To get an auto accident report, you will have to file a request with the law enforcement agency that took the report. That may be a city or county police department, for example.
If the accident occurred on the highway, the Nevada car accident lawyer may have handled the report. Each agency may have different processes for accident report requests, so it’s best to inquire directly with the law enforcement agency.
How do You Request a Car Accident Report from Nevada Highway Patrol?
The Nevada State Police Highway Patrol (NHP) has three offices throughout the state. To request your traffic accident report, you will have to find and call the office that has jurisdiction over your area. Las Vegas, for example, is under the Southern Command Regional Office.
Once you find the right office, you will need to give them the following:
- Your crash number, the accident date, and your last name (or the last name of whoever was involved in the accident)
- A $10 fee
- An additional $5 fee if you also want to request copies of photos taken at the crash site
If you fill out the form correctly and meet all their requirements, they will send you a copy of the report that the police filed in response to your crash.
Your Nevada Lawyer Can Request Your Accident Report
After a traffic crash, you have a lot on your mind. It is easy to forget or put off doing something like requesting your report, even if you are committed to taking legal action against the negligent party.
Instead of putting more stress on your shoulders, you can hire a Nevada car accident lawyer to collect all the evidence you need to build a case.
For a free legal consultation, call (725) 900-9000
Why Get a Nevada Car Accident Report?
You might want to have a copy of your auto accident report to use it as evidence in a personal injury case. Nevada is not a no-fault state, meaning whoever caused your injuries is responsible for paying them.
How can you prove that the reckless driver, auto part manufacturer, or mechanic caused your injuries? With information from your accident report, among other sources.
Evidence Contained in a Nevada Accident Report
When the police investigate your case at the accident scene, they may record:
- When and where the accident occurred
- Parties involved in the accident
- Eyewitnesses at the crash scene
- Statements from parties involved and eyewitnesses
- Property damage from the accident
- Injuries or fatalities caused by the accident
- Information about what caused or contributed to the accident
- The results of any tests they saw fit to conduct, such as a breathalyzer test on a driver who appeared intoxicated
When your personal injury lawyer requests a copy of the crash report, they can build on the investigative work done by the police rather than having to start from scratch. This saves them—and you—valuable time.
Other Evidence You Can Use in Nevada Car Crash Cases
You can work with your lawyer to identify other potential sources of evidence, such as:
- Your medical records, which can prove the accident caused your injuries
- Video footage from surveillance or traffic cameras, which can allow your lawyer to view all or part of the accident as it happened
- Expert testimony, which gives subject matter experts the chance to shed light on the medical or economic consequences of the crash or on what caused your accident
- Eyewitness testimony, which enables your accident attorney to form a more coherent picture of the crash and its aftermath
When Should You Try to Get an Auto Accident Report in Nevada?
Per NHP’s website, your car accident report will become available one to two weeks after the crash. Furthermore, NRS § 11.190(4)(e) states that you cannot take legal action against the at-fault party more than two years after the crash.
In short, request your report as soon as it becomes available. Starting on your insurance claim right away can help you meet the statute of limitations. Your attorney can:
- Deal with unforeseen delays or issues with the delivery of your report.
- Analyze the report for details regarding your accident.
- Act on any leads they find in the accident report, such as the identity of eyewitnesses whom they can talk with to shed light on the case.
- Collect and analyze other forms of evidence that can further bolster your case.
- Get in touch with the insurance company and, using the accident report to back them up, ask them to issue a fair settlement in a timely manner.
What if the Accident Report Is Wrong?
One challenge you might face is inaccurate or missing information in the report. For example, maybe the police officer spelled a witness’s name wrong or missed an important piece of evidence that could alter the conclusions they drew about your accident.
If you have concerns about the report, bring your concerns to your attorney’s attention. Further, inform your attorney if you have information about the accident or information from eyewitnesses that is not in the report. Your attorney can address such discrepancies, take appropriate action to prove the report is incorrect, and protect your right to monetary damages.
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Our Nevada Team Can Build a Case With Accident Reports and More
Looking for a reliable law firm to help you build a case against the at-fault party and handle negotiations with the insurance company? Call Van Law today to get started. Our team can handle all information requests, paperwork, and negotiations, among other tasks. Your lawyer will protect your right to compensation and fight for a full and fair settlement that covers all your losses, including the long-term effects of your injuries.
We can even assess your case at no charge. Call us for a free consultation.
No obligation consultations are always free.
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