Being injured in a hit-and-run accident adds an extra layer of frustration and uncertainty to an already traumatic situation — not only are you hurt, but the person responsible fled the scene. In Nevada, hit-and-run accidents account for a significant portion of crashes on Las Vegas streets, the Strip, and surrounding highways. But having legal options after a hit-and-run is not as limited as many people think. A Las Vegas hit-and-run accident attorney at Marathon Law Group pursues every available avenue of compensation for victims of fleeing drivers.
Injured in Las Vegas? Call Marathon Law Group at (702) 522-1808 for a free consultation. Our personal injury attorneys work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Your Uninsured Motorist Coverage as Your Primary Resource
When a hit-and-run driver cannot be identified, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage is your primary source of compensation. Nevada law requires auto insurers to offer UM coverage, and policyholders must sign a specific written waiver to reject it. UM coverage treats an unidentified hit-and-run driver the same way it treats an uninsured driver — your insurer pays your damages (up to your UM policy limits) as though the unidentified driver were the defendant. To preserve your UM hit-and-run claim, most Nevada policies require that you report the accident to police promptly and that there is independent evidence of the collision — typically a police report or witness statement confirming another vehicle was involved. Calling 911 immediately after a hit-and-run is essential for both safety and insurance purposes.
Investigating a Hit-and-Run — Finding the At-Fault Driver
Hit-and-run drivers are identified in more cases than victims initially believe. Las Vegas and the surrounding area have extensive camera infrastructure: traffic cameras at major intersections, casino and business surveillance systems covering parking structures and adjacent streets, and dashcam footage from other vehicles. Law enforcement investigations benefit from license plate fragments, paint transfer on your vehicle, vehicle description from witnesses, and matching damage on vehicles in the area. Your attorney can assist by sending evidence preservation requests to businesses near the scene and investigating privately if law enforcement resources are limited. If the driver is subsequently identified, your claim shifts from a UM claim to a direct liability claim against the at-fault driver and their insurer.
Nevada Hit-and-Run Criminal Penalties
Nevada law requires drivers involved in accidents to stop, provide their information, and render assistance to injured parties. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury is a category B felony in Nevada, with potential prison time. The criminal case proceeds alongside — and independently of — your civil claim. A driver who is later identified and convicted of hit-and-run may be a candidate for punitive damages in your civil case, because fleeing the scene constitutes reckless or malicious conduct beyond ordinary negligence.
Pedestrian and Cyclist Hit-and-Run Cases
Pedestrians and bicyclists hit by fleeing drivers are disproportionately represented in Nevada hit-and-run statistics. The Las Vegas Strip and surrounding tourist areas, Henderson residential neighborhoods, and Summerlin cycling routes have all seen serious pedestrian and cyclist hit-and-run incidents. Pedestrian and cyclist victims without vehicles may nonetheless have UM coverage through a household member’s auto policy, or through the Nevada assigned claims plan if no household auto policy exists. An attorney experienced in Nevada hit-and-run cases knows how to identify all available coverage sources.
Contact Marathon Law Group After a Las Vegas Hit-and-Run
Hit-and-run accident victims have more legal options than they often realize. Marathon Law Group investigates hit-and-run cases throughout Clark County and fights for maximum compensation through every available source. Call (702) 522-1808 for a free consultation about your hit-and-run case.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact our experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney at Marathon Law Group. We offer free consultations and only get paid when you win.
For more information about your legal options, visit our Nevada personal injury practice area page or contact us today for a free consultation. You should also be aware of the Nevada personal injury statute of limitations to protect your rights.