Hit by a Tourist in Bullhead City or Laughlin? Here’s How Your Injury Claim Works Across State Lines

It happens more than you would think around here. A tourist rolls into town for a long weekend at the Laughlin casinos. They are not familiar with the roads. They have had a few drinks, or they are distracted checking directions on their phone, or they just ran a red light because they did not know where they were going. And then — crash. Your car is damaged, your neck hurts, and they hand you an insurance card from a policy registered in California, Texas, or somewhere in the Midwest.

Then the tourist drives home.

And you are left here in Bullhead City with a broken car, medical bills, missed work, and a whole lot of questions.

I am Keith Knochel. I have been practicing personal injury law right here in Bullhead City since 1982. Over those four-plus decades, I have watched this community grow alongside the tourism industry in Laughlin and along the Colorado River. With 1.3 million people visiting Laughlin in 2024 alone — according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority — and millions more traveling through Bullhead City, Fort Mohave, and Lake Havasu, the reality is that our roads carry a constant stream of unfamiliar drivers from other states. When those drivers cause accidents, the legal situation gets complicated in ways that most people are not prepared for.

That is exactly what this article is about. We are going to walk through what happens when you are injured by an out-of-state tourist in the Bullhead City and Laughlin area, which state’s laws apply, how to actually get paid, and what you need to do right now to protect yourself. Let’s break it down clearly.

  📋  KEY TAKEAWAYS — WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IF A TOURIST HIT YOU

• Laughlin attracted 1.3 million visitors in 2024 — making our area one of the busiest tourist corridors in the Southwest. (Source: LVCVA 2024 Laughlin Visitor Profile.)
• The state where the crash happened controls your claim. If it happened in Arizona, Arizona law applies. If it happened in Nevada, Nevada law applies — regardless of where the tourist lives.
• Arizona and Nevada have different fault rules. Arizona’s pure comparative negligence law (ARS § 12-2505) protects you even if you were partly at fault. Nevada’s 51% bar rule (NRS 41.141) cuts off your recovery if you were 51% or more at fault.
• Out-of-state insurance policies can create complications. Some states require far less coverage than Arizona or Nevada. Low policy limits can affect how much you actually collect.
• You have 2 years to file in both states — but that clock starts running on the day of the accident. Do not wait.
• Federal court may be an option if damages exceed $75,000 and the parties are from different states. This is a real strategic choice in serious injury cases.
• Our attorneys at Knochel Law Offices are licensed in AZ, NV, and CA. We handle tri-state injury claims from one office — no need to hire two different law firms.

Why Are There So Many Tourist-Related Accidents Near Bullhead City and Laughlin?

The numbers tell the story pretty clearly. Laughlin drew 1.408 million visitors in 2025 — a 7.3% jump over 2024, according to the Laughlin Times citing LVCVA data. In 2024, the destination attracted 1.3 million visitors, who collectively spent money on lodging, gaming, food, and water recreation. Nine percent of 2024 Laughlin visitors said water recreation was their primary reason for visiting, up from pre-pandemic levels. (Source: LVCVA 2024 Laughlin Visitor Profile Study.)

That translates to a lot of cars on Highway 95, on the Laughlin Bridge, on Casino Drive, and on the roads connecting Laughlin to Bullhead City, Needles, and beyond. And most of those drivers are not from here. They do not know that the light on Ramar Road comes up faster than it looks. They are not familiar with the turn lanes on Highway 95 near the casino corridor. They are driving rental cars, or they are towing boats, or they have been awake since early morning driving in from Las Vegas, Phoenix, or Los Angeles.

Here is a statistic that almost nobody in our area talks about: the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reports that airplane travel to Laughlin/Bullhead City International Airport increased by over 40 percent between 2021 and 2023. That means more visitors are flying in, renting cars, and driving on roads they have never seen before. Unfamiliar roads plus unfamiliar vehicles plus the excitement (and sometimes the drinks) of a casino getaway equals a heightened risk of accidents for local residents like you.

And here is one more that should catch your attention: 53 percent of 2024 Laughlin visitors said they were coming primarily for vacation or pleasure — not specifically to gamble. That is a record high. It means the visitor profile is changing. More families, more water sports enthusiasts, more people exploring the Colorado River corridor. More cars on our roads.

We live here. We know this community and these roads. Tourists rotate through. And when the two collide — sometimes literally — our attorneys at Knochel Law Offices are the ones who know how to make sure you are treated fairly.

