Best Personal Injury Lawyers Reno, NV Of 2024

Written By

Valerie Catalano, J.D.

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

Suffering an injury can bring overwhelming challenges into your life. Managing the stress of hospital expenses, lost income due to time off work and the emotional impact of an accident can be incredibly difficult, particularly when the injury was caused by someone else.

A personal injury lawsuit allows you to hold the responsible party financially accountable for the physical and emotional scars they’ve caused. This article covers the 10 best personal injury lawyers in Reno with a strong record of securing the highest possible awards in cases like yours.

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Best Reno Personal Injury Lawyers

• Herb Joseph Santos Jr.

Thomas Edward Drendel

NV Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NV Bar

1983

Law School Attended

University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Bill Bradley

NV Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NV Bar

1981

Law School Attended

University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

William Charles Jeanney

NV Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NV Bar

1982

Law School Attended

University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Ben J. Bingham

NV Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NV Bar

2000

Law School Attended

Thomas Jefferson School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Jerry Hammes Mowbray

NV Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NV Bar

1979

Law School Attended

Notre Dame Law School

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

The Law Firm of Herb Santos Jr.

Herb Joseph Santos Jr.

NV Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NV Bar

1991

Law School Attended

University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Matthew L. Sharp

NV Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NV Bar

1992

Law School Attended

The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Patrick Ryan Leverty

NV Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NV Bar

2004

Law School Attended

Seattle University School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Matthew William Hoffman

NV Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NV Bar

2004

Law School Attended

University of North Dakota School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Frank W. Thompson

NV Bar Association Status

Active

Year Admitted to NV Bar

1981

Law School Attended

University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law

Why They Made Our List

Practice Areas

Notable Facts and Recognitions

Compare Top Reno Personal Injury Attorneys

Lawyer Name NV Bar Association Status Year Admitted to NV Bar Law School Attended Learn More CTA text Learn more CTA below text

Bill Bradley Active 1981 University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law

Ben J. Bingham Active 2000 Thomas Jefferson School of Law

Jerry Hammes Mowbray Active 1979 Notre Dame Law School

Matthew L. Sharp Active 1992 The University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law

Patrick Ryan Leverty Active 2004 Seattle University School of Law

Matthew William Hoffman Active 2004 University of North Dakota School of Law

Frank W. Thompson Active 1981 University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law

Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Reno, Nevada

Personal injury law allows you to seek compensation if someone else’s negligence has caused you losses. You can sue the responsible party to recover financial resources to cover your damages. The compensation you receive is designed to restore your life to what it was before the injuries happened.

You are generally eligible to receive economic and noneconomic damages through a personal injury lawsuit. Economic damages include tangible losses such as medical bills, lost wages and property repair costs. Noneconomic damages, on the other hand, cover more subjective losses like pain and suffering, decreased quality of life and mental anguish.

In some cases, you may also be awarded punitive damages. These are given when the defendant’s actions were significantly egregious or intentional. Unlike other types of compensation, punitive damages are not aimed at compensating you for your losses but are intended to punish the defendant.

As you read on, you will learn about different laws and regulations that apply to personal injury lawsuits in Reno.

Nevada Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Cases

Statutes of limitations define the maximum time you have after an event where legal proceedings may be initiated in civil or criminal courts. In Nevada, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years. This means that most injury victims have two years from when the injury happened to file a lawsuit with the court.

But, if the victim were to die from their injuries, a personal representative of their estate or eligible family members can file a wrongful death claim within two years from the date of death.

Certain situations can change—delay, halt or extend—the standard two-year timeframe.

• Medical malpractice. For medical negligence-led injuries that occurred between October 1, 2002, and October 1, 2023, a lawsuit must be filed within three years from the date of injury or one year from the date the injury was discovered or should have been discovered, whichever is earlier. For injuries occurring on or after October 1, 2023, the lawsuit must be filed within three years from the malpractice date or two years from the date the injury was discovered or should have been discovered, whichever is earlier.
• Out-of-state defendant. If the person responsible for your injuries leaves Nevada before or after the accident, the statute of limitations time clock will be paused during the period of time they’re absent from the state.

