What to Do After a Car Accident in LV

A car accident in Las Vegas can turn your life upside down in seconds. The adrenaline is pumping, you're disoriented, and you may not even realize you're injured. But the decisions you make in the minutes, hours, and days after a crash can make or break your ability to recover fair compensation.

As a Harvard-educated trial attorney who has recovered over $100 million for injured clients across Las Vegas, I've seen too many people hurt their own cases by making avoidable mistakes after an accident. This guide walks you through exactly what to do — step by step — so you protect your health, your rights, and your future claim.

Step 1: Stop and Stay at the Scene

Nevada law is clear on this. Under NRS 484E.010, any driver involved in an accident must immediately stop at the scene or as close to it as possible without obstructing traffic. Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury is a felony in Nevada, and leaving the scene of a property-damage-only accident is a misdemeanor.

Turn on your hazard lights, move to the shoulder if you can do so safely, and stay until law enforcement arrives or you've exchanged information with the other driver.

Step 2: Call 911 Immediately

Always call 911, even if the accident seems minor. There are two reasons for this. First, Nevada law (NRS 484E.030) requires you to report any accident involving injury, death, or property damage over $750 — and most car accidents exceed that threshold. Second, the police report created by responding officers is one of the most important pieces of evidence in your case.

The responding officer will document the scene, interview witnesses, note road conditions, and often assign a preliminary determination of fault. This report becomes a critical tool when negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your case in court.

Step 3: Check for Injuries and Seek Medical Attention

Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is hurt, tell the 911 dispatcher so they can send paramedics. Even if you feel fine at the scene, you should see a doctor within 24 to 72 hours.

This is not just medical advice — it's legal advice. Many car accident injuries have delayed onset symptoms. Whiplash, concussions, internal bleeding, and herniated discs often don't produce noticeable pain until hours or days after the impact. If you wait weeks to see a doctor, the insurance company will argue your injuries aren't related to the accident — or aren't serious.

Every day of delay between the accident and your first medical visit is a day the insurance adjuster will use against you.

Step 4: Document Everything at the Scene

Your smartphone is one of the most powerful tools you have after a car accident. Use it to capture:

• Photos of all vehicles involved — every angle, showing the damage clearly
• The license plates of every vehicle involved
• The intersection or road — including traffic signals, signs, and lane markings
• Road and weather conditions — wet pavement, construction zones, poor visibility
• Your injuries — bruises, cuts, swelling, or any visible harm
• Skid marks, debris, and broken glass on the road

Also write down (or record a voice memo about) exactly what happened while it's fresh. Memory fades fast, and what you remember today may be difficult to recall six months from now during a deposition or at trial.

Step 5: Exchange Information — But Don't Discuss Fault

You are required to exchange the following with the other driver:

• Full name and contact information
• Insurance company and policy number
• Driver's license number
• Vehicle make, model, and license plate

Here is the critical part: do not discuss who was at fault. Do not say "I'm sorry" or "I didn't see you." Even casual, polite statements can be twisted into admissions of liability by insurance adjusters. Stick to exchanging information and checking on each other's well-being.

Step 6: Get Witness Information

If anyone saw the accident, get their name and phone number. Witnesses have a tendency to disappear after the scene clears. Independent witness testimony can be decisive in disputed-fault cases, especially at Las Vegas intersections where both drivers claim they had the green light.

Step 7: Do NOT Give a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company

This is where most people make their biggest mistake. Within days of the accident — sometimes within hours — the at-fault driver's insurance company will call you. They'll sound friendly and concerned. They'll ask you to give a "recorded statement" about what happened.

Do not do this. You are under no legal obligation to provide a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer. These adjusters are trained professionals whose job is to minimize what the company pays. They ask leading questions designed to elicit responses that can be used to reduce your claim or deny it entirely.

Politely decline and tell them to contact your attorney. If you don't have one yet, get one before you call them back.

Step 8: Do NOT Accept a Quick Settlement Offer

Insurance companies often make fast, lowball settlement offers within the first week or two after an accident. They do this because they know you haven't yet discovered the full extent of your injuries or the total cost of your medical treatment.

Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you can never go back for more money — even if your injuries turn out to be far worse than you initially thought. I've seen clients nearly accept $5,000 for injuries that ultimately required $80,000 in surgery. Don't let urgency cost you six figures.

Step 9: Keep Detailed Records Going Forward

From the day of the accident forward, keep a file with:

• All medical records, bills, and receipts
• Documentation of missed work and lost wages
• A pain journal — daily notes about your symptoms, limitations, and emotional state
• Receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses (prescriptions, rideshares to appointments, home modifications)
• All correspondence with insurance companies

This documentation builds the foundation of your claim. The more detailed your records, the stronger your case.

Step 10: Contact an Experienced Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney

The sooner you have an attorney, the better protected you are. An experienced personal injury lawyer will:

• Handle all communication with insurance companies so you don't say something that hurts your case
• Investigate the accident — including obtaining traffic camera footage before it's deleted
• Send preservation letters to prevent the other side from destroying evidence
• Connect you with the right medical specialists for your injuries
• Calculate the full value of your claim, including future medical needs and lost earning capacity
• Negotiate aggressively — and take your case to trial if the insurance company won't pay what you deserve

Ryan Alexander has tried 38+ jury trials and recovered over $100 million for injured clients. Insurance companies know his name and his track record. That reputation translates directly into higher settlement offers for his clients — because adjusters know the alternative is facing him in a courtroom.

Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Las Vegas Car Accident

After handling thousands of car accident cases, these are the most common mistakes I see:

• Posting about the accident on social media — insurance companies monitor your accounts and will use your posts against you
• Waiting too long to see a doctor — gaps in treatment create gaps in your case
• Giving a recorded statement to the at-fault driver's insurance company
• Signing medical authorization forms from the insurance company — they'll dig through your entire medical history looking for pre-existing conditions
• Accepting the first settlement offer before knowing the full extent of your injuries
• Not hiring an attorney — or hiring one too late, after critical evidence is lost

Nevada's Statute of Limitations: Don't Wait Too Long

Under NRS 11.190(4)(e), you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Nevada. If you miss this deadline, the court will almost certainly bar your claim, no matter how strong it is.

Two years sounds like a long time, but building a strong case — gathering evidence, completing medical treatment, negotiating with insurers — takes months. Starting early gives your attorney the time they need to maximize your recovery.