Which State’s Laws Apply When a Tourist Hits You in Bullhead City or Laughlin?

This is the question most people ask first — and the answer is actually pretty clear once you understand the rule.

The general principle in American law is this: the law of the state where the accident occurred is the law that governs your personal injury claim. It does not matter where the tourist lives. It does not matter where their car is registered. It does not matter what state issued their driver’s license. What matters is the geography of the crash itself.

So here is how that breaks down in our area:

• Accident happened in Bullhead City, Kingman, Fort Mohave, or anywhere in Arizona: Arizona law applies. Arizona’s fault rules, insurance requirements, and court procedures govern your claim. The tourist’s home state does not override Arizona law simply because they live somewhere else.
• Accident happened in Laughlin, Nevada or on Nevada soil: Nevada law applies — even if you are an Arizona resident and even if the tourist is also from Arizona. Nevada’s comparative negligence rules, its insurance framework, and its courts control the case.
• Accident happened on the Laughlin Bridge (crossing the Colorado River): This one requires careful analysis. Bridges crossing state lines have legal complexities that depend on exactly where on the bridge the impact occurred. Our attorneys review these situations carefully, because even a few feet of geography can change which state’s law controls.

This is why the location of the crash matters so much and why you need to make sure the police report accurately identifies exactly where the accident happened. If you are ever in a crash in this area, look around. What state are you in? Is there a city limit sign visible? Take a photo of your surroundings immediately.

Now, here is where it gets interesting — and where Knochel Law Offices has a real advantage for clients in our area. Arizona and Nevada have meaningfully different personal injury laws. The state where your crash happened determines how much money you can recover, what rules govern fault, and how aggressive the insurance company can be in disputing your claim. Let’s look at those differences.

How Are Arizona and Nevada Personal Injury Laws Different — And Why Does It Matter?

This is the part that genuinely surprises people. Most folks assume that personal injury law is basically the same everywhere. It is not. For someone hit by a tourist in the Bullhead City and Laughlin corridor, the difference between Arizona law and Nevada law can literally mean the difference between a full recovery and getting nothing at all.

Here is the comparison that matters most:

Arizona: Pure Comparative Negligence (ARS § 12-2505)

In Arizona, you can collect damages from a negligent driver even if you were partly at fault for the crash — even if you were 99% at fault. Your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault. So if your total damages are $100,000 and a jury finds you were 20% responsible, you collect $80,000. If you were 60% responsible, you still collect $40,000. There is no cutoff point. Arizona’s constitution even prohibits capping personal injury damages (Article 2, Section 31). (Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-2505; Arizona Legislature.)

Nevada: Modified Comparative Negligence — The 51% Bar Rule (NRS 41.141)

Nevada is very different. Under Nevada’s modified comparative negligence law, you can only recover damages if you were 50% or less at fault for the accident. The moment your fault crosses 51%, your recovery is completely cut off. Zero. It does not matter how badly you were hurt, how high your medical bills are, or how many weeks you missed work. If a jury or an insurance company successfully argues you were 51% at fault, you get nothing under Nevada law. (Source: Nevada Revised Statutes 41.141; Nevada Legislature.)

Now think about what that means in a real accident scenario. You and a tourist from California both run a slightly yellow light near Casino Drive in Laughlin. You are each partly to blame. In Arizona, both of you could still collect something. In Nevada, if a jury decides you were 51% responsible, you walk away empty-handed while the tourist’s insurance company owes you nothing.

This is exactly why having an attorney who knows BOTH states’ laws is not just helpful — it is critical. Insurance companies that operate across state lines know these rules inside and out, and they use them strategically. Our attorneys at Knochel Law Offices have spent over four decades navigating both Arizona and Nevada personal injury law right here in the Tri-State Area. That depth of knowledge is not something you find just anywhere near me in this region.

Learn more about how our attorneys approach personal injury cases at Knochel Law Offices — Personal Injury.

What Happens When the Tourist’s Out-of-State Insurance Policy Doesn’t Cover Your Injuries?

Here is a problem that comes up regularly in our area, and it is one that most people never think about until they are already in the middle of it.

Different states have very different minimum car insurance requirements. Arizona requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage, plus $15,000 in property damage coverage — the 25/50/15 standard. Nevada requires $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, and $20,000 in property damage — a slightly higher property damage floor but similarly limited bodily injury coverage. (Source: Arizona Department of Transportation; Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles.)

