A successful accident claim in Nevada requires the victim to provide evidence that proves certain legal elements. One of the strongest and most compelling types of evidence is a police report. If you do not involve the police or get a report, however, this doesn’t stop you from recovering financial compensation. Learn how to handle a Las Vegas accident claim without a police report to achieve the best possible case results.
The Importance of Getting a Police Report
A police report contains important facts, information and details about a car accident from the point of view of an unbiased police officer. The report documents critical facts immediately, before evidence can get skewed by poor recall, mistaken memories or new information that wasn’t available at the scene.
A police report typically records the following information:
- The date, time and location of the accident
- A description of road and weather conditions
- A list of any injuries noted or treated at the scene
- The names and contact numbers of everyone involved
- Eyewitness names and their official statements
- Statements from the drivers or parties involved
- A description of both vehicles
- Official accident scene photographs
- A diagram depicting the crash scene and vehicle locations
- Any citations issued to either party for moving violations
- The police officer’s opinion regarding fault (in some reports)
In Nevada, you legally have to call the police and get a report after any car accident that causes injuries, deaths or more than $750 in property damage. Even if you aren’t legally required to notify law enforcement, however, doing so is highly recommended for a record of the incident. A police report can provide important evidence to submit alongside your insurance claim.
Submitting Your Claim Without a Police Report
If you did not get a police report after a car accident, you still have grounds to file an insurance claim and seek financial compensation from the at-fault party for your damages. A missing police report does not disqualify you from compensation or insurance benefits. It may simply lead to a more challenging claim.
Without a police report, an insurance company will be more likely to question your version of events, try to deny liability or blame you for the wreck. You will need to use other sources of evidence to prove your claim and support your side of the story, such as witness accounts, photos, video footage, confessions from the other driver or testimony from an expert crash reconstructionist.
Tips for Dealing With an Insurance Claims Adjuster
The insurance adjuster assigned to your car accident claim in Nevada will ask to record a statement from you – often as early as the day of the accident, before you have a chance to fully understand the crash or the extent of your injuries. This is intentional. The insurance adjuster wants you to say something that could hurt your eligibility for compensation.
Do not agree to give the adjuster a recorded statement. It’s also important not to quickly accept the first settlement offer. Initial offers are often much lower than the true value of a car accident claim, as insurance companies want to save money on payouts. Instead of accepting, contact a personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas to help you get the most out of your claim – especially if you don’t have a police report to use as evidence.