Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are the most exposed people on the road, and Nevada's figures show it. Here is what the right-of-way rules say, and how fault is usually argued.
The short answer
Where signals are not operating, Nevada drivers must yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk on their half of the road or approaching closely from the other half, and pedestrians must not step suddenly into the path of a vehicle too close to stop. Shared fault reduces a claim, and bars it only if the pedestrian's share is greater than the driver's.
The scale of the problem
In 2024, 108 pedestrians were killed on Nevada roads, according to NHTSA. That is 25.9 per cent of all traffic deaths in the state.
What the right-of-way rules say
Where traffic signals are not in place or not working, a driver must yield to a pedestrian crossing within a crosswalk, slowing or stopping if needed, when the pedestrian is on the driver's half of the road or the half the driver is turning into, or approaching so closely from the other half as to be in danger.
Pedestrians have duties too. A pedestrian must not suddenly leave the curb or another safe place and walk or run into the path of a vehicle so close that the driver cannot yield.
Where Walk signals are in operation, a pedestrian facing a Walk signal must be given the right of way by all drivers.
Right of way is the argument
Whether the crossing was marked, whether a signal was showing, whether the person stepped out suddenly: these are the facts drivers' insurers focus on. A driver who failed to yield as the law requires has broken a rule meant to protect pedestrians, and in Nevada that can establish negligence where it caused the injury.
Shared fault
Being outside a crosswalk, or crossing against a signal, does not automatically end a claim. Nevada reduces the recovery by the pedestrian's own share of fault and bars it only if that share is greater than the driver's.
Insurance when you were on foot
The driver's liability insurance is the usual source of payment. If the driver had none, or not enough, whether your own auto policy responds when you were on foot depends on its wording, so it is worth checking.
Road design
Where poor lighting, a missing crossing or a badly timed signal on a public road contributed, a claim against the public body responsible may also be possible. In Nevada that claim is filed within two years. See our government claims guide.
Evidence
Photograph the crossing, signals, lighting and sightlines as soon as you can, ideally at the same time of day. Nearby businesses and buses may have video, which is often overwritten quickly.
See what applies to your situation
Answer a few questions about what happened and get the guidance that matches it.
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Sources
Every statement on this page traces to one of the following. Where a source is not the issuing body itself, that is noted.
- NHTSA, Pedestrians: 2024 Data, Table 7 (DOT HS 813 818). NHTSA Official source Data year 2024, Nevada. census Checked 14 September 2026.
- NRS 484B.283(1)(a), (b), (d). Justia (Nevada Revised Statutes) Secondary source Checked 20 October 2026.
- Barnes v. Delta Lines, Inc., 669 P.2d 709 (Nev. 1983). Justia Primary source Checked 14 September 2026.
- NRS 41.141(1), (2)(a). Justia (Nevada Revised Statutes) Secondary source Checked 14 September 2026.
- NRS 41.036(1)-(3). Nevada Legislature Official source Checked 14 September 2026.
- NRS 11.190(4)(e). Nevada Legislature Official source Checked 14 September 2026.
Some statutory text above was read from an established legal database rather than the Nevada Legislature's own site, because that page could not be retrieved in full. The wording was cross-checked across multiple independent databases. If you are relying on the exact text, read it on the Legislature's official site.
Other accident types
Car Accidents
The most common claim type, and the baseline for how fault and insurance work in Nevada.
Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks bring federal rules, much higher insurance and often more than one responsible party.
Motorcycle Accidents
Nevada requires a helmet, and riders often face assumptions about fault that the evidence needs to answer.
Rideshare Accidents
Coverage depends on what the app was doing at the moment of the crash.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrians are protected by right-of-way rules, but fault is still argued.
Bicycle Accidents
Nevada requires drivers to give cyclists a full lane where there is one, or at least 3 feet.
Wrongful Death
Who can bring a claim after a fatal crash in Nevada, what it can recover, and the open deadline question.