Yes, You Can Still Recover Compensation
A police report saying you're partially at fault doesn't kill your case. Nevada law actually lets you recover money even when you share some blame for the accident. This might surprise you, but it's true.
The system is called comparative negligence. Here's how it works. If you're 50% or less responsible for the crash, you can still get a settlement. Your payout just gets reduced by whatever percentage of fault you carry.
What the Numbers Actually Look Like
Let's say you were in an accident near the Thomas & Mack Center in Paradise and the total value of your case is $100,000. The police report claims you were 20% at fault. You'd still walk away with $80,000. This is where an experienced car accident lawyer in Las Vegas becomes essential, because they know how to challenge fault determinations and maximize recovery even when police reports seem unfavorable.
But if you're found more than 50% responsible, Nevada law bars you from collecting anything. That's the cutoff. Understanding this line matters more than most people realize.
Police Reports Are Not Final Verdicts
Officers show up after the crash happens. They weren't there when metal met metal. They're making educated guesses based on what they see at the scene and what people tell them.
These reports carry weight with insurance companies. But they're not binding legal documents. Courts don't treat them as gospel truth. You can challenge what's in them.
What Really Determines Fault
Investigators look at multiple sources of evidence. Skid marks tell a story about speed and braking. Damage patterns reveal impact angles. Witnesses describe what they saw happen.
Traffic camera footage changes cases overnight. Cell phone records can prove distraction. Vehicle computer data shows exactly how fast someone was going and when they hit the brakes.
Some attorneys know how to get surveillance footage from nearby businesses before it gets erased. That 15 to 30 day window matters. Most people don't realize this evidence disappears fast.
Insurance Companies Love Police Reports That Blame You
Adjusters grab onto police reports the second they're filed. If it says you're at fault, they'll use that to deny claims or lowball settlements. They count on claimants not knowing the report can be challenged.
Here's what they won't tell you. Their own investigators often come to different conclusions than the police did. But they'll only share that if it helps their case.
How to Challenge a Police Report
You can file a supplemental report with new evidence. Accident reconstruction experts can analyze the scene and create diagrams that tell a different story. Witness statements that weren't included originally can shift the narrative.
Medical records sometimes prove someone was too injured to have caused the accident the way the report describes. Mechanical inspections can show the other driver had equipment failures they didn't disclose.
The Real Fight Happens During Investigation
Skilled attorneys immediately send preservation letters to potential defendants. This forces them to save evidence like dashcam footage and maintenance records. Most claimants don't do this and lose crucial proof.
Discovery is where cases get won or lost. Depositions put people under oath. Written interrogatories force specific answers. Document requests reveal insurance policies and prior incidents.
Multiple Parties Can Share Fault
Nevada lets you go after everyone who contributed to injuries. A rear-end collision might involve three different drivers. One changed lanes without looking. Another was following too close. The third was speeding and couldn't stop in time.
Or consider a crash at an intersection with a malfunctioning traffic signal. The other driver ran what they thought was a yellow light. But the city failed to maintain the signal properly. Both can share responsibility.
This is where thorough investigation pays off. Finding all responsible parties means finding all available insurance policies. That's real money on the table that many claimants miss.
Settlements Happen Before Fault Is Officially Determined
You don't wait for a jury to decide percentages before settling. Insurance companies make offers based on what they think would happen at trial. Negotiations happen while fault is still being investigated.
If they know you have strong evidence that contradicts the police report, their offers go up. If you're sitting there with just the report working against you, they'll apply maximum pressure.
Why Quick Settlements Are Usually Bad Deals
Adjusters push for fast settlements when police reports favor them. They want signatures before claimants realize the report can be challenged. They know most people don't understand Nevada's comparative negligence rules.
The moment someone accepts and signs a release, they're done. They can't come back later when they find new evidence or realize their injuries are worse than initially thought.
When Legal Representation Becomes Critical
If any police report mentions fault, claimants should consult an attorney before speaking with insurance companies. What gets said becomes evidence. How someone describes the accident matters more than most realize.
Experienced attorneys know how to document injuries properly from day one. They understand which medical opinions carry weight. They know how to build alternative narratives supported by evidence.
Insurance companies have legal teams working for them the moment an accident happens. Claimants deserve the same level of representation.
