The 5 Critical Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Las Vegas

Crashes can be a traumatic experience for anyone involved. In Nevada alone, the Department of Transportation reports over 51,000 motor vehicle collisions in 2021, underscoring just how frequently these incidents occur. The initial moments following a car accident are often confusing and overwhelming. Many find themselves taking a few moments to process what happened, only to feel the rush of adrenaline masking any immediate awareness of injuries or vehicle damage. This physical response can make it challenging to assess the situation clearly.

Staying Calm and Focused After a Collision

After a serious car accident, keeping calm is essential. It’s natural to feel panicked, but staying as focused as possible can prevent you from making critical mistakes that could impact any future insurance claims or legal actions. Unfortunately, many people unintentionally harm their chances by making avoidable errors in the immediate aftermath. While filing a personal injury claim may be far from your mind at that moment, taking careful, proactive steps right away can make a significant difference. Insurance companies are often swift to build their defenses, and the actions you take immediately following an accident can influence your case if it proceeds to court.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Nevada?

If you’ve been involved in a car crash, especially in a high-collision area like Nevada, here are five essential steps to follow. These steps not only help ensure your safety but also protect your rights in case you need to pursue compensation.

1. Check for Injuries and Call for Help: The first priority is safety. Check yourself and others for injuries and call emergency services immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, it’s best to get a medical professional’s assessment, as symptoms of trauma can sometimes appear hours or even days later.
2. Move to a Safe Area, if Possible: If the vehicles are causing a hazard or blocking traffic, move them to the side of the road. In Nevada, you are required to avoid obstructing traffic after a minor accident if it’s safe to do so. However, if the crash is severe, stay put until help arrives.
3. Document the Scene Thoroughly: Take photographs of the accident scene, including all vehicle damages, any visible injuries, and road conditions. This documentation can be essential for insurance claims and legal proceedings.
4. Exchange Information with Others Involved: Gather details from all drivers involved in the crash, including names, contact information, insurance details, and vehicle plate numbers. Don’t discuss fault at this stage—stick to factual information only.
5. Seek Legal Advice Promptly: Consulting a legal professional can be crucial, especially if the crash resulted in serious injuries or if you suspect the other driver may not cooperate fully. A skilled car accident lawyer can help guide you through interactions with insurance companies and protect your rights.

FAQs

Why is it important to consult a lawyer after a car accident?

Even in seemingly straightforward cases, insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. Having a legal expert can help ensure you receive fair compensation. According to data on NBC Los Angeles regarding car accident trends, many victims find themselves at a disadvantage without professional representation.

What if I don’t feel injured immediately after the crash?

It’s not uncommon for injuries to be masked by adrenaline. Even if you feel fine right after an accident, medical evaluation is highly recommended. Delayed symptoms are common, especially in cases of whiplash or soft tissue injuries, as reported by Fox 11.

Taking Control of Your Post-Accident Response

Whether minor or severe, car accidents can have long-lasting impacts on health, finances, and daily life. Staying calm and taking the right steps after a collision can be the difference between a smooth insurance process and a prolonged, stressful situation. To learn more about accident prevention and related Nevada car crash statistics, check out this report from ABC7, which offers insights into accident causes and trends.

If you’ve been in an accident, don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance. Having experienced legal support can make the journey to recovery more manageable, helping you focus on healing while professionals handle the complexities of your case.

Stay and Render Assistance

Under Nevada law (NRS 484E. 020), drivers involved in a crash are required to exchange information and remain at the scene—but for medical emergencies. Anytime there is a car accident and it appears someone has been injured–or possibly killed–it is imperative for everyone involved to remain at the scene and for someone to call 911. Leaving the scene of an accident in these circumstances can lead to criminal charges even if you were not responsible for the accident. 

Note: Emergency medical needs always take priority. More to the point, you should make sure that anyone who may require medical assistance, including yourself, gets to the hospital as soon as possible. Protect your health and well-being. You should always see a doctor after a crash—even if you believe that your injuries are relatively minor.

Gather Essential Information After an Accident

In the aftermath of an accident, collecting detailed information is crucial, especially if you don’t require immediate medical assistance. By thoroughly documenting the scene, you strengthen your potential legal claim in a fault-based state like Nevada, where establishing responsibility is key. Below are essential steps to follow to ensure you have all the information needed.

Record Vehicle Details and License Plate Numbers

One of the first things you should do is capture the license plate numbers of all vehicles involved. This small detail can be critical when pursuing a claim or dealing with insurance. Having clear records helps prevent potential disputes over the identity of involved vehicles, which is essential for establishing accountability.

Capture Photographic Evidence of the Accident Scene

Using your smartphone to take pictures of the accident scene and any vehicle damage is highly recommended. Photograph the vehicles from multiple angles, focusing on points of impact and any visible damage. In addition, capture the surrounding area, including road conditions, traffic signs, and any other relevant details. This photographic evidence can be invaluable, particularly if questions arise regarding the conditions at the time of the accident. For more on how photos can aid in legal cases, check this article on Fox11.com.

Exchange Vital Information with Other Drivers

Exchanging contact details, driver’s license numbers, and insurance information with other drivers involved is essential. Having this information on record not only ensures smooth communication but also aids in filing claims with your insurance provider. This step is especially important in Nevada’s fault-based system, where your ability to recover damages may hinge on demonstrating the other party’s liability.

