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

Crashes happen. The Nevada Department of Transportation reports that there were more than 51,000 motor vehicle collisions reported in the state in 2021 alone. The first few moments after a car accident are often disorienting. It may take you a minute or two to even realize what has just happened. And as adrenaline starts pumping through your body, you may not yet fully appreciate the extent of any injuries you sustained or the damage to your vehicle.

As with any sudden traumatic event, it is important to try and remain calm after a bad car crash. Unfortunately, too many people make avoidable errors in the immediate aftermath of a collision. While nobody is thinking about filing a personal injury lawsuit the second a car accident occurs, you need to be proactive. Insurance companies waste little time building their defense. Here, our Las Vegas auto accident lawyer highlights five steps to take after a crash in Nevada. 

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 As Much Information As You Can

If you do not require emergency medical treatment at the scene, you should take the time to gather as much information as you can about what just happened. Record the license plate number of the other vehicles involved. Use your smartphone’s camera to take pictures of the entire accident scene and damaged vehicles. And most importantly, exchange contact, driver’s license, and insurance information with the other drivers. As Nevada is a fault-based motor vehicle accident state, the more information you have about the crash, the easier it will be to build your legal claim. 

Never Admit Fault or Discuss Your Injuries

While you must exchange contact and insurance information, you are not legally required to discuss the accident itself with the other driver. Indeed, it is never in your best interest to do so. In particular, you should never apologize or admit fault. Even if you think you might have done something wrong, do not say anything. For one thing, you may be incorrect. And any admission you make–even a general apology–may be used by the other driver’s insurance company as a basis for rejecting a claim for compensation.

Along similar lines, you do not (and should not) discuss your potential injuries with the other driver. This includes making statements like, “I’m fine.” Many car accident injuries, such as a concussion or soft-tissue damage, do not manifest themselves right away following the initial trauma.

Report the Accident When Required

Anytime that a car accident results in personal injury or property damage likely to exceed $750, you must report the incident to the local police. You also need to file a formal accident report with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles within 10 days. Aside from helping to create a record of the accident, failure to file a DMV report may lead to the suspension of your driver’s license.

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.