When you’re driving along the roads of Las Vegas, the last thing you’d expect is an object falling on your car. However, it’s a common occurrence that has caused various accidents in the city. Hence, understanding what steps you need to take is essential to protect your rights so you can recover any damages you may be entitled to. If you’ve been involved in such an incident, consult a trusted Las Vegas personal injury lawyer to guide you through the legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Understanding Nevada Laws on Securing Loads
Under Nevada law, drivers transporting a load must ensure it is properly secured to prevent anything from falling off. Failure to do so can result in the driver being held liable for any damages or accidents caused by unsecured objects. Additionally, the driver may face fines or other legal penalties for not adhering to these safety requirements.
Who Is Liable if Something Falls off a Truck and Hits My Car?
If an object falls off a truck and damages your car, determining who is at fault is crucial to hold them accountable. Liability can be shared by multiple parties depending on the situation:
- Truck Driver Liability: The driver is responsible for securing the load properly. They are typically liable for the damages if the load wasn’t fastened correctly due to the driver’s negligence.
- Trucking Company Liability: The trucking company may be held liable if they fail to provide proper training, equipment, or safety checks. The company may also be liable if the driver is on the job during the incident.
- Third-Party Liability: If someone other than the driver secured the load improperly, they could share liability. The driver and the third party may be liable if proven negligent.
Understanding this information can help you acquire fair compensation for damages caused should you decide to file a claim against the person or people at fault.
What to Do If Something Falls On Your Car
If an object falls on your car while you’re driving or parked, it can be a stressful experience, especially if it causes significant vehicle damage or, worse, injuries. Hence, it’s essential to be aware of the steps you need to take right after the incident:
- Remain Calm and Pull Over Safely: It’s important to remain calm when an object falls on your vehicle. This helps you think rationally and pull over safely.
- Check for Injuries: After moving to a safe location, check everyone involved to see if anyone has been hurt or injured. Call 911 to seek medical assistance.
- Assess the Damage: Inspect your vehicle for any damages, including broken windows, dents, or other signs of impact.
- Document the Incident: Take photos of the damage and the object that fell on your car. Include the surrounding area to capture any factors contributing to the incident.
- Report to the Authorities: If the object caused significant damage or was dropped from another vehicle, call the police to report the incident for insurance purposes.
- Contact Your Insurance Company: Report the incident to your insurance company immediately and provide all necessary details, including photos and the police report, to support your claim.
Determining Liability
When an object falls off a vehicle and causes damage, determining liability is essential to ensure you recover fair compensation for damages incurred from the incident. Here are some steps you need to take to help identify who should be held liable:
- Gather Evidence: Having sufficient evidence, such as photos of the vehicles involved, CCTV footage, and witness statements, can help support your case to ensure positive outcomes.
- File a Police Report: If there is significant damage or disputes about the cause, file a police report. The report will document the details of the incident and can help determine fault.
- Expert Testimony: In certain complex cases where the cause of the load failure is disputed, expert testimony may be required. Experts can analyze how the load was secured and explain why it failed.
Following these steps can help you build a strong case to establish liability and ensure that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. Proper documentation is key to resolving disputes and securing compensation for damages.
Insurance Considerations
Navigating insurance claims after an object falls off a vehicle and damages your car involves understanding your coverage and the responsibilities of the parties involved. Understanding how to manage the insurance process can help you receive fair compensation and address any issues that may arise.
Insurance Coverage of the Responsible Party
- Liability Coverage: The responsible driver or company should cover damages through their liability insurance, which should include repair costs and related expenses.
- Claim Process: To file a claim with the party at fault’s insurance, you need evidence of the damages and the circumstances of the incident, including photos, witness statements, and the police report if necessary.
Uninsured or Underinsured Situations:
- Uninsured Drivers: If the person responsible doesn’t have insurance, or their coverage doesn’t fully pay for your damages, your own insurance can help. This usually means using uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
- Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Check your insurance policy to see if you are covered for situations when the other party’s insurance is not enough to cover the damages. This coverage can fill in the gap between what the responsible party’s insurance will pay and the total damages.
Claiming with Your Insurance
- Report the Incident: Notify your insurance company about the incident as soon as possible. Provide all the necessary paperwork, such as evidence of damage and the other party’s insurance details if available.
- Coverage Details: Review your insurance policy to understand what is covered and any deductibles that might apply. Your insurer will help you through the claims process and assess the damage to determine the compensation you are entitled to.
Understanding insurance coverage post-incident ensures effective claims management. Seek professional legal support to address damages and secure compensation.
Seek Legal Guidance from an Expert
When you’re on the road, getting your car damaged from falling objects from another vehicle is not something you usually expect. However, since these occurrences are common, acting promptly and seeking legal assistance is vital to ensure you recover compensation to cover damages.
At The Schnitzer Law Firm, we understand how stressful incidents like these can be. Hence, we can provide you with expert guidance to ensure your claim receives favorable results. Schedule a consultation with our highly skilled car accident lawyer in Las Vegas by calling 702-960-4050 today!