By Serdar Arslan, editor · Last reviewed · How we research
Nevada drivers carry a reporting duty that many people miss. Within 10 days, the driver must send a written or electronic report to the DMV if the crash caused injury, death or apparent damage of $750 or more to any vehicle or property. The only exception is when a police officer investigated and the officer's report lists each driver's insurance details.
Lawsuit deadlines vary by claim type: 2 years for injuries and wrongful death, 3 years for vehicle damage. A tort claim against the State or a local government generally must be filed within 2 years, filing it first is not required before suing, and awards are capped at $200,000 per claimant with no punitive damages. Nevada uses a modified comparative fault rule, so you recover nothing if your fault is greater than the combined fault of those you sue. Liability minimums are 25/50/20. Nevada Highway Patrol reports are sold online through CrashDocs for $10, usually 7 to 14 days after the crash. In 2024, 417 people died in Nevada crashes.
Key rules at a glance
| Personal injury filing deadline | Generally 2 years from the date of the crash Source: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) |
|---|---|
| Property damage deadline | Generally 3 years for damage to your vehicle or other personal property Source: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(3)(c) |
| Wrongful death deadline | Generally 2 years, usually counted from the date of death Source: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e) |
| Claims against a government entity | A tort claim against the State of Nevada or a local government generally must be filed within 2 years after it accrues. It goes to the Attorney General for state claims or the governing body for local claims. Filing the claim is not required before you sue. Awards are capped at $200,000 per claimant, with no punitive damages. |
| Fault rule | Modified comparative fault (51% bar): Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, but you recover nothing if your fault is greater than the combined fault of those you are suing. Source: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 41.141 |
| Insurance system | At-fault (tort) |
| Minimum liability insurance | $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident bodily injury; $20,000 property damage Source: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 485.185 |
| Uninsured motorist coverage | Not required (usually offered; you may reject it in writing) |
| Damage caps | No general cap on compensatory damages in ordinary car accident cases. Claims against the state or local governments are capped at $200,000 per claimant, and punitive damages are not allowed against them (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 41.035). Punitive damages against private defendants have separate limits; check the statute or ask a licensed attorney. |
| Reporting a crash | The driver must send a written or electronic report to the Nevada DMV within 10 days if the crash caused injury or death or apparent damage of $750 or more to any vehicle or property. No report is needed if a police officer investigated and the officer's report lists each driver's insurance details. Source: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 484E.070 |
Getting your crash report in Nevada
Nevada Highway Patrol crash reports are sold online through CrashDocs for $10, usually 7 to 14 days after the crash. You need the NHP crash number, an involved person's last name and the crash date. For fatal crashes, contact an NHP regional office. City police and sheriff's offices release their own reports. Official request page
Checking a Nevada lawyer
Before you sign anything, confirm the attorney is licensed and in good standing with the official state search, and ask for the fee agreement in writing. Our guide on choosing and verifying a lawyer lists what to ask.
- License search: State Bar of Nevada – Find a Lawyer
- Lawyer referral: State Bar of Nevada Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) · 702-382-0504
417 people died in motor vehicle crashes in Nevada in 2024, according to NHTSA FARS (2024).
Frequently asked questions
›When do I have to send a crash report to the Nevada DMV?
Within 10 days if the crash caused injury or death or apparent damage of $750 or more to any vehicle or property (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 484E.070). No report is needed if a police officer investigated and the officer's report lists each driver's insurance details.
›Are the deadlines different for injuries and car damage in Nevada?
Yes. Injury claims generally have 2 years from the crash (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e)), and vehicle or other personal property damage generally has 3 years (§ 11.190(3)(c)). Wrongful death claims generally have 2 years, usually from the date of death.
›What is the most I can recover from a Nevada government agency?
Awards against the State or a local government are capped at $200,000 per claimant, and punitive damages are not allowed (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 41.035). The claim generally must be filed within 2 years after it accrues (§ 41.036).
›Can I recover if I share the blame for the crash?
Yes, unless your fault is greater than the combined fault of those you are suing. Your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 41.141).
›How do I buy a Nevada Highway Patrol crash report?
Buy it online through CrashDocs for $10, usually 7 to 14 days after the crash. You need the NHP crash number, an involved person's last name and the crash date. For fatal crashes, contact an NHP regional office.
Sources
- NRS Chapter 11 – Limitation of Actions (Nevada Legislature)
- NRS Chapter 41 – Actions and Proceedings (Nevada Legislature)
- NRS 485.185 (Nevada.Public.Law)
- NRS Chapter 484E – Duties After Crash (Nevada Legislature)
- Nevada Highway Patrol – Crash Report Request
- State Bar of Nevada – For the Public
- NHTSA FARS – State crashes and all victims