But some states — especially states where tourists to our area commonly come from — allow much lower minimums. And even if a tourist carries the minimum required coverage in their home state, that minimum may fall far short of what your actual injuries and losses cost.

Here is a real-world example. Say a tourist from a state with minimal insurance requirements hits you on Highway 95. Your injuries require surgery and three weeks off work. Your total damages — medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, pain and suffering — add up to $85,000. But the tourist’s policy only covers $25,000 per person. That leaves a $60,000 gap.

What are your options?

• Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage: If you carry UIM coverage on your own Arizona or Nevada policy, it can fill the gap between what the tourist’s insurance pays and what your damages actually total. This is one of the best and most underutilized protections available to drivers in our area. Many people opt out of it to save a few dollars a month — and then discover they needed it.
• Personal injury lawsuit against the tourist directly: If the tourist has personal assets — a home, savings, business income — a judgment against them can potentially be collected. Our attorneys evaluate whether this is a realistic option based on the specific circumstances.
• Federal court jurisdiction: If your damages exceed $75,000 and you and the tourist are from different states, the case may qualify for federal court under “diversity jurisdiction.” Federal courts apply state substantive law but operate under federal procedural rules, which can affect timelines, jury pool selection, and other strategic factors. This is an option worth discussing with our attorneys in serious injury cases.

One more thing that does not get talked about enough: rental cars. A significant portion of tourists visiting Laughlin arrive by plane and rent cars at Laughlin/Bullhead City International Airport or nearby airports. Rental car accidents have their own insurance complexities — the renter’s personal auto policy, the rental company’s collision damage waiver, the rental company’s liability coverage, and credit card travel protection can all layer on top of each other. Our attorneys know how to work through that stack of coverage to maximize what you recover.

What Are the Best Steps to Take Immediately After Being Hit by a Tourist Near Bullhead City?

The first hour after a crash is more important than most people realize. Evidence disappears. Witnesses leave. Tourists get back in their car and drive toward the highway. Here is what our attorneys want every Bullhead City, Kingman, and Lake Havasu City resident to do if this ever happens to them:

Step 1: Stay safe and call 911.

Get your vehicle out of traffic if you safely can. Call 911 immediately, even if the damage looks minor. You need law enforcement on the scene. In Bullhead City, that is the Bullhead City Police Department. In the unincorporated areas, it may be the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office. In Laughlin, it is the Clark County Sheriff. Make sure a police report is filed — this becomes one of the most important documents in your entire case.

Step 2: Get the tourist’s complete information before they leave.

This sounds obvious, but people are shaken up after a crash and forget critical items. Get the other driver’s full legal name, home address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN) if possible, and their insurance card — including the policy number and the claims phone number. Take photos of all of it with your phone. Tourists sometimes become very eager to leave the scene quickly. Do not let the conversation end until you have everything in writing.

Step 3: Document the scene thoroughly.

Photograph every vehicle involved, from multiple angles. Photograph skid marks, road conditions, traffic signals, signage, and any visible injuries on your body. Take a wide-angle photo that shows exactly where on the road the crash occurred — this matters for the state-law question we discussed earlier. Video is even better. If there are witnesses — pedestrians, other drivers, casino employees standing outside — get their names and contact information right now, before they disappear.

Step 4: Seek medical care immediately — even if you feel okay.

Whiplash, concussion, spinal injuries, and internal bleeding can take hours or even days to produce obvious symptoms. Adrenaline masks pain immediately after a crash. Go to the emergency room or urgent care the same day. In Bullhead City, Western Arizona Regional Medical Center is your best nearby option. If you are in Laughlin, the nearest best emergency facility is Bullhead City — cross the bridge. Do not wait for morning. Do not wait to see how you feel. Every gap in medical treatment becomes a weapon in the insurance company’s hands to argue your injuries were minor or were caused by something else.

Step 5: Do not speak to the tourist’s insurance company without an attorney.

Out-of-state insurance companies dealing with claims in Arizona and Nevada know exactly how to use your own words against you. They may call you within 24 to 48 hours, sounding friendly and sympathetic, asking for a recorded statement. You are not legally required to give one. The polite and correct response is: “I have retained an attorney at Knochel Law Offices. Please direct all communications to them.” Then call us.

Step 6: Call Knochel Law Offices.

Our attorneys are ready to help you navigate every layer of this — from determining which state’s law applies, to identifying all available insurance coverage, to building the strongest possible case for your recovery. Call us at 928-444-1000 or visit lawyersinarizona.com.

