What to Do After a Car Accident in Las Vegas

Car accidents can happen to anyone, even careful and safe drivers. 5.2 million collisions happened in 2020, and 5.4 million occurred in 2021.

This web map of car accidents from Nevada’s Department of Transportation, containing traffic accident statistics from 2016-2020, shows that most accidents happen in concentrated populations. For Nevada, that means Las Vegas and Clark County.

If you are in a car accident in Las Vegas, Nevada, below are the steps you should take to ensure you’re kept safe, legally protected, and entitled to the compensation you deserve.

First Steps To Take After a Car Accident in Las Vegas, Nevada

Safety is always the first priority in any car accident, including in Las Vegas.

Car accidents can be shocking and traumatic, potentially involving injury or even death. If you find yourself in a car accident, your first step should be to assess the situation and the health and safety of yourself and those around you.

Ensuring Safety

The shock of an accident may lead to disorientation, confusion, or dazedness.

Your first step after any car accident is to bring your vehicle to a safe stop if your vehicle hasn’t already stopped.

Then, check yourself for injury. If you’re uninjured, check those traveling with you. If you or anyone else involved in the accident is injured, contact emergency services by dialing 911.

If you, your passengers, and everyone else involved in the accident are uninjured, move your vehicle to a safe location.

Your goal is to move your vehicle away from traffic – completely off the road, if possible. Make sure to turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers, and set up any additional hazard lights, warning triangles, or flares you may have.

Contacting Emergency Services

If you or another person involved in the accident is injured, you’ll need to contact 911 emergency services immediately. If you’re too injured to do so, ask someone nearby to do so. Remain calm and do not move while waiting for emergency personnel.

Even if you’re uninjured, you’ll need to dial 911 to report the accident. Nevada law requires anyone involved in a car accident to call the police in most instances, including accidents that involve injury to people or damage to vehicles.

Calling 911 is critical – and legally required in the state of Nevada – as responding officers can render aid to injured parties, help manage traffic to prevent further accidents, fill out an accident report, and document the scene.

What Information Should You Exchange After a Car Accident?

After a car accident in Nevada, you are legally required to exchange basic identity and contact information with the other party (NRS 484E.030). After an accident, you should be prepared to exchange:

• Full name and contact information.
• Insurance company and policy number.
• Driver’s license, license plate number, registration number.
• Make, model, and color of the vehicle.

Keep your exchange of information to only the above. While you may be tempted to discuss the details of the accident – and fault – it’s best to avoid doing so. Be polite, calm, and cooperative, but avoid any discussion or argument of fault.

Documenting the Scene

You’ll need to document the scene once you’ve exchanged information with the other driver in the car accident.

Here’s what you should document:

• Photographs of any damage to your car, as well as to the other vehicle.
• Photographs of the scene of the accident.
• The name and contact information for any present witnesses.
• Date, time, and location of the accident.
• The name and badge number of any police present.
• A copy of the police report for your insurance company.
• Personal notes of the accident, including speed, road conditions, cause, and any other pertinent details.

Document anything that may be necessary later – don’t assume you’ll be able to remember. Car accidents happen fast and are emotionally charged events. Attempt to document everything you’ll need to know about the car accident later.

Should You Seek Legal Representation After Car Accident?

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be daunting, and often, injuries – particularly soft tissue injuries – are much more severe than they may initially seem.

While a lawsuit cannot undo the harm, stress, and suffering of a car accident, it can help you financially recover. Depending on the severity of the accident, injuries sustained, and overall complexity, you may be entitled to:

• Medical expenses and healthcare costs.
• Punitive damages.
• Property damage.
• Lost wages and lost earning capacity.
• Physical and emotional distress.

Consultation with a car accident lawyer is free, and many firms do not charge any fee until after a case is won.

Notifying Your Insurance Company

You will need to notify your insurance company of the car accident as soon as possible. You should inform your insurance company of the accident even if you’re not at fault.

They’ll want all of the information you exchanged and documented in the sections above. They’ll also let you know what to expect and the next steps in a claims process. If your vehicle is damaged and unable to be driven, they may even arrange for it to be towed directly to a certified body shop.

