It depends on the severity of the crash. Las Vegas Metro recently announced a new policy under which it would no longer respond to "non-injury" accidents. What defines an "injury" accident, aside from grievous bodily harm? Is it subjective? "Absolutely it is," said a staffer for auto-injury attorney Clark Seegmiller. "Some people, the pain may not come on until two days later. Some people, it’s instantaneous." (You can still call 911 and get an assessment of whether your accident qualifies as an "injury" one or not.)
So, if you’re in a non-injury accident, Metro will not respond to your fender-bender. The onus is on you and the other driver to exchange identification and insurance information. Metro has provided a form for this scenario, with places to list your insurance agent, your passengers, and any witnesses to the collision. However, you’d better have a blank form or two in your glove compartment, just in case, given the unlikelihood your car comes equipped with WiFi, a computer and a printer.
Metro will still respond to a variety of accidents, including those with, God forbid, fatalities. If the person who collided with you lacks a license, registration, and/or proof of insurance, you can call Metro and blow the whistle on him. DUIs and hit-and-run accidents also qualify for a Metro response, as do situations that involve physical altercations or vehicles abandoned on the road after an accident.
The standard accident protocol is first to call 911, which will assess whether yours is a non-injury accident or not. Then, if possible, take photographs of the damage. Having done so, exchange information with the other driver, including when his insurance policy expires. Metro demands an exhaustive documentation of the accident, as outlined in the following paragraph: "Obtain the year, make, model and license plate number, including state of issuance of all vehicle(s) involved. Also obtain the name and address of the registered owner and the (VIN) Vehicle Identification Number." You're then obliged to obtain not only the names and phone numbers of everyone involved in the crash, but also those of any eyewitnesses to the mishap (not always easy...)
After all this, you have to fill out an exhaustive – and exhausting – SR-1 form, which covers everything from the type of vehicle involved to an estimate of the repair cost. Note that if the other driver is uncooperative, that's another instance in which you are encouraged to call Metro. And even if you’re not injured, Metro will come and tow your vehicle if it’s disabled to the point of blocking traffic. If you can leave the accident scene under your own power -- once you've completed all the paperwork, obviously -- you are encouraged to do so, however.
Not that if your accident occurs on a state highway or interstate, then it's under the jurisdiction of NHP and you do not have to jump through all these hoops; the policy outlined above applies only to Metro, whose domain is surface streets.
And Metro’s not doing this to bust your balls or because there’s been an increase in crime in Las Vegas. What has gone up is the number of traffic fatalities over the last three years and LVMPD is reallocating resources in an attempt to stem that trend.
When it comes to navigating Vegas traffic safely the best offense is a good defense. Drive conservatively and be aware of your surroundings and the fact that many of the drivers in your vicinity may well be distracted, for one reason or another. There are far too many fatalities on the roads here and, injured or not, if you’re in any traffic accident you’re also often in for a world of hassle.