How Do You Actually Sue an Out-of-State Tourist Who Has Already Gone Home?

This is the question that makes a lot of injured people feel helpless — and it should not. The law has real tools for holding out-of-state drivers accountable, and our attorneys use them regularly.

Here is how the process works:

The state where the crash happened has jurisdiction.

The courts in the state where your accident occurred have the legal authority to hear your case — even against a tourist who drove home to another state. A California tourist who caused a crash in Bullhead City is subject to Arizona courts for that accident. An Arizona resident who caused a crash in Laughlin is subject to Nevada courts for that accident. You cannot simply file your lawsuit in your home state and expect it to stick if the accident happened elsewhere.

Nevada’s non-resident motorist statute makes serving out-of-state drivers easier.

Nevada Revised Statutes Section 14.070 provides that when a non-resident driver operates a vehicle in Nevada, they automatically appoint the Director of the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles as their legal agent for service of process. That means our attorneys can serve a lawsuit on a California tourist by delivering papers to the Nevada DMV and mailing a copy to the driver’s home address. The tourist does not need to be physically in Nevada. (Source: Nevada Revised Statutes § 14.070.)

Arizona has similar authority over non-resident drivers.

Arizona courts have jurisdiction over out-of-state drivers who cause accidents in Arizona, and our attorneys have established processes for serving lawsuits on defendants in other states. The tourist’s physical absence from Arizona does not protect them from Arizona court judgments.

Federal diversity jurisdiction may apply in larger cases.

If you and the tourist are residents of different states — which is almost always the case when a tourist causes an accident in our area — and your damages exceed $75,000, your case may qualify for federal court under 28 U.S.C. § 1332. Federal courts apply the substantive law of the state where the accident occurred, but federal procedural rules govern the case. In some circumstances, this can be a strategic advantage. Our attorneys evaluate this option for every serious injury case.

The bottom line is this: the tourist driving home does not end your case. It complicates the process, but it does not end your right to full compensation. Our attorneys have handled exactly these kinds of cross-state cases for decades, and we know the procedures inside and out.

What Is the Deadline to File a Personal Injury Claim Against a Tourist in Arizona vs. Nevada?

Both Arizona and Nevada give personal injury victims two years to file a lawsuit from the date of the accident. That timeline is called the statute of limitations.

• Arizona: Two years from the date of injury under Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-542. (Source: Arizona Legislature.)
• Nevada: Two years from the date of injury under Nevada Revised Statutes § 11.190(4)(e). (Source: Nevada Legislature; Justia.)

Two years sounds like a long time. But here is what actually happens: people try to negotiate with the tourist’s insurance company on their own. The insurance company drags the process out with delays, low settlement offers, and requests for additional documentation. Months tick by. By the time you realize you need legal help, you may have only months — or weeks — left on your window.

Here is something that very few people know about Nevada’s statute of limitations in tourist crash cases: under NRS 11.300, the clock is PAUSED while the defendant (the tourist) is out of the state of Nevada. If a tourist caused a crash in Laughlin and immediately drove back to California, the two-year window technically does not run while they are absent from Nevada. This is called “tolling” the statute of limitations. (Source: Nevada Revised Statutes § 11.300.) In practice, this protection is rarely needed — but it is there, and it is exactly the kind of detail that our attorneys know to look for.

There is also an important exception for crashes involving government vehicles. If a city bus, a county maintenance truck, or a law enforcement vehicle was involved in your crash — even as a contributing factor — you may have a very short window to file a formal notice of claim against the government entity. In Arizona, that window can be as short as 180 days. Miss it, and you lose that avenue of recovery entirely.

Call our attorneys at Knochel Law Offices as soon as possible after your crash. The earlier we get involved, the more time we have to build your strongest case.

Explore our full practice areas, including Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Family Law, Elder Law, and more at Knochel Law Offices — Practice Areas.

What Compensation Can You Actually Recover When Hit by a Tourist in Arizona or Nevada?

