Tag: injury attorney las vegas

Arbitration of Car Accident Claims In Las Vegas

car accident attorney las vegas

Car accidents can result in catastrophic injuries, and they also cause relatively less serious injuries. For the majority of car accident victims, injuries include neck and back pain that may last only a few months. For those crash victims, facing the possibility of a lengthy lawsuit may deter them from pursuing a claim. Car accident lawsuits in Las Vegas could take more than a year or two. For relatively smaller car accident cases, Nevada law provides for arbitration as a means to resolve those case faster. This article describes Clark County’s Court-Annexed Mandatory Arbitration Program.

What Is Arbitration In General?

Arbitration is a process where a case is resolved by a neutral third-party, other than by a judge or jury. When lawsuits are filed, either a judge or a jury will decide the case at a trial. With arbitration, there is no judge or jury and no courtroom. Instead of proceeding with a lawsuit, the parties to a dispute can agree to hire one or several neutral persons to hear evidence and decide the case. Parties to a private arbitration can agree to make the arbitrator’s decision to be binding or not binding. Nevada has required mandatory arbitration in certain counties, such as Clark County. The decision of an arbitrator, however, is not automatically binding.

Clark County’s Court-Annexed Arbitration Program

In Las Vegas, all cases are automatically enrolled in the mandatory Court-Annexed Arbitration Program. Thus, unless exempted, all cases must first be arbitrated.  The purpose of this Arbitration Program “is to provide a simplified procedure for obtaining a prompt and equitable resolution of cervical civil matters.” Absent good cause, arbitration hearings for cases in the program must be held within 6 months after appointment of an arbitrator. The laws governing the Arbitration Program can be found in the Rules Governing Alternative Dispute Resolution.

For car accident cases, the exemption that usually applies is the exemption for cases where the damages claimed are in excess of $50,000.00. A request for exemption must be submitted to the Arbitration Commissioner within 20 days after the defendant files an answer.

If the damages from a car accident claim is less than $50,000.00, it will usually be first arbitrated. In an arbitration, the case is decided by a qualified neutral third-party. Sometime after the lawsuit is initiated and a defendant files an answer, the parties in such a case will receive a list of five potential arbitrators, usually local attorneys. Each party can de-select two of the potential arbitrators, and the Arbitration Commissioner will select the arbitrator from the remaining names.

Scheduling The Arbitration Hearing

The person who is appointed as the arbitrator will hold a conference with the parties’ attorneys to discuss when the arbitration hearing should be scheduled. All arbitration hearings must generally be scheduled no later than 6 months after the arbitrator is appointed. An arbitrator may continue the arbitration hearing for another 3 months (no later than 9 months after the arbitrator is appointed) for good reason. Only the Arbitration Commissioner can extend the deadline to hold the arbitration hearing beyond 9 months and only for “unusual circumstances.”

The Arbitration Hearing

The arbitration hearing is held usually in the arbitrator’s office or the office of the one of the attorney’s involved. Again, there will be no judge or jury. Arbitration is relatively more relaxed atmosphere. The parties and arbitrator sit around a conference table. The attorney for the plaintiff (i.e., the car accident victim) will usually start with an opening statement, followed by the defendant’s opening statement.
Following opening statements, the parties can then call witnesses. Because arbitration is intended to be a cheaper and faster way to resolve disputes, doctors and other healthcare providers to the car accident victim are usually not called. This is unlike in a regular trial before a judge or jury, where doctors are usually called to testify about the accident victim’s injuries.

In arbitration cases, a car accident plaintiff can rely on the doctor’s written medical records rather than calling the doctor’s to testify, saving the plaintiff a ton of money. Doctors routinely charge for taking time away from their medical practice, and doctor’s fees can amount to thousands of dollars. Not calling doctors to testify also saves tons of time. Because of the limited number of witnesses and reliance on records, an arbitration hearing usually lasts less than three hours.

The rules require that the arbitrator issue his or her decision within seven (7) days after the arbitration hearing. After the decision is issued, either party to the arbitration can request that the car accident dispute proceed through a trial by filing a request for trial de novo. The request must be filed within 30 days after the arbitrator’s decision. If neither party requests a trial, the decision of the arbitrator becomes binding.

If you or a loved one are facing a lawsuit for injuries you sustained as a result of a car accident , the experienced trial attorneys at D.R. Patti & Associates can assist you. With a combined total of 50+ years of experience, we can advise and guide you through the process and obtain the best results possible.

