Short answer

Prior accidents that occurred before you owned the truck can reduce or even eliminate a diminished value recovery in Nevada. Insurers and appraisers measure diminished value as the difference between the vehicle’s market value immediately before the current crash and its market value after repairs. If a vehicle’s pre‑loss market value already reflected prior damage (or is recorded as having prior damage), that prior damage becomes part of the baseline and lowers the room for additional recovery.

Detailed answer — how Nevada law and common claims practice apply

What diminished value means in practice: appraisers and courts generally look at two numbers: (1) the truck’s fair market value immediately before the crash at issue, and (2) the truck’s value after repairs. The diminished value is the gap between those two numbers. You can only recover the portion of that gap caused by the crash for which the defendant (or that driver’s insurer) is legally responsible.

How prior accidents affect the baseline value

• If prior accidents are part of the vehicle’s recorded history (Carfax/AutoCheck, title brand, prior structural repairs reported to state or insurers), the pre‑loss market value will usually already reflect that history. Appraisers and insurers subtract the pre‑existing loss from any claimed diminution. That reduces the amount you can recover.
• If the truck had serious prior damage that changed its title (salvage, rebuilt), many buyers pay substantially less. In that case, courts and insurers typically refuse to award diminished value above the market price that already reflects that prior damage.
• If the prior accidents were minor, fully repaired, and not disclosed in vehicle history records, you may still be able to prove a higher pre‑loss market value and recover more diminished value. The key is evidence showing the truck’s condition and market value immediately before the crash at issue.

Who you can claim against

• Third‑party claim: If another driver caused the crash that produced your diminished value loss, you generally present the diminished value claim to that driver’s liability insurer. Nevada law governing insurance practices is found in the Nevada Revised Statutes, Title 57 (Insurance); see the Nevada Legislature’s NRS chapter for insurance rules: NRS Chapter 686A (Unfair insurance practices). You can also contact the Nevada Division of Insurance for complaints: Nevada Division of Insurance.
• First‑party claim: Some owners try to recover diminished value from their own insurer. Whether your policy covers diminished value depends on policy language and whether the insurer admits the claim. If you believe the insurer has acted unfairly in handling the claim, Nevada’s insurance statutes and the Division of Insurance describe complaint procedures; see NRS Chapter 686A: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-686A.html.

Evidence you will need

• Vehicle history reports (Carfax, AutoCheck). These show prior accidents that can reduce recovery.
• Pre‑loss valuation evidence: dealer/auction comps, prior listings, certified appraisals showing the truck’s market value immediately before the crash.
• Post‑repair appraisals and repair invoices that document what was repaired and how. Independent appraisers often prepare a diminished value report that separates loss caused by the current crash from prior damage.
• Photos of damage, receipts for repairs, and any title branding documents.

Timing and procedural notes

• Statute of limitations: Nevada has time limits for property‑damage claims. See Nevada’s limitations chapter for civil actions: NRS Chapter 11 (Limitations of actions). You should act promptly because waiting can risk losing your right to sue.
• If an insurer denies or minimizes your diminished value claim, you can (a) file a written demand and supporting evidence, (b) file a complaint with the Nevada Division of Insurance, and (c) consider small claims court or civil litigation depending on the amount in dispute.

Practical examples (hypothetical)

1. Truck A was in a prior crash before you bought it. That prior crash was reported to a history service and the title was not branded. You now suffer a fresh crash caused by another driver. An appraiser compares pre‑loss market value (already lower because of the prior crash) with post‑repair value. Your diminished value recovery will likely be smaller than if the truck had no prior accident history.
2. Truck B had a prior minor fender bender that was perfectly repaired and never reported. If you can produce evidence the market perceived the truck as clean before your crash (clean Carfax, dealer quotes), you may be able to recover a larger diminished value amount attributable to the new crash.

Bottom line: you can only recover the drop in value caused by the crash for which someone else is responsible. Prior accidents that show up in records typically become part of the baseline market value and reduce recoverable diminished value; carefully document the truck’s pre‑loss condition and obtain an independent appraisal to preserve and prove your claim.

Helpful hints — steps to preserve and maximize a diminished value claim

• Pull the truck’s vehicle history report immediately and include it in your claim file.
• Document the truck’s pre‑loss condition: photos, recent for‑sale listings, dealer or auction values for similar vehicles.
• Get an independent diminished value appraisal. Make sure the appraiser separates prior damage from current damage in their report.
• Keep all repair invoices and ask the shop to describe the repairs, replaced parts, and whether structural components were repaired or replaced.
• Send a written demand to the at‑fault driver’s insurer that ties valuation evidence to the claimed diminished value dollar amount.
• If the insurer denies the claim, consider filing a complaint with the Nevada Division of Insurance: https://doi.nv.gov/, and evaluate whether small claims or civil action is appropriate.
• If unsure how to proceed, consult a Nevada attorney experienced in auto property damage; ask about fee structures and whether they handle diminished value cases.