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Car accidents in Las Vegas: deadlines, reports and local rules

Nevada gives you two years to sue for crash injuries and bars recovery if you were more at fault than the other side. Las Vegas adds its own wrinkles: the Strip, freeways and court arbitration.

Last reviewed By the Editorial team 4 min read

General information, not legal advice. Talk to a licensed attorney in your state.

Quick answer

After a crash in Las Vegas, Nevada law generally gives you 2 years to file an injury lawsuit and 3 years for vehicle damage. Nevada uses Modified comparative fault. Comparative negligence with a cut-off: once your share of blame reaches the state's bar (50% or 51%), you recover nothing. Glossary: you recover nothing if your share of fault is greater than the other side's. One local point surprises many people: the Las Vegas Strip is in unincorporated Clark County, not the City of Las Vegas, and freeway crashes are handled by the Nevada State Police, not the local police.

Key facts

Injury lawsuit deadline
2 yearsNev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e)
Vehicle damage deadline
3 yearsNev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(3)(c)
Wrongful death deadline
2 yearsNev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e)
Fault rule
Barred at 51% fault or moreNev. Rev. Stat. § 41.141(1)
LVMPD collision report
$12Records and Fingerprint Bureau
Claim against a city or county
2 yearsNRS 41.036
Cap on damages against a government body
$200,000Per claimant
Traffic deaths in Clark County, 2025
235Preliminary

Deadlines and fault rules in Las Vegas#

Las Vegas follows Nevada state law. Under Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(4)(e), the Statute of limitations. The law that sets the last day to file a lawsuit. After it passes, a court will usually dismiss the case, however strong it is. Glossary for an injury or wrongful death lawsuit is 2 years. Damage to your car has a longer window, 3 years under Nev. Rev. Stat. § 11.190(3)(c).

Under Nev. Rev. Stat. § 41.141(1), your own carelessness does not bar recovery as long as it was not greater than the combined fault of the people you are suing. Your damages are then reduced by your share.

Nevada drivers must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for injuries, plus $20,000 for property damage. The Insurance Information Institute estimates that 11.1% of Nevada drivers were uninsured in 2023. The Nevada guide covers the statewide rules in more detail.

Getting a crash report in Las Vegas#

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) serves the City of Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County, so it covers both downtown and the Strip. Henderson, North Las Vegas and Boulder City have their own police departments, and LVMPD directs people reporting a freeway crash to the Nevada State Police.

  • LVMPD reports. The Records and Fingerprint Bureau charges $12 for a copy of a traffic collision report.
  • Freeway crashes. Ask the Nevada State Police for the Crash report. The official report an officer writes after investigating a crash, with the drivers, vehicles, witnesses and the officer's notes. Glossary.
  • No officer came? Nevada requires an SR-1 "Report of Traffic Crash" to the DMV within 10 days after a crash that was not investigated at the scene by law enforcement. Attach proof of insurance and, if anyone was hurt, a doctor's statement.

Our guide to police reports explains what a report contains and how to correct mistakes.

Claims against the city or county#

Nevada handles claims against government differently from many states. Under NRS 41.036, a claim against a city, county or other local body is filed with its governing body within 2 years; a claim against the State of Nevada goes to the Attorney General within 2 years. Filing that claim is not a condition for bringing a lawsuit, so the usual lawsuit deadline remains the date to watch.

Damages are limited. An award against a government body or public employee cannot include punitive damages and is capped at $200,000 per claimant, plus interest after judgment. This limit on Sovereign immunity. The rule that governments cannot be sued unless a law allows it. Tort claims acts allow some claims, with limits. Glossary can matter after a crash with a public bus, a police car or a county truck.

Because the Strip is in unincorporated Clark County rather than the city, check which government body owns the vehicle or road before you file a claim.

