Understanding how to read a police report is critical for anyone involved in a car accident in Nevada. Your accident report, also known as the State of Nevada Traffic Crash Report, contains vital information that will be used by insurance companies and legal professionals to determine fault and compensation.
As experienced car accident attorneys, we at SJW Car Accident & Injury Attorneys work with these reports daily and can help guide you through the process of obtaining, reviewing, and understanding your accident report. Our team can walk you through the key sections of your accident report and explain how to interpret the various Nevada police report codes.
If you were injured in an accident, the team at SJW can obtain a police report on your behalf. Please contact us for a free consultation.
Call SJW Law at (702) 291-8007 for a free consultation. We are here to help you understand your report and protect your rights.
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Decoding Your Accident Report: Section by Section
Breaking down the different sections of your police accident report and explaining the Nevada police report codes will help you understand the details, identify key information, and navigate the report with ease.
Crash Details and Location
The first page of the report will include fundamental details such as:
- Date and time of the accident
- Exact location (street, intersection, mile marker)
- A unique Event Number assigned by the agency
It will also list the investigating officer’s name and badge number.
Key Takeaway: The first page provides a high-level summary of when, where, and how severe your accident was.
Driver and Vehicle Information
This section captures vital data on each vehicle and driver involved:
- Driver name, address, date of birth, license info
- Vehicle owner name and address if different from driver
- Vehicle make, model, year, color, license plate, VIN
- Insurance company name and policy number for each driver
Key Takeaway: Here, you will find detailed information about the people and vehicles involved in the crash, which will be essential for insurance claims.
Sequence of Events and Contributing Factors
To understand how the crash unfolded, pay attention to:
- Collision Type
- Vehicle Action/Maneuver
- Driver Condition
- Contributing Factors for each driver, like speeding, failure to yield, improper lane change, etc.
Key Takeaway: This section provides information regarding how the accident occurred and any contributing factors, which can be crucial for determining fault.
Resulting Injuries and Damages
Transported to Medical Facility and Ejected from Vehicle fields note if anyone was hospitalized or thrown from a vehicle.
Property Damage (other than the vehicles) will be described as Minor to Major to Total.
Key Takeaway: Here, you can see the extent of any injuries and property damage resulting from the crash, which will be important for insurance and legal purposes.
Narrative and Diagram
On the following pages, you will find the investigating officer’s narrative description of how the accident occurred based on their professional judgment, physical evidence, and witness statements. There may also be a visual Diagram roughly sketching the positions of each vehicle (labeled V1, V2, etc.) before and after the crash.
It is essential to read the narrative and diagram in conjunction with the coded fields to get a complete picture of the officer’s conclusions. This written account and visual aid are key to fully grasping how to read your accident report.
If you were injured in an accident, the team at SJW can obtain a police report on your behalf. Please contact us for a free consultation.
How Police Reports Are Used After an Accident
In Nevada, police accident reports are considered public records, meaning the information they contain can be accessed by people involved in the crash as well as their insurance companies and attorneys.
Insurance Claims and Determining Fault
Insurance claims adjusters rely heavily on police accident reports to determine fault and decide on financial responsibility. The insurance adjuster may scrutinize the report’s crash sequence and any violations or contributing factors listed for each driver.
Since Nevada is an at-fault state for car insurance, the driver found to be at fault for the accident will generally have their insurance pay for injuries and damages. The police report’s assessment of what happened may carry significant weight in this fault determination.
Key Takeaway: The police report is a key piece of evidence that insurance companies use to determine fault and payouts after an accident.
If you were injured in an accident, the team at SJW can obtain a police report on your behalf. Please contact us for a free consultation.
Consulting an Attorney About Your Accident Report and Understanding the Nevada Police Report Codes
Reviewing your crash report with an experienced personal injury attorney before proceeding with an insurance claim or lawsuit can be beneficial. A knowledgeable lawyer can help you understand the implications of the report, protect your rights, uncover additional evidence, and navigate the legal system.
At SJW Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we offer free consultations to review your accident report and discuss your legal options. Visit us at 7570 Norman Rockwell Ln., Suite 210, Las Vegas, NV 89143 to get started. We work on contingency, so you pay no fees unless we win.
Key Takeaway: Consulting with an attorney can provide valuable guidance and advocacy as you deal with the aftermath of a car accident.
If you were injured in an accident, the team at SJW can obtain a police report on your behalf. Please contact us for a free consultation.
Obtaining and Correcting Your Accident Report
How to Get Your Report
In Nevada, you request your accident report from the law enforcement agency that investigated your crash, such as the Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP), Las Vegas Metropolitan Police (LVMPD).
- For NHP reports, contact the local NHP office or see our page on How to Get a Nevada Highway Patrol Accident Report free of charge.
- In Las Vegas, submit a request to LVMPD online, by mail, or in person. For more information, see our page on How to Get a Police report in Las Vegas.
- For other areas, contact the local records department (e.g., Henderson PD, or see our page on How to Get a Reno Accident Report Online).
Be prepared to provide the date, location, and involved parties’ names. Wait several days after your accident before making the request to allow time for processing.
If you were injured in an accident, the team at SJW can obtain a police report on your behalf. Please contact us for a free consultation.
Nevada Car Accident Report FAQ
Q: Can anyone get a copy of the police report? A: Yes, accident reports are public records in Nevada. However, the most common requestors are the people involved in the crash, their insurance companies, and their lawyers.
Q: How much does a police accident report cost? A: Fees at local police departments vary but are usually in the $10-15 range.
Q: Do I need the police report to file an insurance claim? A: While you can start the claim process without the report, insurance companies will typically want to review the official police report before making a liability decision or paying out benefits.
Q: Should I hire a lawyer to help me with my accident case? A: Consulting with an experienced car accident attorney is highly recommended, especially if you have been injured. A lawyer can help you understand your rights, build evidence to support your case, and fight for the maximum available compensation.
Remember, at SJW Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we are here to help. Call us at (702) 291-8007 for a free, no-obligation case review. We will put our experience and resources to work for you to pursue the best possible outcome.
If you were injured in an accident, the team at SJW can obtain a police report on your behalf. Please contact us for a free consultation.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and not intended as legal advice. Each case is unique, so please consult a qualified attorney about your specific situation.
Sources:
- Nevada Department of Public Safety, Nevada State Police – Crash Report procedures and form usage
https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/76th2011/Minutes/Senate/TRN/Final/790.pdf - Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 484E – Crash report requirements and legal status
https://law.justia.com/codes/nevada/chapter-484e/statute-484e-110/ - Nevada Highway Patrol (State Police) – Crash report request information
https://nhp.nv.gov/Reports/Crash_Report_Request/ - Nevada DPS Records Division – Public guidance on obtaining accident reportsrccd.nv.gov
- Example Nevada Crash Report (Henderson Police Dept., using NHP-5 form) – Report layout, field codes
https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/76th2011/Exhibits/Assembly/CMC/ACMC1121D.pdf - NHTSA – Nevada Crash Report coding (Form 5 code list)
https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/nv_crashform_01_04.pdf - Nevada Division of Insurance – Consumer advisory on accident reporting doi.nv.gov (context on LVMPD minor accident policy).
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