The minutes after a crash are a blur — adrenaline, confusion, maybe a wrecked car in the middle of a busy intersection on Rainbow or the 215. What you do in those minutes, and in the days that follow, has a real effect on your health, your claim, and your legal rights. Nevada also imposes specific legal duties after an accident, and missing them can cost you.
Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide to what to do after a car accident in Las Vegas.
At the scene
1. Stop and stay put. Nevada law (NRS 484E) requires every driver involved in a crash to stop at or near the scene and remain there until they’ve met their obligations. Leaving the scene of an injury accident can be charged as a hit-and-run — a serious crime. This is not optional.
2. Get to safety. If anyone’s seriously hurt, call 911 immediately. If your vehicle is drivable and it’s creating a hazard, Nevada law actually allows you to move it out of the traffic lanes to a safe spot. Turn on your hazards.
3. Call the police. In Nevada, you’re required to notify law enforcement when a crash involves injury, death, or property damage of $750 or more — a threshold almost any real collision clears. A police report also becomes valuable evidence later, so even when officers aren’t strictly required, it’s usually worth having them respond. (In Las Vegas, LVMPD doesn’t always dispatch officers to minor, non-injury crashes — more on what to do then below.) Request a copy of the crash report or note the report number so you can obtain it later.
4. Exchange information. Get the other driver’s name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate, and insurance details. Provide yours as well — Nevada requires it.
5. Document everything. Your phone is your best tool here. Photograph the vehicles, the damage, the license plates, the roadway, traffic signals, skid marks, and the overall scene. Take pictures of any visible injuries too.
6. Find witnesses. Get names and numbers of anyone who saw what happened. Independent witnesses can make or break a disputed claim.
7. Watch what you say. Don’t apologize or admit fault, even reflexively. Fault in Nevada is a legal question with real financial consequences (more on that below), and an offhand “I’m sorry” can be twisted into an admission.
Get medical care — even if you feel fine
Adrenaline masks injuries. Whiplash, concussions, and soft-tissue damage often don’t announce themselves until the next day or the day after. See a doctor promptly, and follow through on treatment. Beyond your health, prompt medical records create the paper trail that ties your injuries to the crash — a gap in treatment is one of the first things an insurer will use to argue you weren’t really hurt. If you don’t have insurance or have coverage gaps, an experienced personal injury attorney can often connect you with medical providers who work on a lien basis, meaning no out-of-pocket costs until your case resolves.
Don’t skip the DMV report
Here’s a step a lot of people miss. If police did not investigate your crash, and it involved injury, death, or property damage of $750 or more, Nevada requires you to file a Report of Traffic Accident (SR-1) with the DMV within 10 days, under NRS 484E.070. You’re generally excused only if an officer already filed a report that included insurance information, or if you were too incapacitated to report.
Miss that deadline and the consequences are real — the DMV can suspend your license for up to a year. One helpful detail: the information in your SR-1 is confidential under NRS 484E.070, meaning it can’t be used against you in a civil or criminal case. The form is available at dmv.nv.gov.
Notify your insurer — but be careful with the other one
Report the crash to your own insurance company promptly; most policies require it. But when the other driver’s insurer calls — and they will, often fast and friendly — be cautious. You’re generally not required to give their adjuster a recorded statement, and those statements are frequently mined for anything that can be used to reduce or deny your claim. It’s worth talking to a lawyer before you do.
What NOT to do after a Las Vegas car accident
- 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.
Two Nevada rules that shape your claim
Comparative negligence (NRS 41.141). Nevada uses modified comparative fault. If you’re partly to blame, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault — and if you’re found more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing. This is exactly why insurers work so hard to pin blame on you, and why the “watch what you say” step matters so much. Our guide to Nevada personal injury compensation explains how damages are calculated.
The two-year deadline (NRS 11.190). You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Nevada. It sounds like a long time, but building a strong case takes work, and evidence fades fast. Our statute of limitations guide covers the details and the exceptions.
When to call a lawyer
Not every fender-bender needs an attorney. But if there’s a real injury, a dispute over who’s at fault, a commercial vehicle involved, or an insurer that’s lowballing or dragging its feet, going it alone usually costs you more than it saves. Evidence also disappears quickly — surveillance footage gets overwritten and witness memories fade — so an attorney can begin preserving it immediately. Our post on why having a lawyer matters breaks that down.
How Marathon Law Group helps
We handle car accident claims throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Clark County — dealing with the insurance companies, preserving the evidence, meeting the deadlines, and fighting the blame-shifting so you can focus on getting better. We work on contingency, which means no fee unless we recover for you.
If you were injured in a crash, contact us for a free consultation.
Call (702) 522-1808. Se habla español.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to report a car accident in Las Vegas? If it involved injury, death, or $750+ in property damage, yes — call police, and if they don’t investigate, file an SR-1 with the DMV within 10 days.
The other driver’s insurance wants a recorded statement. Do I have to give one? Generally no. You’re not required to give the other side’s insurer a recorded statement, and it’s smart to talk to a lawyer first.
How long do I have to file a claim after a Nevada car accident? Generally two years from the date of the crash for injury claims, under NRS 11.190.
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.