In Nevada personal injury claims, evidence wins cases. The strongest claims typically have (1) clear proof of how the crash happened, (2) clear proof who was at fault, and (3) clear proof of injuries and financial losses. If you wait until “later,” evidence can vanish, witnesses disappear, and video gets overwritten.
This checklist focuses on what you can collect immediately at the scene to build a claim that an insurance company, a judge, a jury, and even arbitration or mediation decision-makers can rely on.
1) Identification and insurance information
Nevada law requires drivers in crashes involving injury, death, or property damage to attended property to provide identifying information and show a driver’s license upon request (NRS 484E.030(1)(a)).
Collect and photograph:
- Driver’s license
- Insurance card
- Vehicle registration
- License plate
- The driver’s phone number and current address
- The vehicle owner’s information (if different)
If a driver refuses, document the refusal on video and obtain witness contact information. Then report it.
2) Photos and video that tell the whole story
Take wide, medium, and close shots
A strong photo set usually includes:
- Wide shots showing the entire scene and vehicle positions
- Medium shots showing each vehicle in relation to lanes, intersections, and signals
- Close-ups of damage, paint transfer, broken lights, and impact points
Photograph the “invisible” issues insurers fight about
Insurance disputes often turn on details like speed, stopping distance, and visibility. Capture:
- Skid marks, yaw marks, debris, and fluid trails
- Road conditions (gravel, potholes, standing water, construction zones)
- Lane markings, signage, signals, crosswalks
- Sight obstructions (parked trucks, bushes, glare)
- Weather and lighting
Why photos matter legally
Even when police respond, Nevada courts have made clear that fault is for the factfinder, and accident reports containing third-party statements and officer fault conclusions can be inadmissible for proving liability (Frias v. Valle, 101 Nev. 219, 698 P.2d 875 (1985)). Your photos and witnesses often become the most persuasive, admissible proof of how the collision occurred.
3) Witness evidence
Witnesses are often the best “tie-breaker” evidence when drivers disagree.
At the scene:
- Ask witnesses what they saw, then record their statements (with consent)
- Get full names, phone numbers, emails
- Ask where they were standing and what direction they were looking
- If they refuse to record, at least capture their contact information and a short written statement
4) Video sources and “camera canvassing”
Identify and preserve:
- Dash cam footage (your own and nearby drivers)
- Ride-share driver dash cams
- Nearby business cameras
- Residential security cameras
- Parking garage cameras
Do not assume the footage will be kept. Many systems overwrite quickly.
5) Your immediate injuries and symptoms
Some injuries do not show up clearly on scene photos, so document symptoms in real time:
- Take a short video describing what hurts, where, and how it feels
- Photograph visible injuries (bruising, abrasions, swelling)
- Note dizziness, headache, confusion, nausea, neck or back pain
- Document whether airbags deployed and whether you struck any interior surfaces
Then get medical evaluation.
6) Property damage and post-crash vehicle condition
Damage patterns can support a reconstruction, and they can rebut claims that the impact was “minor.”
Collect:
- Photos of all damage (not just yours)
- Photos inside the vehicle (seat belt marks, airbags, interior damage)
- Photos of child car seats and any damage (do not reuse a seat after a crash without confirming safety guidance)
- Towing and storage receipts
- Repair estimates
If there may be a product defect or mechanical issue, do not dispose of key parts without speaking to counsel.
Evidence preservation can affect the entire case
Nevada courts can impose severe sanctions when a party fails to preserve critical evidence after being on notice of potential litigation (Stubli v. Big D Int’l Trucks, Inc., 107 Nev. 309, 810 P.2d 785 (1991); Fire Ins. Exch. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 103 Nev. 648, 747 P.2d 911 (1987)). Nevada recognizes adverse inference principles when relevant evidence is lost, including instructions allowing the jury to infer the missing evidence would have been unfavorable (Bass-Davis v. Davis, 122 Nev. 442, 134 P.3d 103 (2006); NRS 47.250).
7) A simple scene diagram and timeline
While it is fresh, create a quick diagram:
- Lanes, arrows, vehicle travel directions
- Where the vehicles started, where they impacted, where they ended
- Traffic lights and signs
- Speeds only if you are confident, otherwise avoid guessing
Also record:
- Time of crash
- Time police were called
- Time EMS arrived (if applicable)
- Time you left the scene
- Roadway conditions
8) Your own statements and what not to do
What you say at the scene can show up in an insurance file later.
Best practice:
- Be polite and calm
- Do not argue fault
- Do not apologize in a way that sounds like an admission
- Do not speculate about injuries (“I’m fine”)
- Do not sign anything other than what is necessary for towing or emergency care
9) Compliance evidence when police do not respond
If no officer comes:
- Record the call log showing you reported it
- Keep any incident or event number provided
- Consider whether you must file a DMV report within 10 days if injury/death or apparent total damage of $750 or more applies (NRS 484E.070(2))
Remember, the DMV report is generally confidential and generally not admissible as evidence in a trial arising out of the crash (NRS 484E.070(6) to (7)).
Nevada Legal Authorities Cited
Statutes
- NRS 47.250
- NRS 52.015
- NRS 484E.030
- NRS 484E.070
Case law
- Bass-Davis v. Davis, 122 Nev. 442, 134 P.3d 103 (2006)
- Fire Ins. Exch. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 103 Nev. 648, 747 P.2d 911 (1987)
- Frias v. Valle, 101 Nev. 219, 698 P.2d 875 (1985)
- Stubli v. Big D Int’l Trucks, Inc., 107 Nev. 309, 810 P.2d 785 (1991)
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