Published by Rose Law
At the scene
- If it is safe, leave your vehicle in place. If not, move it off the roadway.
- Call 911.
- Ask police to photograph the scene, every vehicle involved (including tires on any commercial truck), and the at-fault driver. If officers will not, do it yourself if able.
In the first days
- Seek medical attention immediately. Any gap in treatment gives insurers ammunition.
- Bill medical providers through your health insurance, not the at-fault driver's auto policy. Under Nevada law this substantially increases the amount you ultimately receive; providers cannot refuse to bill your health insurer.
- After receiving necessary care, contact Rose Law.
Dealing with the insurers
- If you must report the accident yourself, give only the general facts. Do not state you are uninjured, do not agree to a recorded statement, and do not authorize release of your medical records.
- Have property damage handled by the at-fault driver's insurer, not yours, to avoid a claim on your own policy. Do not discuss injuries or accident facts with the property-damage adjuster.
Talking to the insurance adjuster after a crash covers the first call with an adjuster in more detail.
If fault is disputed
Disputed fault is common and it is not the end of a claim. What matters is the evidence: the crash report, scene photographs, vehicle damage patterns, road and signal conditions, and witnesses. The sooner that is collected, the harder it is for a later version of events to take hold.
Getting your car fixed
A repair does not hurt your injury claim. Property damage and injury are handled as separate tracks, and you should get your vehicle repaired.
Photograph the damage thoroughly before repairs begin, because the vehicle itself is often the clearest evidence of the forces involved.
This guide is general information about how claims usually work in Nevada, not legal advice about your situation. Every matter turns on its own facts. A free consultation is the way to get an answer specific to yours.