Nevada Pedestrian Safety Laws Protect Walkers, Even When Crossing Outside Crosswalks

Pedestrians in Nevada can recover damages even if they are partially at fault, highlighting the state's duty of care for drivers to avoid hitting people on foot.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Nevada's pedestrian safety laws place a strong duty of care on drivers to avoid hitting pedestrians, even if the pedestrian is not using a designated crosswalk. Under the state's modified comparative negligence rule, pedestrians can recover damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault for an accident. This means that even if a pedestrian is jaywalking, the driver can still be partially liable if they failed to exercise proper caution. Experts advise pedestrians to seek legal counsel quickly after an accident to preserve evidence and file a case within the two-year statute of limitations.

Why it matters

Pedestrian safety is a major concern in Nevada, especially in high-traffic tourist areas like the Las Vegas Strip. With pedestrian fatalities on the rise, the state's laws aim to protect people on foot by placing responsibility on drivers to avoid collisions, even in unmarked areas. This highlights the importance of driver awareness and due care around pedestrians.

The details

Nevada law states that a legal crosswalk exists at every intersection where sidewalks connect, whether or not there are painted lines. Drivers have a duty of care to yield to pedestrians no matter where they are, and can face doubled penalties for violations in special zones like school areas. Under the state's modified comparative negligence rule, pedestrians can recover damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault. This means a jaywalking pedestrian could still receive compensation if the driver is deemed more than 50% responsible for the accident.

  • In 2024, there were 113 total pedestrian fatalities statewide, one of the deadliest years on record for Nevada.
  • Early numbers from 2025 show a 123% increase in pedestrian deaths due to drivers failing to yield.

The players

Nevada

The state where the pedestrian safety laws discussed in this story are in effect.

Metro Traffic Bureau

The law enforcement agency that provided data on the increase in pedestrian deaths due to drivers failing to yield in 2025.

Ed Bernstein Injury Lawyers

A law firm that specializes in representing pedestrians injured in accidents and can advise on recovering damages under Nevada's laws.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Pedestrians who are involved in an accident should seek legal counsel as soon as possible to understand their rights and begin the process of recovering damages, as evidence and witness testimony is easiest to collect in the immediate aftermath.

The takeaway

Nevada's pedestrian safety laws place a strong emphasis on driver responsibility, requiring motorists to exercise due care around pedestrians even when they are not using designated crosswalks. This highlights the importance of increased driver awareness and caution to prevent the rising number of pedestrian fatalities in the state.