Local guide for Las Vegas injury victims. If you were hurt in a crash, fall, or other incident in and around the Las Vegas Valley, this page shows exactly where to get help, how to document what happened, and where cases are handled—using only official links from Las Vegas, Clark County, and Nevada agencies.
First 24 Hours in Las Vegas
Safety & Medical
- Call 911 for any emergency (injury, fire, danger). For police non-emergencies in the Valley, call 311 (LVMPD). See LVMPD’s 911/311 guidance. When to call 911 vs. 311 — LVMPD.
- Urgent Care vs. ER. For serious symptoms (head/neck injury, chest pain, severe bleeding, suspected fracture, loss of consciousness), go to an Emergency Room or call 911. For minor injuries, consider urgent care the same day. UMC Quick Care clinics are open 7 days a week. UMC Quick Care — UMC.
- Tell providers everything that hurts. Ask for discharge instructions and keep copies—these become part of your evidence.
Evidence Checklist
- Photos/video of vehicles, the scene, debris, skid marks, road conditions, weather, and your visible injuries.
- Names and contacts of witnesses and nearby businesses (for camera footage).
- Dashcam and phone video—back it up. Note the time, location, and direction of travel.
- Exchange info: names, phones, addresses, insurers, policy numbers, plate numbers, driver’s license numbers.
- Write what happened while it’s fresh (speed, lane, signals, lighting, traffic). Save receipts for towing, meds, rideshares.
Reporting an Accident
- At the scene: call 911 for injury, death, or significant damage. For non-emergency police response, call 311 in Las Vegas/Clark County. LVMPD 911/311.
- Nevada self-report (SR-1): If police did not investigate at the scene and there is injury, death, or apparent damage of $750+, you must file DMV Form SR-1 within 10 days. SR-1 Report of Traffic Crash — Nevada DMV; statute: NRS 484E.
- Online/non-emergency police report (certain crimes/incidents): File a report — LVMPD.
Where Cases Happen Here (Courts & Venues)
- Eighth Judicial District Court — Clark County (Civil/Unlimited). This is the main trial court for larger personal injury lawsuits in the Las Vegas area. Court site. Electronic filing (Odyssey File & Serve).
- Las Vegas Justice Court — Civil & Small Claims. Handles limited civil matters and Small Claims (generally up to $10,000)—often used for property-damage-only disputes. Mandatory e-filing. LVJC Civil; Small Claims; E-file portal info and statewide login efilenv.com.
Venue basics: Injury cases are typically filed where the defendant resides or where the injury occurred (e.g., Clark County for most Las Vegas incidents). Always check local rules and court jurisdictional limits before filing.
How to Get Your Police Report in Las Vegas
- Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) serves the City of Las Vegas and much of unincorporated Clark County. Start here for most local crashes:
- Where to request: Requesting Report Copies — LVMPD Records & Fingerprint Bureau.
- Types: incident reports, traffic collision reports.
- Who can request: involved parties, insurers, attorneys (valid ID required).
- Fees: typically $12 per report (effective July 1, 2025; see LVMPD page for current fees).
- Turnaround: allow up to 10 business days after the crash is reported.
- How: in person or by mail; instructions and forms on the LVMPD link above.
- Nevada State Police (formerly NHP) — State highways:
- Where to request: Crash Report Request — Nevada State Police, Highway Patrol.
- Portal: reports often available online via vendor (see NSP page for current link).
- Fees: often around $10 per report; check the portal for the current fee.
- Turnaround: typically 7–14 days after the investigation is complete.
- Clark County Sheriff: The Clark County Sheriff leads LVMPD; use the same LVMPD records process for county-area crashes. LVMPD Contact & Non-Emergency.
Hospitals & Clinics Near Las Vegas
Reputable emergency and major hospitals commonly used after local accidents:
- UMC — University Medical Center of Southern Nevada — Medical District — Level I Trauma (adult & pediatric) — (702) 383-2000 — Patients & Visitors
- Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center — Eastside/Paradise — ER; trauma services — (702) 961-5000 — Patients & Visitors
- MountainView Hospital — Northwest — ER — (702) 255-5000 — Patients & Visitors
- Southern Hills Hospital & Medical Center — Southwest — ER — (702) 916-5000 — Patients & Visitors
- Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center — Far Northwest — ER — (702) 835-9700 — Patients & Visitors
- Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center — West/Spring Valley — ER — (702) 853-3000 — Patients & Visitors
High-Risk Areas & Local Crash Patterns
- Priority corridors (examples often flagged on the City’s High-Injury Network and NDOT safety materials): Charleston Blvd., Sahara Ave., Tropicana Ave., Flamingo Rd., Desert Inn Rd., Maryland Pkwy., Rainbow Blvd., Lake Mead Blvd., Rancho Dr. (SR-599), Boulder Hwy (SR-582), and segments of Las Vegas Blvd. (The Strip). See the City’s Vision Zero overview and NDOT crash web map for current patterns. Vision Zero — City of Las Vegas; NDOT Crash Data Web Map.
