Many accident scenes become very active very quickly. With first responders and tow trucks arriving at the scene, your focus and recollection of events might be affected, particularly if you or somebody else is injured. That’s why you need to know what to do if you’re ever in a crash before it happens.
If the accident occurs in or around Las Vegas, there are certain Nevada traffic laws that you need to know. Here are some things that you must and must not do if you’re involved in an accident anywhere in Nevada.
Stop
Bring your vehicle to a stop at or as close to the scene as possible, but minimize obstructing traffic. You don’t want to be charged with a hit-and-run.
Give information
If physically possible, give your drivers license information and VIN to anybody involved. Of course, you’ll need to give that information to the police too.
Give assistance
Nevada law requires you to give reasonable assistance to anybody injured in the accident. What’s reasonable depends on the facts and circumstances of each case.
Report
Should police not come to the scene or refuse to do so, you’re required to report the accident to the nearest law enforcement agency or the Nevada State Police. In accidents where there is property damage only with no injuries, Las Vegas police won’t investigate or write reports.
Injuries
If you’re hurt in the accident, get to the nearest emergency room immediately by ambulance. Paramedics will detail the nature and extent of your condition. Emergency room personnel will then make a more detailed examination and report. Don’t delay on treatment. It only detracts from any injury case you might have.
Statements
You’re under no legal obligation to make any type of a statement to the insurer of anybody else involved in the accident without your attorney being present on your behalf. Always refuse to do this without your attorney being present. In one way or another, something in that statement will be used against you. Don’t hurt your case by giving a statement.
Retain an attorney
Not giving a statement to the other side is only the beginning. Don’t try to represent yourself. If you believe that you or somebody close to you was in an accident, and you think it was the fault of somebody else, call Blackburn Wirth at 702-848-7029. We’re aggressive, experienced and successful trial lawyers. We focus our practice on getting the compensation that victims of negligence deserve. Call us right away after an accident. Victims of negligence deserve compensation.
