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Call 911 first. Ensure everyone's safety. Do not move injured people unless there is immediate danger. This checklist is for you to work through methodically — start with Phase 1 below.
Even for minor accidents, a police report is critical for your claim. Describe any injuries to the dispatcher.
Do not move an injured person unless they are in immediate danger (e.g., fire). Call for medical help if needed.
In Nevada and most states, leaving the scene is a crime. Move vehicles out of traffic only if it's safe to do so.
Protect yourself and other drivers while you wait for help to arrive.
"I'm sorry" can be interpreted as an admission of liability. Stick to facts when speaking with others at the scene.
Take wide shots to show vehicle positions, then close-ups of all damage. Photograph skid marks, debris, traffic signs, and any visible injuries.
Collect: full name, address, phone number, driver's license number, license plate, insurance company name, insurance policy number. Photograph their license and insurance card.
Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the accident. Independent witnesses are invaluable — they won't be available later if you don't get their contact info now.
You'll need this to request the official police report, which typically takes 3-5 business days to become available.
You are not required to sign any document presented by the other driver, their insurer, or any bystander. Anything you sign may affect your legal rights.
Adrenaline masks pain. Whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries often don't present symptoms for 24-72 hours. A same-day doctor visit creates an unbroken medical record linking your injuries to the accident.
Neck stiffness, headache, tingling, back pain, nausea, dizziness. What seems minor today can become serious, and undocumented symptoms are harder to include in your claim later.
Most policies require prompt notification. You do not need to give a recorded statement yet — just notify them the accident occurred. Keep the call brief and factual.
You are not legally required to speak with the other driver's insurer. Any recorded statement can be used against you. Politely decline until you've spoken with an attorney.
While it's fresh: how it happened, what the other driver did, road conditions, what was said, how you felt. Date and save this document — it's your contemporaneous record.
Create a folder (physical or digital) for: photos, police report number, witness contact info, insurance information, medical receipts, and any correspondence.
Contact the responding agency (city police or county sheriff) and request a copy. There is typically a small fee. Keep multiple copies.
Have your vehicle inspected by a mechanic, not just visually. Internal structural damage often isn't visible and can affect both safety and your property damage claim.
Begin logging daily pain levels, physical limitations, emotional impact, and how your injuries affect your work and daily activities. Date every entry. This diary is powerful evidence.
Gaps in medical treatment are one of the top ways insurers reduce settlement offers. Even if you feel better, follow your doctor's recommended treatment plan.
Hospital bills, urgent care, prescriptions, physical therapy, specialist visits. Every dollar spent on your recovery is potentially recoverable.
If your injuries caused you to miss work, get documentation from your employer confirming dates and income lost. Keep pay stubs from the period. This is recoverable.
Locate your UM/UIM limits, PIP or MedPay coverage, and collision coverage. Understanding what you have tells you what options you have.
Most offer free consultations and work on contingency. Even if you plan to handle the claim yourself, a consultation clarifies what your case is worth and what mistakes to avoid.
Insurance companies actively monitor claimants' social media. Photos showing you active, smiling, or "doing fine" can be used to undermine your claim. Stay off social until your case is resolved.
Required within 10 days if injuries occurred or damage exceeds $750. Filing late or not at all can complicate your claim and may result in license suspension.
You can — and often should — settle the property damage claim quickly while keeping your injury claim open. Don't sign a full release when settling the vehicle claim.
Your attorney can request this. Knowing the at-fault driver's policy limits helps you understand the ceiling for a direct insurance claim.
Nevada: 2 years for personal injury, 3 years for property damage. Mark the deadline on your calendar. Do not let it sneak up on you.
Don't settle until your doctor says you've reached MMI — the point where your condition has stabilized. Settling early locks in your damages before the full extent of your injuries is known.
Request records from every provider you've seen. This forms the medical foundation of your demand letter and claim valuation.
Sum all medical bills, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, and projected future costs. This is your economic baseline for settlement negotiations.
The first offer is almost always too low. Before accepting or countering, get a professional assessment of what your claim is actually worth.
If your treatment is ongoing or your prognosis is uncertain, do not accept a lump-sum settlement that purports to cover "all past and future damages."
Pain and limitation documentation is most powerful when it covers the full arc of your recovery — not just the first week.
If your injuries are serious, your claim is contested, or the insurer is being unresponsive, an attorney at this stage can still dramatically improve your outcome.
A release is permanent. Once signed, you generally cannot seek additional compensation — even if new or worsening injuries emerge later. Have an attorney review any release before signing.
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