- Pedestrian risk: Tourist corridors and wide arterials with high nighttime activity see more pedestrian crashes; cross at signals and stay visible. City Vision Zero resources focus heavily on vulnerable users. Vision Zero — City.
- Weather/events: Monsoon storms (summer) can cause sudden downpours and slick roads; NDOT posts rain/wind driving tips. Major events (CES in January, F1 in November, Raiders games) increase congestion around I-15, Tropicana, and the Resort Corridor. NDOT Safety.
Deadlines: Time Limits You Should Know
- Injury & wrongful-death lawsuits: Generally 2 years from the incident (Nevada NRS 11.190(4)(e)). See the current statute text: NRS 11.190.
- Property damage: Generally 3 years (NRS 11.190(3)(c)).
- Medical malpractice: For injuries on/after Oct. 1, 2002 and before Oct. 1, 2023: 1 year from discovery or 3 years from the act (whichever is sooner). For claims accruing on/after Oct. 1, 2023: the discovery period increased to 2 years, with an outer limit of 3 years (NRS 41A.097). See the statute: NRS 41A.097.
- Government entities: Special rules apply. Nevada law provides that tort claims against the State or a political subdivision should be filed with the appropriate government within 2 years (NRS 41.036). Additional procedural requirements and damages limits may apply. See: NRS 41.
These are general time limits with many exceptions (minors, delayed discovery, notice requirements, etc.). Talk to a licensed Nevada attorney about the deadline for your specific facts.
Costs & Fees (How It Typically Works)
Many Las Vegas personal-injury firms use a contingency fee: the firm earns an agreed-upon percentage of any settlement or judgment. If there’s no recovery, you typically owe no attorney’s fee. Case costs (records, filing, depositions, experts, postage, travel) are separate and may be advanced by the firm and reimbursed from your recovery. Exact percentages, cost handling, and what happens if you change firms vary—ask for a written fee agreement and regular cost updates.
Towing & Vehicle Storage in Las Vegas
- Find your towed car: LVMPD partners with AutoReturn for tow-rotation management. Use the LVMPD instructions and link to search by plate/VIN. Locating Your Towed Vehicle — LVMPD.
- What to bring: government ID, proof of ownership/registration, and a release if required (check with the storage lot). Confirm hours before you go.
- Fees: Nevada tow and storage charges are governed by the Nevada Transportation Authority and each company’s approved tariff (rates vary). Some tariffs allow after-hours release fees; storage generally accrues per 24-hour period. See rules and examples: NAC 706 (Tow/Storage Rules), NAC 706.410, and NTA model tariff documents.
- Disputes: Keep your invoice and ask for a written itemization of each charge. You can contact the Nevada Transportation Authority about tow-rate concerns and speak with your insurer for coverage questions.
Working With a Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer
- Communication: Expect regular check-ins by phone, email, or client portals. Many firms offer virtual consults and can visit at home or in the hospital when needed.
- Medical coordination: Firms commonly help schedule appointments, request records, and work with providers on liens when insurance is pending.
- Language access: Many Las Vegas firms provide bilingual staff and translation. Ask about Spanish and other language support.
- What you can do: Keep treating, follow medical advice, save receipts, track lost time from work, and forward any insurer correspondence to your lawyer.
FAQs
1) Do you offer free consultations? How soon can I speak with an attorney?
Many Las Vegas firms provide free initial consultations by phone, video, or in-office. Same-day call-backs are common, and some offices answer 24/7. If you’re still at the scene or ER, note the report number and preserve photos—an attorney can review those at the consult.
2) How do contingency fees and case costs usually work in Nevada?
