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How Do You Get Your Police Accident Report in Las Vegas?
To get a copy of your Las Vegas police report, first identify which police agency handled your crash. Most crashes in the city of Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County are handled by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD). However, if your car accident was in Henderson, it was most likely handled by the Henderson Police Department, and if it was in North Las Vegas, by the North Las Vegas Police Department.
Car crashes on state highways, like Interstate 15, are handled by the Nevada Highway Patrol or LVMPD.
Once you identify which department responded to your accident, you'll need to request the car accident report through their online portal, by phone, or in person. Each agency has its own specific process for obtaining car crash reports, which we'll cover next.
Requesting a police crash report isn't difficult. Still, it can be time-consuming, and you may not be able to do it, which is why our Las Vegas car accident lawyers at Rodney Okano Law Offices can handle this step for you completely free. Call us at (702) 566-3600.
Steps to Request a Car Accident Report by Police Agency
Not all police agencies have the same process for requesting a car accident report. For example, the LVMPD has an online request option, while CSSD Police does not.
To save time and resources, it's important to know the exact steps to obtain your car wreck report based on the police agency.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
If a Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer responded to your car accident, you'll need to request it online, in person, or by U.S. mail.
However, before you request your report, Metro Police says to wait at least 10 business days after your car accident.
Request Method | How to Obtain the Report | Cost |
|---|---|---|
Online |
| $13.00 |
In Person |
| $13.00 |
| $13.00 + Mailing Costs |
Payment for traffic accident reports is nonrefundable and can be made through:
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Discover
- Debit Cards
- Cash (Only at LVMPD Headquarters)
- Money Orders
LVMPD does not accept American Express at any station.
Nevada State Police Highway Patrol
If the Nevada Highway Patrol responded to your car crash, you'll have to request it either online or in person. Traffic collision reports should be ready 7 to 14 days after the crash, so be sure to wait.
Request Method | How to Obtain the Report | Cost |
|---|---|---|
Online |
| $10.00 |
In Person |
| $10.00 |
To request fatal crash reports or all crash photos from the Nevada Highway Patrol, you'll have to contact one of the three regional offices and pay a $5 fee for photos only:
- Southern Command (In Las Vegas): 6830 Bermuda Road, Las Vegas, NV 89119 | (702) 668-4100 | Mon - Fri, 8 am - 5 pm
- Northern Command West: 357 Hammill Lane, Reno, NV 89511 | (775) 687-9600 | Mon - Fri, 8 am - 5 pm
- Northern Command East: 3920 East Idaho Street, Elko, NV 89801 (775) 753-1111 | Mon - Fri, 8 am - 5 pm
Source: https://www.nhp.nv.gov/crashes-citations/crash-report-request/
Henderson Police Department
If your crash happened in Henderson, the Henderson Police Department almost certainly wrote the accident report. So, you'll have to request it online or in person.
However, accidents under investigation will not be available until the investigation is complete and the case is closed.
Request Method | How to Obtain the Report | Cost |
|---|---|---|
Online |
| $10.00 |
In Person |
| $10.00 |
An important note: the City of Henderson website lists two different online sites to request your report, so if you can't find your traffic collision report on the LexisNexis portal, try crashdocs.org by:
- Going to crashdocs.org
- Entering "NV - Nevada" for the state
- Entering "Henderson Police Department" for the agency
Source: https://www.cityofhenderson.com/government/departments/police/police-records/request-records
Source: https://www.cityofhenderson.com/government/departments/police/police-station-locations
North Las Vegas Police Department
If the North Las Vegas Police Department responded to your car wreck, you can request the traffic collision report online or in person.
Request Method | How to Obtain the Report | Cost |
|---|---|---|
Online |
| $5.00 |
In Person |
| $5.00 |
If you can't find your traffic collision report on LexisNexis BuyCrash, you can also check the North Las Vegas Request portal by clicking "Purchase Report" on the North Las Vegas Police Department Police Records Page.
Source: https://www.cityofnorthlasvegas.com/residents/police/police-records
Clark County School District Police
If your car accident occurred within a CCSD school district, CCSD Police most likely responded to your accident. If they did, you can request your police report by going in person.
Request Method | How to Obtain the Report | Cost |
|---|---|---|
In Person |
| Varies - Contact Records Unit |
Information involving juveniles is protected by law, meaning authorized parties, such as family members, the juvenile themselves, or a legal representative, can access it.
