If you have sustained severe injuries in a Nevada accident, you may wonder, “Do I need a police report to file an insurance claim?” A police report is a crucial piece of evidence that could influence the outcome of your claim. Are there situations where you can pursue an insurance claim without it? The answer is yes, but you’ll need help from a capable attorney.
The Las Vegas car accident lawyers at Sam & Ash Injury Law understand all the complexities of insurance claims and what it takes to pursue maximum compensation for your injuries. Below, we discuss the significance of police reports and explore how not having a police report could affect your insurance claim.
Understanding the Standard Insurance Claim Procedure
In Nevada, an insurance claim typically involves the following steps:
- Report the Accident: It’s important to report the accident to your insurance company promptly. Most auto insurance policies require you to notify the insurer of any collision you are involved in.
- Claim Investigation: Once you submit an accident claim, the insurance company will initiate an investigation. This involves examining the circumstances of the accident, assessing the injuries and property damage, and reviewing medical reports.
- Claim Assessment: During this stage, the insurance adjuster assesses the details gathered during the investigation phase. The adjuster will consider the extent of the damage, who was at fault, and how much compensation you’re entitled to under your policy.
- Claim Resolution: Based on the assessment, the insurance company will either approve or deny your claim. If approved, the insurer will issue a check for your medical bills, vehicle repairs, and other losses as stipulated in your policy.
If you were injured in an accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you could file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The attorney representing you could support evidence to support your demand for compensation to cover your medical bills and other losses.
Having a police report to support your claim offers an objective, third-party account of an accident. A police accident report provides a detailed narrative, diagrams, and officer observations. The report sometimes identifies the driver at fault. Insurance adjusters rely on police reports to corroborate statements from witnesses and involved parties.
Dynamics of Filing an Insurance Claim Without a Police Report
A police report serves as an essential piece of evidence in an insurance claim. But there are certain scenarios where you can file a claim without one. Some insurance claims that don’t necessarily require a police report include:
- Minor Car Accidents: In instances of minor fender-benders where no one is injured, and there is insignificant property damage, a police report may not be required.
- Workplace Accidents: If you suffer an injury at work that requires medical attention, you should seek medical attention and report the workplace accident to your employer. In most instances, the police will not respond to a non-fatal workplace accident on private property. You don’t need a police report to file a workers’ compensation claim.
- Premises Liability Accidents: Police are unlikely to respond to a slip and fall accident on someone’s private property that doesn’t cause severe injuries. It’s still important to report the incident to the property owner or manager and document it as much as possible.
- AirBnB Injury Claims: If you sustain a minor injury while staying at an AirBnB property, you do not need a police report to file an insurance claim. However, you should report the incident to your host and AirBnB and document the cause of the accident to the extent possible with photos.
- Homeowner’s Insurance Claims: For minor home damage incidents or low-value theft, a police report may not be necessary. It can be beneficial in supporting your claim.
Unraveling the Challenges in Filing a Claim Without a Police Report
A police report provides an unbiased account of the incident and can support an injury claim. Without a police report, an insurance adjuster is primarily left with subjective narratives from the parties involved. That could lead to disputes over what happened. The lack of a police report may also make it difficult to establish fault, potentially resulting in denied claims or lower settlements. It will be your word against the word of the other driver involved in a crash as to what occurred.
Tips for a Solid Claim Without a Police Report
If you don’t have a police report to support your insurance claim, you’ll need additional evidence to establish fault and recover compensation. Some types of evidence you can use to supplement your claim include:
- Pictures or video from the accident scene
- Witness statements
- Your medical records
- A diary or journal describing how your injuries affect your daily life
- An incident report from your workplace, a business, or wherever the accident occurred
- Receipts and repair estimates
How a Lawyer Can Help If You Don’t Have a Police Report
A personal injury lawyer can help you navigate an insurance claim without a police report. An experienced lawyer can gather supporting evidence, document your injuries, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. Their experience and knowledge can help ensure your claim’s elements are effectively presented. An attorney’s understanding of the claims process and the legal landscape can prove crucial in countering potential challenges from the insurance company, increasing your chances of securing a fair settlement.
Insurance Claim Rules for Las Vegas Residents
Remember that if you live in Las Vegas or elsewhere in Nevada, you must report car accidents to the DMV in certain circumstances. Nevada law says that if the police do not respond to the crash and nobody suffered any injuries, you must submit an accident report to the DMV within ten days. Failing to do this could hurt your claim.
Our Las Vegas Injury Attorneys Are Ready To Take on the Insurance Companies
The complexity of filing an insurance claim, especially without a police report, highlights the importance of working with a seasoned personal injury lawyer. A lawyer’s knowledge and experience can make a significant difference in seeking a fair settlement.
If you need help with an insurance claim and don’t have a police report, the team at Sam & Ash Injury Law will help you understand the steps available to pursue compensation. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free initial consultation. We believe you deserve What’s Right.
Site by 