Handling a “No Injury, No Response” Car Accident in Nevada

After an accident, most people do the first thing that comes to mind – they call the police. But policy changes mean Las Vegas police may not show up to write a report after some accidents. While this may help the police free up resources for more serious accidents, it can leave people who have been in accidents unsure of what to do next.

At THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, we’re here to put your mind at ease following an accident. We understand the stress and hassle of a “No Injury, No Response” car accident. We can answer your questions while handling everything that your claim requires. We even offer same-day appointments and can meet anywhere that is convenient for you.

After an accident, we’re here to look out for you. For a free consultation about your case, call us or reach out online today.

What Is a “No Injury, No Response” Car Accident?

Under Las Vegas’ “no injury, no response” accident policy, Las Vegas police are not required to respond to an accident where no one was injured. Police don’t come to the scene or write a report.

The policy was adopted by the Las Vegas Police Department after concern arose that they were spending too much officer time responding to car accidents where no one was hurt or killed instead of going to more serious situations. This policy usually means that law enforcement will no longer respond to most accidents where only your vehicle and property are damaged.

While this can save the police time and free them up for more serious matters, it can create more work for you. Without a police report, you’ll need to document the accident and build a record yourself. You’ll also need to collect evidence to support your claim. For these reasons, the no injury, no response car accident law can easily complicate your car accident claim, especially if the damage to your vehicle is hidden or you suffered injuries that don’t show up for a while.

What Should I Do After My Accident?

The days after an accident can feel overwhelming, particularly if you have injuries that develop over time. But there are steps that you can take to protect yourself and your rights. The following tips can help you respond effectively to a “no injury, no response” car accident:

• Immediately contact the police even if no one appears injured. They can give you clear instructions on what to do next and steps that you can take.
• Gather insurance and contact information from the other driver. If they fled the scene or won’t cooperate, let the police know what happened so they can respond.
• Request police presence on the scene if the other driver appears to be driving drunk or drugged. Drunk and drugged driving is a crime, and officers should come to the scene to understand what’s happened. If the other person is intoxicated, officers could test the other driver, which may result in useful evidence to help with your claim.
• Collect and document any evidence you can about the accident. Take photos of the vehicles and the accident scene. Collect the names and contact information for witnesses. Since there may not be any police report, it’s vital to collect as much information and evidence e as you can.
• Write a brief summary of the accident while your memory is fresh. As soon as you are able, write down the driver’s information, the location of the accident, and a description of what happened.
• Report the accident to the DMV. Nevada law requires you to submit a Nevada DMV Report of Traffic Accident Report (SR-1) within 10 days of a collision if it involved death, injury, or property damage of at least $750.
• Create a journal to keep track of any pain or discomfort you feel after an accident. Some injuries won’t show up immediately after an accident, so monitor your health and get treatment if you need it. Don’t ignore any warning signs or pain that arises in the days and weeks following the accident.
• Speak with a lawyer as soon as you can to understand what the no injury, no response car accident law means for you and how it might affect your claim. A lawyer can help you build your case, advise you on your options, and stand up to insurance companies.

What Does No Injury, No Response Mean for My Insurance?

Nevada is a fault-based state when it comes to car accidents. This means that the other driver – and by extension, their insurance company – are responsible for paying for the damages caused by their negligence. However, the no injury, no response accident policy can make it easier for insurance companies to deny your claim because there may not be an objective report of the accident.

A non-injury accident lawyer can review the details involved in your accident and advise you of your rights. Your lawyer can ensure that you provide as much information as possible to support your claim and to avoid unnecessary delays and denials. Your lawyer will strive to obtain a settlement that fairly compensates you for the damages you sustained in the accident.

Tips on How to Handle the Case

Here are some tips on handling this type of claim:

• Keep records of everything relating to the accident, including photos, witness information, accident descriptions, and descriptions about how you’ve felt after the accident.
• If an injury develops after the accident, seek immediate medical attention. Many injuries, such as whiplash, might not show symptoms for a while. Additionally, the adrenaline that you experienced at the scene of the accident might have initially masked our injuries or symptoms.
• Follow your doctor’s advice and follow through on any treatment you need. It’s vital to protect your health and your claim by getting the treatment you need. If you fail to follow through on a doctor’s advice, it could hurt your claim.
• Don’t discuss your accident on social media. Social media is often public, and the other side could misinterpret what you’ve said or use what you said against you.
• Speak with a no injury, no response car accident lawyer. After the stress and pain of a car accident, many people just want the claim process to be over as quickly as possible. But insurance companies are looking out for themselves and not for you. When you speak with a lawyer, they can evaluate your case, guide you through the process, and serve as a powerful advocate for you.

Getting Help from an Experienced Attorney

After an accident, an attorney can help you minimize delays and maximize the value of your claim. Some of the ways that a lawyer can help after an accident include:

• Letting you know exactly what type of evidence you’ll need to support your claim. After a no injury, no response accident, you’ll need many different types of documents and evidence to move your claim forward. A lawyer can take care of any paperwork and can assemble the evidence to put the best case forward.
• Working with experts to understand what happened. Without an objective report, it may be necessary to hire an accident reconstruction expert who can use the available evidence to establish how the collision likely occurred.
• Handling discussions with insurance companies. After an accident, you’ll need to let insurance companies know what happened. A lawyer can work with you and insurers to make sure they have the information they need while also protecting you from saying anything that might hurt your claim.
• Letting you know what compensation may be available. Depending upon what happened in your accident, you may be facing unexpected injuries, expensive car repairs, lost time from work, emotional distress, and many other challenges. A lawyer can work with you to document any losses or injuries you suffer.
• Represent you with skill in any negotiations. As part of a claim, insurance companies may offer to settle. But insurance companies are not in the business of giving you the compensation you deserve. They’re in the business of paying as little as possible. Throughout any negotiations, a lawyer can stand up for you and work to maximize your claim’s value.
• Filing a lawsuit if the other side won’t take responsibility. If the other side won’t settle your case for a fair amount, then a lawyer can file a court case to seek the compensation and justice you deserve.

If you’ve been injured in a no-injury, no-response car accident, get in touch with THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys today. Our team will work closely with you to understand how your injuries have impacted your life and to build a claim for the compensation you deserve.

We offer a free consultation. We can meet anywhere that is convenient for you, including your home. We can even provide same-day appointments.

For your free consultation, call us or contact us online now.