Source: https://www.ccsd.net/departments/police-services
Clark County Police Jurisdictions by City and Community
Clark County contains five different cities and many incorporated communities. Each area has a police department overseeing it, with the majority being LVMPD.
Knowing which police department has jurisdiction over an area helps you identify which department may handle your police report in the event of an accident.
Area / Community | Responsible Police Department | Municipal Status |
|---|---|---|
Las Vegas | Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) | Incorporated City |
Henderson | Henderson Police Department (HPD) | Incorporated City |
North Las Vegas | North Las Vegas Police Department (NLVPD) | Incorporated City |
Boulder City | Boulder City Police Department (BCPD) | Incorporated City |
Mesquite | Mesquite Police Department (MPD) | Incorporated City |
Spring Valley | LVMPD | Unincorporated Community |
Paradise / Las Vegas Strip | LVMPD | Unincorporated Community |
Enterprise | LVMPD | Unincorporated Community |
Sunrise Manor | LVMPD | Unincorporated Community |
Whitney | LVMPD | Unincorporated Community |
Winchester | LVMPD | Unincorporated Community |
Summerlin South | LVMPD | Unincorporated Community |
Laughlin | LVMPD | Unincorporated Community |
Lone Mountain | LVMPD | Unincorporated Community |
Indian Springs | LVMPD | Unincorporated Community |
Moapa Valley | LVMPD | Unincorporated Community |
Bunkerville | LVMPD | Unincorporated Community |
Searchlight | LVMPD | Unincorporated Community |
The Nevada Highway Patrol isn't listed because it's the state police, meaning it has jurisdiction across all of Nevada but mainly operates on Nevada highways and freeways.
What If You Cannot Find Your Police Accident Report?
Missing a police crash report can make it harder to get fair compensation out of your personal injury case. But don't worry, you can still potentially get it by trying different methods.
If you're having trouble finding your police accident report, you can try a few different approaches to get the report:
- Search your phone records or insurance documents for any form or document related to the accident.
- Ask your insurance company whether they have a copy of the report and can send you one.
- Contact the local police department that responded to the scene and ask to speak with the accident investigation unit.
- Check with the Nevada DMV to see whether they received a report.
- If you're still having trouble finding the report, ask a lawyer for help.
Having a lawyer on your side can make a big difference in getting the information you need.
Our Las Vegas car accident attorneys can help you find your police report and take care of the rest. We'll investigate your case and get the information you need to get compensated for your injuries and damages.
How to Request a Report Without a Report Number
If you do not have a report number, you will need to provide as much information as possible to help the police department locate the report. Common examples of information that can be used to identify a report include:
- Date of the accident
- Location of the accident
- Names of the drivers involved
- License plate numbers of the vehicles involved
- Witness information
- Description of the accident
- The name of the police officer who responded to the scene
- The badge number of the officer
Luckily, not having your police report number isn't as bad as it sounds, as most departments can locate your specific report if you provide enough relevant information.
What If the Police Never Filed an Accident Report?
If the police never filed an accident report, your car wreck likely didn't meet the threshold set by NRS 484E.070, which requires reporting accidents involving injury, death, or $750 or more in property damage to the DMV.
In this case, your claim most likely doesn't require a police report and can be handled through small claims court or non-legal means.
However, if your car accident involved injury, death, or substantial property damage and the police didn't file a report, you should:
- Immediately report the accident to the Nevada DMV
- Report the officer to the proper department
Who Is Allowed to Obtain a Las Vegas Crash Report?
NRS 484E.110(3) allows any member of the public to request traffic accident police reports, even if they weren't involved in the accident. Typically, individuals who request a copy include:
- Anyone Involved (Drivers, Passengers, and Pedestrians): Drivers involved in a car accident are typically the primary people to request a crash report. Passengers and pedestrians involved in the car crash may also request accident reports for their own legal proceedings.
- Family Members of Injured or Deceased Victims: If a person has died in a car accident, their next of kin or immediate family members may request a copy of the crash report to pursue a wrongful death claim.
- Insurers and Attorneys: When insurance companies and car accident attorneys begin investigating, they start with the police report, which contains valuable information for determining liability and better understanding the collision.
- Writers: In fatal accidents or accidents involving notable people, journalists may request a traffic accident report to get information needed to create a news story.
