Just Been in a Car Accident in Las Vegas?

Your safety and the safety of your passengers come first. Before worrying about vehicle damage, insurance, or who was at fault, take a breath and assess whether anyone is hurt.

Call 911 even if injuries seem minor. Under Nevada law (NRS 484E.030), you're required to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage exceeding $750 to law enforcement. The responding officer from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) will create an official crash report — a critical piece of evidence for any future claim.

Adrenaline can mask pain for hours. Injuries like whiplash, concussions, and internal bleeding often don't produce immediate symptoms. Don't tell anyone at the scene "I'm fine" — that statement can be used against you later.

Clark County recorded 293 traffic fatalities in 2024 and approximately 50,000 total collisions. That averages out to 56 crashes every single day. You are not alone, and there is a clear path forward.

If your car is drivable and you're not seriously hurt, move it to the shoulder or a nearby parking lot to avoid blocking traffic. Turn on your hazard lights. Las Vegas's major corridors — I-15, US-95, Sahara Avenue, Tropicana Avenue, and Las Vegas Boulevard — carry enormous traffic volumes, and a disabled vehicle creates secondary accident risk.

The Spaghetti Bowl interchange, where I-15 and US-95 converge, sees over 300,000 vehicles daily and averages 3 crashes per day. If your accident happened on or near this interchange, getting out of the travel lanes quickly is critical.

If you cannot move the car, stay inside with your seatbelt on until help arrives — standing on the roadside is dangerous, especially on the freeway.

Pull out your phone and photograph everything: all vehicles involved from multiple angles, the intersection or road where it happened, traffic signals or signs, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries. These photos become evidence that insurance adjusters and attorneys will rely on.

Exchange information with the other driver: full name, phone number, insurance company and policy number, driver's license number, and license plate number. If there are witnesses, ask for their names and phone numbers — witness testimony can make or break a disputed fault claim in Nevada's comparative negligence system.

Do not apologize or admit fault at the scene. Under Nevada's modified comparative negligence rule (NRS 41.141), your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, and if you're found more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing. A casual apology can be used against you.

If LVMPD responded to the scene, they'll generate a report automatically. If they didn't respond or if you need to supplement the report, you can file online through LVMPD's citizen police report system at lvmpd.com.

To obtain a copy of your crash report, contact the LVMPD Records and Fingerprint Bureau at (702) 828-3271 or visit 400 South Martin Luther King Blvd., Building C. Reports are also available online with a credit card payment. Allow at least 10 business days from the date of the accident before requesting your copy.

If the accident happened on a Nevada highway outside LVMPD jurisdiction, the Nevada Highway Patrol handles the report. For Henderson, North Las Vegas, or Boulder City, contact those police departments directly.

Even if you feel fine, see a doctor within 72 hours of the accident. Concussions, herniated discs, and internal injuries often have delayed symptoms. A medical evaluation creates a documented link between the accident and your injuries — without it, the insurance company will argue your injuries came from something else.

University Medical Center (UMC) is Nevada's only Level I trauma center, located at 1800 W. Charleston Blvd. It treats over 12,000 trauma patients annually and serves portions of four states. Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center (3186 S. Maryland Pkwy) is a Level II trauma center and the largest acute care facility in Nevada. Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson provides Level III trauma care.

Keep every receipt, every doctor's note, and every prescription. These records form the foundation of your injury claim.

The at-fault driver's insurance company will contact you quickly, often within 24 to 48 hours. They may sound friendly and understanding. They are not on your side. Their goal is to settle your claim for as little as possible.

You are not legally required to give them a recorded statement. If they ask, say: "I'm not prepared to give a statement at this time." They may also offer a quick settlement. Don't accept it — early settlement offers are almost always far below the actual value of your claim, especially before you know the full extent of your injuries.

Under NRS 11.190(4)(e), you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Nevada. Miss that deadline and you permanently lose the right to seek compensation through the courts.

Two years sounds like time, but building a strong case requires gathering evidence, obtaining medical records, and negotiating with insurance companies. Attorneys recommend starting the process within weeks, not years, of the accident.

If the accident involved a government vehicle or happened on government-maintained property, you must file written notice within two years under NRS 41.036. Missing this deadline bars your claim entirely.

If you were injured, if the other driver was at fault, or if you're getting the runaround from an insurance company, it's worth having a conversation with a personal injury attorney. Initial consultations are free, and most PI attorneys work on contingency — you pay nothing unless they win your case.

An experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney can evaluate whether your case has value, handle all communication with insurance companies, gather evidence and expert opinions, and negotiate a settlement that accounts for your full damages — not just your current medical bills, but future treatment, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Las Vegas has unique factors that affect car accident claims: millions of tourists driving unfamiliar roads, 24/7 alcohol service contributing to elevated DUI crash rates, and extreme desert heat that can contribute to tire blowouts and road surface issues. An attorney who handles Las Vegas cases regularly understands these dynamics.