Nevada’s vulnerable road user crashes surge in Clark County: what this means for injured people under Nevada law

A new Nevada Department of Transportation safety assessment shows hundreds of fatal and serious injury crashes involving pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users between 2019 and 2023, with Clark County bearing most of the harm. These numbers matter because they highlight where the danger concentrates in and around Las Vegas, and how Nevada law treats fault, deadlines and insurance after these crashes.

What Nevada’s new vulnerable road user crash numbers reveal about Clark County risk

The Nevada Department of Transportation’s Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment, covering 2019 through 2023, paints a clear picture: people walking, bicycling and using other non motorized modes are bearing a heavy share of the severe crash burden. Across the state in that five year window, the assessment identifies 482 fatal crashes and 855 serious injury crashes involving vulnerable road users. Those crashes resulted in 491 deaths and 878 serious injuries, which is a substantial toll for a population the size of Nevada.

Clark County, which includes Las Vegas and the surrounding valley, accounts for the majority of those serious events. NDOT reports 370 fatal crashes and 695 serious injury crashes involving vulnerable road users in Clark County alone during that period. That concentration tells injured people and families two important things. First, these are not isolated, one off events. Second, if you were hit in the Las Vegas area, you are not an outlier, you are part of a documented pattern that state transportation officials are tracking closely. For legal purposes, that context can matter when discussing roadway design, lighting and traffic control with experts in an injury claim.

• Statewide from 2019 to 2023, there were 482 fatal crashes involving vulnerable road users.
• Across the same period, there were 855 serious injury crashes involving vulnerable road users in Nevada.
• Clark County experienced 370 of the statewide fatal vulnerable road user crashes in those years.
• Clark County also saw 695 serious injury vulnerable road user crashes from 2019 to 2023.

Pedestrian and bicyclist deaths are missing Nevada’s safety targets

The Office of Traffic Safety’s 2025 Annual Report confirms that Nevada is not yet meeting its own goals for protecting people on foot and on bikes. Over the five year period 2021 through 2025, the state recorded 113 pedestrian fatalities, above a target benchmark of 84. In that same span, there were 15 bicyclist fatalities compared to a goal of 13. The exact distribution by county is not broken out in that number, but when paired with NDOT’s assessment, it is clear that Clark County is a major contributor simply because of its population and traffic volumes.

For anyone hurt walking or riding in and around Las Vegas, this trend matters. It indicates that despite enforcement efforts and safety campaigns, drivers continue to strike vulnerable road users at high rates. It can also influence how insurers and defense attorneys frame their arguments, sometimes suggesting that pedestrians or cyclists bear unusual risks by being on busy roads. Under Nevada law, however, the choice to walk or ride on a public street does not reduce a person’s rights. The law recognizes that these modes are normal, expected uses of the roadway, and drivers remain responsible for operating safely around them.

• From 2021 to 2025, Nevada recorded 113 pedestrian fatalities, higher than the 84 fatality target.
• Over the same five year span, there were 15 bicyclist fatalities, above the target of 13.
• Traffic safety agencies treat pedestrians and bicyclists as vulnerable road users who need additional protection.
• These statewide numbers reflect ongoing challenges in reducing severe crashes despite safety campaigns.

How Nevada’s rules of the road protect pedestrians and other vulnerable road users

Nevada’s Rules of the Road in Chapter 484B of the Nevada Revised Statutes spell out specific duties that drivers owe to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. NRS 484B.280 requires drivers to use reasonable care to avoid colliding with a person on foot, which includes keeping a proper lookout, slowing or stopping when necessary, and using a horn when it would help warn someone in danger. NRS 484B.283 addresses crosswalks, requiring drivers to yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully in a marked crosswalk or at an intersection where signals or signs give them that right.

For an injured person, these duties are more than just words in a statute book. They form the basis of a negligence claim when a driver ignores them. If a driver speeds through a crosswalk, fails to yield when turning, or passes too closely to a bicyclist, those actions can be used as evidence that the driver breached their legal duty. At the same time, Nevada recognizes that pedestrians and cyclists have obligations too, such as obeying signals and not darting into traffic. When both sides’ conduct is evaluated, the legal question becomes how much each person’s choices contributed to the crash, which directly affects fault allocation.

• Drivers must maintain a proper lookout for pedestrians wherever they are likely to be present.
• At crosswalks, drivers must yield to pedestrians who have the right of way under NRS 484B.283.
• Failure to follow these statutes can be evidence of negligence in a civil injury case.
• Pedestrians and bicyclists are also expected to obey signals, signs and basic safety rules.

How comparative fault and deadlines work after a Las Vegas pedestrian or bicycle crash

Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence system, set out in NRS 41.141. In simple terms, an injured person can pursue compensation as long as they are not more at fault than the other party or parties combined. If a pedestrian is found to be 20 percent responsible for a crash because they stepped off the curb slightly early, for example, and the driver is assigned 80 percent fault for speeding and not paying attention, the pedestrian’s financial recovery can be reduced by that same 20 percent. If a pedestrian or cyclist is found 51 percent or more at fault, however, they generally cannot recover from the driver under this rule.

