An accident or injury can easily leave you in a state of shock — confused about what comes next. A million thoughts may race through your mind about damage, injuries, insurance, medical attention, and so much more. However, filing a police report must be at the top of your list.
Filing a police report will help you in all future proceedings, especially if you choose to seek compensation for your losses. In order to move forward with your claim, a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer will need your police report to support your case. A police report also helps establish negligence and define who was at fault in the event.
Nevada Requirements for Filing Police Reports
According to Nevada’s statutes on Crashes and Reports of Crashes, drivers are required to file a police report within 10 days after an accident occurs that causes injury, death, or damage in excess of $750. Failure to file a police report can result in a one-year driving suspension, and knowingly providing false information is a misdemeanor.
The statute also provides for a few exceptions to these guidelines. If the incident was investigated by a police officer, the resulting report may be used if it details all relevant personal and insurance information of all parties involved. Additionally, someone who has become incapacitated as a result of the injury is not expected to file a report due to their condition.
Information You Will Need to File a Police Report
When you file a police report for an accident in Nevada, you will need to provide as much detailed information as possible. Whether a police officer is investigating your event or you are filing a report yourself online, you will need to be able to outline all pertinent information as accurately as possible. Be prepared to provide the following information when filing a report:
- Date of event plus time and location
- Identifying information
- Personal information
- Victim information
- Suspect information
- Witness information
- Vehicle information, including license plate and VIN numbers
- List of damages and injuries
- Any property damages and values
- Additional relevant information
If a police officer was not present to investigate and report your event, a report may be filed in person, online, or by telephone with a police department in the area in which the event occurred. If you live in a different county than where the event occurred, you may be able to file a courtesy report online if the area’s police department accepts them, and all other reporting requirements are met. If a courtesy report is filed, the report will receive an event number, be entered into the local law enforcement’s database, and a copy of the report will be provided for your records.
The Purpose of a Police Report in a Lawsuit
In the event you file a claim to seek compensation, a police report provides valuable evidence to be used in a lawsuit or settlement. It is a foundational piece of documentation that a case can be built off of and is a factor in determining what damages you may be able to request. The police report is a record that backs up any claims you make regarding a personal injury.
Establishing Negligence and Fault
A police report aids in establishing which party exhibited negligent behavior and was at fault when the event occurred. The information provided in a police report provides a record of the specific details of each person or entity’s actions. Through this, a lawyer or court can assess and determine who may be entitled to compensation.
As a comparative negligence state, Nevada Statute 41.141 outlines that the party who bears the greater degree of negligence is due either limited damages or none at all. Subsequently, fault is determined when one party, through reckless behavior, breaches their responsibility to not cause harm and injures another party as a result, according to negligence law in Nevada. Together, these factors establish the conditions upon which a party, or parties, may recover damages for their medical expenses, loss of income, and more.
Providing Evidence
When making a personal injury claim, the injured party is required to provide evidence that they were hurt due to another person’s action. A police report plays a key role in supplying the evidence required to support the claim being made. Per Nevada Statute 48.015, any evidence that makes a fact probable and affects the determination of the outcome is considered to be relevant.
Relevant evidence is typically treated as admissible evidence if a lawsuit goes to court. While a judge may rule on the validity of the evidence in a particular case, all relevant reports and documentation are considered admissible unless they show prejudice, are privileged, or are rooted in hearsay and are therefore excused from use. Even though what constitutes as evidence is typically consistent, some states may vary on what is allowed and what is not.
How a Nevada Lawyer Can Help
When you reach out to a personal injury lawyer in Nevada, they will help you create a strategy, investigate the event, gather all police reports and documentation, and build a case to help you receive compensation.
A lawyer will work to recover any losses you’ve suffered so you can get back on your feet quickly. As part of the process, you may also be asked to provide other evidence in addition to the police report in the form of documentation, photos and videos, witness testimonies, and more.
Let a Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer Represent You Today
When you are seeking compensation for an accident, let H&P Law help you navigate the way forward. Our premier team of passionate and dedicated lawyers will thoroughly examine your situation, gather all reports and documents for you, and be an advocate for you to ensure you are treated fairly.
Call us today or visit us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers and let us support you during this challenging time.
