If you have been in a car accident, the state of Nevada will require that you make a police report if anyone has been injured or if the accident results in property damage. At the scene of the accident, the officers will collect statements and any evidence available. This information will be documented in the police report.
Obtaining a police report can be quite important for determining fault and receiving compensation after a car accident. The lawyers of Pacific West Injury Law can help you ensure you have all the documents you need to secure the compensation you are owed.
Information Included in an Accident Report
After a car accident, the police should be called as quickly as possible. Arriving officers and first responders will check for injuries, redirect traffic, and secure the scene. Officers will also begin gathering information for the accident report. The information documented in the report can include:
- Date and time of the accident
- Names and contact information of those involved in the accident
- Vehicle descriptions, VIN, and license plate numbers
- Description of injuries sustained
- Description of property damage resulting from the accident
- Contact information of witnesses
- Witness statements
- Insurance coverage information
- The circumstances of the accident
- The cause of the accident
- The officers’ determination of fault
- Any citations issued
Filing an Accident Report
A police report is required when injuries or property damage occurs as a result of an accident. Car accident injuries may go unnoticed until hours or days after the accident, so it is best to file a report even if you do not think you have been injured. If you need to file a claim for compensation, this report can be a critical piece of evidence. The report is an official document and it confirms the accident occurred and documents the facts surrounding the accident.
The official report will not be available to you until officers have finished investigating and documenting the accident. Most accident reports will be finished and closed within two to five days after the accident. Once the report has been closed, you will be able to obtain an official copy online or in person. You only have 30 days to request your copy of the report because it will no longer be available.
Determination of Fault
The officers on the scene will piece together statements and inspect the scene to get a better understanding of how the accident occurred. This allows the officers to form a professional opinion of who was at fault for the accident, which will be documented in the accident report. Although the officers’ opinion of fault can be highly influential evidence, it is not the official decision on the matter.
An insurance claim will need to be filed to recover compensation for injuries or damages. An insurance claims adjuster will be assigned to investigate the claim on the insurance company’s behalf. Insurance claims adjusters will consider the opinion documented by officers along with the other evidence. If you must file a claim in court to get compensated, a judge can consider the facts documented in the report but the opinion of fault is generally considered hearsay.
Get an Official Copy of an Accident Report
Most accident reports will be completed and closed within two to five days, but some may take longer. Once the report is closed, it will be available for you to obtain a copy online. Official copies of an accident report can be requested at Crashdocs.org. Although you are able to go to the police station to request a copy of the report, getting your copy online allows officers to attend to more pressing matters.
Accident reports are free of charge on Crashdocs and reports are available across all 50 states. The website will ask for the state the accident occurred in and the agency that filed the report. Created and powered by Carfax, Crashdocs will then ask for the report number and the date of the accident. The report number should be given to you by officers at the scene.
The Department of Public Safety can provide you with a copy of a Nevada accident report for a fee of $10 per report and an additional $5 if you want the CD of photos from the scene. They will require the report number, the name of the involved party, and the date of the accident. It may take up to 10 days after your request for the report to be ready. Reports must be obtained within 30 days of the incident or they will no longer be available.
Failure to Report an Accident
If there are no injuries and property damage is not more than $750, you are not required to file a police report. Because accident injuries often go unnoticed for hours or days, it is recommended that you file a report even if you do not think you are hurt. When an accident is very minor and there are no known injuries, officers may not be dispatched to the accident.
If officers fail to show up, you should gather as much evidence as possible and go to the police station to file an accident report. You will only have 10 days from the accident to file a police report. Failure to report an accident that results in injuries or damages of more than $750 can lead to the suspension of your driving privilege.
Do Not Delay in Contacting an Attorney
The two most important things you can do after an accident are to file a police report and consult an injury lawyer. Required by law for most accidents, the police report provides an official third-party account that can be used to determine how the accident occurred. Obtaining a copy of the official report can be done online or in person, but must be done within 30 days after the accident.
An experienced Nevada injury lawyer can provide answers to your legal questions. Our Pacific West Injury lawyers offer a free case consultation to help you determine if your claim is worth pursuing. Connect with us today to find out what your next steps should be to ensure you receive proper compensation.