Nevada Personal Injury Laws

A personal injury case in Nevada typically begins when you file a complaint with the local district court. You may have the option to recover some compensation by filing an insurance claim against the at-fault party’s insurance company. However, you can file a lawsuit if the insurance claim does not adequately cover all your losses. That said, filing a claim is generally not a prerequisite for a lawsuit.

If you are planning to pursue any type of personal injury lawsuit, here are some important laws to remember.

Auto Accidents

Nevada uses an “at-fault” system for accidents, meaning you can sue the at-fault party’s insurance for the damages they caused. For example, if someone runs a red light and hits your vehicle, they must pay for your losses.

This is why Nevada requires drivers to carry at least the following minimum coverage when operating a vehicle:

• $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person
• $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons
• $20,000 for property damage

This coverage only pays for the bodily injury, death or property damage you cause to someone else in an accident where you were at fault. It won’t cover your losses.

Sharing Fault in an Accident

Nevada follows the modified comparative negligence rule in events where both parties may share some responsibility for what occurred. Under this rule, you can recover compensation for your damages if your fault in the accident is 50% or less. If your fault exceeds 50%, you cannot seek compensation from the defendant.

If your fault in the accident is 50% or under, your compensation is reduced by the percentage of liability assigned to you.

For example, suppose you went to the grocery store and were scrolling through your phone and didn’t notice the spilled juice on the floor. You slipped, fell and sustained injuries. You file a premises liability lawsuit against the store for causing your accident since they did not clean up the spill. In this scenario, the court might determine that you are 25% responsible for your injuries because you were distracted by your phone and not paying attention to where you were walking.

As per Nevada’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can still recover personal injury compensation as long as your fault is 50% or less. If the total damages were $50,000, you would receive $37,500, accounting for your 25% fault.

Damage Caps

Generally, Nevada does not have damage caps on what you can collect for medical bills, property repair, lost wages and other compensatory damages, but there are three exceptions.

• Government. If you file a case against the government, your damages will be capped at $200,000, and you will not receive any punitive damages.
• Medical malpractice. In these cases, noneconomic damages such as pain and suffering are capped at $430,000 for 2024 and $510,000 for 2025.
• Punitive damages. If your case qualifies for punitive damages, they are capped at $300,000 if compensatory damages are below $100,000. If compensatory damages are $100,000 or above, punitive damages cannot exceed three times the compensatory damages.

Personal Injury Settlement Considerations

Most personal injury claims don’t go to trial because liable insurance companies generally prefer to avoid the lengthy and expensive trial process. Trials require substantial resources and carry the risk of higher verdicts. As a result, most insurance companies opt to engage in negotiations to reach a fair settlement amount.

However, the time it takes to reach a personal injury settlement can vary based on several factors, including the accident’s severity, the number of defendants involved, the quality of the evidence and the ability to demonstrate negligence.

Timeline for Insurance Settlements in Nevada

Generally, Nevada gives insurance companies up to 80 days, roughly three months, to settle a claim. Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved.

• Acknowledge the claim. After you file the claim, the insurance company has about 20 days to acknowledge it and send you the necessary paperwork to fill out, including proof of loss.
• Investigation. Once you submit the paperwork, the insurance company has 20 days to begin its investigation and may request additional proof or documents.
• Decision. The insurer then has 30 days to approve or deny your claim or request an extension. They must provide updates every 30 days, explaining the reasons for any further delays.
• Payment. The insurer has 30 working days to make a payment once the settlement is approved.

Tax Considerations for Personal Injury Settlements

While most of your settlement may be tax-free, some portions could be subject to taxes. Here are the key areas to consider.