People often underestimate what they are entitled to after a serious accident. Here is a complete look at the types of damages our attorneys pursue for personal injury clients in cross-state tourist accident cases:

• Medical Expenses: Every dollar of past and future medical care — emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, specialist consultations, physical therapy, prescription medications, medical devices, and long-term home care. Medical bills after a serious crash can climb into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars quickly, especially if surgical care is involved.
• Lost Wages: Income you lost while recovering from your injuries. If your injuries affect your ability to work long-term, you can also claim future lost earning capacity — the income you would have earned over the remainder of your working life.
• Property Damage: The full cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any personal property damaged in the crash.
• Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, chronic discomfort, anxiety, sleep disruption, emotional trauma, and reduced quality of life are all real damages under Arizona and Nevada law. These often represent the largest portion of a serious injury claim.
• Loss of Consortium: If the crash significantly affected your marriage or family relationships, your spouse may have a separate claim for loss of companionship and support.
• Punitive Damages: In cases involving extreme recklessness — a drunk driver, someone who fled the scene, or a driver who was texting at highway speed — courts in both Arizona and Nevada can award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer beyond ordinary compensation.

Arizona’s Constitution prohibits any cap on personal injury damages (Article 2, Section 31). Nevada has no comparable cap for general personal injury cases. In both states, the sky is not the limit — but there is no artificial ceiling blocking you from full, fair compensation if the evidence supports it.

Every case is different. A fender bender in a parking lot near Casino Drive is a very different case from a high-speed crash on Highway 95 that sends someone to the hospital for two weeks. Our attorneys evaluate every detail of your situation and give you a realistic assessment of what your case is worth — without sugarcoating it and without selling you short.

Why Are Knochel Law Offices the Right Choice for a Tri-State Tourist Accident Claim?

I want to be direct with you. There are other attorneys in this region you could call. But here is why families and individuals in Bullhead City, Kingman, and Lake Havasu City have been choosing Knochel Law Offices since 1982 — and why tri-state tourist accident cases in particular are something our attorneys handle better than most:

• We are licensed in Arizona, Nevada, AND California. This is not just a marketing point. A tourist accident in Laughlin requires Nevada law. A tourist accident in Bullhead City requires Arizona law. A tourist from California may require coordination with California’s insurance framework. Our multi-state licensure means we can manage all of that from one office, without referring your case out to three different firms. That is a genuine advantage that very few attorneys near me in the Tri-State Area can match.
• We have been doing this since 1982. Over 40 years of personal injury practice in Mohave County means we have seen every variation of a tourist accident case that exists. We know the local courts. We know the judges. We know what insurers in this region respond to and what they try to ignore.
• We handle the full scope of your legal life. A serious injury from a tourist accident does not just affect your medical bills. It can affect your ability to work, your family situation, your finances, and your future. Our firm handles Personal Injury Law, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Family Law, Business and Commercial Law, Elder Law, Real Estate Law, and Wills, Estates and Probate. We are not a single-practice boutique — we are a full-service firm for the whole person.
• Three offices — always near me in the Tri-State Area. Our main office is right here on Highway 95 in Bullhead City. We also have satellite offices in Kingman and Lake Havasu City. Wherever you are in our region, you can get to one of our offices without a long drive.
• We communicate in plain language. No confusing legal jargon. No runaround. We tell you what your options are, what the risks are, and what the realistic outcomes look like — then we fight hard for the best one.

If a tourist hit you in Bullhead City, Laughlin, or anywhere in the Tri-State Area, call us today at 928-444-1000 or visit lawyersinarizona.com/contact. Our main office is at 1967 Highway 95, Bullhead City, AZ 86442.

Helpful External Resources for Tourist Accident Victims in Arizona and Nevada

These official government resources can help you understand your legal rights, report accidents, and learn about insurance requirements in both states:

• Arizona Department of Transportation — Crash Reporting: azdot.gov — Crash Data and Reporting — How to obtain official crash reports in Arizona and access statewide accident data.

• Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles — Accident Reporting: dmv.nv.gov — Nevada accident reporting requirements, insurance verification, and non-resident driver information.

• Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-542 — Statute of Limitations: ARS § 12-542 via Arizona Legislature — Arizona’s two-year deadline for personal injury lawsuits.

• Nevada Revised Statutes § 41.141 — Comparative Negligence: NRS 41.141 via Nevada Legislature — Nevada’s 51% bar rule for personal injury claims.

• LVCVA 2024 Laughlin Visitor Profile Study: lvcva.com — Laughlin Research — Official Laughlin tourism data including annual visitor counts and visitor behavior.

8 Questions Bullhead City and Arizona Residents Ask About Tourist Accident Injury Claims

Q1: If a tourist from California hit me on Highway 95 in Bullhead City, can I sue them even though they live in another state?

