Stop, check for injuries, move out of traffic if it's safe, exchange information, and document everything before you leave. Then comes the step most people miss: if police didn't investigate the crash and anyone was hurt or damage reached $750, Nevada requires a written crash report to the DMV within 10 days.
That 10-day DMV report is what makes Nevada different, and skipping it can put your license at risk. Here's the full checklist for what to do after a car accident in Nevada, from the first five minutes to the deadlines that follow.
What Should You Do at the Scene of a Car Accident in Nevada?
Your first job is safety. Your second is meeting a few legal duties Nevada puts on every driver involved in a crash, whether or not it was your fault.
Do you have to stop after a minor crash?
Yes. Under NRS 484E.020, a driver in a property-damage crash must stop immediately. If your car is blocking traffic and can be moved safely, Nevada law expects you to move it out of the lanes before handling the rest. On the 15 or the 95, that's not just legal, it's how you avoid a second collision.
What information do you have to exchange?
NRS 484E.030 requires each driver to give their name, address, and vehicle registration number, and to show their driver's license if asked. You also have to give reasonable help to anyone injured, including arranging a ride to a hospital if they need it.
Beyond the legal minimum, collect:
- The other driver's insurance company and policy number
- Their license plate and the make, model, and color of their car
- Names and phone numbers of any witnesses
- The responding officer's name and the report or event number
If you hit a parked car with no one around, NRS 484E.040 requires you to find the owner or leave a secure written note with your name and address, plus the owner's if you aren't driving your own car.
What should you photograph?
Everything, from wide shots to close-ups. Capture all vehicles involved, their positions before they're moved if that's safe, skid marks, debris, traffic signals, the street name, and any visible injuries. Take a photo of the other driver's license, registration, and insurance card too. It's faster than writing and avoids transcription mistakes.
- Stop and check for injuries: Call 911 if anyone is hurt
- Move out of traffic: If no one is hurt and the car moves safely (NRS 484E.020)
- Exchange information: Name, address, registration, license on request (NRS 484E.030)
- Get insurance details: Company, policy number, plate, and vehicle description
- Photograph everything: Vehicles, debris, signals, street signs, and injuries
- Collect witness contacts: Names and phone numbers before people leave
- Report to police: If no officer came, notify police or NHP
- Check the 10-day DMV rule: SR-1 needed if no police investigation and injury or $750+ damage
Do you have to call the police?
Call 911 right away if anyone is hurt. For crashes without injuries, officers don't always respond in person. Nevada law still requires drivers to report the crash to the nearest police office or the Nevada Highway Patrol if no officer came to the scene. A police report also makes the next step, and any insurance claim, much easier.
When Do You Have to File a DMV Report After a Crash in Nevada?
This is the step the checklist was built around. Under NRS 484E.070, you must send a written report to the Nevada DMV within 10 days if both of these are true:
- Police did not investigate the crash at the scene
- The crash caused any injury or death, or apparent damage of $750 or more to any one person's property
With today's repair prices, a cracked bumper and a sensor can clear $750 on their own. So a lot of "minor" crashes in Las Vegas still trigger the report.
What goes on the SR-1 form?
The DMV's report is called the SR-1 Report of Traffic Crash. It asks for crash details and driver, owner, and vehicle information for everyone involved. The DMV won't process it without three attachments:
| Required Attachment | When It's Required |
|---|---|
| Copy of your insurance card in effect on the crash date | Every SR-1 |
| Repair estimate or total loss statement from a repair garage, licensed adjuster, or licensed appraiser | Damage of $750 or more to any one person's property |
| Doctor's statement of injury for each injured person in your vehicle | Any injury or death |
You mail the completed and signed form to the DMV in Carson City. Filing it also authorizes the DMV to share your name, mailing address, and insurance information with the other parties and their insurers.
What happens if you don't file the SR-1?
Your license can be suspended. Under NRS 484E.080, willfully failing to report can lead to a one-year suspension, which ends early once the report is filed or you show the failure wasn't willful. Knowingly putting false information on the report is a gross misdemeanor.
What Should You Do in the Days After a Car Accident?
The scene is only the start. What you do in the next week or two often shapes the whole claim.
When should you see a doctor?
The same day if anything hurts, and within a few days even if you feel fine. According to Mayo Clinic's overview of whiplash, symptoms usually start within days of the injury rather than at the scene. A medical visit close to the crash date also creates the record that ties your injury to the collision, and you'll need a doctor's statement anyway if the SR-1 applies.
How do you get the police report?