What Does It Mean That My Car Is Totaled?

car accident attorney Las Vegas

If you get involved in a severe car accident, your insurance company may declare your car a total loss or, in other words, “totaled.” Under Nevada law, if the cost of the repair a car damaged in a car accident is at least 65% of the car’s fair market value before it was damaged, the insurance company can declare the car a total loss. The repair cost cannot include the cost of painting and towing the car.

NRS 487.790(1)(b) defines a total loss as a vehicle “which has been wrecked, destroyed or otherwise damaged to such an extent that the cost of repair, not including any cost associated with painting any portion of the vehicle, is 65 percent or more of the fair market value of the vehicle immediately before it was wrecked, destroyed or otherwise damaged.”

How Is Fair Market Value of My Car Calculated

Fair market value is how much the car would sell in the condition it was in before the wreck. The insurance company determines how much your car would sell for by looking at how much a vehicle like yours is currently selling. The look for identical make, model, year, mileage, and condition. If the insurance company determines your car a total loss, they will provide you with a total loss valuation. This document will list the cars that recently sold and are comparable to your vehicle.

Contrary to public perception, insurance companies do not use Kelly Blue Book or Edmunds to value your pre-crash vehicle. However, the Kelly Blue Book or Edmunds’ value of your vehicle may approximate the insurance company’s valuation. So, you can look up the resale value of your vehicle on Kelly Blue Book or Edmunds to get an idea. Remember, however, the amount you see will not be identical to the insurance company’s fair market valuation. The insurance company may use their own database or hire a third-party company to determine the fair market value.

Remember, the value of your vehicle usually decreases with age. The older your vehicle, the fair market value will be lower. Even if your car was in perfect working condition, with no damage, your car’s value will not be equivalent to that of a newer model. It can happen that someone has an older car that was not severely wrecked in a crash, but the cost of the repair the damage is still at least 65% of the value. As car accident attorneys, we’ve had many clients who questioned why the insurance company just can’t fix the car rather than paying the lower fair market value. In many cases, accident victims may have the option to keep the car.

What Are Your Options If Your Car Was Declared A Total Loss?

If your car has been declared a total loss after an accident, you may have two options: accept payment for the fair market value of the car or keep the car. If you accept the fair market value, you will have to give the title of the vehicle to the insurance company. By giving the insurance company the title to your wrecked car, your insurance company owns your car. Typically, the insurance company can then sell your car as, usually at an auction in a salvage yard.

If you decide to accept the fair market value, your insurance company will first pay off any loans on the car and give you the balance. Unfortunately for some people whose cars get severely damaged in a wreck, the fair market value of their vehicle may be less than what they owe on the car. This means that, even after the insurance company gives the total loss payment to the car loan company, the car owner would continue to owe the remaining balance. Unfortunately, as car accident attorneys, we see this scenario too often. After a really bad car accident, a car accident victim may end up still owing money on a car that is a total loss.

Because of this possibility, it’s important to purchase gap insurance if you still have a loan on your car. Gap insurance pays the difference between the amount a car insurance company pays for your totaled car and the amount you owe on your lease or loan.

If you do choose to keep the car, remember the insurance company will not pay you amount it will cost to repair the car. It has no obligation to do so. When your car is declared a total loss, the insurance company’s obligation is to pay the fair market value of your car. Because of that, if you choose to keep the car, the insurance company will only pay you the fair market value of the car. However, the insurance company will also reduce what they have to pay you by the salvage value of the wrecked car. Salvage value is the amount the insurance company could obtain by selling your wrecked vehicle as is, usually at an auction at a salvage yard. If you have to pay a deductible, your insurance company will also reduce what they have to pay you by this amount.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident and need help dealing with the insurance company, call an experienced Las Vegas car accident attorneys at D.R. Patti & Associates. Our skilled accident lawyers will explain and guide you to the property damage evaluation and fight to get you the maximum compensation for your car and your injuries.

How To Obtain Video Of My Car Accident In Las Vegas

How To Obtain Video of My Car Accident In Las Vegas?


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How To Obtain Video of My Car Accident In Las Vegas?

