If you have been involved in a collision on the Las Vegas Strip or a quiet road in Reno, your brain is likely moving a mile a minute.
You need to check on everyone in your car and determine if the other drivers are physically safe before you do anything else.
Nevada law requires you to stop your vehicle immediately if there is an injury or a death, and you must stay there until you exchange information. Failing to remain at the scene is a Class B felony in this state, which can lead to serious legal problems that follow you for many years and potentially result in a prison sentence depending on the severity of the incident.
Why You Should Always Report the Crash
Reporting the incident creates a formal record that helps you if you decide to seek money for your medical bills or car repairs later.
Even a small fender bender can result in hidden injuries like whiplash or internal bruising that might not show up until several days after the crash, making it essential to have a paper trail that connects your physical condition directly to the time and place of the collision.
If you do not have a report, an insurance company might claim the accident never happened or that the damage was not as bad as you say. Having a document from a law enforcement officer gives you significant leverage when you are trying to get the insurance company to pay what they owe.
- It creates a neutral, third-party account of the facts.
- It documents the contact information for all involved parties immediately.
- It prevents the at-fault driver from changing their story once they leave the scene.
The Information You Need for the Report
You must gather specific details before you leave the scene or head to the station because once the other driver drives away, that information is gone forever.
Make sure to get the name, address, and insurance policy number of every person behind the wheel, along with the registration details for every vehicle involved. You will also need to note the make and model of the cars, their license plate numbers, and the vehicle identification numbers if you can find them.
If anyone saw the crash happen, ask for their phone numbers and names because their testimony could be the one thing that proves you were not at fault when the insurance adjusters start looking for excuses to deny your claim.
How to File Your Report Online or in Person
The Las Vegas Metro Police Department provides a Citizen Online Reporting System that you can access from your phone or a home computer if an officer does not show up.
This online portal uses a series of simple questions to make sure your crash qualifies for electronic filing before you start typing your official statement. If the accident happened in Henderson or North Las Vegas, you must go to their specific city websites instead of using the general Las Vegas Metro system.
Each city has its own rules for how they handle these documents, so you need to be sure you are talking to the right department for that area. You have several options for how you actually get the job done:
- Online: Use the web portal for the specific city where the crash occurred.
- In-Person: Visit a community policing station or a local substation.
- Telephone: Call the non-emergency line to see if they can take a report over the phone.
- Officer Investigation: Let the police handle it if they arrive at the scene of the crash.
The Strict Ten Day Deadline in Nevada
Nevada law NRS 484E.070 gives you exactly ten days from the date of the crash to file your report if the police did not write one at the scene.
This ten day window is a strict limit, and missing it could result in the state suspending your driver’s license or even filing criminal charges against you. You should not wait until the last minute because you might need to attach a repair estimate from a mechanic or a doctor’s note about your physical injuries, and gathering these documents takes time when you are already dealing with the pain and stress of the accident.
If you are too hurt to file the paperwork yourself, the owner of the vehicle is responsible for making sure the state receives the report on time.
Is the Police Report Allowed in Court
Many people are surprised to learn that a police report is usually not admissible in a Nevada court because it contains statements made outside of a courtroom.
Judges view these documents as hearsay, which means the written opinions of the officer or the statements from witnesses cannot be used as direct evidence during a trial. Even though the report itself might stay out of the courtroom, the facts inside of it are still incredibly useful for your legal team during the discovery phase.
Lawyers use these reports to find witnesses, verify insurance coverage, and build a strong foundation for the arguments they will present to a jury or an insurance adjuster to ensure you receive a fair settlement.
The Risk of Filing a False Report
It is a crime in Nevada to knowingly give false information to the police or to make up an accident that never actually took place on the road.
According to NRS 207.280, filing a false report is a misdemeanor that can lead to a fine of up to one thousand dollars and six months in a county jail. You should always be honest about what happened, even if you think you might be partially at fault for the collision that occurred between the two vehicles, because honesty protects your reputation and ensures that your legal claim stays valid.
Get Help with Your Nevada Accident Claim
Going through the aftermath of a car crash is stressful, but you do not have to handle the paperwork and the insurance companies all by yourself.
Friedman Injury Law has the experience needed to help you manage the filing process and ensure you meet every deadline the state of Nevada requires for your case. Our team knows how to use these reports to build a strategy that gets you the money you need for your bills and your pain.
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a car accident, call Friedman Injury Law today at (702) 970-4222 to schedule a free consultation. Our auto accident attorneys are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.