If you have been cited by a police officer when you were passing on the right or your car hit someone who was passing on the right, you probably asked yourself, “Is it Legal to Pass on the Right?” The reason people ask this very common question is because, depending on your state, the answer is not an exact “yes” or “no.”
In this article, we will give you specific Nevada rules to help you understand exactly when it is legal to pass on the right. If you know the applicable rules, you can save yourself the headache of getting a traffic ticket or it could help you determine if someone else was liable for damage that they caused to you and your vehicle by passing on the right.
Is it Legal to Pass on the Right?
As a general rule, it is always best to avoid passing on the right. Many times individuals are not looking in that direction before making lane changes. However, there are times that you can legally and safely pass on the right in Nevada. The Nevada laws state that you my pass on the right if:
1) The vehicle you want to pass is in the process of making a left hand turn or is signaling to make a left hand turn.
2) The road is designed and marked for two or more lanes of traffic in the same direction and you are passing on the right in a designated lane.
3) The road is a one way street and there are two or more lanes designated for vehicle traffic.
If none of these three exceptions apply to your situation, then the act of passing on the right was done illegally.
Traffic Collisions when Passing on the Right
If you were injured in a traffic collision because someone was passing on the right, you may have a claim against the person who was making the maneuver if they did it illegally. The violation of a state statute is strong ground for establishing negligence. Once negligence is established, you would just need to demonstrate the extent of your injuries in order to get compensated for the other person’s poor driving.
However, if you were involved in the traffic collision and they were passing in a legal passing lane or were going around you when you were making a left hand turn, it is possible that you will not succeed in your case. If you were injured and you think the other driver was at fault because of an illegal traffic maneuver, you should speak with a Las Vegas personal injury attorney who can analyze your case. After an analysis, your attorney should be able to tell you whether or not you have a good case against the other driver.
Speak with a Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been injured in a Las Vegas automobile accident because someone was illegally passing on the right, you should speak with a Las Vegas personal injury attorney to understand your rights. The experienced attorneys at H & P are prepared to assist you with your needs.
We would be happy to offer you a free consultation with one of our expert personal injury attorneys. Just call 702-912-4451 or click here to request a meeting time. We look forward to speaking with you.
Matt Pfau is an attorney and founding partner at the law firm H & P. Matt has a background in business consulting, estate planning, business start-ups and bankruptcy and is licensed to practice in both Nevada and California. A partner in the firm H & P, he can be reached at 702-912-4451.