In many car accident cases our personal injury law firm has handled in Las Vegas, our clients have asked us to obtain video of their car accident. Most of the time, that video does not exist. “What about the traffic cameras we see on the street,” they would ask. And we would have to answer that those do not record. Until recently.
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of cameras in Las Vegas. They are visible on traffic lights at intersections. Those cameras are operated by the Freeway and Arterial System of Transportation (FAST), a division of the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), in conjunction with the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT). FAST is responsible for managing traffic control devices in the Las Vegas Valley, including freeway ramp meters and traffic signals at intersections. They also operate those digital freeway signs. The traffic cameras assist FAST in monitoring and coordinating traffic. That is, they program how long the red, green, and yellow signals last, based on the traffic flow in that area.
NDOT and FAST allow drivers to view the videos captured by these cameras. You can view them here live. Although legislators on occasion would consider using these traffic camera videos to issue citations for running red lights, nothing came of it. These cameras were solely there to assist FAST in its traffic management duties.

Traffic cameras are an opportunity for drivers to make travel decisions based on road conditions. Knowing if there is congestion, an incident blocking the freeway, extreme weather or other condition can help you decide to forego travel or detour the area, making for an easier commute and safer roadways.

Nevada Department of Transportation

Unfortunately, recording the videos would require heavy investment in computer servers. So, until recently, FAST did not record and save the traffic camera videos. Now, as recently reported by KTNV, a Las Vegas company has partnered with FAST and NDOT to record and store the videos and/or screenshots. That company, National Traffic Video is operated by a well known accident and forensic engineering firm, American Bio Engineers.

While actual videos of accidents are routinely captured, videos and screenshots depicting the immediate aftermath or vehicle rest positions can provide vital information about how the impact occurred.

American Bio Engineers

As noted on their website, the videos or, if those are not available, screenshots can provide useful information for those involved in car accidents in Las Vegas. American Bio Engineers provide the video or screenshots for a fee, and this is how they say they manage to undertake this venture.
KTNV recently reported that the videos provided by National Traffic Video was used by crash investigators to show what happened in a tragic crash that killed a 1 year old boy.
Before these traffic camera videos were available, Las Vegas accident attorneys and law enforcement crash investigators had to hope that surveillance cameras from nearby businesses would capture a crash. Of course, such videos were not available for car accidents on the freeways. Most of the time, nearby businesses didn’t catch a crash or didn’t have the right angle on the streets.
When videos weren’t available, car accident attorneys and crash investigators in Las Vegas had to rely on accident reconstruction. Car accident attorneys, such as ourselves, had to hire companies like American Bio Engineers to reconstruct an accident based on information obtained by investigating police officers. Such information includes length of skid marks, point of impact, and location of debris. Not all of the information, however, may be included in a traffic crash report, if there is such a report.
The videos or screenshots provided by American Bio Engineers can assist in resolving car accident claims where there is a question of who caused the crash. These videos could also be helpful in cases where the severity of the impact may be at issue.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident in Las Vegas and want to know how to obtain video or other evidence of a car wreck, speak to an experienced car accident attorney at D.R. Patti & Associates. We will retain American Bio Engineer and take other steps to secure the necessary information about your car accident. We check with nearby businesses that may have captured the car accident from a different angle and also speak with known witnesses. Having successfully represented thousands of car accident victims in Las Vegas, we know how to win your case. Give us a call today.

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People Article On Second Lawsuit Against Wayne Newton For Monkey Bite

Recently, D.R. Patti & Associates filed a second lawsuit against Wayne Newton for another alleged attached by Newton’s pet monkey. The victim alleged that she was asked to pose for a photo with the monkey, whose name is Boo. She also alleged she was assured that doing so would be safe. But then, as her lawsuit claims, the monkey attacked and bit her.

In the first lawsuit filed last year, Marc C. Naron, Esq., of D.R. Patti & Associates represented a 15-year old teenager who alleged she was bitten by Newton’s monkey while touring his famed estate, Casa de Shanandoah. 

The Associated Press and People Magazine covered the first lawsuit. Below is the text of People Magazine’s article, which can also be found here.

Wayne Newton’s Pet Monkey Allegedly Attacked a 15-Year-Old Girl

The longtime entertainer is being sued by a Las Vegas woman for at least $15,000

By Joelle Goldstein August 09, 2019 10:47 PM

Wayne Newton‘s pet likely won’t be monkeying around any longer.

On Wednesday, the longtime entertainer, 77, was sued by a Las Vegas woman after she claimed that her daughter was attacked by his pet monkey, Boo, during a visit to Newton’s former estate, the Associated Press reports.

