If a drunk driver injured you in Las Vegas, you have legal options that most accident victims never fully use. Nevada law lets DUI crash victims pursue punitive damages on top of medical bills and lost wages, which means the drunk driver can be ordered to pay more than just what their insurance covers. Whether it happened on the Strip, on Sahara Avenue, or out on the I-15, the impact is the same: someone innocent gets hurt, and someone responsible needs to answer for it.
At Temple Injury Law, our Las Vegas drunk driving accident lawyers represent victims across Clark County. Drunk driving crashes are among the most serious car accident cases we handle, and among the most winnable. We handle everything from the insurance negotiations to the courtroom so you can focus on getting better. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win.
Call (702) 487-4999 for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win.
What Insurance Companies Do After a Drunk Driving Crash
Insurance companies know these cases are expensive. That is exactly why they move fast, often contacting victims within days of an accident, before anyone has hired an attorney or even fully understood their injuries. They are not calling to help you. They are calling to close the claim.
Marissa Temple spent 20 years as a defense attorney, including eight years working in-house for a major insurance company. She knows exactly how adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, because she used to be in those rooms. That experience now works entirely in your favor.
A few things to be aware of before you talk to anyone.
Do not accept the first offer. The first settlement offer is almost never close to the real value of the claim. It is a number designed to close the file before you know what your injuries will actually cost.
Do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurer. Anything you say can be used to undermine your claim later. Talk to us before you talk to them.
Be aware that in high-value cases, some insurers hire investigators to monitor claimants. This happens more than most people realize. Live your life, but know it is possible.
Once you hire Temple Injury Law, the insurance companies deal with us, not you. We know their playbook
What Makes Drunk Driving Cases Different in Nevada
Not every car accident case works the same way. Drunk driving claims come with legal tools that standard collision cases do not.
Under Nevada law (NRS 42.005), courts can award punitive damages to punish a defendant who acted with conscious disregard for the safety of others. Driving drunk meets that standard. These damages are separate from your compensation for medical bills and pain and suffering, and they can significantly increase what you recover.
There is also the criminal case to think about. When a driver is arrested for DUI in Las Vegas, that process creates evidence: blood alcohol content results, body camera footage, arrest reports, officer testimony. Our attorneys track Clark County criminal proceedings and pull what supports your civil claim.
On top of that, drunk driving claims typically carry more liability than ordinary crashes, which means insurers work harder to close these cases quickly and cheaply. We know what they do, and we push back on it.
Why Clients Choose Temple Injury Law for DUI Accident Cases
Jeff Temple has been representing Las Vegas accident victims for years. A few things that actually matter in these cases:
A lot of firms mention punitive damages, but do not build the case for them. We structure every drunk driving claim with punitive damages in mind from day one.
We also do not wait for the criminal case to wrap up before moving on to yours. Your civil case can proceed immediately, and waiting is usually not in your interest. The statute of limitations does not pause while the DA’s office handles its side.
Once you hire us, the insurance companies deal with us, not you. We do not let them record statements that can later be used against you, and we do not accept their first offer.
There is no fee unless we win. You pay nothing up front. Our fee comes from the recovery.
Our offices serve the entire Las Vegas Valley:
Central Office: 1300 S. Decatur Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89102
Southwest Office: 8085 Blue Diamond Road, Unit 103, Las Vegas, NV 89178
Nevada laws that apply to your drunk driving case
Can you sue the bar or casino that served the driver?
This question comes up constantly in Las Vegas, where alcohol is served around the clock.
Nevada’s Dram Shop Law (NRS 41.1305) generally does not allow lawsuits against bars, casinos, or social hosts for serving alcohol to an adult who later causes a crash. Liability sits with the driver, not the establishment.
There are two exceptions: if the establishment knowingly served alcohol to a minor (under 21), or if the person serving forced the consumption. If either situation might apply, we look into it right away. Evidence of where and what the driver was drinking does not stick around.
Punitive damages (NRS 42.005)
In a standard car accident case, you can recover for your actual losses: medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering. Drunk driving cases in Nevada also open the door to punitive damages.
A jury can award these when they find the defendant acted with oppression, fraud, or malice. Choosing to get behind the wheel while intoxicated, fully aware of the risk to everyone else on the road, typically qualifies. Punitive damages are not tied to a specific loss you suffered. They exist to punish the driver and send a message.
What you can recover
Economic damages cover your direct financial losses: emergency room visits, surgery, and ongoing care; future medical costs and rehabilitation; lost wages and reduced earning capacity; vehicle damage; and specialized equipment like wheelchairs or home modifications.
