Nevada roads recorded one of the deadliest car crash incidents in 2021, with approximately 349 crash-related fatalities, with over half of these cases occurring in Clark County. After every car accident, no matter how minor it may seem, there should be a crash report containing all the details about the incident. This can include the cause of the accident, the number of cars involved, injured victims or deaths, and more.
If you are a car accident victim in Las Vegas, it can lead to physical or emotional harm. Ensure you involve our reputable car accident lawyer from Pacific West Injury Law to help you file a report and guide you through other legal processes. This way, you will get the best out of your case.
Understanding a Road Crash Report
Generally, a car crash report has multiple pages, with the first page containing a summary of the incident followed by additional information about the parties involved, witnesses, cars, and drivers. The report also highlights more details about the drivers involved, including their names, car models and make, the car owner, contact details of parties involved, and the insurers of each car. An extra section indicates whether someone was in a parked car or wasn’t driving, such as a bicyclist or pedestrian.
If the car accident caused damage to other properties apart from the vehicle, there is a section where you include these details, usually categorized as minor, major, totaled, or unknown. You also have another section to indicate any personal injury cases during the car crash. The details of the accident help to create a picture of how the accident happened.
Also, you can tell the police officer at the accident scene if you feel pain, so they include such details in the report. Capturing all the information in the report is essential to prevent other parties from removing or adding other details later, although the officer may still miss some details.
How to File a Road Crash Report in Las Vegas After an Accident
Although there are many ways to file a car crash report, many people opt to call the police to the accident scene. This is easier since a police officer will fill out the accident report and file it.
Since police officers handle several accident cases, they know the correct procedure to fill out an accident report. Moreover, the officer can interview bystanders and witnesses as well as the parties involved in the crash. This will give them an idea of who or what caused the accident.
If a car crash happens on a freeway, you should call the Nevada Highway Patrol. You can reach out to the Las Vegas Police for car accidents in other areas.
When Should I Report a Car Crash to the DMV?
In Las Vegas, two laws relate to when an accident victim must report the car accident per Nevada law. The NRS §484E.050 states that a driver involved in a car accident with another vehicle should notify the highway patrol or the nearest police officer. In such a case, you or a passenger in your car should call the police immediately after the crash.
On the other hand, the NRS §484E.070 states that if a police officer didn’t show up at the accident scene that resulted in injuries, damages of at least $750, or death, the driver should file a Traffic Accident Report. Note that you should file this report within ten days from the time of the car crash.
In some minor car accidents or those that happen in parking lots, the police may not come and investigate. In fact, the authorities will most likely not investigate some minor bumps and a fender bender. Nevertheless, as the driver, you still carry the burden of reporting any road accident resulting in more than minimal damage.
The Timeframe for Filing a Police Report in Las Vegas
If you are involved in a car accident in Las Vegas, the statute of limitations is two years, which means you have a time limit of two years to sue for injuries you sustained during the car crash. For a fatal car crash that leads to the death of a victim, the time frame is two years after the death. If the car accident only resulted in property damage, then you have three years after the wreck to file your claim.
Note that some time limits only apply to filing lawsuits for damages and injuries, not insurance claims. Therefore, consult a Las Vegas car accident attorney on the best way to handle your case immediately after a car crash.
Where Can I Pick Up an Accident Report in Las Vegas?
You can get most traffic accident reports through your email using a secure link and then print it. In case the report isn’t available via email, you need to pick it up physically. Once you fill in the request form for the crash report, you can select where to pick it up from different locations around Las Vegas.
The crash report will be ready in 30 days. If it was a fatal crash, you should go to the Metro Headquarters. Make sure you have a government-issued ID such as a passport or driver’s license when picking up the report.
Seek Legal Assistance from a Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney Today
At Pacific West Injury Law, we have a team of highly experienced personal injury lawyers who can help you file a road crash report. Also, if you have sustained injuries from a car accident in Las Vegas, our attorney can help you file your claim and ensure you get justice and the proper compensation. We are available 24/7, so feel free to contact us for a free case review after a car accident.