The civil negligence complaint, which was filed in Nevada state court and obtained by the outlet, states that Jocelyne Urena is seeking at least $15,000 in damages on behalf of her daughter, Genevieve, after the alleged incident at Casa de Shenandoah in October 2017.

Jocelyne’s attorney, Marc Naron, told the outlet that Genevieve, then 15, was bitten on her right wrist by the monkey “without any provocation” and sought out emergency hospital treatment after the encounter.

Naron also claimed that Boo, a capuchin monkey, was unleashed and uncaged during the attack at Newton’s former estate, which has since become a tourist attraction that features stables for Newton’s horses and several exotic animals.

In the time since the incident, Naron told the AP that Genevieve has undergone follow-up medical treatment, counseling and suffered a scar from the bite.

“Without any provocation, the monkey viciously attacked and bit Ms. Urena, causing injury to her body as well as emotional distress,” the lawsuit alleges, according to Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Naron did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

In a statement to PEOPLE, however, Wayne and Kathleen Newton denied any knowledge of the situation.

The couple also said that they had severed ties with the company running their former home three months before the alleged attack due to Newton’s health crisis from a spider bite.

“With regard to this lawsuit, we have not seen the complaint, but our company ceased running Casa de Shenandoah July 1, 2017, due to Wayne’s almost dying from a spider bite,” they said.

“So we are not a party and have no idea what happened in Oct 2017,” the couple added.

Newton and his family lived at Casa de Shenandoah in Paradise, Nevada for over 40 years, according to the AP. In 2010, the singer, known as “Mr. Las Vegas,” sold it to investors who later converted it into a tourist attraction and museum.

CSD LLC., the company who took over Newton’s estate, are also reportedly named in the lawsuit, according to the AP.

Since April 23, 2018, Casa de Shenandoah has been closed due to property “maintenance and upgrades.” No reopening date has been announced.

Newton and his family, meanwhile, have lived at another home since 2013, the AP reports.

Pets and other animals can be so cute; but they can also be dangerous, if not outright deadly. If you or a loved one have been injured by a pet or other animal, you may have a personal injury claim. Call and speak to a Las Vegas personal injury and accident attorney at D.R. Patti to find out what your rights are.

 

Article On Second Lawsuit Against Wayne Newton For Monkey Bite

White Throated Capuchin Monkey Isolated On White Background

Recently, D.R. Patti & Associates filed a second lawsuit against Wayne Newton for another alleged attached by Newton’s pet monkey. The victim alleged that she was asked to pose for a photo with the monkey, whose name is Boo. She also alleged she was assured that doing so would be safe. But then, as her lawsuit claims, the monkey attacked and bit her.

In the first lawsuit filed last year, Marc C. Naron, Esq., of D.R. Patti & Associates represented a 15-year old teenager who alleged she was bitten by Newton’s monkey while touring his famed estate, Casa de Shanandoah.

Below is the text of the article from Wonderwall.

MONKEY BUSINESS

WAYNE NEWTON SUED FOR SECOND TIME OVER ALLEGED PET MONKEY ATTACK

By Mark Gray Wonderwall 

Wayne Newton is being sued by a woman who claims his pet monkey attacked her while she toured his former home. It’s the second time in six months the singer has been sued because of his pet monkey.

In the lawsuit obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Krystal Warner says she visited the Casa de Shenandoah, where Wayne and his wife lived for decades, in April 2018. While touring the home, she was asked if she wanted to get a picture with Boo the monkey. During the picture taking process, she says she was bitten and “viciously attacked.”

In addition to Mr. Las Vegas, as Wayne is commonly known, a handler is also named in the lawsuit.

The court documents claim everyone “had a duty to exercise due care and keep the dangerous monkey restrained and confined. … Defendants knew, or should have known, that the monkey had a propensity for viciousness and/or a propensity to bite and/or attack.”

In August 2019, a different woman filed a lawsuit on behalf of her daughter, alleging she was also attacked by Boo.

Wayne denied those allegations in court. The “Danke Schoen” crooner’s lawyer was suspicious of the new lawsuit, saying, “The length of time that has passed between the alleged incident and the filing of the lawsuit cast doubt as to the merit of the claim.”

Wayne and his wife, Kathleen, lived at the Casa de Shenandoah for multiple decades but moved out following a bankruptcy sale in 2013. Two years later, it was reopened as a museum that featured Wayne’s car collection and an array of exotic animals, including Boo.

