Navigating a car accident claim in Las Vegas can be overwhelming when unfamiliar with the legal process. Everything from the handling of insurance carriers to understanding the state of Nevada’s traffic regulations requires careful attention to detail.
Ideally, Las Vegas streets are filled with tourists, locals, and ride-share providers, all contributing to the risk of accidents. So, if you find yourself involved in an accident, taking the right course can make all the difference in determining your claim.
Thus, being informed about protecting your rights and gaining fair compensation is important, whether you are from the city or a visitor.
Below are essential steps to navigate a car accident claim in Las Vegas.
1. Consult a Car Accident Attorney
Consulting a car accident attorney is crucial, especially if your accident involves serious injuries. Minor accidents resulting in slight damages will not necessarily require a lawyer’s expertise, though complex cases can benefit from professional advice.
Insurance adjusters will generally make every possible attempt to pay you less by settling for minimum payments or outright refusing claims. If you lack the advocacy of attorney representation, you may unknowingly accept less for your damages.
That said, if an accident occurred in any part of Las Vegas, a Las Vegas Car Accident Attorney will guide you through your rights, deal with negotiations for you from insurance companies, and make you claim the rightful compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, and pain and suffering.
Furthermore, an attorney can evaluate your claim, gather the needed evidence, and, when required, fight for you in the courtroom.
2. Ensure Safety First
The first and most important priority is the safety of all the parties concerned, including yourself, the passengers, and the parties involved. If the accident is not serious and your vehicle is not heavily damaged, you can move the car onto the side of the road or even the nearest available space to prevent causing even greater accidents.
However, if the crash is severe and injuries are involved, leaving vehicles where they are until authorities arrive is best.
Also, turn on your hazard lights so you can be seen by passing motorists and, where available, set up road flares or warning triangles for increased visibility.
Additionally, should you find yourself injured, you need to call 911 immediately. Even small injuries require medical professionals to evaluate them, for some can mask their symptoms.
3. Report the Accident
Once you secure the scene, the next is reporting the accident to the police. In Nevada, the law requires that accidents caused by injury, death, or property damage exceeding $750 be reported to the police. Even if the damages seem minor, you can use the formal police report when filing a claim with your insurance company.
When speaking to the responding officer, provide the correct information and don’t admit you were responsible for the incident. Also, stick to the facts and leave the cause for the authorities to decide. The police will make notes from the scene, interview witnesses, and gather pertinent data for the report.
Lastly, ensure you get the accident report, which will be useful when settling insurance claims and potential cases.
4. Gather Evidence
Collecting evidence from the scene is essential for the support of your claim. If possible, photograph the involved cars, the license plates, the damages, the surface of the road, the signs, and the visible injuries. These can determine the cause of the accident and the extent of the damages.
Moreover, the witness contact information for the individuals who witnessed the accident must be gathered. Eyewitness testimony can make all the difference when you need the testimony to resolve disagreements about the incident. Note the date, the time, the where, the weather, and anything you can recall about the cause of the accident.
If police officers happen to arrive, collect the names and badge numbers of the officers. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be when negotiating with insurance companies.
5. Seek Medical Attention
Even if you don’t experience anything after the accident, you must visit a medical professional. Injuries like internal injury or whiplash will not immediately cause you pain, but over time, the situation can aggravate. A medical professional will evaluate your situation and make notes about the injury caused by the accident, something you will need when you make the insurance claim or claim your compensation.
Furthermore, delaying medical treatment not only hurts your health but also hurts your claim. Insurers can argue your injury wasn’t serious or wasn’t caused by the accident when you fail to provide the medical history immediately.
Also, keep copies of medical reports, bills, and prescription medication, which will prove your damages.
Wrapping Up
Navigating a car accident claim in Las Vegas can be complex, but doing the right things can make all the difference. Whether you need to protect yourself from injury and report the accident, gather evidence, or pursue medical treatment, each is important for protecting your rights and recovering the right amount. Insurers will generally try to pay less, so being proactive and informed can help you avoid pitfalls.
If you are stuck with your claim, you can find relief by consulting a car accident lawyer. Lawyers can assist you by negotiating insurance claims, providing the required documents, and making you claim the right amount.