Most PI cases are handled on a contingency fee (a percentage of the recovery). Separate case costs—like records, filing, deposition court reporters, and experts—are typically advanced by the firm and reimbursed from the settlement. Ask for a written fee agreement that explains the percentage at each stage (pre-suit, litigation, trial) and whether costs come off the top or after the fee.
3) How long do most cases take in Las Vegas, and what affects the timeline?
Straightforward cases with clear liability and completed medical care can resolve in a few months; contested liability, ongoing treatment, multiple parties, or expert-heavy cases can take a year or more. Court schedules, insurer staffing, and whether suit is filed (District Court vs. Justice Court) also affect timing.
4) Should I give the insurance company a recorded statement?
You typically must cooperate with your own insurer, but you don’t have to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer. Consider speaking with an attorney first; they can coordinate communications and help prevent misunderstandings.
5) What if I was partly at fault under Nevada law?
Nevada follows modified comparative negligence: your compensation can be reduced by your percentage of fault, and you generally cannot recover if you are more than 50% at fault. How fault is assigned is fact-specific and often disputed; evidence (photos, scene data, witnesses) matters.
6) How are medical bills handled during the case?
You remain responsible for treatment costs as they come due. Options may include your health insurance, MedPay, provider liens, letters of protection, or workers’ comp (if applicable). Settlement funds typically reimburse outstanding balances and liens per the final accounting.
7) Will my case go to trial or settle?
Most cases settle, often after medical care is complete and records are collected. If liability or damages are disputed, your lawyer may file suit. Cases can still settle during litigation, mediation, or even on the courthouse steps.
8) What should I bring to the first meeting?
Driver’s license, insurance cards (auto/health), the police report number, medical discharge papers, photos/videos, witness information, repair/tow receipts, pay stubs (for lost wages), and any letters/emails from insurers.
Printable Checklist — What To Do After an Accident in Las Vegas
- Move to safety; call 911 if anyone may be hurt.
- Get medical care promptly; describe all areas of pain.
- Exchange info and photograph the scene, vehicles, plates, injuries, and skid marks.
- Gather witness names and contacts.
- Look for cameras (hotel/casino fronts, stores, homes, traffic cams).
- Ask for the police report number; set a reminder to obtain the report.
- Preserve evidence (keep damaged items; delay repairs until documented).
- Notify your insurer; avoid recorded statements to the other insurer until you understand your rights.
- Track symptoms, missed work, and expenses in one file or app.
- Consider a local attorney consult to confirm timelines and options.
Local Links & Resources
- Police reports — LVMPD Records & Fingerprint Bureau
- State highway crash reports — Nevada State Police (Highway Patrol)
- Vision Zero Las Vegas — City of Las Vegas
- Nevada crash data web map — NDOT
- Eighth Judicial District Court (Clark County) | District Court e-filing
- Las Vegas Justice Court — Civil | efilenv.com
- Find towed vehicles — LVMPD (AutoReturn)
- UMC Patients & Visitors | Sunrise Hospital Visitors
- Nevada Limitations Statutes — NRS 11.190 | NRS 41A.097 (Med Mal) | NRS 41 (Gov’t Claims)
Sources
- Requesting Report Copies — Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department — LVMPD Records.
- When to Call 9-1-1 or 3-1-1 — LVMPD — LVMPD 911/311.
- Crash Report Request — Nevada State Police, Highway Patrol — NSP Crash Reports.
- SR-1 Report of Traffic Crash — Nevada DMV — DMV SR-1; statute: NRS 484E.
- Electronic Filing — Eighth Judicial District Court (Clark County) — District Court e-file.
- Las Vegas Justice Court (Civil/Small Claims; E-File Info) — Clark County Justice Court — LVJC Civil / Small Claims / E-file.
- Vision Zero Las Vegas — City of Las Vegas — City Vision Zero.
- Traffic Crash Data — Nevada Department of Transportation — NDOT Crash Data Web Map; Safety hub: NDOT Safety.
- Patients & Visitors — UMC / Sunrise / Valley Health System — UMC, Sunrise, Spring Valley, Centennial Hills.
- Limitations & Medical Negligence — Nevada Revised Statutes — NRS 11.190; NRS 41A.097; NRS 41.
- Towing/Storage Rules — Nevada Administrative Code — NAC 706 (Tow/Storage); example rule: NAC 706.410.
General information only, not legal advice. Laws change and vary. Talk to a licensed attorney about your situation.

