After getting into a car accident I called Barbara and it was the best decision I ever made. She is amazing! I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer to represent me. She got me the best settlement to pay back my medi...
The fight with insurance companies is just as hard as fighting for your life after an accident. As long as you dont give up on yourself Barbara will fight for you. The staff at Kidwell and Gallagher were great as well. I...
These two are specialists in two related fields, personal injury and workmen’s comp. Both they and their staff were VERY responsive to me and my questions, and handled my case with patience and competence. I would,...
I feel like kidwell & Gallagher went above and beyond for me. Craig himself and his staff are so nice and helpful. I would highly recommend this law office for your workmans comp/injury needs. You will not be disappo...
The best place to go if you need good hometown lawyers. They are very informative and kept us updated on what was going to happen through out our case.
Was the best experience, we told them the problem and they took over everything, was such a relief. Always there to answer any questions and help is fast is possible.
I was at my job mountain crew changes there in the basement of kidwell and Gallagher
They weren’t able to help with my case, but they directed me to someone who could.
After a collision, most drivers wonder what to do after a car accident legally in Reno, Nevada. Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers works with injured Nevadans every day, and what you do in that first hour can shape how smoothly your insurance claim goes later. A Reno car accident lawyer can walk you through the steps that protect your health and strengthen your claim.
Protecting your safety comes first, but Nevada law also expects you to meet reporting requirements and protect your legal rights. Depending on the crash, this can include calling 911, exchanging information with the other driver, documenting the scene, getting medical care, and filing a report when required. When injuries, disputed fault, or insurance issues follow, a Reno car accident lawyer can help.
Under NRS 484E.010, a driver involved in a crash causing injury or death must stop at the scene or as close to it as possible, and remain there until you complete the requirements in NRS 484E.030. That statute says you have to give your name, address, and vehicle registration to anyone hurt, or whoever is with damaged property. You also have to help anyone who is injured.
Beyond what the law requires, following these steps in order protects your health and your claim:
Following these steps in order keeps you on the right side of Nevada law and strengthens your claim.
Once you’ve handled those steps, focus on gathering evidence. Evidence collected in the first minutes often carries more weight than later testimony.
| Evidence to Collect | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Photos of vehicle damage and positions | Shows impact points and helps establish how the crash occurred |
| Photos of road conditions and signage | Documents visibility, signals, and hazards relevant to fault |
| Contact information for witnesses | Provides independent accounts that support your version of events |
| Other driver’s insurance and registration details | Confirms coverage and identifies the responsible party |
| Photos of visible injuries | Ties physical harm directly to the crash for medical and insurance review |
According to NRS 484E.030, when no police officer responds to a collision that caused injury or death, or that occurred on a highway, the driver must report it to the nearest police authority or the Nevada Highway Patrol. Separately, under NRS 484E.070, drivers must file a written report with the Department of Motor Vehicles within ten days whenever a crash causes injury, death, or property damage reaching $750 or more; you do not have to file this report if a police officer already investigated the crash and that officer’s paperwork includes everyone’s insurance details.
Even careful drivers make errors that weaken a claim later:
Knowing what to do after a car accident legally starts before any dispute reaches an adjuster’s desk.
Not every crash requires a lawsuit, but disputed fault, denied claims, or lasting injuries can turn a simple case complicated. Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers offers a free case review to help Reno drivers understand where they stand after a crash. Our team can explain what evidence matters and whether pursuing compensation makes sense for your situation. Call (775) 323-2667 today to speak with our team.
Craig W. Kidwell is the managing partner of Kidwell & Gallagher, Ltd., and exclusively represents injured workers in Nevada. Mr. Kidwell has been practicing workers’ compensation law in Nevada since 1999 and has acted as lead counsel on over 2,000 contested workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Kidwell represents injured workers in Nevada through all stages of Nevada’s complex worker’s compensation system. Craig regularly appears in all levels of Nevada’s administrative workers’ compensation system and has represented injured workers in Nevada’s districts and Supreme Court.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Managing Partner, Craig W. Kidwell who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.