GUIDE TO REPORTING CAR ACCIDENTS TO INSURANCE COMPANIES

Insurance companies in Nevada require that motorists notify them when car accidents occur and there is property damage or injuries. Some people choose not to report crashes to insurers when there are no apparent injuries and the at-fault party is willing to pay out of pocket for property damage. Failing to report a crash, however, can be a costly mistake if injury symptoms appear later or property damage is more extensive than anticipated.

Car Insurance in Nevada

Motorists in Las Vegas must carry liability insurance on each vehicle they register in Nevada. Because Nevada is a “fault” state, the driver that causes the accident and his or her insurer is liable for personal injuries and property damages. Since modified comparative fault is used to determine liability, people may be able to recover damages even when they are partly to blame for the crash. Victims can recover damages by filing a claim with their own insurer if they carry collision coverage, filing a third-party claim with the other driver’s insurance company, or filing a personal injury lawsuit.

What to Do After an Accident

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Drivers involved in an accident should move their vehicles to the side of the road if possible. They should notify the police and summons an ambulance if there are injuries. Drivers should also exchange contact and insurance information with all other motorists. The names of any witnesses should also be collected. Photos of the scene should also be taken.

When a crash occurs, motorists should provide the following information to the insurance company.

• The other driver’s insurance carrier and policy number;
• The other driver’s contact information;
• Proof of the accident; and
• Evidence of damage.

When Not to Report an Accident

According to Consumer Reports, drivers should report accidents in the following order. First, they should report all accidents that involve another vehicle or person, even when damage doesn’t appear substantial or injuries aren’t apparent at first. Some injury symptoms take hours, days, or even weeks to appear.

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Second, they should report serious solo-car accidents that result in injuries or significant property damage. Consumer Reports recommends against reporting accidents minor, low-speed accidents that occur on private property (like backing into a garage door). The damage from these accidents is unlikely to outweigh the increased premiums.