• Medical bills. These are usually nontaxable unless you have already deducted these expenses on your tax returns while waiting for your settlement.
• Lost income. Compensation for missed wages is subject to federal taxes.
• Property damage. This is generally nontaxable unless the compensation exceeds the property’s value, in which case the excess is taxable.
• Punitive damages. These are subject to taxes.
• Interest on settlements. Any interest accrued on your settlement while waiting for the payout is taxable.

Attorney Fees

Before you receive your settlement, your attorney will likely deduct their fees. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning their ability to get paid depends on whether they’re successful at securing compensation for you. Typically, this fee ranges from 33% to 40%, depending on how quickly your case revolves and how straightforward it is.

How Can an Attorney Help You?

If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence—whether from a car accident, a slip-and-fall, a dog bite or exposure to toxic chemicals at work—you likely have a case. However, navigating the legal process can be daunting. Here’s how a personal injury lawyer can assist you.

• Case evaluation. A lawyer can determine if you have a valid claim and advise you on the best course of action.
• Evidence gathering. Lawyers know what evidence is needed, how to obtain it and which experts to consult to support your case.
• Paperwork and deadlines. They handle all the paperwork and ensure it’s filed correctly and on time.
• Negotiation. Attorneys negotiate with insurance companies to secure fair compensation and prevent you from accepting lowball offers.
• Trial representation. If necessary, your lawyer will take your case to trial, presenting your case effectively to achieve the best outcome.
• Protecting your rights. Lawyers protect your rights and guard against any bad faith practices from insurers, ensuring you make informed decisions at every step.

How To Find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Reno, NV

With over 70 personal injury lawyers in Reno, finding the best one to handle your case will require some research on your part. Here are key factors to consider to make your decision-making process easier.

• Experience. Ensure the lawyer has several years of experience handling cases similar to yours. For instance, if your injury stems from medical negligence, you want an attorney who has already resolved multiple medical malpractice cases, not someone using your case as a stepping stone into the field.
• Results. While past results don’t guarantee future outcomes, they do indicate what the lawyer is capable of in terms of negotiation and rigorous representation. Look for an attorney with a track record of achieving compensation through a healthy mix of settlements and verdicts.
• Board certification. Getting board-certified is a significant achievement for lawyers. It reflects a great deal about a lawyer’s trial experience, references and accomplishments. An attorney certified in personal injury law by the State Bar of Nevada likely has the expertise needed to provide you with the best legal representation.
• Personality. Choose an attorney you can communicate with and whose personality aligns with yours. You will likely work closely with them for months, if not years, so it’s important to have a positive working relationship and have an attorney by your side whose presence imbues you with confidence and trust instead of anxiety, fear and confusion.

Our Methodology for Finding the Best Reno Personal Injury Attorneys

Forbes Advisor ranked attorneys offering services in personal injury law within a 50-mile radius of Reno, Nevada using data points across the categories of qualifications, experience, reputation, client experience and diversity and inclusivity. We pulled data for these categories from reliable, third-party resources such as state bar associations and individual firm websites. Data is accurate as of June 2024.

We evaluated attorneys based on the following metrics.

Qualifications (15%):

• Active business license
• Public records check
• Practice areas
• Overall reputation of law school

Experience (15%):

• Years of membership in state bar
• Ethics and bar disciplinary history

Reputation (30%):

• High regards in top legal publications
• Positive reviews
• Accolades from colleagues

Client Experience (25%):

• Free consultations

Diversity and Inclusivity (15%):

• Bilingual services

We considered only attorneys without disciplinary history who have been licensed for at least five years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Personal Injury in Reno

How long does it take to settle a personal injury case in Reno, Nevada?

Do Nevada attorneys take most of your injury settlement?

How long do you have to sue someone in Nevada?

The information on this page does not constitute legal advice, nor does use of or access to this page create an attorney-client relationship between any parties. Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for informational purposes only. Your legal situation is unique and the attorneys and services we rank may not be right for your circumstances. Consult with an attorney to obtain advice on your particular legal matter.