If you were recently injured in a car accident, hopefully, you called the police and filed an official crash report. The first step to getting a car accident report is to call the police to the scene of the accident. However, if you did not call the police following your accident, NRS §484E.070 mandates that you must report a collision if it results in any deaths, injuries, or damage exceeding $750.
Later, you can request a copy of the car accident report for documentation purposes. Victims should be aware of the importance of filing a car accident report, especially in regard to seeking compensation through an insurance claim, personal injury lawsuit, or wrongful death lawsuit. Aside from the legal obligations to file a report, this form of documentation can prove invaluable to victims who suffer economic and non-economic losses in a crash.
Filing a Car Accident Report
When you call the police to the scene of an accident, they will investigate the accident and file an official crash report. This document, in essence, becomes the car accident report. If you did not call law enforcement to the car accident scene, then you must still file a car accident report through the Las Vegas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMVNV) within ten days of the accident.
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The Purpose of a Car Accident Report
One of the most important purposes a car accident report serves is to determine who was at fault for the collision, which can help insurers and lawyers assess liability. Regardless of which party proves liable for the accident’s damages, an official car accident report can help to establish the losses someone suffered in an accident. Even if you were partially at fault for the accident, for example, a report can ensure the other party does not seek more in damages than what is actually necessary.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you can file and request a car accident report regardless of whether you were the at-fault party or not. As long as you were involved in the accident, you should be able to make use of this form of official documentation.
Requesting Your Car Accident Report
After you get in a car accident, you or your lawyer can request a copy of the report from the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP). The organization allows you to request the report after providing them with certain information and a $10 payment, which you can make with a credit or debit card.
When requesting a report, here are a few things the department will require:
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- A birth certificate or guardianship documentation if you are requesting the report on behalf of a minor under your care
- A signed second party authorization form if you are requesting the report on behalf of a friend or family member
You also have the option to request the report in person by paying a visit to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD).
Requests may take some time to process, so make sure you start as soon as possible. If you hire a lawyer to work on your car accident case, they can handle the request for you.
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Why Should You Seek Legal Representation?
Getting a car accident report is just one step in the process of seeking compensation after experiencing a collision. To recover compensation, you will also have to communicate with the insurance companies, as well as the other party’s legal counsel.
Some victims of car accidents choose to hire legal representation to handle the aspects of their cases. Hiring a lawyer can help you focus on your recovery and get back to your daily responsibilities while also seeking compensation for your losses.
Handling the paperwork involved in the legal process is only one part of a lawyer’s services. They will also evaluate your losses, negotiate with the other party, and represent you at trial if need be.
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Call High Stakes Injury Law After Your Car Accident
You do not have to struggle with the legal aftermath of a car accident alone. If you suffered injuries or property damage in a collision, you deserve fair compensation for your losses.
You have the legal right to hire a lawyer from the very beginning of the legal process, even if you are just starting with an insurance claim. A lawyer can protect your rights throughout the duration of your claim. For help with your car accident case, call High Stakes Injury Law at (702) 444-3228.
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