A car accident can happen in seconds. What you do in the hours that follow can affect your health, your safety, and your ability to recover compensation under Nevada law. Whether you were rear-ended on I-15, sideswiped near the Strip, or hit at an intersection in Henderson, the steps you take right after the crash matter enormously.
At Marathon Law Group, we’ve seen how the actions taken in those first 24 hours can make or break a personal injury case. Here’s what every Nevada driver should know.
Step 1: Stop and Stay at the Scene
Nevada law requires all drivers involved in an accident to stop at the scene. Leaving can result in criminal hit-and-run charges, even if you were not at fault. Under NRS 484E.010, a driver involved in a crash that causes injury or death must remain at the scene, render reasonable assistance, and exchange information.
Stay calm, turn on your hazard lights, and if the vehicles can be safely moved out of traffic, do so. If they can’t, stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on until it’s safe to exit.
Step 2: Call 911
Always call 911 after any accident involving injury, significant vehicle damage, or an uncooperative driver. A police report creates an official record of the crash, which is one of the most important pieces of evidence in a Nevada personal injury claim.
When the officer arrives, give an accurate account of what happened. Don’t speculate, admit fault, or minimize your injuries, even if you feel okay in the moment. Adrenaline and shock commonly mask pain, and symptoms like whiplash or internal injuries can take hours or days to appear.
Request a copy of the crash report or note the report number so you can obtain it later. In Clark County, police reports can typically be requested through the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Step 3: Get Medical Attention — Even If You Feel Fine
This is not optional. Seek medical care as soon as possible after a crash, even if you don’t feel seriously hurt. There are two reasons this matters:
- Your health comes first. Some injuries — traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, soft tissue damage — don’t produce obvious symptoms right away.
- Your claim depends on it. Insurance companies and defense attorneys will use any gap in medical treatment to argue that you weren’t really injured, or that your injuries were caused by something other than the accident.
If emergency services are on scene, accept an evaluation. If not, go to an urgent care facility or emergency room that same day. Follow all treatment recommendations and keep every record of your care.
Step 4: Document the Scene
Before you leave the accident scene, and while it’s safe to do so, document as much as you can. Use your phone to photograph:
- All vehicles involved, from multiple angles, including license plates
- Visible damage to your vehicle and the other driver’s vehicle
- Skid marks, road conditions, and any debris
- Traffic signs, signals, and any nearby surveillance cameras
- Your own visible injuries
- The surrounding environment, including weather and lighting conditions
If there are witnesses, get their names and contact information. Witness accounts can be invaluable, especially if the other driver disputes what happened.
Step 5: Exchange Information
Under Nevada law, you are required to exchange specific information with every other driver involved. This includes full legal name and contact information, driver’s license number, vehicle registration, and insurance company name and policy number.
Do not discuss fault or make statements like “I’m sorry” at the scene. These statements can be used against you later, even if you were not at fault for the crash.
Step 6: Notify Your Insurance Company
Contact your own insurance company to report the accident. Be factual and concise. Do not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without first speaking to an attorney — their adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and anything you say can be used to undervalue your claim.
Step 7: Call a Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney
One of the most important calls you can make in the first 24 hours is to an experienced Nevada car accident attorney like Marathon Law Group. Here’s why this matters so early:
- Evidence disappears quickly. Surveillance footage gets overwritten. Witness memories fade. An attorney can begin preserving evidence immediately.
- Nevada’s statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim under NRS 11.190(4)(e). Building a strong case takes time, and waiting too long can create serious problems.
- Insurance companies move fast. The other driver’s insurer may contact you within hours trying to get a recorded statement or push a lowball settlement. Having an attorney means you don’t have to handle that alone.
- Your attorney can coordinate your medical care. If you don’t have insurance or have coverage gaps, an experienced personal injury attorney can connect you with medical providers who work on a lien basis — no out-of-pocket costs until your case resolves.
What NOT to Do After a Las Vegas Car Accident
Just as important as what you should do is what you should avoid:
- Don’t post about the accident on social media. Insurance companies monitor plaintiff accounts and can use your posts out of context.
- Don’t accept a quick settlement without legal advice. Early offers are almost always lower than what you may be entitled to, especially if your injuries require ongoing treatment.
- Don’t skip follow-up medical appointments. Gaps in care send the wrong signal to insurers and juries.
- Don’t ignore symptoms. Even if the ER cleared you, see a specialist if something doesn’t feel right in the days following the crash.
Nevada’s Comparative Negligence Law
Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence rule under NRS 41.141. This means that if you were partially at fault for the accident, you can still recover damages as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies frequently try to assign more blame to the injured party than is warranted — which is exactly why having an attorney matters.
Even if you think you may have contributed to the accident, don’t assume you have no case. Nevada law may still protect your right to compensation.
What Compensation May Be Available After a Nevada Car Accident?
Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to recover medical expenses (past and future), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, property damage, and loss of enjoyment of life. Nevada does not cap compensatory damages in most personal injury cases. The value of your case depends on the severity of your injuries, the strength of the evidence, and how aggressively your claim is pursued.
Injured in a Las Vegas Car Accident? Marathon Law Group Can Help.
At Marathon Law Group, our personal injury attorneys have over 45 years of combined courtroom experience in Clark County. We’ve handled car accident cases across Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and throughout Southern Nevada. We know the local courts, the insurance company tactics, and what it takes to build a case that gets results.
We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Your first consultation is free and confidential.
This blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different. Please consult a licensed Nevada attorney for advice specific to your situation. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.