The estate, which has been featured in many movies and television shows such as “Vegas Vacation” and “The Bachelorette,” was shut down as a public attraction in 2018.

Earlier this year, Wayne fought with the owners of Casa de Shenandoah to remove items from the estate.

Pets and other animals can be so cute; but they can also be dangerous, if not outright deadly. If you or a loved one have been injured by a pet or other animal, you may have a personal injury claim. Call and speak to a Las Vegas personal injury and accident attorney at D.R. Patti to find out what your rights are.

 

How Long Does It Take To Settle My Car Accident Case?

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There is no simple answer to how long it takes to settle a car accident case. Every car accident case is different, and there is no fixed formula. Generally, the less disputes issued, the more likely the case settles early. The more disputed issues, the longer it takes to settle case.  There are several factors to consider.

Is There A Dispute As To Who Caused The Accident?

The first factor to consider is whether there is a liability dispute. A liability dispute means the drivers involved in the car accident are claiming the other person is at fault. Many times when there is a liability dispute, a lawsuit will have to be filed. The purpose of the lawsuit is to get a judge, jury, or arbitrator to decide who is at fault. However, even if a lawsuit is filed, a case can still settle without going to trial or arbitration. What happens in a personal injury lawsuit is a whole separate topic, and you can learn more about that by clicking here.

Sometimes, a case with disputed liability can settle without a lawsuit. Usually, this happens when one driver has more or stronger evidence to show that the other driver is at fault. For example, if the police came to the accident scene, did an investigation, and determined the other driver is at fault, that other driver’s insurance company may decide to settle the case. Generally, a person’s car insurance company can settle a personal injury claim without the permission of their insured. If there is a disinterested witness to the accident, there is a good chance of settling without a lawsuit. A disinterested witness is someone who has no interest in the case. Usually, this means the witness doesn’t know any of the other drivers involved.

How Severe Are the Injuries And How Much Insurance Is Available?

Assuming liability is not in dispute, the next two main factors to consider are (1) the extent and severity of the injuries and (2) the amount of insurance available. The more severe the injuries and the lower the amount of insurance available, the faster a case would actually settle. For example, if a car accident caused you to break a leg and the insurance limits for the at fault driver is the Nevada minimum of $25,000, the case would likely settle pretty quickly. The reason this case settles quickly is because there is no dispute that the injuries are greater than the insurance monies available.

The more severe the injuries and the greater amount of insurance available, the longer it could take a case to settle. For example, if you were in a car accident with a semi-truck, it is likely that the semi-truck carries a commercial liability policy. That commercial policy could be more than a million dollars. If you injured your neck in that truck accident, it could take sometime before your doctors determine that the injury is more severe or permanent. Most neck injuries from a car accident are initially diagnosed as a soft tissue injury, usually a sprain or strain. Some neck injuries may require surgery. Doctors generally can’t tell at the beginning if a neck sprain or strain may turn out worse and require surgery. Imaging, such as MRIs, may be necessary. Doctors also may require pain management and even epidural steroid injections. Other tests, such as nerve conduction studies, may be needed. All of these tests and treatment take time. A car accident victim shouldn’t settle their case until they know the full extent of their injuries.

More often than not, the less severe the injuries, the more likely the case will settle without a lawsuit. Less severe injuries take less time to heal. Once a car accident victim is fully healed or has reached maximum medical improvement, then the attorneys can begin the process of settling the case. You can learn more about the process of settling a case here.

How Bad Was The Car Accident?

The amount of damage to the cars involved in the accident also affects when the case settles. Generally, insurance companies take the position that minor impact accidents do not cause injuries. Even if they do, insurance companies say that the injuries are so minor and they will dispute the necessity or amount of medical treatment. Read more about the insurance companies’ tactics in dealing with “Minor Impact Soft Tissue” injury cases here.

What is considered a minor impact usually depends on the cost to repair the damage or how visible the damage is. An experienced personal injury will always obtain documentation on the property damage. This could include photographs of the cars and repair estimates.

The above are just some of the more common factors affecting how long it takes to settle a car accident. There may be other factors to consider, such as whether the accident victim has pre-existing injuries or is an eggshell person. Again, no car accident case is the same. If you have questions about your car accident case, you should speak to an experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney. With a combined total of 25+ years of experience and success, the car accident attorneys at D.R. Patti & Associates can provide unique insights to your case. Our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys know that its important that clients get to speak to their attorneys.

