What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Las Vegas

A pedestrian accident can leave you seriously injured in a matter of seconds. Whether the crash happened in a crosswalk, a parking lot, or along the Las Vegas Strip, the steps you take afterward can affect both your recovery and your legal claim.

Your priority should always be getting medical care, but documenting the accident and protecting your rights are important as well. If you were hit by a driver, a Las Vegas pedestrian accident attorney can help you deal with the insurance company and pursue compensation for your injuries.

This guide explains what to do after a pedestrian accident, how Nevada’s right-of-way laws apply, and what you should know before filing an injury claim.

What To Do Right After A Pedestrian Crash

Your first priority is your safety and your health. If you are able, take these steps after the crash:

1. Get to a safe place and call 911. Move out of traffic if you can, then call for police and medical assistance.
2. Accept medical care. Let paramedics examine you and follow their recommendations. Early medical records help connect your injuries to the accident.
3. Get the driver’s information. Collect their name, contact details, license plate, and insurance information. If the driver leaves, note as many details about the vehicle as possible.
4. Talk to witnesses. Get the names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the accident.
5. Take photos. Document the scene, the vehicle, the crosswalk or intersection, traffic signals, and any visible injuries if you are able.
6. Watch what you say. Stick to the facts when speaking with police, and avoid giving a recorded statement to the insurance company before talking to a lawyer.

Keep in mind that some injuries, including concussions and soft-tissue injuries, may not appear right away. Getting medical attention promptly is important, even if you initially feel fine. Our guide on delayed injuries after a car accident explains what to watch for.

Nevada Crosswalk And Right-Of-Way Rules

Nevada law requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked crosswalks and many unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Drivers must also use reasonable care to avoid hitting pedestrians, even when a pedestrian is not crossing a marked crosswalk.

Pedestrians also have responsibilities. Crossing outside a crosswalk, ignoring traffic signals, or stepping into the path of an approaching vehicle can affect who is at fault. Because Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence rule, both the driver’s and the pedestrian’s actions may be considered when determining compensation.

Why Pedestrian Crashes On The Strip Are So Severe

Las Vegas is one of the busiest pedestrian destinations in the country, and the Strip presents unique risks. Heavy foot traffic, busy intersections, and traffic at all hours of the day and night increase the likelihood of serious accidents.

Common factors include:

• Unfamiliar visitors crossing busy roads or misjudging traffic.
• Poor visibility at night, when drivers may not see pedestrians until it is too late.
• Impaired drivers, whose slowed reactions and poor judgment increase the risk of severe collisions.
• Wide, high-speed roads that leave pedestrians with little time to react.

Because pedestrians have no physical protection, these accidents often result in serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and internal injuries. If a crash caused a spinal injury, our overview from a Las Vegas spinal cord injury lawyer describes what those claims involve.

How A Pedestrian Injury Claim Works

A pedestrian injury claim usually runs against the at-fault driver’s insurance, the same way a car-to-car claim does. Nevada is an at-fault state, so the driver who caused the crash is responsible for your damages.

If a driver’s negligence caused your injuries, you can usually file a claim against their auto insurance. Nevada is an at-fault state, which means the driver responsible for the accident is generally responsible for your damages.

Nevada also follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% at fault, but your recovery is reduced by your share of the blame. Insurance companies often argue that a pedestrian crossed outside a crosswalk or failed to yield, making evidence crucial to the claim.

If the driver was uninsured or did not have enough coverage, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may also apply, even though you were walking at the time.

Depending on your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future treatment, pain and suffering, and other related losses. In most cases, Nevada gives injury victims two years to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do after being hit by a car?

Call 911, get medical attention, and move to safety if possible. Then gather the driver’s information, witness contacts, and photos of the scene.

Do pedestrians always have the right of way in Nevada?

No. Drivers must yield in many situations, but pedestrians must also obey traffic signals and yield when crossing outside a crosswalk.

Can I recover compensation if I was partly at fault?

Yes. Nevada’s comparative negligence law allows recovery if you are 50% or less at fault, though your compensation is reduced by your share of fault.

What if the driver had no insurance or fled the scene?

You may still have coverage through your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy, even though you were walking.

How long do I have to file a pedestrian accident claim?

In most cases, Nevada gives you two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Take the Next Step After a Pedestrian Accident

If you or someone you love was hurt while walking, you should not have to face the driver’s insurance company alone while you are trying to heal. Gina Corena & Associates can investigate the crash, gather the evidence, and pursue the compensation you may be owed.

Call (702) 680-1111 anytime, day or night, for a free consultation in English or Spanish. You pay no fee unless we win your case. You can also reach us through our contact page to get started.

Reviewed by Gina M. Corena, founding attorney at Gina Corena & Associates.