Steps To Take After Car Accident

If you or your loved one was in a motor vehicle accident in Las Vegas or a surrounding area, seek experienced legal help immediately. Even a low-impact collision can be costly. Insurance providers are typically not forthcoming in covering accident victims’ medical expenses, lost wages, property damages and other costs associated with serious and life-threatening motor vehicle accidents. A skilled Las Vegas car accident injury attorney will serve as an aggressive advocate to help you and your loved ones obtain a fully financial recovery. Call us today: 702-252-0055.

At Ladah Law Firm, PLLC, we have extensive experience seeking justice for accident victims throughout Nevada. Our firm’s personal injury attorney Ramzy Ladah was an insurance defense lawyer before focusing exclusively on accident victims’ rights. He knows firsthand the techniques insurance companies use to avoid making full settlement offers. Mr. Ladah knows how to overcome this challenge through documenting the extent of damages and determining all possible sources of liability. Contact our law firm today to schedule a free initial consultation with a skilled Las Vegas car accident injury attorney.

Take The Right Steps To Protect Your Legal Rights After A Motor Vehicle Accident

Every year, insurance companies are inundated with personal injury claims. At Ladah Law Firm, PLLC, we offer a detailed approach to help your claim stick out from all the rest. Personal injury attorney Ladah will work with you to make sure the extent of your injuries and liability factors are fully documented.

A lack of evidence can limit accident victims’ financial recovery. To overcome this challenge, document as much information as possible before critical evidence is lost through following the steps listed below:

• Call the police to file an accident scene report — All serious auto accidents should be reported to the police. It is in your best interest to ensure that an officer is dispatched to the scene—especially if another driver caused the crash. This can serve as an important opportunity to document the amount of property damage and who was at-fault for the accident. When speaking to an officer, stick simply to the facts. You are under no obligation to speculate about the crash.
• Take pictures of the damaged vehicle and any property damage — Photographs can serve as an important form of evidence. The more pictures you have, the easier it will be to reconstruct exactly what happened. Take extensive photographs and try to capture the crash from every angle. We will incorporate any photographs of the accident scene to illustrate the extent of damages involved in the accident.
• Obtain medical attention immediately — Insurance companies will fight back against claims if you had any delays in treatment. We recommend going to an emergency room or your primary care physician to document the extent of your injuries. Getting medical treatment is one of the most important things you can do after an accident. First and foremost, you need to protect your health and well-being. Beyond that, you cannot bring a car accident injury claim without medical documentation.
• Act quickly to enlist a skilled personal injury attorney — Insurance companies are known to call accident victims immediately following a car accident. Anything you say to an insurance adjuster will be recorded and could ultimately limit your financial recovery. Attorney Ramzy Ladah will serve as a buffer, making sure the right information is communicated to the insurance adjuster.

What Steps to Take After an Accident in Nevada: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long do you have to report a car accident in Nevada?

Under Nevada law (NRS 484E.010), drivers have a duty to stop their vehicle, render aid, and exchange information. If any person suffered an injury or was killed in the accident, you must notify law enforcement immediately. Indeed, it is generally in your best interests to call the police. An officer will be able to help control the scene and document the collision.

If no officer was dispatched, you still need to report the crash—assuming there was an injury or more than $750 in total property damage. You can report an accident to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by using the SR-1 Report of Traffic Crash form. You must submit this form within ten days of the date of the accident.

Is Nevada a no fault state for car accidents?

No. In Nevada, auto accident liability is based on fault. As such, it is imperative that all car accidents are comprehensively investigated. You do not want to be unfairly blamed for a crash.

Notably, Nevada is a comparative fault jurisdiction. This means that more than one party can share liability for the same accident. In fact, an injured victim may even be held partially liable for their own crash.

In cases of shared fault, liability will be distributed proportionally. As an example, a driver determined to be at fault for 35 percent of an accident will be held liable for 35 percent of the total damages.

Do you have to call the police after a minor car accident?

It depends on how “minor” the accident was. All injury crashes should be reported to the police immediately. With property damage only collisions, the accident must be reported if there appears to be more than $750 in total damage. For very minor collisions with no injuries and minimal damage, you may not need to call the police. That being said, it is always best to play it safe. If you are not sure of what to do, make the call.

What happens if you don't report an accident within 24 hours?

You should still file a crash report. You can submit your crash report to the Nevada DMV within 10 days of the collision. Willful failure to report a collision could lead to the suspension of your driver’s license. If you have any specific questions about your rights or your options, call a car accident lawyer for help.

What happens if you don't report an accident?

You could face serious consequences. If you were injured in the collision, failure to report the accident will undermine your chances of recovering the full and fair financial compensation that you rightfully deserve. By not reporting the accident, you are hurting your own claim. Further, willful failure to report an accident could result in a maximum one-year suspension of your driver’s license.

How long do you have to call your insurance company after an accident?

It depends on the terms of your specific insurance policy. That being said, most auto insurance policies do not actually contain specific deadlines for reporting a crash. Instead, policy language typically says something like “an accident must be reported promptly” or a “crash should be reported within a reasonable time.”

Do not wait too long to report a crash. Notify your insurance company as soon as possible. You do not need to know all of the information at this time. Simply notify the insurer that an accident has occurred. A Las Vegas car accident lawyer will protect your rights.

Contact Our Law Firm’s Nevada Auto Accident Compensation Lawyer

At Ladah Law Firm, PLLC, we are committed to helping you obtain a full financial recovery. Attorney Ramzy Ladah offers a comprehensive approach focused on proving fault and the extent of damages associated with the personal injury accident. Contact our law firm today to meet with a skilled personal injury attorney.