what comes next after a drunk driving crash, our firm is here to help. You can speak directly with your drunk driving accident attorney in Las Vegas from Shook & Stone Injury Lawyers and get the answers you need.
To get started, contact us today.
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