Non-economic damages cover what does not show up on a receipt: pain and suffering, emotional distress, PTSD (which is genuinely common after violent crashes), loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium for family members, and permanent disability or disfigurement.
Punitive damages, as covered above, are on the table in drunk driving cases. We build toward them from the start.
Case Results in Serious Accident Cases
$450,000 — Hit-and-run on Desert Inn Road: Our client was struck by a driver who fled the scene. We tracked down the at-fault driver through Tesla dashcam footage and recovered full compensation through the client’s uninsured motorist coverage. The insurer initially said there was nothing to collect. There was.
$400,000 — Rear-end collision: Our client was rear-ended by a rideshare driver on the clock. We pursued claims against both the driver and the rideshare company’s insurer and settled for an amount that actually reflected what our client went through.
$255,000 — Fault-free passenger: A passenger with no fault in a multi-vehicle crash. We identified and recovered from multiple insurance policies, including the client’s own underinsured motorist coverage.
$150,000 — Motor vehicle accident: Prior results do not guarantee what your case will recover. Every case is different. These are included to give you a realistic sense of how we approach these claims.
Common Injuries in Las Vegas Drunk Driving Accidents
Drunk drivers are unpredictable. They run red lights, go the wrong way, swerve without warning. These are not low-speed fender benders. Common injuries our Las Vegas drunk driving accident attorneys see include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and fractures
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Severe lacerations and scarring
- Burn injuries from vehicle fires
- Amputations
- Psychological trauma and PTSD
Some people never get back to where they were before the crash. That is the honest truth of it, and it is why the long-term picture matters as much as the immediate bills when we calculate what your case is worth.
How the criminal DUI case connects to your civil claim
These run separately, but they affect each other.
The Clark County District Attorney handles the criminal case. We handle your personal injury claim. You do not have to wait for the criminal process to finish before we start on yours.
If the driver is convicted of DUI, that conviction becomes evidence in your civil case. It goes a long way toward establishing negligence without you having to prove it independently. We also pull evidence from the criminal record: arrest reports, BAC results, body camera footage, officer statements. All of it can support your claim.
And if the driver pleads to a lesser charge or gets a lenient sentence in criminal court, that does not touch your civil case. The two proceedings are entirely separate.
Frequently Asked Questions About Drunk Driving Accident Cases in Las Vegas
Call 911 so police respond and document the driver’s impairment. Get medical attention even if you feel okay — some injuries don’t show up immediately. Collect contact information from witnesses. Don’t discuss fault at the scene. Then call us.
No. Your civil case is completely separate and can move forward immediately. In fact, waiting too long can hurt you — evidence disappears and the statute of limitations counts down regardless of what happens in criminal court.
Often yes. We look at every available source: the driver’s policy, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, and any third-party liability. We have gotten clients compensated even when the at-fault driver had very little coverage.
The criminal and civil standards of proof are different. A criminal acquittal does not prevent you from winning a civil case. We only need to show that the driver was more likely than not responsible for your injuries — a much lower bar than “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
It depends on the severity of your injuries and how the insurance company responds. Some cases settle in a few months. Others go to trial and take longer. We will always be honest with you about timing and never push you toward a settlement that doesn’t reflect what you deserve.
Nothing upfront. Temple Injury Law works on a contingency fee — we only get paid if you win, and our fee comes out of the recovery. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing.
Possibly, yes. Under Nevada’s Modified Comparative Negligence law, you can recover as long as you were less than 51% at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. Don’t assume a partial fault argument from the insurer means your case is over — it almost never does.
The main difference is punitive damages. In a standard car accident, you can recover compensatory damages — what you lost. In a drunk driving case, you can pursue punitive damages on top of that, which exist specifically to punish the driver. Nevada juries take drunk driving seriously, and we build our cases with that in mind.
Jeff Temple
Personal Injury Lawyer
Call Drunk Driving Accident Attorneys in Las Vegas For Legal Help
Discussing your legal rights with a drunk driving accident lawyer at Temple Injury Law is easy. We offer free initial consultations. It costs you nothing to find out if you have a personal injury claim.
At Temple Injury Law in Las Vegas, we have decades of experience representing accident victims of drunk driving accidents. Our team is dedicated to helping you get the financial support you need to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages related to your DUI accident claim.
We understand what you are going through after a drunk driving accident and will fight aggressively to help you get justice.
Free Case Evaluation: Call us today at (702) 487-4999 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation with our experienced Las Vegas drunk driving accident attorneys.
Remember: Nevada has a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Don’t wait – contact our Las Vegas DUI accident lawyers today to protect your rights and begin building your case for maximum compensation.
