Getting into a car accident in Las Vegas can be a pain, both literally and figuratively. But when the accident doesn’t cause much or even any visible damage, should you call the police?
The short answer is yes, you probably should. While it might derail your day, having a record of the accident is crucial if any issues arise later on.
The Blue Bear Gets Results
After any car accident, you may have questions about what to do next. Depending on the facts and circumstances of your crash, you may be entitled to compensation from the negligent driver. To find out for sure, speak with a trusted Las Vegas car accident lawyer.
At Pacific West Injury Law, we offer you aggressive representation with compassionate care. Unlike other large law firms around Las Vegas, we get to know you as a person, get to know your life, and get to know your goals and desires for the future. This helps us aggressively represent your best interests by representing you, the victim.
We are available 24/7 to discuss your case and give you the support you deserve. We’re not afraid to litigate if that’s what it takes to get you maximum compensation. We also bear down on the big insurance companies, working toward our shared goal of getting you every dollar you deserve.
When to Call the Police After an Accident
Car accident deaths in Nevada are nearing all-time highs. When an accident is that serious, people know they need to call 911. But for minor crashes, you might want to avoid the hassle of dealing with the police. Don’t!
Calling the police after a car accident, especially when you’re not at fault, can help you preserve evidence that the other driver is to blame. When the police arrive at your accident scene, they will speak with you, the other driver, and with any witnesses. This information will get compiled in their police accident report. While the report may not assign fault to any driver, it will help your legal team prove that the other driver was at fault for the accident.
Document Car Damage
We get that waiting around for the police can be an unnecessary hassle, especially if you’re not injured. Particularly in a large metro area like Las Vegas where murders are on the rise, it might seem like a car accident without injuries would be a nuisance to the police.
But here’s the problem – without the police, you have no record of the accident. If your car has been damaged, there’s no record that it was involved in a crash. Maybe you think the other driver seems like a good person and would admit the crash happened, but don’t count on it.
Document Your Injuries
It’s also possible that you develop injuries after you’ve departed the accident scene. Right after the crash, your adrenaline is running high and may mask any pain you would otherwise feel. These injuries may require medical care, something that’s never cheap. Even a concussion, one of the most common car accident injuries, can leave victims with millions of dollars in lifetime medical costs. Without police involvement, however, you may be on the hook for these medical expenses.
You want to ensure that you have objective documentation of your accident so that if injuries do pop up a few days later, you can trace them back to a verified accident. Without the police accident report, you may not be able to point to the accident as a cause of your injuries.
The Police Report May Settle a Dispute Over Fault
Even if you have never been in a car accident before, you have probably heard of people who have been and the hassle they deal with after the crash. Most notably, the debate over who was at fault in the accident. The vast majority of the time, people involved in a crash don’t agree over fault.
That’s understandable because no one wants to be blamed for something, even a minor car accident. But these situations can get heated and contested rapidly.
When the police investigate the accident, interview all the parties involved, and create their accident report, they provide objective information about how the accident happened, even if they don’t cite someone for being at fault. This is important because the information contained in their report can lead your legal team down the right path toward proving the other driver was to blame.
Your Insurance Company May Require a Report
In extremely minor car crashes where there is only minor vehicle damage, you may not try to go after the other driver’s insurance company but instead, just file a claim with your own insurance carrier. This has potential downsides, but it can also be the path of least resistance after your accident.
When you file your claim, however, your insurance company will require documentation that you were involved in a crash. If you don’t have a police report, how will you prove that an accident happened? Your insurance company may even be able to deny your claim if you cannot provide them with a police accident report, leaving you to shoulder the financial burden of your car repairs.
Always err on the side of caution. Calling the police even when it might not be necessary is better than not calling the police and needing them.
Contact Pacific West Injury Law Today
Whether to call the police after a car accident can seem like a tough decision. Many times, the driver who is at fault will try to persuade the other driver that it’s not necessary. They know that if the police are called, they’ll be on the hook for your car repairs and any medical bills you may have due to injuries from the crash.
Don’t let that happen to you. It can be a hassle and a serious time commitment but, ultimately, calling the police is the best way to document your car accident. After you’ve done that, contact Pacific West Injury Law so we can help you collect the compensation you deserve.