Backing Out of a Release

The Insurance Company Had Me Sign A Settlement . . . Can I Back Out And Hire An Attorney?

It’s not unusual for some people injured in a car accident to sign a release or accept a settlement from an insurance company immediately or days after a crash. Insurance companies would like to settle cases as fast as possible right after an accident, before the accident victim realizes how injured they are or gets an attorney. Settling within hours or days after a crash is part of an insurance company’s tactics to pay as little as possible for personal injury settlements.

We have been contacted by many who have regretted settling their cases. They signed releases without fully realizing what they had given up, how injured they were, or how much medical bills they had. They call us wanting to know if they can somehow back out of these releases or settlements. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer as no case or scenario is the same.

There are laws that govern when a settlement agreement or a release can be “set aside” or invalidated. Normally, the laws regulating contracts apply. Under contract law, the court looks to whether there was a “meeting of the minds” from the perspective of a reasonable person. This usually means a judge lets a jury decide whether an objectively reasonable person would have understood what he or she was giving up. Convincing a judge or jury that an objectively reasonable person would not have understood a clearly written contract is difficult.

Thankfully, last year, the Nevada legislature passed a law, NRS 10.185, that allows for a release or settlement agreement to be easily set aside. This law can be found under Chapter 10 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. This law, however, only applies in a limited set of circumstances. A release can be invalidated under this law if the release was signed within 30 days after a crash and the injured person signed it without the help of an attorney. To benefit from this law, the injured party was send a written notice to the insurance company within 60 days after signing the release. Additionally, the injured party must return any monies paid by the insurance company; this monies is known as consideration.

The text of the law is as follows:

NRS 10.185. Voidability of release of liability given in connection with claim for personal injury sustained by releasor.

  1. A release of liability given in connection with any claim for personal injury sustained by a releasor is voidable by a releasor within 60 days after its signing by the releasor, if the releasor signed the release:
    (a) Within 30 days after the event that initially caused his or her injury; and
    (b) Without the assistance or guidance of an attorney.
  2. To void the release of liability pursuant to subsection 1, the releasor shall:
    (a) Sign a written notice disclosing the election of the releasor to void the release; and
    (b) Within 10 days after signing the notice:

    1. Send the original notice or a signed copy of the notice to the releasee; and
    2. Return any consideration paid by the releasee.
  3. A release of liability is void on the date that the notice and any consideration described in subsection 2 are received by the releasee.
  4. As used in this section:
    (a) “Personal injury” means any mental or physical injury. The term does not include property damage.
    (b) “Release of liability” means an agreement executed between a releasor and releasee.
    (c) “Releasee” means a party who is being released by the releasor from any claim described in subsection 1.
    (d) “Releasor” means a party who agrees to release the releasee from any claim described in subsection 1.

If you are injured, have signed a “release,” and wish to discuss your case with an experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney, call us at 702-331-3391. The Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at D.R. Patti & Associates are here to help you.

INJURED AS AN UBER OR LYFT PASSENGER

Injured as Lyft or Uber Passenger

Injured while in a rideshare in Las Vegas?

More and more people are using rideshare service such as Uber and Lyft to get around in Las Vegas. Generally, using Uber and Lyft is a good idea. It is generally cheaper than a taxi, responds sooner, and reduces drunk driving. Unfortunately, even Uber and Lyft drivers get into car accidents. Passengers in the rideshare vehicles who are injured in the car accident can recover against the insurance of the person that caused the accident. This is the case even if the car accident was caused by the Uber or Lyft driver.

If the accident was caused by the Uber or Lyft driver, their insurance will cover the passenger’s injuries. Uber and Lyft carry third party liability insurance coverage, which generally covers up to $1 million for personal injuries and property damage per accident. A passenger is covered under this kind of liability policy when the Uber or Lyft driver is at fault for the accident.

What If The Accident Was Not Caused By The Uber Or Lyft Passenger But Someone Else?

If the accident was caused by another driver, the at-fault driver’s insurance will cover the Uber or Lyft passenger’s injuries. In Nevada, drivers are required to carry liability insurance that covers a minimum of $25,000 per person or $50,000 per accident. If  that other driver’s insurance isn’t enough to compensate the injured passengers, Uber and Lyft insurance can cover the rest through underinsured motorist (UIM) insurance.