Anyone can request a police report, but some parts may be redacted, like personal or investigation-sensitive information. Additionally, accident reports involving minors can be fully protected and could be limited to select members of the public.
What a Nevada Crash Report Contains
Not all police reports are created equally. Some reports contain more information than others. But you can typically expect to see details such as:
- The officer narrative, which covers the accident scene and how it unfolded
- Diagrams or sketches of the accident scene
- Witness statements and citations
- The officer's opinion on fault
- The name, address, and policy number of insurance companies
- The vehicle descriptions
- The date, time, and location of the crash
If a police report is grossly missing information, such as having no date or vehicle description, you should immediately report it to the officer's department and request a supplemental report.
Officer Narrative and Diagram
The narrative is the heart of the report. Here, the officer describes, in their own words, how the crash appears to have happened based on the scene, the vehicle positions, and statements gathered. A scene diagram usually accompanies it, sketching the roadway, the vehicles, and the point of impact.
Many forms also include a field where the officer notes apparent contributing factors, such as a failure to yield or following too closely. These are the officer's observations, not a final legal determination, but they often carry weight in how the crash is understood and how insurance companies view liability.
Witness Statements and Citations
The report also includes the names and contact details of any witnesses who spoke with the investigating officer. These statements can be vital for establishing who was involved, what was happening at the time, and whether anyone else had a say in what went wrong.
This section can help when insurance companies or opposing parties present conflicting narratives in your case.
How to Read and Interpret Your Crash Report
A crash report is often the first piece of evidence insurance companies look at when determining fault. It's also key if you're planning to file a personal injury claim, since it can document injuries, damages, and the accident circumstances.
However, police officers write crash reports at the scene, and they may not reflect the full truth. They're often brief and can be one-sided. That's why you'll want a Las Vegas car accident lawyer to help you understand and interpret it.
As part of your personal injury claim, your crash report can:
- Document the cause of the crash and any contributing factors
- Show injuries and the need for medical treatment
- Establish the date, time, and location of the accident
But it's not perfect. It's just one part of your accident claim. Your lawyer can help you understand the report, interpret it, and use it to recover damages.
Understanding Contributing Factor Codes
When you're looking at the contributing factor codes on your crash report, keep these things in mind:
- The codes reflect the officer's opinion, not necessarily the final truth. Different officers may interpret the same incident differently, so treat these codes as the officer's initial assessment of what happened.
- Codes aren't always about your fault. In many cases, multiple factors are listed for each driver. This doesn't necessarily mean you're at fault. For example, if both drivers are listed with contributing factors, it could mean both played a role in the crash, but one might have had more responsibility than the other.
- Dispute the codes if you disagree. If you believe the contributing factor codes don't accurately reflect what happened, you can dispute them. You can submit written evidence to the responding police department and request a supplemental report. You can even bring witnesses to testify at a deposition or trial about what they saw.
- Insurers use codes to assign liability. Insurance companies often use the codes listed on the report to assign fault and determine who is responsible for paying damages. If you're dealing with a complex claim, you'll want help from a Las Vegas car accident attorney at the Rodney Okano Law Offices who can interpret these codes and protect your rights.
Understanding how to read and interpret the contributing factor codes on your crash report is a key part of navigating the claims process. By knowing what these codes mean and how they're used, you can better advocate for yourself and your claim, and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
Correcting Errors or Disputing Inaccuracies
If you can't get the officer to change the report, you may need to hire a Las Vegas car accident lawyer. A lawyer can help you gather evidence, write a formal letter, and, if necessary, file a request for an independent investigation.
A lawyer can also show the insurance company that the report is unreliable. For example, if the report says your vehicle was going 40 mph in a 25 mph zone, but you can show dashcam video or witness testimony that you were going 15 mph, the insurance adjuster may reconsider liability.
In some cases, you can also request a formal objection to the crash report. This process generally involves:
- Filing a formal objection with the police department within a certain timeframe
- Providing supporting evidence
- Requesting that the objection be included in your file
Once you file the objection, the insurance company may be required to address it. They may also reconsider liability based on the objection.
Contact Us Today
The Rodney Okano Law Offices is a Las Vegas Law Firm that specializes in representing those injured in motor vehicle accidents and those looking to become debt-free through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Our firm has been in Nevada for over 20 years and has helped thousands with their car accident claims and bankruptcy filings. We offer a free attorney consultation, which can be set up by calling or sending an email inquiry.
