After a car accident, what you do in the first minutes and days can affect your safety, your insurance claim, and any Nevada personal injury case that may follow. Nevada law also imposes specific duties at the scene, including stopping, exchanging information, rendering aid, and making required reports (NRS 484E.010; NRS 484E.020; NRS 484E.030).
Below is a simple Nevada-focused checklist, followed by a short explanation of why these steps matter.
A simple Nevada car-accident checklist
Step 1: Stop, stay at the scene, and make the area safe
- Stop immediately and remain at the scene when required (NRS 484E.010; NRS 484E.020).
- If the crash is property-damage only and your vehicle is obstructing traffic, move it as soon as reasonably practicable if it can be moved safely, then return to and remain at the scene until you fulfill your duties (NRS 484E.020(2)).
- Turn on hazard lights, set out triangles/flares if available, and get yourself to a safe location.
Step 2: Check for injuries and call 911
- Call 911 if anyone may be injured, if traffic is dangerous, or if the other driver may be impaired.
- Nevada law requires reasonable assistance to injured persons, including arranging transport for medical treatment when it appears necessary or is requested (NRS 484E.030(1)(c)).
Step 3: Exchange the required information (and document it yourself)
Nevada requires drivers involved in a crash resulting in injury/death or damage to an attended vehicle/property to:
- Provide name, address, and vehicle registration number, and show a driver’s license upon request (NRS 484E.030(1)(a)).
- Provide the same information to law enforcement at the scene or investigating the crash, and surrender the license upon request as the statute requires (NRS 484E.030(1)(b)).
Practical tip: photograph the other driver’s license, insurance card, plates, VIN (if available), and the vehicles.
Step 4: If property is unattended, follow Nevada’s special rules
If you hit an unattended vehicle or other unattended property, Nevada imposes additional duties (NRS 484E.040; NRS 484E.050). In practice, this usually means trying to locate the owner and notifying law enforcement.
Step 5: Get photos, video, witnesses, and notes before the scene changes
Take photos or video of:
- Vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, debris, and road conditions
- Traffic signals/signs and visibility
- Any visible injuries (when appropriate)
Get names and contact info for witnesses. Write down what you remember while it is fresh.
Why this matters legally: Nevada courts can impose remedies for spoliation of evidence in appropriate circumstances, and Nevada law recognizes an inference regarding willful suppression of evidence (Bass-Davis v. Davis, 134 Nev. 247, 415 P.3d 952 (2018); NRS 47.250(3)).
Step 6: Get medical evaluation promptly, even if you “feel okay”
Some injuries (concussion, soft-tissue injury, internal injuries) are delayed. Prompt evaluation also creates medical documentation that can matter in proving causation and damages.
In Nevada, medical causation often requires expert testimony when it is not within common knowledge (Morsicato v. Sav-On Drug Stores, Inc., 121 Nev. 153, 111 P.3d 1112 (2005)).
Step 7: Notify your insurer, but be careful with recorded statements
Most policies require prompt notice. Provide basic facts and cooperate as required, but be cautious about giving detailed recorded statements before you understand your injuries and have reviewed key facts.
If you retain counsel, your lawyer can handle communications and help avoid inconsistent statements that may later be used to argue comparative fault (NRS 41.141).
Step 8: File the Nevada DMV crash report when required (the “10-day” rule)
Nevada has a separate written/electronic report requirement to the Department (commonly associated with the SR-1 form) in certain cases when the crash was not investigated by a police officer, including when the crash results in bodily injury/death or apparent damage of $750 or more (NRS 484E.070(2)-(3)).
Important evidentiary note: a written/electronic crash report forwarded under NRS 484E.070 generally may not be used as evidence in a civil or criminal trial arising out of the crash, subject to statutory exceptions (NRS 484E.070(7)).
Step 9: Obtain the police report number, and keep all records
Police crash reports are addressed by statute, and the reports and information are not privileged or confidential under Nevada law (NRS 484E.110(2)). Keep:
- The report number and agency
- Towing and rental records
- Medical bills and treatment records
- Wage loss documentation
- Photos and witness contacts
Step 10: Track your deadline to file a Nevada injury lawsuit
Many Nevada personal injury actions are subject to a two-year statute of limitations (NRS 11.190(4)(e)). Even if you hope to settle, you should not let the deadline approach without a clear plan.
Why these steps matter in a Nevada injury claim
A Nevada car accident case typically turns on whether you can prove the negligence elements, duty, breach, legal causation, and damages (Turner v. Mandalay Sports Entm’t, LLC, 124 Nev. 213, 180 P.3d 1172 (2008); Clark Cnty. Sch. Dist. v. Payo, 133 Nev. 626, 403 P.3d 228 (2017)).
What you do after the crash often affects:
- Liability proof (photos, witnesses, vehicle data)
- Causation proof (timely medical evaluation and consistent history) (Morsicato, 121 Nev. 153, 111 P.3d 1112)
- Comparative fault arguments (statements, conduct, missing evidence) (NRS 41.141)
- Damages proof (records, wage verification, treatment plan)
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving before exchanging information and rendering aid (NRS 484E.010; NRS 484E.020; NRS 484E.030).
- Failing to move a safely movable vehicle that is obstructing traffic (NRS 484E.020(2)).
- Waiting too long to get checked out, then later struggling to prove causation (Morsicato, 121 Nev. 153, 111 P.3d 1112).
- Throwing away evidence like dashcam footage, phone photos, or repair invoices (Bass-Davis, 134 Nev. 247, 415 P.3d 952; NRS 47.250(3)).
- Missing the 10-day DMV report requirement when it applies (NRS 484E.070).
- Waiting too long and running into the statute of limitations (NRS 11.190(4)(e)).
Nevada legal authorities cited
Statutes
- NRS 11.190(4)(e)
- NRS 41.141
- NRS 47.250(3)
- NRS 484E.010
- NRS 484E.020
- NRS 484E.030
- NRS 484E.040
- NRS 484E.050
- NRS 484E.070
- NRS 484E.110
Cases
- Bass-Davis v. Davis, 134 Nev. 247, 415 P.3d 952 (2018).
- Clark Cnty. Sch. Dist. v. Payo, 133 Nev. 626, 403 P.3d 228 (2017).
- Morsicato v. Sav-On Drug Stores, Inc., 121 Nev. 153, 111 P.3d 1112 (2005).
- Stubli v. Big D Int’l Trucks, Inc., 107 Nev. 309, 810 P.2d 785 (1991).
- Turner v. Mandalay Sports Entm’t, LLC, 124 Nev. 213, 180 P.3d 1172 (2008).
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case turns on its specific facts.
If you need assistance with your personal injury case, don’t hesitate to contact Friedman Injury Law.
Friedman Injury Law
375 N. Stephanie St., Ste. 1411
Henderson, NV 89014
P: (702) 970-4222
W: blakefriedmanlaw.com