Absolutely. Arizona courts have jurisdiction over drivers who cause accidents in Arizona, regardless of where those drivers live. Our attorneys at Knochel Law Offices use established legal procedures to serve lawsuits on out-of-state defendants. The tourist driving home to California does not end your right to compensation. It adds a procedural layer, but it does not eliminate your claim. In larger cases — where damages exceed $75,000 and the parties are from different states — federal court under diversity jurisdiction is also an option worth discussing.

Q2: The accident happened right near the Laughlin Bridge. Which state’s laws apply — Arizona or Nevada?

The bridge spanning the Colorado River between Laughlin and Bullhead City creates genuine jurisdictional complexity. The controlling factor is the exact location on the bridge where the crash occurred, because the Colorado River generally marks the state line. Our attorneys examine police reports, GPS data, and witness accounts to determine precisely where the impact happened. This is exactly the kind of detail that general-practice attorneys in other cities may miss entirely, but our team in Bullhead City navigates it routinely because we live and work on this border every single day.

Q3: What if I was partly at fault for the crash — can I still collect from the tourist’s insurance?

Yes — in both states, though the rules differ. In Arizona (ARS § 12-2505), you can collect even if you were 99% at fault; your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of blame. In Nevada (NRS 41.141), you can collect as long as you were 50% or less at fault. If you were 51% or more at fault in Nevada, you are barred from any recovery. Insurance companies frequently try to inflate your fault percentage to minimize their payout, especially when a tourist’s policy is on the hook. Our attorneys push back hard against those tactics.

Q4: The tourist’s insurance has a $25,000 policy limit, but my medical bills are already over $60,000. What can I do?

You have several options and our attorneys explore all of them. First, we look at your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage — if you carry it, it can fill the gap between what the tourist’s policy pays and your actual damages. Second, we evaluate whether the tourist has personal assets that could be pursued through a direct lawsuit. Third, we examine any medical payments (MedPay) coverage on your own policy. Fourth, if a rental car was involved, we look at the rental company’s coverage and any credit card travel protection the tourist used. This is a fact-intensive analysis and it’s one our attorneys have extensive experience conducting.

Q5: What if the tourist is from a state with very low minimum insurance coverage?

This is a real and common problem. Some states have significantly lower minimum insurance requirements than Arizona or Nevada. If a tourist from one of those states causes a serious accident in our area, their policy limits may cover only a fraction of your actual damages. The answer is a combination of UIM coverage on your own policy, potential direct litigation against the tourist’s personal assets, and in some cases federal court to maximize the pressure on the defendant and their insurer. Our attorneys analyze the full coverage picture from day one.

Q6: How long do I have to file my claim after being hit by a tourist in Laughlin?

If the crash happened in Nevada (Laughlin), you generally have two years from the date of the accident under NRS § 11.190(4)(e). If it happened in Arizona, you have two years under ARS § 12-542. However, if a government vehicle was involved in any way, you may have as little as 180 days to file a notice of claim against the government entity in Arizona, or a different short window in Nevada. Additionally, NRS § 11.300 tolls the Nevada statute of limitations while the out-of-state defendant is absent from Nevada — a protection that can be relevant when a tourist immediately drives home. Contact our attorneys immediately after your crash so we can protect every available deadline.

Q7: The tourist’s insurance company called me the next morning and wants to take a recorded statement. Should I do it?

No. You are not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. Their claims adjuster is not on your side. Their job is to pay you as little as possible, and a recorded statement is a tool they use to find inconsistencies, admissions of fault, or anything else that reduces your claim. The appropriate response is: “I have retained an attorney. Please contact Knochel Law Offices at 928-444-1000 for all future communications.” Do not let their friendly tone or their sense of urgency pressure you into talking before you have legal representation.

Q8: Can Knochel Law Offices handle my case if the accident happened in Laughlin, Nevada — not in Arizona?

Yes — and this is one of the most important reasons local residents choose our firm. Knochel Law Offices is licensed to practice law in Arizona, Nevada, AND California. If your crash happened in Laughlin on Nevada soil, our attorneys can handle your Nevada personal injury claim directly from our Bullhead City office. You do not need to find a separate Nevada firm. You do not need to drive to Las Vegas to consult with an attorney. You can work with the same attorneys who have been serving this community since 1982, and who know this specific river corridor better than any law firm in the region.

Hit by a Tourist Near Bullhead City or Laughlin? Let’s Talk.

Knochel Law Offices — Bullhead City | Kingman | Lake Havasu City

📞  928-444-1000