If the at fault driver does not have insurance or the passenger was a victim of a hit and run, uninsured motorist (UM) coverage of the Uber’s or Lyft’s insurance will apply. Lyft carries at least $250,000 in UM and UIM coverage for its passengers. Uber carries $1 million in UM and UIM coverage for its injured passengers.

What Should You Do If You Were Injured While A Passenger In An Uber Or Lyft?

First, if you are injured, take care of yourself and seek medical attention. If you feel symptoms, such as pain, at the scene of the car accident, and feel like you need medical attention, call 911 and ask for an ambulance and/or go to the emergency room or urgent care. If you do not have health insurance, do not worry about the expense; worry about getting better. Your health should be your first priority. The Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at D.R. Patti & Associates can help you obtain monies from Uber, Lyft, or any other insurance that applies to cover your medical expenses from a car accident.

The Associated Press On The Wayne Newton Monkey Bite Case

The Associates Press On The Wayne Newton Monkey Bite Lawsuit

Recently, Marc C. Naron, Esq., of D.R. Patti & Associates filed suit on behalf of 15-year old Genevieve Urena for personal injuries she sustained when she was bitten by Wayne Newton’s pet monkey named Boo. The bite occurred during a tour of Newton’s former home, Casa De Shanandoah. The Associated Press (AP) wrote about the lawsuit. The AP story can be viewed below.

Pets and other animals can be so cute; but they can also be dangerous, if not outright deadly. If you or a loved one have been injured by a pet or other animal, you may have a personal injury claim. Call and speak to a Las Vegas personal injury attorney at D.R. Patti & Associates to find out what your rights are.

The Los Angeles Times On The Lawsuit Against Wayne Newton Brought By D.R. Patti & Associates

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The Los Angeles Times On The Lawsuit Against Wayne Newton Brought By D.R. Patti & Associates

Recently, Marc C. Naron, Esq., of D.R. Patti & Associates filed suit on behalf of 15-year old Genevieve Urena for personal injuries she sustained when she was bitten by Wayne Newton’s pet monkey named Boo. The bite occurred during a tour of Newton’s former home, Casa De Shanandoah. The Associated Press wrote about the lawsuit, and this story was picked up by The Los Angeles Times, amongst others. The text of the article from USA Today is re-printed below.

Wayne Newton sued over monkey biting girl visiting his home

By Associates Press

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Entertainer Wayne Newton is being sued by a Las Vegas woman who claims the veteran crooner’s pet monkey bit and injured her daughter during an invited visit to Newton’s showpiece mansion nearly two years ago.

Jocelyne Urena seeks at least $15,000 in damages on behalf of her daughter, Genevieve, in a civil negligence complaint filed Wednesday in Nevada state court in Las Vegas.

Genevieve, then 15, received emergency hospital treatment for a bite to her right wrist from a capuchin monkey named Boo, her mother’s attorney, Marc Naron, said Thursday.

The lawsuit alleges the monkey attacked the girl without provocation during a tour of Newton’s gilded former estate, Casa de Shenandoah.

Naron said the animal was not caged or on a leash and was being shown to tour guests.

The attorney said he did not know if members of Newton’s family were present at the time.

He said Genevieve underwent follow-up medical treatment, counseling, and bears a scar from the bite.

Newton’s wife, Kathleen McCrone Newton, said in an email that a family business entity broke ties with Casa de Shenandoah in July 2017, three months before the lawsuit alleges the girl was injured.

“We are not a party and have no idea what happened in October 2017,” she said.

The lavish 40-acre (16.2-hectare) property southeast of the Las Vegas Strip was home to “Mr. Las Vegas” and his family for more than 40 years. The walled compound featured several homes, gardens, pools, stables for Newton’s prized Arabian horses and a menagerie of exotic animals also including flamingos, penguins and even a sloth.

The Newtons sold it in 2010 to investors under the name CSD LLC who opened a tourist attraction and museum. The company also is named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

An attorney for the investors at that time said Thursday he no longer represents them.

Newton and his family moved in 2013 to another home.

Now 77, Newton has performed for 60 years. His best-known songs include his signature “Danke Schoen,” his 1965 version of “Red Roses for a Blue Lady,” and “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast” in 1972.

Pets and other animals can be so cute; but they can also be dangerous, if not outright deadly. If you or a loved one have been injured by a pet or other animal, you may have a personal injury claim. Call and speak to a Las Vegas personal injury attorney at D.R. Patti & Associates to find out what your rights are.