Crashes in Las Vegas#

The Nevada Office of Traffic Safety counted 235 traffic deaths in Clark County in 2025, down from 296 in 2024; both figures are preliminary. Pedestrians made up 81 of the 2025 deaths. If you were hit while walking, see our guide to pedestrian accidents.

Where a lawsuit is filed#

Las Vegas cases are filed in Clark County courts:

CourtCases it hears
Small claims (Las Vegas Justice Court)Money claims up to $10,000
Las Vegas Justice CourtInjury or property damage claims up to $15,000
Eighth Judicial District CourtCivil cases above $15,000

Both courts sit at the Regional Justice Center, 200 Lewis Avenue. One Nevada rule shapes many crash cases: a district court damages case worth $100,000 or less per plaintiff must first go to nonbinding Arbitration. A private process in which a neutral arbitrator hears both sides and decides the dispute. Unlike a mediator, an arbitrator makes the decision; whether it is binding depends on the agreement or court rules. Glossary, unless the parties use another approved method such as mediation or a short trial. Read more about filing a lawsuit.

Finding a lawyer in Las Vegas#

The State Bar of Nevada runs a free Lawyer Referral Service at 702-382-0504, with online referrals at any hour. A referred lawyer may charge $45 for a first consultation of up to 30 minutes; any later fee is agreed between you and the lawyer.

Before hiring, look the lawyer up through the State Bar of Nevada's Find a Lawyer page. Our guide to checking a lawyer's license explains what to look for.

Questions people ask

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Las Vegas?

Generally 2 years from the crash for injuries and 3 years for vehicle damage. Talks with an insurer do not stop the clock.

Who takes accident reports on the Las Vegas Strip?

LVMPD, which serves both the City of Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County, including the Strip. Crashes on the freeway go to the Nevada State Police.

How much is an LVMPD accident report?

LVMPD's Records and Fingerprint Bureau charges $12 for a traffic collision report.

Can I recover if I was partly at fault in Nevada?

Yes, if your share of fault was not greater than the other side's. Your damages are reduced by your percentage; at 51% or more, you recover nothing.

Is there a limit on claims against Clark County or the City of Las Vegas?

Yes. Nevada caps tort awards against government bodies and public employees at $200,000 per claimant, and punitive damages are not allowed.

Do I have to file a report if police did not come to my crash?

Nevada requires an SR-1 to the DMV within 10 days after a crash that law enforcement did not investigate at the scene.

Sources

  1. Las Vegas Justice Court — location and civil division
  2. Eighth Judicial District Court, Civil/Criminal Division — civil cases over $15,000
  3. Eighth Judicial District Court, Locations — Regional Justice Center address
  4. Nevada Legislature, NRS 41.141 — comparative negligence rule
  5. Nevada Legislature, NRS 11.190 — as of October 2026
  6. Clark County, Nevada, Frequently asked questions — as of October 2026
  7. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Filing a report — as of October 2026
  8. Justia (2024 Nevada Revised Statutes), NRS 41.141 — as of October 2026
  9. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Records and Fingerprint Bureau service fees — as of October 2026
  10. Nevada Office of Traffic Safety, State Fatal Report, January-December 2025 (report dated April 6, 2026; preliminary) — as of October 2026
  11. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, History of the department — as of October 2026
  12. Nevada DMV, SR-1 Report of Traffic Crash (NRS 484E.070) — as of October 2026
  13. Nevada Legislature, NRS 73.010(1) — as of October 2026
  14. Nevada Legislature, NRS 4.370(1)(b) — as of October 2026
  15. Nevada Legislature, NRS 38.250(1)(a) — as of October 2026
  16. State Bar of Nevada, Lawyer referral process — as of October 2026
  17. Nevada Division of Insurance, Automobile Insurance — as of October 2026
  18. Insurance Information Institute, Facts + Statistics: Uninsured motorists — as of October 2026

Last reviewed October 29, 2026 by the Accident Claim Facts editorial team. Found an error? Tell us.

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