Why Is Gathering Information So Important in a Fault-Based State?

Nevada operates under a fault-based motor vehicle accident system. This means that the driver responsible for causing the accident is liable for the damages incurred. Therefore, collecting extensive documentation strengthens your case, should you need to pursue compensation. For more insights into how fault-based accident claims work, visit NBC LA.com.

Never Admit Fault or Discuss Your Injuries After an Accident

After a car accident, it’s essential to know your rights and the best steps to take to protect yourself. While exchanging contact and insurance details is legally required, discussing the accident details with the other driver is not. In fact, it’s generally in your best interest to refrain from discussing the accident altogether.

Why You Should Avoid Admitting Fault

When it comes to liability, even a simple apology or a vague admission of responsibility can harm your case. For example, saying, “I’m sorry,” may seem courteous, but it can be interpreted as an admission of fault. Insurance companies often look for such statements to justify denying or reducing claims. According to ABC7.com, even minor statements may later complicate efforts to secure compensation. You might feel you could have done something differently, but it’s best to let investigations clarify responsibility rather than speculating in the moment.

Q: What if I genuinely believe I was partially at fault?
A: Even if you suspect you were partly responsible, avoid discussing fault at the scene. Car accidents can be complex, and liability may not be straightforward. Investigators will assess various factors to determine who is at fault. Let professionals handle it to avoid unintentionally jeopardizing your claim.

Why You Shouldn’t Talk About Your Injuries

When adrenaline is high after an accident, it can mask pain and other symptoms of injury. Many people experience delayed symptoms after car accidents, especially with concussions, whiplash, or other soft-tissue injuries. Statements like “I’m fine” can later be used by insurance adjusters to argue that your injuries are minimal or unrelated to the accident.

Instead, focus on getting prompt medical attention and a thorough evaluation. Often, the full extent of injuries becomes clear only after a medical examination. NBC LA recently reported on the frequency of hidden injuries after minor accidents, highlighting the importance of seeking medical care even if you feel “fine” immediately afterward.

Q: What are some common injuries that don’t show symptoms right away?
A: Injuries like concussions, whiplash, and internal bleeding can often remain unnoticed for hours or even days after the initial accident. If left untreated, these injuries can have serious long-term effects, so it’s crucial to seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Protecting Your Right to Compensation

Knowing what to say—and what not to say—after an accident is vital to protecting your rights. Avoid admitting fault, and refrain from discussing injuries at the scene. Doing so can make a significant difference in your ability to secure fair compensation for medical bills, repairs, and other accident-related costs. As Fox11 explains, many people unintentionally reduce their chances of receiving proper compensation by saying too much immediately after an accident.

By keeping calm and following these guidelines, you help protect your rights and give yourself the best chance for a smooth recovery process.

Reporting a Car Accident in Nevada: What You Need to Know

If you’ve recently experienced a car accident in Nevada, it’s essential to understand when and how to report the incident. Reporting accidents promptly not only ensures compliance with Nevada law but also helps create a formal record that can support any insurance claims and protect your rights in the future.

When is it Necessary to Report a Car Accident?

In Nevada, state law mandates that you must report a car accident to local law enforcement if it results in personal injury or property damage estimated to exceed $750. This requirement applies whether you’re the driver or a passenger involved in the accident. Reporting to the police immediately can assist in gathering critical information, such as witness statements and photographic evidence, which may prove vital in claims or potential legal proceedings.

What Happens if You Don’t Report?

Failing to report an accident can lead to severe consequences. In addition to missing essential documentation for any insurance claims, neglecting to report a qualifying accident to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 10 days can result in the suspension of your driver’s license. This penalty underscores Nevada’s commitment to responsible driving and accountability on its roads.

Seek Professional Help From a Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer

You can never rely on an insurance company to protect you following a car accident–even when the other driver is clearly at-fault. The reality is that insurance companies are businesses. They are focused on protecting their own financial interests—and that means paying out as little as possible in car accident claims. Insurance companies put a lot of resources into training adjusters to: 

• Get car accident victims to make statements that can be used against them in the claims process; and
• Negotiate aggressively—with a focus on resolving the case for as little as possible. 

That is why you should strongly consider working with an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer. The right car accident attorney will level the playing field. You need a lawyer who can review your case, investigate your accident, gather evidence, document your damages, advise you of your legal rights, and take action to help you get justice and full and fair compensation. 

Schedule Your Free Consultation With a Car Accident Attorney in Las Vegas Today

At Heidari Law Group, P.C., our Las Vegas car accident lawyer has the professional experience you can rely on when it matters most. We hold big insurance companies accountable—so that our clients are able to secure the maximum financial compensation. Call us today at 702-772-1500 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation. From our Las Vegas office, we handle car accidents throughout the region, including in Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Summerlin. 

***Disclaimer: This webpage has been crafted by Heidari Law Group solely for educational purposes. The content of this article aims to offer a broad comprehension of the law and does not constitute specific legal advice. By accessing this site and perusing its contents, no attorney-client relationship is established between you and any member of Heidari Law. Additionally, it’s important to note that the legal landscape is subject to continuous change, rendering some of the information provided herein potentially outdated or no longer applicable.