Please note: Triumph Attorney Connect is an attorney matching and referral service, not a law firm. This page is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and every situation is different; talk with a licensed Nevada attorney about your specific case. No outcome is guaranteed.
What to do after a car accident in Las Vegas
Every crash is different, but these general steps help protect your health and keep important information from getting lost:
- Get to safety and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Nevada law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop, exchange information, and help anyone who is injured. Police in Las Vegas (LVMPD) or the Nevada Highway Patrol may respond, depending on where it happened.
- Get medical care promptly. Some injuries, like whiplash, concussions, and back injuries, don't show up right away. Seeing a doctor also creates a record that links your injuries to the crash.
- Document the scene. Take photos of the vehicles, the road, traffic signals, skid marks, and your injuries. Write down the names and contact details of witnesses.
- Exchange insurance information with the other driver, and note the make, model, and license plate of every vehicle involved.
- Get the report number. Ask the responding officer how to get a copy of the crash report.
- Be careful with the other driver's insurance company. Adjusters may ask for a recorded statement early on. You aren't required to give one to the other driver's insurer, and it's often wise to talk with an attorney first.
- Keep everything. Save medical bills, receipts, repair estimates, and records of time missed from work.
How fault works in Nevada car accident claims
Nevada is an at-fault state, not a "no-fault" state. In general, the driver who caused the crash, and their insurance company, is responsible for the harm it caused. That's different from no-fault states, where you would first turn to your own insurance no matter who caused the crash.
Nevada also uses a modified comparative negligence rule (NRS 41.141). In general terms, if you were partly at fault, you may still be able to recover damages as long as your share of the fault isn't greater than the other side's, but your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found more than 50% at fault, you generally can't recover. Insurance adjusters sometimes try to shift blame onto injured drivers for this reason, which is one reason to have an attorney look at your case.
Insurance coverage you should know about
Nevada requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but the state minimums are fairly low compared to the cost of a serious injury. When the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, your own policy may help if it includes uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage or medical payments coverage. An attorney can review the policies involved and explain which ones may apply to you.
Time limits: don't wait too long
In Nevada, the general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the date of the injury (NRS 11.190(4)(e)). Some situations have different deadlines, such as claims involving a government vehicle or a minor, and evidence like video footage and witness memories can disappear long before any legal deadline. The sooner a lawyer reviews your situation, the more options you're likely to have.
What a car accident lawyer typically does
A personal injury attorney who handles car crashes will usually:
- Investigate the crash, gather the police report, photos, and any available video, and talk to witnesses.
- Identify every insurance policy that may apply, including your own UM/UIM coverage.
- Track your medical treatment, bills, lost wages, and other losses.
- Handle communication with insurance companies so you can focus on recovering.
- Negotiate a settlement, or file a lawsuit if a fair settlement isn't offered.
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee, which means no upfront fee; the attorney is paid a percentage of any recovery. The exact percentage and how case costs are handled are set by each attorney in a written agreement, so ask about them before you sign.
How to choose the right Las Vegas car accident lawyer
Las Vegas has hundreds of injury lawyers, and billboards don't tell you much. Questions worth asking any attorney include:
- How many car accident cases like mine have you handled?
- Who will actually work on my case day to day, and how quickly do you return calls?
- What is your contingency fee, and how are case costs handled if we don't win?
- Are you prepared to go to trial if the insurance company won't make a fair offer?
That's the hassle we take off your plate. Tell us what happened in our short form, and we'll connect you with a participating Nevada-licensed attorney who handles car accident cases, for a free case evaluation.