7 Things to Do After a Car Accident in Las Vegas
What to do after a car accident
The following is a list of things you must do if you get into a car accident in Las Vegas or Nevada.
Step 1. Stop. Driving away from a car accident scene is a crime in Nevada. Always stop your vehicle and assess the situation.
Step 2. Need an ambulance? Check if you, your passengers, the other driver, and their passengers are OKAY. If you think anyone at the scene faces a medical emergency, call 911 immediately. Precious minutes can make the difference between debilitating injuries and even death, so always use reasonable caution and seek medical attention for those injured.
Step 3. Move your vehicle. You do not want to abandon or flee the scene because that is a crime, but the law allows you to move your vehicle to a safer location near the crash scene. Nevada law requires that victims of car accidents make reasonable efforts to mitigate damages. For example, do not make matters worse by leaving your car in the center of a busy highway.
Step 4. Exchange information. Nevada law requires that you exchange insurance information with the other driver, even if you are not at fault. If you do not have insurance, you must provide the driver with sufficient information to contact you.
REMEMBER: Even if you do not have insurance, you can still collect damages from the at-fault driver. So, always exchange information before leaving the scene.
Step 5. Get witness' information. Witnesses tend to leave the scene quickly. Independent witnesses can make or break a personal injury case. You must collect witnesses' contact information before they leave the scene.
Step 6. Take photos. Take photographs of all cars involved in the accident, including their license plates, property damage, and the accident location.
Step 7. Call your insurance. Call your insurance company to file a claim and let them know that you are in shock from the accident. If you feel any pain, tell the insurance adjuster about it and where it is. Documenting your injury at this early stage is very important.
Other things to remember
Here are three essential things to keep in mind after a car accident.
1. Don't Apologize
Never apologize to the other driver, even if you feel the accident is your fault. Your apologies will be considered an admission of guilt and later will be used against you by the other drivers' lawyers and insurance adjusters.
You do not know the cause. Your accident could have been the fault of the shop that did your last brake repair or road construction.
2. Get the Police Report Number
If the police arrive at the accident, get a police report number from the investigating officer. Your lawyer will need this report number to retrieve the crime investigation report.
3. Beware of Social Media
Don't discuss your car accident on social media sites (Twitter, Facebook, and others). Your friends are not the ONLY people who read your posts and comments – the insurance adjusters and police investigators read them too. So, try to keep your posts on social media to a minimum.
When the accident is your fault
If the accident is your fault, contact your insurance company and provide information about the accident. Most insurance companies require that you report any accident within 24 hours. Your insurance company will provide you with a lawyer. Your car insurance covers the lawyer's fee.
When the accident is NOT your fault
If the car crash is not your fault:
1. Get the other driver's name, phone, address, and license plate numbers.
2. Get insurance information.
3. Take many car accident photos.
After that, you must hire a Las Vegas car accident lawyer. A lawyer can help you get fair and full compensation for your injuries and damages.
Accident compensation:
Your first car accident
You do have a slight advantage if it is your first accident. When the driver is involved in a second, third, or fourth accident, the insurance company can always say that the injury was affected by the previous car accident or multiple car accidents and refuse to pay for the treatment. With a first car accident, the insurance company doesn't have this reason to dispute your medical bill.
Remember that your car accident compensation is calculated based on your medical bills, damaged property, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What to do if you don't have car insurance?
If you don't have car insurance, but the "at-fault driver" has car insurance - that insurance will reimburse you for your medical bills, car repair/replacement, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You must hire a car accident lawyer to get fair compensation after a car accident.
If you don't have car insurance and the "at-fault driver" does not have insurance - you are stuck in a bad situation where you may not have a way to collect reimbursement.
What if the "at-fault driver" has no insurance?
If the "at-fault driver" has no car insurance, but you have car insurance, you may have an uninsured motorist coverage included in your insurance policy. If so, you may submit a claim against your insurance to pay for the damage the other driver caused.
What is an average car accident settlement?
There is no such thing as an average car accident settlement in Las Vegas. Each case is different. If you want to know what compensation to expect in your car accident case, call us at 702-432-1000 to speak with a car accident lawyer.
Do you use a car accident settlement calculator?
No, we don't believe in a car accident settlement calculator, and we don't use a car accident settlement calculator. A car accident case is worth what a judge or jury would give the plaintiff. For details or to discuss your case, call our office and ask to speak with a car accident lawyer.
Do I need a lawyer after the car accident?
If the accident is your fault and you have car insurance, your insurance company will provide you with a lawyer. If the accident is NOT your fault, you must hire a car accident lawyer to protect your rights and help you get monetary compensation for your injuries and other damages.
We can help
If you or somebody you love suffered severe injuries in a car accident, call us at 702-432-1000 to speak with a car accident lawyer directly.
We serve clients in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, North Las Vegas, and the surrounding area of Nevada. We also represent many tourists who got in an accident while vacationing in Las Vegas.
The car accident lawyers at Heshmati & Associates handle all car accident cases on a contingency basis. This means - you pay no fees unless we win.
Last updated on May 26, 2024.
