Looking both ways before you cross the street is always a good idea; however, if you are looking both ways because you plan on jaywalking in downtown Las Vegas or anywhere on the strip, looking left and right is just the best part of a very bad idea. Not only is jaywalking in Las Vegas dangerous, it is a crime carrying stiff penalties.
Anytime you cross the street without the right of way, it is jaywalking. Most think that jaywalking is only crossing the street outside of a marked crosswalk. However, many car vs. pedestrian accidents in Las Vegas occur within the crosswalk. If the pedestrian is crossing against the signal, this is also a violation of the jaywalking law.
Pedestrian Accidents in Las Vegas
In Clark County, jaywalking enforcement is serious business. While the ticket is no the equivalent of a parking offense, the fee is an astounding $198, and can be as high as $275. This should be a major deterrent, but accidents still happen.
Pedestrian accidents are common in Nevada. In fact, according to the Nevada Department of Transportation, pedestrian deaths increased by 11.86 percent between 2006 and 2013. More than a hundred pedestrians were killed on Las Vegas streets in 2013 alone. This accounts for more than 20 percent of all deaths in vehicle-related accidents in the city.
Driver Negligence in Pedestrian Accidents
Many pedestrians in busy areas assume traffic will stop for them, that they can beat oncoming traffic, or that they will have time to cross before the signal turns. Unless these pedestrians can prove negligence on the part of the motorist that struck them, they are not likely to win their case. It is common however, for a driver who is speeding, under the influence or distracted, to fail to notice a pedestrian who is jaywalking. If these factors contributed to the accident, there is a chance damages may be rewarded to the injured pedestrian as there exists shared negligence.
Even if you were cited for jaywalking, you may be able to receive compensation for your injuries. An experienced lawyer will listen to the facts you provide and may see a liability against the motorist that you had not considered. Under the modified comparative fault – 51% rule, as long as you are under 51% at fault for the accident, you are eligible to receive compensation for your injuries.
If you have been hit by a car while jaywalking, you should seek for legal help as soon as possible. It is important to gather evidence against the driver of the car so you can preserve your ability to recover medical bills and other compensation from the driver’s insurance company.
Your jaywalking may have contributed to the accident, but it isn’t all your fault.