Festival Season in Las Vegas: What to Know If You’re in a Car Accident After the Show
A Las Vegas car accident is one souvenir nobody wants.
The festival’s over. The last thing you need is your Vegas trip ending at the roadside.
Las Vegas festival season is here, bringing heavy traffic, late nights, and crowds. Expect increased risk of crashes, especially on the Strip, I-15, and near venues. Drivers rushing from the airport or visiting for the first time may miss signs, get lost, or take wrong exits.
If you find yourself in a fender bender or more serious accident, it's crucial to remain calm, know your rights, and take steps to protect your legal standing.
Immediate Actions To Take Following An Accident
Staying calm and taking necessary action immediately is essential. Follow the checklist below after an accident to ensure your safety:
If you're able, move your vehicle to the nearest safe spot or the right side of the road and put on your hazard lights to alert other drivers.
Assess any injuries to yourself or others in your vehicle. Call 911 immediately if anyone needs medical help.
According to NRS 484E.070, you are legally required to report any accident within 10 days where there is an injury, death, or damage of more than $750 to the appropriate authorities.
Take multiple photos of your vehicle(s) in relation to the scene, license plates and vehicles nearby, road conditions, nearby road and traffic signs, traffic signals, and more.
Exchange names, contact information, and insurance information with the drivers involved, sticking only to facts.
If your car is undrivable, contact your insurer or tow service for immediate roadside assistance and rental coverage. Prioritize getting help and then focus on your health.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Once the details of your accident are sorted out, your health should be your absolute top priority.
Even if you don't feel like you've been hurt right away, seek medical attention immediately.
Sometimes adrenaline can mask the symptoms of pain, meaning you might not know what you're really dealing with right away.
Don't Delay Evaluation: See a doctor or go to an urgent care center as soon as possible, even if you feel fine, so that possible injuries like whiplash or concussion can be properly assessed and treated.
Document Injuries: A timely medical assessment provides a documented trail of your injuries that is essential for insurance claims.
Keep a Clear Record: Provide a clear record of all your injuries and any discomfort, even if they're minor, such as neck stiffness, sore head, or vertigo.
Stay Up-to-Date: If you develop new symptoms in the days following the accident, consult your doctor promptly.
After you've taken care of any health needs from your accident and recorded them, take a step back and learn the laws regarding liability and accidents in Nevada.
Insurance Companies And Your Rights In Nevada
When an insurance company contacts you for your statement, don't panic. Here's what you need to know about your rights:
Nevada’s modified comparative fault law (NRS 41.141) permits partial damages if your fault is under 50%, with damages reduced proportionally.
Lawsuit must be filed within two years (NRS 11.190). Contact a personal injury lawyer promptly if you're uncertain about liability.
While the adjuster may attempt to gather information about the accident before you've even been to see a doctor, you're not obligated to submit a recorded statement at that time.
Stay organized and focus on building your claim. A few tips to help you navigate the process:
Keep A File: Put all accident-related documents into a dedicated folder, including medical bills and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses, proof of lost wages, and a record of all conversations with adjusters.
File Early: As soon as it is safe, call your insurer to file a claim. Whether you are visiting from another state or Nevada is your home state, Nevada rules still apply to insurance claims.
File With Police: If the other driver was uninsured or you have a hit-and-run incident, file a police report immediately, and ask whether your policy covers uninsured motorists or underinsured motorists.
Don't Sign A Medical Release Without Careful Review: Don't just sign it, but look it over. If it isn't required for your claim specifically, you shouldn't have to sign a release that gives the insurer access to your entire medical history.
As well organized as you try to be, dealing with these issues can become incredibly stressful and time-consuming, and you shouldn't have to deal with it on your own.
What To Do If You Need Help Dealing With Insurance Claims, Medical Care, And Paperwork
It can be a lot to juggle, even if you aren't just visiting Las Vegas for a short time.
But if the other driver is uninsured, a dispute arises, or the insurance company has made the process much more difficult for you, then an injury lawyer for car accidents can help.
Your attorney will handle your insurer and explain your legal options, helping protect your rights while you focus on your health.
It's often relatively easy for visitors to find a good lawyer simply by asking their hotel concierge for referrals or checking with the Nevada State Bar referral service for recommendations.
Or you can try to find an attorney online who specifically offers services for festival goers from out of town.
The good news is that Las Vegas is prepared to help out-of-town tourists who find themselves injured in an accident.
There are local emergency hotlines and tourist support centers that can help put you in touch with people who can help.
A lot of people wonder if they actually need an attorney to handle an accident case.
If your injuries are more than minor, if the other driver was uninsured, or if your insurance company is refusing to pay out or delaying payment, it can be helpful to talk to an attorney to see what your legal options might be.
And most car accident lawyers in Las Vegas work on contingency, meaning you can get advice from an attorney at no upfront cost to you.
Las Vegas festival season should be about the great time you have, not worrying about an accident that might ruin your trip.
But preparing for the unexpected on Las Vegas roads, from knowing the rules and documenting details to medical care and knowing your options, can make things so much easier if an accident happens.
Taking care of the basics of being safe, staying organized, getting treatment, and figuring out your options can help you take the right action to get back to the good stuff, the music, lights, and energy.
