Las Vegas isn’t an easy place to be on foot or on two wheels. Wide, fast roads, heavy tourist traffic, drivers watching everything but the crosswalk — Nevada consistently ranks among the most dangerous states in the country for pedestrians, and roughly three out of four pedestrian deaths here happen after dark. If you were hit while walking or biking, the deck can feel stacked against you. It isn’t as stacked as the insurance company wants you to think.
Here’s what Nevada law actually says about your rights.
Pedestrians: the right-of-way is broader than people realize
Under NRS 484B.283 and NRS 484B.280, drivers must yield to pedestrians at crosswalks — and here’s the part that surprises people: that includes unmarked crosswalks. An unmarked crosswalk exists at essentially every intersection, whether or not there are painted lines. You don’t lose your right-of-way just because there’s no paint on the pavement.
When there’s no traffic signal, a driver has to slow down or stop to yield to a pedestrian crossing on the driver’s half of the road, or one approaching closely from the other side. At signals, you’re clear to go on “Walk,” you can finish crossing on a flashing “Don’t Walk” with a countdown, and you shouldn’t step off on a steady “Don’t Walk.”
What about jaywalking? Crossing mid-block or outside a crosswalk (NRS 484B.287) means you have to yield to traffic, and doing so can shift some fault onto you. But — and this matters — jaywalking does not automatically wipe out your claim. It affects the fault calculation, not your basic right to seek compensation.
Cyclists: you have the rights of a vehicle
In Nevada, bicycles are legal vehicles with the same rights and duties as cars on nearly every roadway (NRS 484B.763). A few protections are worth knowing:
- The 3-foot passing law (NRS 484B.270). Drivers must give you at least three feet of clearance when passing — moving into the adjacent lane when possible.
- Full-lane rights. You can use the full travel lane when it’s necessary for safety, even where a bike lane exists.
- “Dooring” is prohibited. Drivers and passengers can’t open a door into your path.
When a driver violates one of these rules and hits you, that violation is powerful evidence of fault.
Nevada’s comparative negligence rule
Expect the driver’s insurer to argue you were partly to blame — that you darted out, wore dark clothing, or weren’t in a crosswalk. Nevada uses modified comparative negligence under NRS 41.141: if you’re partly at fault, your compensation is reduced by your share, and if you’re found more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing. This is precisely why these cases get fought over inches and seconds, and why what you say to an adjuster early on matters so much. Our guide to Nevada personal injury cases explains how fault and damages fit together.
These injuries tend to be serious
With no metal or airbags between you and the vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian crashes often cause severe harm — fractures, spinal injuries, and especially traumatic brain injuries. Because symptoms of a head injury can be delayed, prompt medical care isn’t just about your health; it’s what ties your injuries to the crash for your claim.
The two-year deadline
You generally have two years from the date of the accident to file, under NRS 11.190 — and less if a government entity is involved (a dangerous crosswalk, a poorly designed intersection). Our statute of limitations guide covers the details.
What to do after a bicycle or pedestrian crash
- Call 911 and get medical attention, even if you feel okay.
- Get the police to the scene and ask for a report.
- Photograph everything — the vehicle, the roadway, the crosswalk, signals, and your injuries.
- Get names and numbers of witnesses.
- Don’t admit fault or give a recorded statement to the driver’s insurer.
- Talk to a lawyer before accepting anything.
How Marathon Law Group helps
We handle bicycle and pedestrian accident claims across Las Vegas and Clark County. We gather the evidence that establishes the driver’s fault — witness accounts, video, police reports — and push back hard when insurers try to blame the person who was walking or riding. We work on contingency, so there’s no fee unless we recover for you.
If you were hit while biking or walking, contact us for a free consultation.
Call (702) 522-1808. Se habla español.
Frequently asked questions
Do drivers have to yield at unmarked crosswalks in Nevada? Yes. Under NRS 484B.283/484B.280, drivers must yield to pedestrians at both marked and unmarked crosswalks, which exist at essentially every intersection.
I was jaywalking when I got hit. Can I still recover? Possibly. Jaywalking affects the comparative-fault calculation but doesn’t automatically bar your claim, as long as you’re 50% or less at fault under NRS 41.141.
How much room must a driver give a cyclist? At least three feet when passing, under NRS 484B.270.
This article is general information about Nevada law, not legal advice. Every case turns on its facts — talk to an attorney about yours.