Car accidents are stressful and emotionally charged incidents—even if no injuries are involved. Be prepared to stick to the facts. Depending on the severity of the accident, your insurance agency will assign an adjuster to your claim. They will investigate the fault of the accident based on a myriad of factors.

Consulting with an Attorney

Consultation with an attorney after a car accident can help you better navigate a difficult situation and secure the best possible outcome.

A car accident lawyer can help you:

• Understand your rights and legal options.
• Avoid common pitfalls that insurance companies use to deny or decrease insurance payments.
• Help you obtain appropriate medical treatment.
• Gather evidence and assess damages from the accident.

Consultation is often free, with many lawyers only charging a fee after winning a case.

Nevada’s Rules and Regulations After a Car Accident

Nevada has a few state laws that may vary from other states, including California.

The most pertinent Nevada car accident laws you need to know:

• Nevada requires you to exchange name and contact information after a car accident.
• Nevada requires you to report any car accident to the DMV within ten days if no police officer attends to the accident.
• Nevada requires residents to have at least two of the following types of insurance:
  • $25,000 for bodily injury or death to a single person in a crash.
  • $50,000 for bodily injury or death for multiple people in a crash.
  • $20,000 in property damage liability.
• Nevada has a two-year statute of limitations for filing car accident injury lawsuits.
• Nevada has a three-year statute of limitations for filing car accident vehicle or property damage lawsuits.
• Nevada operates on a “modified comparative fault” rule, which takes into account a percentage-based level of fault when awarding financial recovery.

Dealing with Insurance Claims and Repairs in Las Vegas, Nevada

Reporting your car accident to your insurance company, dealing with insurance claims, and finding repairs in Las Vegas can be daunting, especially after a traumatic accident.

Navigating the aftermath of an accident is difficult. Below are the steps necessary to help you recover, get your vehicle back up and running, and financially recover.

Filing a Claim

You’ll need to file an insurance claim after a car accident in Las Vegas. You can file a claim with your insurance company or the other driver’s liability insurance policy based on who is at fault.

A Nevada Car accident attorney can also file the insurance claim for you. They will know what information to include, what to avoid, and which insurance company to file with.

Some tips for filing an insurance claim after a car accident in Las Vegas:

• If the accident is severe, consult with a car insurance lawyer before filing an insurance claim.
• Contact your insurance company to let them know of the accident.
• Be prepared to share specifics of the accident, including date, time, location, the other driver’s contact and insurance information, and a copy of the police report.
• Stick to the facts of the accident – do not admit fault, imply you were negligent, or downplay the severity of any injuries or damage.
• Expect an insurance adjuster to investigate the claim.
• Record and document everything related to the claim.
• Review your coverage to understand what compensation you’re entitled to.
• Ask detailed questions from your insurance representative about the claims process and what to expect.

Filing an insurance claim is the first step toward recovery. A claim may take anywhere from a few days to potentially months to resolve, depending on the severity of the accident.

Arranging Vehicle Repairs

You’ll need to arrange for vehicle repairs after your car has been damaged in a car accident.

You should look for a reliable, reputable repair shop that will provide a quote and document the necessary repairs for your insurance company. Documenting all communication, estimates, and transactions is critical for insurance.

A car accident attorney can recommend repair companies in the area, and your insurance company may have recommendations and preferences as well. Remember, you do not have to take recommendations; you can get estimates and quotes from multiple auto body repair shops.

Don’t be afraid to read reviews, ask your family and friends for recommendations, and ask questions about the body shop.

What to Do if You’re Involved in an Accident With an Uninsured Driver in Las Vegas

If you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver in Las Vegas – or you’re the victim of a hit-and-run – you should contact a car insurance lawyer.

Your insurance company may need to sue for compensation because the other driver doesn’t have insurance to pay for the damages and potential medical bills. If you’re injured in the accident, you may need to file a personal injury claim.

An attorney can guide you through your legal options and review your insurance policy to determine whether you have uninsured or underinsured motorist protection.

You’ll need to report the accident to your insurance company and inform them that the other driver is uninsured. A car accident lawyer can help with this.

What to Do If You Are Injured After a Car Accident in Las Vegas

If you’re injured in a car accident, your first step should be to alert emergency services by calling 911—or having someone else dial 911 if you can’t do so—and requesting medical attention.

