In Las Vegas, accidents happen every day to various degrees. If you are in a car accident in Las Vegas, you have the legal requirement to report that accident to the police within 10 days of its occurrence, though we recommend contacting them immediately to document your case.
At H&P Law, our Las Vegas car accident lawyer can help you file your statement and aid you in getting any compensation owed to you from the parties responsible for the incident.
Know the Law About Reporting Your Car Accident in Vegas
When you are in a car accident, the best decision you can make at that moment is to call 911, stay at the scene of the incident until the police arrive, and provide the facts to the officer arriving at that time. If, for any reason, you leave the scene, perhaps due to medical need or because you did not know anyone was hurt, that could lead to fines and other legal action. It is up to you to complete the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicle’s Report of Traffic Crash form to the police directly.
You do not have to fill out this form if a police officer responded to the incident and completed the accident information at that time. In the ideal world, that is what occurred since it allows for a police officer to gather as much information as possible about the case. Thus protecting that evidence so you can file a claim if you were not at risk.
In addition to completing the form, you must also provide a copy of your insurance that shows that it was in effect on the date of the accident. You also need to provide an estimate for any repairs or a statement of total loss from your insurance provider, as well as a doctor’s statement that indicates that you were treated for injuries related to the loss. This must be done for each person involved in the accident.
When do You Have to File a Police Report After a Car Accident?
You have 10 days to file a police report with the Las Vegas Police Department after your crash to allow the city to document the incident. There are times when the local law enforcement officer may not be able to respond to the scene of the incident in a timely manner, which is why the option to file a claim is a possibility here. You will legally need to do this if the following apply in your case:
- The police did not come to the scene of the accident or otherwise stated they did not investigate the crash at the time it occurred
- You have property damage to your car or the other car that is worth $750 or more
- One person or more were hurt, even minorly, in the accident
Keep in mind that you must complete this form in its entirety, and you must also provide the requested information related to your property losses and medical losses. Not doing so could mean that you will face fines in a case like this. You should do this no matter if you caused the accident or someone else caused the accident.
What Happens If You Fail to Report a Car Accident in Las Vegas?
Unfortunately, there are numerous concerns that can happen when you fail to file a car accident report in Las Vegas. It is far easier and less costly to simply file a report, or if you made the mistake of not doing so, reach out to the police immediately for help. The penalties for failing to do this may include:
- A suspension of your license for a full year
- A charge of a gross misdemeanor on your record
- Up to a year of jail time, depending on the situation
- Fines up to $2,000
- You could be charged with a hit-and-run felony if an injury was involved
In a personal injury claim, you also need this document to be filed to provide you with proof of what happened. Our personal injury attorneys can offer guidance to you in completing the form if you need it. Do not let this slip through your fingers, as it may put your claim and case at risk.
Why a Police Accident Report Is Critical to Your Injury Claim
When you are involved in a car accident, especially one in which you believe the other party is responsible for the losses you have, it is critical to complete the police report as soon as possible, preferably by calling the police to the scene. The police report documents everything that happened during the accident. It serves as a type of evidence to be used to prove your case and claims later.
During a personal injury case, the information contained in this report will be verified and used to determine who was at fault, what occurred, and what losses it led to. That information can prove to be highly valuable to you and your case, as we will use the data to get more insight into your rights for compensation. Along with the police report, other evidence that can help to prove your rights to compensation include:
- Witness statements
- Your statement
- Medical records
- Data from the scene as shown in photos
- Information from accident recreationists
- Medical reports and records
- Expert statements
Let Our Car Accident Attorneys Help You Verify Your Losses During a Free Consultation
As the victim of a car accident caused by another party, you should file a police report with the local department within 10 days of the incident occurring and then contact our attorneys for immediate help.
At H&P Law, we will begin to work closely with you to ensure your rights are maintained throughout this legal process, and we will provide you with legal guidance on what to do if you miss that 10-day deadline. Set up a free consultation and case interview with our car accident attorneys in Nevada now to learn what your rights are.