Timing also matters. The primary statute of limitations for most Nevada personal injury claims, including those involving vulnerable road users, is found in NRS 11.190(4)(e). This provision generally gives an injured person two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. Waiting too long can close the courthouse doors entirely, even if liability is clear and injuries are serious. There can be exceptions or shorter timeframes in certain situations, such as claims involving public entities or claims on behalf of minors, so it is important not to assume the deadline without speaking to a lawyer about the specific facts.

• Under NRS 41.141, you may recover damages if your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent.
• Any percentage of fault assigned to you can reduce your financial recovery by that same percentage.
• Most Nevada injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the crash under NRS 11.190(4)(e).
• Claims involving government agencies or special circumstances may have different or shorter deadlines.

First legal and practical steps after a vulnerable road user crash in Clark County

The period immediately after a crash can be chaotic, especially if you were walking or cycling and took the full force of a vehicle impact. From a health perspective, the first step is always to get checked by medical professionals, even if you think you can “tough it out.” Brain injuries, internal bleeding and spinal trauma often do not show up fully in the first few hours. From a legal standpoint, early medical records also help link your diagnosed injuries to the crash, which can be important when insurers later scrutinize your history.

On the evidence side, there are several concrete tasks that can strengthen any future claim. Calling law enforcement to the scene helps create an official crash report. Photographing the area, including skid marks, traffic signals, crosswalk markings, lighting and any visible injuries, can capture conditions that will change quickly once traffic resumes. Names and contact information for witnesses and nearby businesses with cameras can be crucial months later when memories have faded. As soon as it is practical, it is wise to speak with a Las Vegas personal injury attorney before providing detailed recorded statements to the insurer, so you understand how Nevada’s fault rules and deadlines apply to your situation.

• Get immediate medical evaluation, even if you feel only sore or shaken.
• Call the police so there is a formal crash report documenting what happened.
• Photograph the scene, your injuries, the vehicles and any traffic control devices.
• Collect contact information for witnesses and nearby businesses with cameras.

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Frequently asked questions

Are pedestrians and bicyclists really that likely to be hurt in Clark County traffic crashes?

State data suggests that serious crashes involving pedestrians, bicyclists and other vulnerable road users are concentrated in Clark County. NDOT’s Vulnerable Road User Safety Assessment shows that out of Nevada’s 482 fatal vulnerable road user crashes from 2019 to 2023, 370 occurred in Clark County, along with 695 serious injury crashes. Those numbers confirm that people on foot and on bikes in the Las Vegas area face a significant share of the statewide risk.

What Nevada laws help prove a driver was at fault for hitting me while I was walking?

Several Nevada statutes in Chapter 484B are important in pedestrian cases. NRS 484B.280 requires drivers to use reasonable care to avoid hitting pedestrians, which includes paying attention and slowing or stopping when needed. NRS 484B.283 explains when pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks, and a driver who fails to yield in that situation can be found negligent. Violating these rules, along with speeding or distraction, often becomes key evidence in an injury claim.

Can I still bring a claim if I was not in a crosswalk when I was hit in Las Vegas?

Being outside a crosswalk does not automatically bar a claim under Nevada law. Under NRS 41.141, a court or insurer will look at how much each person’s actions contributed to the crash, and assign percentages of fault. If you are found partly responsible, any recovery can be reduced, but you may still recover as long as your share of fault is not greater than 50 percent. The specific facts, including lighting, driver speed and visibility, matter a great deal in that analysis.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a Nevada pedestrian or bicycle crash?

Most Nevada personal injury lawsuits, including those involving pedestrians and bicyclists, must be filed within two years of the date of the crash under NRS 11.190(4)(e). Missing that deadline can result in losing the right to pursue your claim in court, regardless of how strong your case might have been. Some situations, such as claims involving government agencies or minors, can involve different timing rules, so it is important to talk with a lawyer well before the two year mark.

What kinds of evidence should I save after being hit while walking or cycling?

Evidence in a vulnerable road user case often includes photographs of the scene, your injuries, the vehicles and any skid marks or debris, along with the official crash report. You should also keep damaged clothing, your bicycle, helmet and any broken personal property, because these can show how the impact occurred. Witness names and contact information, video from nearby cameras and your medical records and bills are also critical pieces of proof when negotiating with the insurer or presenting a case in court.

Do I really need a lawyer if the driver’s insurer already accepted fault for the crash?

Even when an insurer acknowledges that its driver caused the crash, there can still be disputes over the extent of your injuries, the medical treatment you need and how the crash affects your work and daily life. Nevada’s comparative negligence rules and deadlines also still apply, and settlement paperwork typically includes a full release of your rights. Talking with a Las Vegas personal injury attorney before signing anything can help you understand what you are giving up and whether the offer reflects Nevada law on damages.