Do I need a lawyer after a car accident in Nevada?
Every rule below is quoted from Nevada law or a state agency, with a link. Checked September 17, 2026.
The short answer
We can't tell you whether you need a lawyer. We can show you the Nevada rules that usually decide it: how fault is split, how long you have, and how injury lawyers are allowed to charge. Many people with only car damage settle directly with the insurer. People with injuries, disputed fault or a claim near a deadline often talk to a lawyer first.
How fault changes your claim
If you were partly at fault
Nevada uses modified comparative negligence with a 51% bar. You can still recover money if you were 50% or less at fault, but you cannot recover anything if you were more at fault than the other side.
“the comparative negligence of the plaintiff or the plaintiff's decedent does not bar a recovery if that negligence was not greater than the negligence or gross negligence of the parties”
How long you have
- 2 years
- to sue for injuriesNRS 11.190(4)(e)
- 3 years
- to sue for car or property damageNRS 11.190(3)(c)
- 2 years
- for a family to sue after a deathNRS 11.190(4)(e)
- 2 years
- to notify the government if a public vehicle or road was involvedNRS 41.036
Deadline to sue for injuries
You generally have 2 years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit for your injuries.
“An action to recover damages for injuries to a person or for the death of a person caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.”
If a government vehicle or road was involved
If a state or local government vehicle or road is involved in your crash, you generally must file a claim with the government agency within 2 years of the crash.
“a claim against the State or any of its agencies arising out of a tort must file the claim within 2 years after the time the cause of action accrues”
How injury lawyers charge in Nevada
Contingency fee rules
Nevada does not cap contingency fees in regular car crash injury cases. Lawyers must charge a reasonable fee under the state's ethics rules, but there is no set percentage limit like the one that applies to medical malpractice cases.
“A lawyer shall not make an agreement for, charge, or collect an unreasonable fee or an unreasonable amount for expenses.”
Questions to ask any lawyer before you sign
- What percentage do you charge, and does it change if the case goes to trial?
- Who pays case costs like records and expert fees if we lose?
- Will you handle my case yourself, or pass it to someone else?
- How long do cases like mine usually take here?
- What is the deadline for my claim, and when will you file?
If the insurer is the problem
File a complaint with the state
If you have a problem with your car insurance company, you can file a complaint with the Nevada Division of Insurance.
Sources on this page
Each one was opened and checked on September 17, 2026.
Know My Claim is not a law firm or a government agency, and this page is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the linked source before you rely on a deadline.