Pedestrian accidents often result in severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment, long-term care, and time away from work. Nevada law allows injured pedestrians to pursue compensation for the harm they suffer due to another party’s negligence. This compensation falls into two main categories: economic damages and non-economic damages. To protect your rights and strengthen your claim, it’s crucial to reach out to an experienced Las Vegas pedestrian accident victim attorney as early as possible.
Economic damages represent the financial losses caused by the accident. These are measurable and supported by documentation such as bills, receipts, and pay records.
Medical Expenses
Compensation can be recovered for all reasonable and necessary medical costs. This includes emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, prescription medication, physical therapy, medical devices, and follow-up appointments. If the injuries require long-term treatment or future care, those costs may also be factored into the award.
Lost Wages
If you miss work due to your injuries, you can claim compensation for lost income. This includes regular wages, overtime, bonuses, and any lost employment benefits. If you can no longer work in the same capacity—or at all—due to a permanent disability, Nevada law allows for recovery of loss of future earning capacity.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
Pedestrians often face additional expenses as a result of the accident. These may include transportation to medical appointments, home modifications, or the cost of hiring help for tasks you can no longer perform. Nevada courts permit recovery for these expenses when they directly result from the injury.
Non-economic damages provide compensation for the emotional and personal consequences of the accident. These losses do not have a fixed dollar amount, but they are equally important.
Pain and Suffering
Nevada allows recovery for physical pain and emotional suffering resulting from a pedestrian accident. This includes ongoing discomfort, anxiety, depression, fear, and trauma experienced due to the injuries.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
If the injuries prevent you from engaging in activities you once enjoyed, you may claim damages for loss of enjoyment of life. This recognizes the impact of physical limitations and emotional distress on day-to-day living.
Disfigurement or Permanent Disability
Nevada law permits additional compensation for permanent physical changes or disabilities. Scarring, loss of limb function, or other disfiguring injuries significantly affect quality of life and may increase the overall damages awarded.
Loss of Consortium
The spouse of an injured pedestrian may file a separate claim for loss of consortium. This includes loss of companionship, support, intimacy, and the overall impact on the marital relationship caused by the injury.
If a pedestrian dies as a result of the accident, surviving family members may bring a wrongful death claim. In Nevada, eligible survivors can recover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and emotional distress. The law also allows the estate of the deceased to recover medical expenses and lost wages incurred before death.
Nevada courts may award punitive damages when the at-fault party’s conduct is especially reckless or malicious. These damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior. Drunk driving, excessive speeding, or intentional misconduct may justify punitive damages under Nevada law.