Do pedestrians have the right of way in Nevada? In many situations, yes—but the right of way is not automatic. Nevada law establishes when drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and when pedestrians must yield to vehicles.
Understanding the difference is especially important in busy areas like Las Vegas, where pedestrians and vehicles frequently share crowded intersections and roadways. Whether a pedestrian has the right of way can depend on where they are crossing, whether traffic-control signals are present, and the circumstances leading up to the encounter.
Below, we’ll explain Nevada’s pedestrian right-of-way laws, when pedestrians must yield, rules for crossing outside a crosswalk, and what can happen when a vehicle strikes a pedestrian.
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What is a Pedestrian?
Under Nevada law, a pedestrian includes a person on foot, a person using a manual or motorized wheelchair, or a person using an electric personal assistive mobility device.
This distinction matters because Nevada law establishes specific rights and responsibilities for pedestrians and drivers when they encounter one another on the road.
Nevada’s Pedestrian Right-of-Way Laws
Do pedestrians have the right of way in Nevada? In many situations, yes, but the right of way is not absolute.
Under NRS 484B.283, when traffic-control devices are not in place or operating, drivers must yield to pedestrians crossing within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is on the driver’s half of the roadway, the half of the roadway the driver is turning onto, or is approaching closely enough from the opposite half to be in danger.
Pedestrians also have responsibilities under Nevada law. A pedestrian cannot suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and enter the path of a vehicle that is so close that the driver cannot yield.
Nevada law also addresses pedestrians crossing outside crosswalks. Under NRS 484B.287, a pedestrian crossing somewhere other than a marked crosswalk or an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection must yield the right of way to vehicles on the roadway.
Pedestrian Accident Statistics in Nevada
Pedestrian safety remains a serious concern throughout Nevada. According to the Nevada Advisory Committee on Traffic Safety, 113 pedestrians were killed on Nevada roadways in 2024, accounting for approximately 27% of all traffic fatalities in the state that year. The 2024 pedestrian fatality data was preliminary when reported.
Over the 10-year period from 2015 through 2024, Nevada recorded 841 pedestrian fatalities. These deaths represented nearly 24% of all traffic fatalities in the state during that period.
Avoiding Accidents Involving Pedestrians
Both drivers and pedestrians can take steps to reduce the risk of a serious collision.
For Drivers:
Use extra caution around pedestrians. Nevada law requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid collisions with pedestrians, including using appropriate caution around crosswalks, bus stops, schools, and other areas where pedestrians may be present.
Never pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian at a crosswalk. A stopped vehicle may be allowing someone to cross who is not visible from your lane.
Avoid distracted or impaired driving. Keep your attention on the roadway and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Be especially cautious when visibility is limited. Darkness, weather, glare, and other conditions can make pedestrians more difficult to see.
For Pedestrians:
Use crosswalks and follow pedestrian signals. Pay attention to traffic-control devices and cross where required by Nevada law.
Stay alert. Avoid distractions that prevent you from watching approaching traffic, especially while entering or crossing a roadway.
Make yourself visible. When walking at night or in low-visibility conditions, choose well-lit areas and consider bright or reflective clothing.
Do not assume a driver sees you. Even when you have the right of way, watch approaching vehicles and make sure it is safe before continuing across the roadway.
DISCOVER: When to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer and Why it’s a Good Idea
Legal Recourse After a Pedestrian Accident
When a pedestrian is injured in a collision, determining who had the right of way is an important part of evaluating what happened, but it may not be the only factor. Drivers have a duty under Nevada law to exercise due care to avoid collisions with pedestrians, while pedestrians are also required to follow applicable crossing and right-of-way laws.
Depending on the circumstances, an injured pedestrian may be able to pursue compensation for losses such as medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other accident-related damages. However, fault and available compensation depend on the specific facts of the collision.
Nevada also follows a comparative negligence system. This means a pedestrian’s own actions may be considered when determining responsibility for an accident and the amount of compensation that may be available.
What You Should Know When Hiring an Attorney for Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian accident claims can become complicated when there are questions about right of way, where the pedestrian was crossing, driver behavior, insurance coverage, or whether both parties may share some responsibility for the collision.
An experienced Nevada personal injury attorney can investigate the circumstances of the accident, preserve important evidence, review applicable insurance coverage, evaluate damages, and handle communications with the insurance companies involved.
At Hale Injury Law, our team understands Nevada’s pedestrian and right-of-way laws and how these rules can affect an injury claim. If you were injured as a pedestrian in Las Vegas or elsewhere in Nevada, contact Hale Injury Law to discuss what happened and learn more about your legal options.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident
The moments after a pedestrian accident can be overwhelming. If you are injured, your health and safety should come first. Once immediate medical needs are addressed, there are several steps that may also help preserve important information about what happened.
Seek Medical Attention
Call 911 if anyone is injured or needs emergency assistance. Even if your injuries do not initially seem severe, consider getting evaluated by a medical professional. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent after an accident.
Report the Accident
Contact law enforcement so the accident can be documented. When officers respond, provide accurate information about what happened without guessing about details you do not know.
Document the Scene
If you can do so safely, take photos or video of the accident scene, including the roadway, crosswalks, traffic signals or signs, vehicle damage, visible injuries, and surrounding conditions.
Collect contact information from witnesses when possible. Evidence can disappear quickly after a pedestrian accident, particularly once vehicles are moved and the scene is cleared.
Be Careful About Discussing the Accident
Avoid making assumptions about fault or posting details about the accident on social media. Statements, photographs, and other information shared after a collision may later become relevant to an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Talk With an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Pedestrian accident claims can involve questions about right of way, driver conduct, pedestrian conduct, insurance coverage, medical expenses, and comparative negligence.
Before accepting a settlement or making important decisions about an injury claim, consider speaking with an experienced Nevada personal injury attorney who can review the specific circumstances of the accident.
Hale Injury Law helps injured pedestrians understand their legal options and navigate the claims process. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident in Las Vegas or elsewhere in Nevada, contact Hale Injury Law to discuss your case.
Talk to Hale Injury Law After a Pedestrian Accident
Pedestrian accidents can leave injured people facing medical treatment, missed work, insurance questions, and uncertainty about what comes next. When questions about right of way or fault are involved, understanding how Nevada law applies to the specific circumstances of the accident can be especially important.
If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident in Las Vegas or elsewhere in Nevada, Hale Injury Law is here to help. Our team can review what happened, explain your legal options, and help you understand the next steps in the claims process.
Contact Hale Injury Law today to discuss your pedestrian accident case.
