Getting injured in a traffic accident can be a confusing and overwhelming experience. As a victim, it can be difficult to understand what happened and who is responsible. Knowing what to expect during the traffic accident investigation process in Las Vegas can help you protect your rights and seek fair financial compensation for your losses from the at-fault party with the help from a Las Vegas accident attorney.
What Happens During a Traffic Accident Investigation in Las Vegas?
In Nevada, a car accident that causes injury or death to any person or more than $750 in apparent property damage must be reported to the police. When you call 911 to report a car crash to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, they may send an officer to the scene to investigate in person. The typical car accident police investigation involves:
- Observations: the officer will write down a physical description of what he or she sees, often creating a diagram of where the vehicles are positioned on the road. The police report will include pertinent facts about the crash, such as the date, time and location.
- Interviews: the police will speak to everyone involved in the accident to collect statements, including drivers, passengers and eyewitnesses. It is important not to admit fault for a car accident when speaking to a police officer at the scene.
- Documentation: official photographs and videos will be taken at the accident site. The photos will focus on details that can help investigators determine who or what caused the crash. Any injuries suffered by those involved will also be documented.
Note that if your car accident was not serious enough to report it to the police – or if law enforcement did not submit an accident report for you – it is your responsibility to do so yourself within 10 days of the crash. The crash report is an important piece of evidence during a car accident insurance claim in Las Vegas.
Insurance Investigation
Since Nevada is a fault-based car accident state, the at-fault driver’s car insurance provider will be responsible for paying for a victim’s losses. After receiving a claim, a car insurance company will conduct an investigation to determine whether its policyholder is to blame. An insurance investigation may involve analyzing the police report, interviewing witnesses, acquiring relevant documents, assessing the claimant’s medical records, physically evaluating both vehicles and reconstructing the crash with help from experts. At the conclusion of its investigation, the insurance company will either accept or deny the claim.
What Can You Do to Help Your Car Accident Case?
You can take steps in the aftermath of a car accident to gather evidence and document your losses. Start by exchanging information with the other driver involved. This includes names, contact information, car insurance details and a description of the other driver’s vehicle. Write down the names and phone numbers of any witnesses, including vehicle passengers. Take photographs of the scene. Be sure to capture vehicle damage, the positions of both vehicles, marks on the road, street signs and weather conditions. Look around and make a note of any surveillance or traffic cameras that may have captured the accident. Point them out to law enforcement so they can obtain copies for you. Write down your police report number before you leave the scene. When you’re ready to seek financial compensation for your losses, contact an attorney. An experienced injury lawyer in Las Vegas can guide you through the crash investigation process from start to finish while protecting your legal rights. Your lawyer can return to the scene, conduct a comprehensive investigation to determine fault, hire qualified experts, gather evidence and fight to achieve the best possible outcome for your car accident case.