Nevada recorded 421 traffic fatalities in 2024, with 293 of them in Clark County alone. If you were hurt in a crash, the at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible for your damages — but insurance companies rarely offer what a claim is actually worth without a fight.
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim in Nevada. Here’s what that process looks like and how to protect yourself.
No. Nevada is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who caused the crash is financially responsible for the damages. Their insurance pays — not yours. This applies whether the accident happened on the I-15, the 215 Beltway, Charleston Boulevard, or a parking lot off the Strip.
Under NRS 41.141, Nevada uses a modified comparative negligence rule. If you were partially at fault, your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of responsibility. But if you’re found 51% or more at fault, you recover nothing. Fault is determined by the police report, witness statements, photographic evidence, and driver accounts.
What you do in the first few days matters more than most people realize.
Check for injuries and call 911. Even if you feel fine, adrenaline can mask symptoms. Some injuries — whiplash, concussions, internal bleeding — don’t show up until days later. Get evaluated immediately.
Exchange information. Get the other driver’s name, phone number, insurance details, license plate, and vehicle description. Collect contact information from witnesses.
Document the scene. Photograph vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signals, and your injuries. This evidence disappears fast.
File a police report. You can file in person at LVMPD (400 S. Martin L. King Blvd) or by phone at (702) 828-3111. Nevada law requires a report for any crash involving injury, death, or property damage over $750.
See a doctor within 48 hours — even if the ER cleared you. A documented medical evaluation links your injuries directly to the crash and prevents insurance companies from arguing they happened later.
Don’t give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. And be careful about what you say or post on social media — adjusters look for anything to undermine your claim.
Nevada allows accident victims to recover damages for the full scope of their losses: medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, rehabilitation, future treatment), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, property damage, and in cases involving drunk or reckless driving, punitive damages.
The value of a claim depends on injury severity, treatment costs, how long recovery takes, and whether liability is disputed. Back and neck injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and injuries requiring surgery typically produce higher settlements.
Know the insurance minimums. Under NRS 485.185, Nevada requires drivers to carry minimum coverage of $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $20,000 for property damage (known as 25/50/20 coverage). Many accidents exceed these limits, which is why uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) matters.
Under NRS 11.190, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. For property damage, you have three years. Wrongful death claims also carry a two-year deadline, starting from the date of death — not the date of the crash.
Missing these deadlines means the court dismisses your case, no matter how strong the evidence. The sooner an attorney begins investigating — preserving surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, documenting the scene — the stronger your case.
Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys working to minimize what they pay. Having an experienced car accident attorney on your side levels the playing field.
Attorney Meesha Moulton — recognized as a Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers — represents accident victims across Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Clark County.
Contact Meesha Moulton Law for a free consultation. No upfront costs. No fees unless your case results in compensation.
It depends on injury severity, medical costs, lost wages, and whether fault is contested. Minor soft tissue injuries may settle for a few thousand dollars, while serious injuries involving surgery or permanent disability can reach six or seven figures.
Anything you say at the scene or to an insurance adjuster can be used against you. Even a casual "I'm sorry" can be interpreted as an admission of liability. Let the police report and evidence determine fault — not a statement made under stress.
Insurance adjusters review the police report, physical evidence, witness statements, photos, traffic camera footage, and applicable traffic laws. In Nevada, both parties can share fault under comparative negligence, which directly reduces the compensation available.
Don't admit fault, apologize, speculate about what happened, discuss your injuries in detail, or agree to a recorded statement without consulting an attorney. Anything you say — including social media posts — can be used to reduce or deny your claim.
Nevada's statute of limitations gives you two years for personal injury and three years for property damage. However, most insurance policies require prompt notification. Filing your claim as early as possible protects your rights and preserves evidence.
To prove negligence in Nevada, you must establish that the other driver had a duty of care, breached that duty (by speeding, texting, running a light, etc.), the breach directly caused the accident, and you suffered actual damages as a result.
Insurance companies deny claims for delayed medical treatment, gaps in documentation, pre-existing conditions, disputed liability, missed filing deadlines, and inconsistent statements. Thorough documentation from day one is the best defense against a denial.
