The moments following a car accident in Las Vegas can be chaotic. Amid the whirlwind of exchanging information, seeking medical attention, and notifying your insurance company, obtaining an official accident report might seem like just another burden.
However, this document can serve as foundational evidence for an insurance claim or lawsuit, capturing essential details that could determine the outcome of your case. Here is what you need to do to get a car accident report in Las Vegas.
How Can a Car Accident Report Support Your Insurance Claim or Lawsuit?
A car accident report provides objective documentation of what occurred during your collision. Insurance companies and courts rely heavily on these reports for important details like the officer’s determination of fault, statements from drivers and witnesses, road and weather conditions, and diagrams of the accident scene. This evidence strengthens your position when negotiating with insurance adjusters or helps your Las Vegas car accident attorney when presenting your case in court.
Requesting a Report from the Nevada State Police Highway Patrol
If your accident occurred on a state highway or was handled by Nevada State Police, you will need to request your crash report directly from them. These reports are typically available 7–14 days after the accident via the website CRASHDOCS.org.
Each crash report costs $10. You will need to supply the following information in order to secure a copy:
- Your crash number (which starts with “NHP” followed by numbers)
- The last name of an involved party
- The date of the crash
For accidents involving fatalities or if you need photographs from the scene, you’ll need to contact the regional office directly. There’s an additional $5 fee for crash photos.
Requesting a Report from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
Accidents that occur within Las Vegas city limits are usually handled by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD). You can submit an electronic request online, visit in person, or send your request via U.S. mail. Your report will typically become available within 10 business days.
The fee for either a traffic collision report or an incident report is $12. When requesting your report, you will need to provide the LVMPD event number, your full name and date of birth, contact information, names of involved parties, date and time of the incident, location, and vehicle license information.
If you are submitting a request via mail, you will need to include a notarized letter and a copy of your valid government-issued ID. If requesting in person, you must present valid photo identification. You can visit any area command station or the LVMPD Headquarters Records & Fingerprint Bureau on Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Begin Building Your Case with The Janda Law Firm
Securing a car accident report in Las Vegas can feel like an uphill battle, especially when you’re also coping with injuries and dealing with insurance adjusters. If you are having trouble obtaining the paperwork you need or feel lost about your next steps, help is available.
The Janda Law Firm has assisted many Las Vegas residents through this exact situation. Our Las Vegas car accident lawyer will help you get the necessary reports, explain their significance for your case, and work to secure fair compensation for your injuries. Contact us today at (702) 758-8888 for a no-cost consultation and let our Las Vegas personal injury attorney fight for you.