If a state trooper responded, you can request the report through the Nevada Highway Patrol crash report page, usually 7 to 14 days after the crash. For crashes on city streets, request it from the agency that responded. Read it closely once you have it, since adjusters rely heavily on the officer's description of fault.
What should you tell the insurance companies?
Notify your own insurer promptly, since most policies require it. With the other driver's insurer, stick to basic facts and avoid guessing about fault or injuries. You generally don't have to give them a recorded statement, and it's usually smart to wait until you understand your injuries.
| When | What | Law |
|---|---|---|
| At the scene | Stop, exchange information, help the injured, photograph | NRS 484E.020, 484E.030 |
| Same day | Report to police or NHP if no officer came; see a doctor if anything hurts | NRS 484E.030 |
| Within a few days | Notify your insurer; get checked even if you feel fine | |
| Within 10 days | File the SR-1 with the DMV if it applies | NRS 484E.070 |
| 7 to 14 days | Request the police report once it is available | NHP crash reports |
| 2 years | Deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit | NRS 11.190(4)(e) |
| 3 years | Deadline to file a vehicle or property damage claim | NRS 11.190(3)(c) |
What If the Car Accident Wasn't Your Fault?
The checklist doesn't change, but a few steps matter more. You'll usually file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurer, and their job is to pay as little as possible. That's why the photos, witness contacts, and police report you gathered carry so much weight.
Fault isn't always settled at the scene. Under Nevada's comparative negligence statute, NRS 41.141, your recovery drops by your share of fault and disappears at 51%, so adjusters often try to shift some blame your way. Here's how people go about proving their innocence after a car accident when the other side disputes what happened.
If the driver who hit you had no insurance or drove off, your own policy may be the path forward. This guide explains how uninsured motorist coverage works in those situations.
What Deadlines Apply After a Car Accident in Nevada?
| Deadline | Time Limit | Nevada Law |
|---|---|---|
| Report to police if no officer came to the scene | Promptly | NRS 484E.030 |
| DMV SR-1 report (no police investigation, and injury or $750+ damage) | 10 days | NRS 484E.070 |
| Personal injury claim | 2 years from the crash | NRS 11.190(4)(e) |
| Vehicle and property damage claim | 3 years | NRS 11.190(3)(c) |
Both filing windows come from Nevada's statute of limitations, NRS 11.190. Not every crash needs a lawyer. If yours was minor, this guide walks through whether you need a lawyer for a minor car accident and the thresholds where it starts to make sense.
How Can Meesha Moulton Law Help After a Car Accident?
If you were hurt, the days after a crash are when evidence is easiest to collect and deadlines are easiest to miss. Meesha Moulton personally reviews every case, and consultations are free for personal injury matters, so you can get a clear read on your options before you talk to the other driver's insurer.
Learn more about working with a Las Vegas car accident lawyer, or request a free consultation to go over what happened.
Frequently Asked Questions About What to Do After a Car Accident in Nevada
Do I have to report a car accident to the DMV in Nevada?
Only in certain situations. If police didn't investigate the crash at the scene and anyone was injured or killed, or there was $750 or more in damage to any one person's property, you must file a written report with the Nevada DMV within 10 days. If police investigated, their report generally covers it.
What is an SR-1 form in Nevada?
The SR-1 is the Nevada DMV's Report of Traffic Crash. Drivers use it to report crashes that police didn't investigate at the scene. It requires details for every driver and vehicle involved, plus a copy of your insurance card, a repair estimate for damage of $750 or more, and a doctor's statement for anyone injured in your vehicle.
What happens if I don't file an SR-1 report?
If you willfully fail to file a required report, the DMV can suspend your driving privilege for up to one year. The suspension ends once the report is received or you show the failure wasn't willful. Filing late is still better than not filing at all.
Do I have to call the police after a minor accident in Nevada?
Call 911 if anyone is hurt. If no officer comes to the scene of a crash involving injury or damage to an occupied vehicle, Nevada law requires the drivers to report it to the nearest police office or the Nevada Highway Patrol. A police report also helps your insurance claim and may remove the need for a separate DMV report.
What should I do after a car accident that wasn't my fault?
Follow the same checklist, but be especially thorough with photos, witness contacts, and the police report. File a claim with the at-fault driver's insurer and stick to facts when you talk to them. Nevada's comparative negligence rule lets insurers argue shared fault, so strong evidence protects your recovery.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Nevada?
Nevada generally gives you two years from the crash to file an injury lawsuit and three years for vehicle and property damage. The 10-day DMV reporting deadline comes much sooner, and evidence like surveillance video and witness memories fades within weeks, so don't wait on the early steps.
