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.
At the scene
- Check for injuries and get to safety. Turn on your hazard lights. If the cars can be moved and no one is seriously hurt, moving out of travel lanes can prevent a second crash.
- Stop and stay. Nevada law requires drivers involved in a crash to stop, exchange information, and give reasonable help to anyone injured. Leaving the scene of an injury crash is a serious offense.
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt or if the scene isn't safe. In the City of Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County, including the Strip, LVMPD usually responds. Freeway crashes are often handled by the Nevada Highway Patrol, and Henderson and North Las Vegas have their own police.
- Exchange information. Get each driver's name, phone, address, driver's license number, insurance company, and policy number, plus the plate and description of each vehicle. A photo of their license and insurance card is the easiest way.
- Document the scene. Photograph all vehicles, the positions they ended up in, damage, skid marks, debris, traffic signals, signs, weather, and any visible injuries.
- Get witnesses' names and numbers. Witnesses leave quickly, and an independent account can matter if fault is disputed.
- Stick to facts. Be polite, but avoid guessing about what happened or arguing about fault. Tell the officer what you know.
The same day
Get medical care, even if you feel okay. Whiplash, concussions, and back injuries often show up hours or days later. A prompt exam protects your health and creates a record connecting your injuries to the crash. Gaps in treatment are something insurers often point to when disputing a claim.
Ask how to get the crash report. If police responded, write down the officer's name and the report or event number and ask how to request a copy.
Within 10 days: the Nevada SR-1 report
If police did not investigate the crash at the scene, and someone was hurt or killed or there was $750 or more in property damage, Nevada generally requires drivers to send an SR-1 Report of Traffic Crash to the Nevada DMV within 10 days (NRS 484E.070). The form asks for proof of insurance and supporting documents. Check the current form and instructions on the Nevada DMV website, because missing this step can affect your driving privileges.
Dealing with insurance
- Notify your own insurer promptly. Most policies require it, even if you weren't at fault.
- Be careful with the other driver's insurer. Their adjuster works for them. You aren't required to give them a recorded statement, and it's often wise to talk with an attorney first.
- Don't sign releases or medical authorizations you don't understand, and don't accept a quick settlement before you know the full extent of your injuries. A settlement usually ends the claim.
- Check your own coverage. Nevada is an at-fault state, so the at-fault driver's insurance is usually the primary source of payment. But if that driver has little or no insurance, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) or medical payments coverage may help.
In the weeks after the crash
- Follow your treatment plan and keep every appointment.
- Keep a file: medical bills, receipts, mileage to appointments, repair estimates, rental car costs, and notes on days missed from work.
- Keep a simple journal of pain, sleep, and activities you can't do. It's easy to forget details months later.
- Be careful on social media. Posts and photos can be taken out of context by insurers.
- Preserve evidence. Don't repair or dispose of your vehicle before photos and inspections are done, if a claim is likely.
Understand fault and deadlines
Nevada uses a modified comparative negligence rule (NRS 41.141): if you were partly at fault, you may still recover as long as you weren't more at fault than the other side, but your damages are reduced by your share. The general deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is two years from the injury (NRS 11.190(4)(e)), and claims for vehicle damage generally have a three-year deadline. Some situations, like crashes with government vehicles, involve extra steps. See our Nevada statute of limitations guide.
When to talk to a lawyer
Not every fender-bender needs an attorney. It's worth getting a free case evaluation if you were injured, missed work, are being blamed for the crash, were hit by an uninsured driver, were in an Uber or Lyft or a commercial truck crash, or if the insurer is delaying or offering less than your bills. Our car accident lawyer page explains what an attorney typically does.