When an out-of-state car crash occurs, recovering compensation for injuries and property damages depends on having a good insurance policy in place.
Out-Of-State Car Crashes
Every state has its own requirements on no-fault rules and minimum auto insurance limits. However, when an out-of-state car accident happens, most insurance policies adjust to the rules of another state.
Typically, auto policies extend coverage to all areas within the United States and Canadian provinces and territories. This means that a Nevada driver’s auto insurance policy will offer accident coverage and protections defined under his/her policy provisions in out-of-state car accidents.
Since auto insurance extends past state lines, reporting out-of-state accidents to an insurer should be simple, even if the accident occurs hundred of miles from home. However, recovering compensation for out-of-state car crashes may become complicated without a Nevada personal injury lawyer who can provide legal advice on insurance and injury claims related to out-of-state accidents.
Fault and No-Fault States
If a driver has an accident in a no-fault state, his/her insurance policy will apply to the accident as if it were a no-fault policy. Although Nevada is a fault-based insurance state, a Nevada driver who has an accident in a no-fault state must follow the rules of the no-fault state when it comes to recovering compensation for damages.
If a Nevada driver is at fault for a crash, and the state where the accident took place has higher minimum coverage limits, the Nevada insurance policy will adjust to meet the required higher minimum coverage. In some cases, the other state may have lower limits than Nevada, and the other driver’s limits may not be enough to cover damages. A Nevada personal injury lawyer can explain the benefits of having Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage in place to ensure full compensation.
When an out-of-state car accident results in injuries or wrongful death, a Nevada driver may need to file a claim against his/her own insurer, regardless of who caused the accident. A personal injury lawsuit can only be filed against an at-fault party if the minimum injury or dollar amount of loss established by that state is met. If an out-of-state accident claim is disputed or unreasonably denied, a Nevada bad faith insurance lawyer can investigate the situation.
The bottom line: If a Nevada driver has sufficient auto insurance and the claim falls within the guidelines of his/her insurance policy the claim should be covered, regardless of where the accident occurred.