If you walk, bike, or drive in or around Las Vegas, you likely know that understanding who has the right of way is a critical skill. This knowledge is crucial and applies not only to Las Vegas, but also to cities across the nation and around the world. The state of Nevada has several regulations that govern the right-of-way for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists. Below are the general guidelines you should know if you live in or are visiting Las Vegas or the greater Nevada area.
Left Turns and Intersections
Nevada Revised Statutes 484B.250 has two main intersection rules that should be followed:
- A driver that is approaching an intersection is required to yield to a car that has already arrived at that intersection from a different direction; and
- If two vehicles approach an intersection simultaneously, the driver on the left should yield to the driver on the right.
When it comes to left turns, drivers that are already in the intersection and want to turn left must yield to oncoming traffic. If the left-turning driver has a green light left signal, the vehicles from the other direction must yield to the car turning left.
Cyclists
Individuals who choose to use bicycles, e-bikes, or scooters as a primary means of transportation must be aware that drivers of motor vehicles owe a certain duty of care to them on the road. This includes:
- Not purposefully interfering with someone operating a bike, e-bike, or electric scooter;
- Moving over to a different lane when overtaking or passing a cyclist if a lane is available; if not available, keeping at least three feet of distance between the car and the cyclist;
- Not entering, parking, or stopping in a designated bike or pedestrian lane except in specific circumstances;
- Exercising due care to avoid collisions with those riding bicycles, e-bikes, or scooters.
Pedestrians
Under Nevada law, pedestrians have a general obligation to abide by all traffic signs and signals. That being said, pedestrians are given the same protection as bicyclists and scooter riders, as mentioned above. According to Nevada Revised Statute 484B.287, if a pedestrian is not using a marked or unmarked crosswalk, they must yield the right of way to vehicles.
Failure to Yield Accidents
When an accident occurs because someone fails to yield the right-of-way, serious injuries can occur. Any type of accident involving a vehicle and a pedestrian or cyclist can be deadly due to the car hitting a person with minimal, if any, protection. When two vehicles are involved in a failure-to-yield crash, one car collides the another at an intersection, and often the front end of one vehicle hits the side of another. Because the side of a vehicle does not have the same level of protection for a driver that the front or the back of the car does.
Our Lawyers Can Help
If you are on the road in Nevada, you must be sure to yield the right-of-way to avoid an accident. The Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at H&P Law will fight for your right to the most monetary compensation available to you under the law. Contact us today for your initial case evaluation.
