Hit & Run Accident Lawyer in Reno

Pursuing Compensation When the At-Fault Driver Flees

A driver who leaves the scene doesn’t erase your right to compensation. At Law Offices of Steven J. Klearman & Associates, we’ve represented injured individuals and their families in Reno since 1988, and we know how to pursue every available avenue for recovery even when the person who caused your crash is never found. Our office is here in Reno, and when you reach out, you speak directly with Attorney Klearman.

If you were hurt in a hit and run accident in Reno, call us today at (775) 573-0229. We offer free, confidential consultations by phone or in person, with no obligation to proceed.

What Nevada Law Requires of Drivers After a Crash

Nevada statutes under NRS 484E impose clear duties on every driver involved in a collision. Under NRS 484E.010, a driver must stop immediately at the scene when a crash causes death or personal injury. NRS 484E.020 extends that duty to crashes involving only vehicle or property damage. NRS 484E.030 requires drivers to exchange information, render aid to anyone injured, and report the crash to law enforcement if no officer is present.

Penalties scale with the harm caused. A hit and run involving property damage only is generally charged as a misdemeanor, while one involving injury or death is treated as a more serious offense under Nevada law. These criminal statutes exist alongside your civil right to compensation and are handled in separate proceedings.

How Hit & Run Victims in Reno Can Recover Compensation

Nevada treats a hit and run driver as an uninsured motorist for insurance purposes. Under NRS 690B.020, auto insurance policies issued in Nevada must include uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage unless the policyholder has rejected it in writing. That means your own UM coverage may pay for your injuries even though the other driver caused the crash.

Other coverage options are worth reviewing as well. Medical payments coverage (MedPay) on your own policy can cover medical bills regardless of fault and regardless of whether the at-fault driver is ever identified. If the fleeing driver is later found, an underinsured motorist claim or a direct civil claim against that driver may become available. Our Reno car accident lawyers help clients evaluate all of these options and decide how to proceed based on the specifics of their policy and their injuries.

Steps to Take After a Hit & Run Accident in Reno

What you do in the hours immediately following the crash can affect your ability to recover compensation. Nevada law requires that you remain at the scene rather than leaving to pursue the other vehicle.

These steps help protect your claim:

• Call police immediately. A formal report creates an official record of the incident and can open a law enforcement investigation.
• Document what you can. Note the fleeing vehicle’s make, model, color, and any portion of the license plate you observed. Photograph the scene, your vehicle, and any visible injuries.
• Look for witnesses and cameras. Nearby traffic cameras, business surveillance systems, or residential security cameras may have captured footage that helps identify the driver.
• Seek medical care promptly. Injuries such as head trauma or internal bleeding may not be immediately obvious and can surface hours or days after the crash.
• Report to your insurer. Notify your own insurance company as soon as feasible. UM policies often have reporting timelines shorter than the two-year court deadline.

Filing Deadlines for Hit & Run Claims in Nevada

Nevada’s statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, including those arising from car accidents, is two years from the date of injury under NRS 11.190(4)(e). Missing that deadline typically means losing the right to file in court entirely. A UM claim filed with your own insurer is governed by your policy’s reporting requirements, which may set a significantly shorter deadline. We can review your policy and help you understand which deadlines apply to your situation.

Working Directly With Attorney Klearman on Your Hit & Run Case

Hit and run claims frequently become contested uninsured motorist disputes. Insurers scrutinize these claims carefully, and documenting injuries, preserving evidence, and negotiating a fair outcome can require consistent, attorney-level attention from beginning to end. At Law Offices of Steven J. Klearman & Associates, clients communicate directly with Attorney Steve Klearman throughout their case, not through layers of staff.

Attorney Klearman authored a guide on Nevada civil law and has represented Reno-area injury victims for over three decades. We don’t operate on a high-volume model. Each client gets personalized attention, and the attorney handling your case is the attorney you talk to.

Start with a Free Consultation

We handle hit and run accident cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront legal fees, and we collect a fee only if we recover compensation for you. If you were injured in a hit and run in the Reno area, contact Law Offices of Steven J. Klearman & Associates to schedule your free, confidential consultation.

Call (775) 573-0229 to speak with us by phone or arrange an in-person meeting at our Reno office.