Car Accident Claims in Nevada

If no police officer is at the scene, a driver in a crash that injured or killed someone, or that happened on a highway, must — after stopping, exchanging information and helping the injured — immediately report the crash to the nearest police office or the Nevada Highway Patrol. A driver who damages an unattended vehicle or other property on a highway must immediately notify the nearest police office or the Highway Patrol by the quickest means available (a capable passenger must do it if the driver cannot). Violations are misdemeanors.

If a crash causes injury or death, or apparent damage of $750 or more to any vehicle or item of property, the driver must send a written or electronic crash report to the Department within 10 days, attaching a repair estimate or total-loss statement for vehicle damage. No driver report is needed if a police officer investigated and the officer's report lists each person's insurance company, policy number and coverage dates. If the driver is physically unable and is not the owner, the owner must report. Willfully failing to report can lead to suspension of driving privileges (generally for 1 year unless the report is received); knowingly giving false information is a gross misdemeanor.

A driver in a crash causing injury or death must stop at or as close to the scene as possible and stay until they have given their name, address and vehicle registration number, shown their license if asked (and surrendered it to police on request), and given reasonable help to anyone injured, including arranging transport for medical care. Leaving the scene of an injury or death crash is a category B felony: 2 to 20 years in state prison and a $2,000–$5,000 fine, with no probation or suspended sentence, and a separate offense for each person hurt or killed. Failing to stop at a property-damage-only crash (with an attended vehicle or property), or failing to find the owner or leave a note after hitting an unattended vehicle or property, is a misdemeanor. If the vehicle is a hazard and can be moved safely, the driver should move it out of traffic lanes first.

Owners of registered vehicles must continuously carry liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage.

Modified comparative negligence (51% bar). The plaintiff's comparative negligence does not bar recovery if it was not greater than the negligence of the defendant or the combined negligence of multiple defendants; the jury finds total damages and each party's percentage of negligence, and damages are reduced accordingly.

Two years for an action to recover damages for injuries to a person caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another (with exceptions in NRS 11.215 and 11.217). Two years also applies to libel, slander, assault, battery and false imprisonment.

Three years for taking, detaining or injuring personal property.