Out-of-State Drivers – What to Do If You Crash a Rental Car in Las Vegas
With over 40 million visitors each year, rental cars are frequently abundant on Las Vegas roadways. When a rental vehicle is involved in a collision, out-of-state drivers must navigate Nevada laws and multiple complex insurance policies to protect their right to pursue compensation for injuries. To help provide clarity to injured victims, a Las Vegas rental car accident lawyer at Paul Padda Law explains what to do after a crash in a rental car in Las Vegas. If you have questions, contact Paul Padda Law by calling (800) 712-0000 to schedule your free consultation and discuss your legal options.
Why Rental Car Accidents Are So Common in Las Vegas
The relatively unique traffic environment in Las Vegas, including a high concentration of non-resident drivers, increases the number of car accidents in the city. Out-of-state drivers that are unfamiliar with local roads and traffic patterns often find themselves navigating congested highways, confusing interchanges, and aggressive drivers on the Strip. When a rental car is involved in a collision, the resulting claim process is typically more complex because multiple insurance policies may apply. Moreover, crucial evidence may disappear if a driver leaves the state shortly after the crash and the rental car is repaired and returned to service.
What to Do Immediately After a Rental Car Crash in Vegas
The steps taken immediately after a crash can significantly affect the outcome of your insurance claim or lawsuit. This is particularly true when a rental vehicle is involved, because vital evidence can disappear when a damaged rental car is towed away or swapped out after an accident. With that in mind, the following steps should be taken after an accident to protect your physical, emotional, and financial future:
- Call 911 to summon first responders to the scene.
- Request that the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department respond and prepare a police report.
- Document the scene by taking photos of vehicles, license plates, roadways, signage, construction, and any visible injuries.
- Collect contact information from drivers and witnesses and obtain information regarding rental car companies.
Which Insurance Policy Applies in a Vegas Rental Car Accident
Insurance coverage is one of the most confusing aspects of rental car accidents, particularly for out-of-state drivers, because several different insurance policies may apply simultaneously. Depending on the policy terms and limits, a driver’s personal auto insurance may provide primary coverage when the driver is operating a rental vehicle. The rental car company likely offered the driver optional coverage, including liability coverage and a collision damage waiver. If the driver paid for optional coverage, that policy likely applies as well, potentially providing additional compensation but also complicating the claims process. To further muddy the waters, some credit card companies also provide supplemental (secondary) liability insurance coverage if the card was used to pay for the rental car. The complex maze of insurance coverage often leads to disputes over which policies apply or which policy provides primary coverage.
What Nevada Law Requires After an Accident
If you were involved in a rental car accident while visiting Las Vegas, it is important to understand that Nevada law governs accidents that occur within the state, regardless of the driver’s state of residence. That means that out-of-state drivers are required to follow Nevada reporting and insurance requirements after a crash.
Specifically, Nevada law requires you to file a report within 10 days if a collision caused injury, death, or property damage valued at $750 or more. Failure to comply with the reporting requirements can result in penalties and complications with insurance claims.
Visitors are often surprised to learn that, regardless of whether a driver lives in California or another state, Nevada law governs liability, damages, and procedural requirements. Home-state laws do not determine how a Las Vegas accident claim is handled.
Common Mistakes Out-of-State Drivers Make
Tourists involved in a rental car accident frequently make avoidable mistakes that can unnecessarily complicate the claims process or even reduce the value of their claim. One of the costliest mistakes is admitting fault at the scene of the accident. Even if you believe that you were partially or wholly responsible for the crash, avoid making any statements that could be construed as an admission of fault.
Another common mistake is contacting the car rental company but failing to seek legal guidance. The car rental company will focus on protecting their own financial interests, not on protecting your right to compensation for physical injuries and emotional trauma.
Lastly, be sure to carefully and completely document the scene and your injuries prior to leaving Las Vegas. Although you may be anxious to return home, keep in mind that injury symptoms may not show up for days after the accident and, once you have left the state, you have lost the ability to preserve evidence. To protect your interests, seek medical attention before heading home when possible so that any hidden injuries are discovered and linked to the collision.
Can You File a Claim If You Don’t Live in Nevada?
Residents of another state can pursue a claim for damages in Nevada if a rental car accident occurred in Nevada. Once you return to your home state, continue medical treatment and document your injuries. Your out-of-state medical records can be used to support a Nevada injury claim.
An experienced Las Vegas rental car accident lawyer at Paul Padda Law can represent you in a Nevada injury claim regardless of where you live. Communication with your attorney, insurance adjusters, and even the courts can often be handled electronically. Unless your case goes to trial, you will likely not need to return to Nevada.
Why a Las Vegas Accident Lawyer Helps Tourists
Having an experienced Las Vegas rental car accident lawyer on your side provides you with an important advantage as an out-of-state driver pursuing an injury claim. The attorneys at Paul Padda Law understand how Nevada insurance companies, car rental companies, local attorneys, and courts handle these claims. Local knowledge and experience can be crucial in rental car accident claims given the likelihood of disputes over multiple policies and complex coverage limits.For tourists who have returned home, having a local Las Vegas lawyer representing you ensures that your claim is properly handled, evidence is preserved, and settlement negotiations proceed in earnest. The team at Paul Padda Law are committed to securing maximum compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial injuries you suffered in a Las Vegas rental car accident. If you were injured in a rental car crash while visiting Las Vegas, contact a Las Vegas rental car accident lawyer at Paul Padda Law by calling (800) 712-0000 to schedule your free consultation and discuss your legal options.