Drunk Driver Lawsuit: What You Need to Know

A collision with an impaired driver can devastate your life in seconds, forcing you to navigate mounting medical bills, lost income, and the challenging path to recovery while dealing with physical and emotional trauma. Las Vegas victims possess the legal right to pursue justice through a drunk driver lawsuit, creating accountability while securing crucial financial relief for their families.

Cloward Trial Lawyers helps victims of drunk driving accidents seek justice from both negligent drivers and, when the law allows, the businesses that contributed to the crash. Our team focuses on recovering fair compensation so you can rebuild your life and move forward with confidence.

Contact a Las Vegas Drunk Driving Accident Attorney

Schedule a consultation call us now

Drunk Driver Lawsuit: How It Works in Nevada

In Nevada, victims of drunk driving accidents have the right to bring a civil lawsuit to recover damages. This action is independent of any criminal proceedings against the impaired driver. A criminal case determines whether DUI laws were broken, while a civil claim centers on compensation for the harm you suffered. Importantly, you may still move forward with a lawsuit even if the driver is never convicted.

To succeed, you must show the driver’s negligence, meaning their intoxication led to reckless conduct that caused the crash. Nevada law allows recovery of both compensatory damages, such as medical expenses and lost wages, and punitive damages designed to punish and deter dangerous behavior. According to the Nevada Revised Statutes, NRS 41.1305, certain establishments may also be liable if they served alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who later caused an accident.

Finally, under the Nevada Revised Statutes, NRS 11.190, most personal injury lawsuits, including drunk driving cases, must be filed within two years of the accident. Acting quickly protects your right to seek justice.

drunk driver lawsuit

Who Can File a Drunk Driving Lawsuit in Las Vegas?

A drunk driving lawsuit can be brought by anyone injured in the crash, and in fatal cases, by the victim’s family. Those eligible include motorists, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, or motorcyclists harmed by an impaired driver, no matter how serious or minor the injuries may be.

Nevada law also recognizes what are known as dram shop claims, which may apply when a bar, restaurant, or club serves alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who later causes a crash. These cases can be challenging because they require clear evidence, but they give injured victims another way to seek justice by pursuing responsibility from every party that contributed to the accident.

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Drunk Driving Accident?

Victims may pursue both economic and non-economic damages, which often cover medical expenses for emergency treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care, along with lost wages or reduced earning potential if injuries limit their ability to work.

Compensation can also extend to property damage, the pain and suffering tied to both physical injury and emotional trauma, and, in some cases, punitive damages awarded to punish the impaired driver for reckless behavior and discourage future misconduct.

While every case differs, Nevada courts consistently recognize the profound and lasting impact drunk driving accidents have on victims and families, understanding that recovery extends beyond financial losses and often requires extensive medical treatment, emotional support, and major lifestyle changes.

Steps to Follow if You Were Hit By a Drunk Driver

Taking the right actions immediately after a collision strengthens your case while protecting your safety. Here are some essential steps we recommend:

1. Seek medical attention right away, even if your injuries seem minor, and make sure a doctor documents every symptom for your records.
2. Report the accident to law enforcement promptly and confirm that an official police report is created and preserved for your case.
3. Gather important evidence, including photos of the scene, witness contact details, and identifying information about the other driver involved.
4. Consult an attorney experienced in drunk driving cases, as legal guidance helps ensure deadlines are met and evidence is properly protected.
5. File your drunk driver lawsuit within the statute of limitations, since in Nevada you generally have two years from the date of the accident.

By following these steps, you position yourself to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Contact a Las Vegas Drunk Driving Accident Attorney To Help You Build Your Claim

Every drunk driving accident leaves behind real people whose lives have been disrupted. At Cloward Trial Lawyers, we work to hold reckless drivers accountable through a drunk driver lawsuit and, in some cases, pursue claims against businesses that enabled their actions. Call 702-605-5000 to schedule your free consultation and discover how we can pursue the justice you and your family deserve.