While waiting for emergency services to arrive, you should remain calm and protect yourself from further harm. Remember:

• Dial 911 and request emergency services.
• Remain calm and take stock of the scene and your injuries.
• Work with emergency personnel and follow medical advice.
• Document the scene, your injuries, the other drivers’ information, the police report, and all medical records.
• Consult with a personal injury attorney to help you understand your options.
• Notify your insurance company – which a personal injury attorney can help with.

Car accidents are traumatic, particularly when injury is involved. Your priority should be your safety and recovery, including financial compensation for any medical expenses, damaged property, lost wages and earning capacity, and physical and emotional distress – all of which a car accident attorney can help with.

Understanding Nevada’s Comparative Negligence Law

Nevada uses a modified comparative negligence law in awarding compensation for damages following an accident.

NRS 41.141 states:

“In any action to recover damages for death or injury to persons or for injury to property in which comparative negligence is asserted as a defense, 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 to the action against whom recovery is sought.”

In plain language, the law means that you are entitled to damages onlyif you’re found to be 50% or less responsible for the accident. How much you’re eligible is based on the percentage of responsible you are found to be.

How Comparative Negligence Affects Your Claim

Comparative Negligence means you will recover losses only if you’re found to be 50% or less responsible for the accident.

For example, if you receive medical bills for $100,000.00 in a car accident and are found to be 50% at fault, you’ll receive $50,000.00 in damages. If you’re found to be 51% at fault, you’ll receive nothing – no matter how serious the damages or injury.

This is why involving a car accident lawyer in Nevada and Las Vegas is critical – they can ensure you’re well-represented and receive the best outcome possible.

The Importance of Medical Documentation After a Car Accident

Medical records are essential after car accidents to document injuries, treatment, and recovery – all of which play a crucial role in determining the outcome and damages in a personal injury case.

Documentation from medical records highlights:

• Evidence of the severity of the injury
• That the accident did, in fact, cause the injury
• The treatment required to recover from the injury
• How much you were able to recover
• Any need for ongoing care
• The overall impact on your life.

Medical records are critical in receiving just compensation after a car accident.

Gathering and Keeping Medical Records

You’ll want to gather all relevant medical records after a car accident. This doesn’t just mean the records your doctor’s office keeps.

Records you’ll want to document and maintain:

• Medical record copies from your healthcare providers, including diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
• Medical bills include medical transport, hospitalization, doctor visits, medicine, rehabilitation, and anything related to your diagnosis and treatment.
• Images: X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and any other images taken to verify your injury and its extent.
• Prescription record: documentation of the medications you received throughout your treatment.
• Rehabilitation record: any documentation detailing the requirements of rehabilitation after your accident.

Make sure you keep documentation of any medical events related to the accident.

FAQs About Car Accidents in Las Vegas

What Should I Do Immediately After a Car Accident?

After ensuring safety, call emergency services, exchange information with the other driver, and document the accident scene with photos. It’s crucial not to admit fault at this stage.

How Do I File a Car Accident Report in Las Vegas?

Report to the police immediately at the scene and notify your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claims process.

Should I Seek Medical Attention Even If I Feel Fine?

Yes, seek medical attention immediately after an accident, as some injuries might not be immediately apparent, and a medical record is important for any claims.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim After a Car Accident in Nevada?

In Nevada, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for personal injury claims and three years for property damage claims.

Can I Claim Compensation If I Was Partly At Fault for the Accident?

Yes, Nevada’s comparative negligence law allows for compensation if you’re 50% or less at fault, but your percentage of fault will reduce your compensation.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover After a Car Accident?

You can recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering after a car accident.

How Do I Deal With Insurance Adjusters After a Car Accident?

Be cautious when speaking with insurance adjusters. Provide necessary information, but consider consulting with an attorney before making detailed statements or agreements.

What Should I Not Do After a Car Accident?

Do not admit fault, sign any documents without consulting a lawyer, or leave the scene of the accident prematurely.

How Can an Attorney Help Me After a Car Accident?

An attorney can help navigate the legal system, deal with insurance companies, and ensure you receive fair compensation for your damages and injuries.

What if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?

Explore options such as uninsured motorist coverage and legal avenues for compensation.

***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.