Accidents unfortunately happen every day throughout the United States, including motor vehicle, public transportation, and premises liability accidents. Las Vegas is no different, and these types of accidents occur on a daily basis throughout the city. Depending on the type and severity, an accident can cause significant injuries or fatalities, as well as property damage.
Following any accident, many people suffer shock and do not know what to do in order to protect their rights. One of the most important steps that anyone can take is to properly document the accident and the subsequent events following the accident. Collecting this information can help the insurance company process a claim, facilitate settlement negotiations, and protect your legal rights in the event of a lawsuit.
Information to Collect Following an Accident
Depending on the type of accident, there may be certain documents that you should collect. Generally, however, after any accident, you should collect the following documents and information:
- Police report containing the date and location of the accident, the individuals involved, and the name and badge number of the officer;
- Any tickets given related to the accident;
- Names and contact information of individuals involved in the accident;
- Names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident;
- Any statements from individuals taken at the time of the accident or following the accident;
- Photographs of the accident scene;
- Copy of your insurance policy;
- Medical records and billing information relating to treatment received, diagnoses, and medication;
- Documentation confirming your proof of income, such as pay stubs or direct deposits;
- Documentation for any property damage; and
- Accident diary or journal to detail any injuries suffered from the accident and the pain and suffering caused by the accident.
Depending on the type of accident, it may be necessary to obtain additional information. For example, if you suffer an injury at a hotel or casino, it is important to identify all parties responsible for the condition of the property, including the hotel owner and any contractors. Obtaining this documentation and information following any accident will help process the insurance claim and can be used in court to support your legal claims and rights.
What Information to Disclose and Not to Disclose
Importantly, following an accident, certain information should and should not be disclosed to other parties, including the insurance company or other individuals involved in the accident. As an initial matter, all of this information and documentation should be provided to your attorney so the attorney has as much information as possible. Notably, it is important to provide the insurance company with information and documentation to facilitate the processing of the claim. In this regard, your should provide any police report, the names of individuals involved in the accident, the names of any witnesses, documentation relating to injuries and property damage, and photographs of the accident scene.
Not all information and documentation obtained following an accident, however, should be disclosed. In particular, any communications with an attorney should not be disclosed to the insurance company or anyone, unless the attorney recommends disclosure or a court order compels disclosure. What’s more, you should not disclose any information or documents to other parties involved in the accident, unless your attorney recommends disclosure.
If you have questions regarding what information to collect and disclose following an accident, an experienced Nevada injury lawyer at the Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Las Vegas can help.
Injured in an Accident? Contact the Las Vegas Accident Attorneys at Our Firm
If you have suffered an accident and don’t know what to do, an experienced Las Vegas Accident attorney can help you with this process. At the Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Las Vegas, our Las Vegas accident attorneys have extensive experience helping individuals in numerous types of accidents. From hotel or casino injuries to car accidents, our Las Vegas accident attorneys will help protect your legal rights and make sure that you recover the compensation you deserve.
Contact the Las Vegas accident attorneys at the Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers Las Vegas today for a free initial consultation and case evaluation. You can call us today at 702-252-0055 or visit our office at 517 South 3rd Street in Las Vegas.