Pedestrian Accident Lawyers Serving Carson City

Every day in Carson City, pedestrians walk near busy intersections, shopping centers, and school zones, often with minimal protection and limited infrastructure to keep them safe. Whether you were hit while crossing South Carson Street, walking near College Parkway, or using a crosswalk downtown, the aftermath of a pedestrian accident can be catastrophic. Victims frequently suffer broken bones, head trauma, spinal injuries, or worse, and all because a driver failed to slow down, yield, or pay attention.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 7,000 pedestrians are killed each year in the United States, and tens of thousands more are seriously injured. Nevada has consistently ranked among the top states for pedestrian fatalities per capita, making legal representation even more critical.

At Ed Bernstein Injury Lawyers, we’ve spent over four decades helping injury victims get the compensation they need to recover. If you or someone you love has been hit by a car while walking in Carson City, we’re ready to take action. We investigate, negotiate, and fight to hold negligent drivers fully accountable.

Contact a Carson City pedestrian accident lawyer today to schedule your free consultation.

Where Pedestrian Accidents Commonly Occur in Carson City

While a pedestrian can be struck almost anywhere, certain streets and intersections in Carson City are especially dangerous due to heavy traffic, poor visibility, and a lack of dedicated crossing infrastructure. These areas have a history of serious accidents and near misses, and are often the focus of city safety audits and traffic enforcement efforts.

Knowing the high-risk locations helps establish driver negligence and strengthens a legal claim, especially when prior incidents have occurred in the same area.

South Carson Street Near Fairview Drive

This is one of the busiest commercial corridors in the city, with constant vehicle traffic entering and exiting retail stores, gas stations, and restaurants. Despite pedestrian signals, crosswalks are often ignored by drivers making quick turns or speeding through yellow lights.

Lack of Driver Attention in Retail Zones

Pedestrians walking to and from Carson Mall or nearby stores are frequently placed at risk due to distracted driving and obstructed sightlines. Many drivers are focused on parking lot exits rather than pedestrians in marked crossings.

Downtown Carson City Around the State Capitol

The downtown corridor sees a high volume of foot traffic from government employees, tourists, and residents. Crosswalks in this area are often wide and signalized, but that doesn’t stop drivers from rolling through stops or failing to yield during left turns.

Shared Traffic with Limited Buffer Zones

With narrow sidewalks, heavy delivery vehicle presence, and tourists unfamiliar with local traffic patterns, downtown can be especially dangerous for those on foot. According to the Nevada Department of Transportation, areas with mixed vehicle and pedestrian traffic are among the most accident-prone statewide.

College Parkway and North Carson Street

This intersection combines residential traffic, public transportation routes, and student pedestrian activity from nearby schools and apartment complexes. Evening visibility issues and poorly timed signals create dangerous conditions for people walking to and from work or class.

Poor Lighting and High Vehicle Speeds

With limited street lighting and fast-moving vehicles during peak hours, pedestrians are often caught in the crossfire of drivers trying to beat red lights or rush through intersections.

Unmarked Crossings and Midblock Walking Areas

Not all pedestrian accidents happen in intersections. Many occur midblock, where pedestrians attempt to cross busy roads like East William Street or Hot Springs Road without a signal or marked crosswalk.

Driver Obligation Remains Even Without a Crosswalk

Nevada law still requires drivers to yield to pedestrians who are lawfully in the roadway, even if they are not at a marked crosswalk. Lack of signage or striping does not absolve a driver of responsibility in a serious crash.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Nevada

Most pedestrian accidents are not “accidents” at all, they’re preventable incidents caused by a driver’s failure to follow the law or pay attention. In Carson City, a growing number of these collisions happen in well-trafficked areas, near crosswalks, and even during daylight hours. Whether due to speeding, distraction, or poor infrastructure, the underlying causes of these crashes are often rooted in negligence.

Recognizing the most frequent causes of pedestrian injuries helps identify liability and strengthens the legal foundation for a claim.

Drivers Failing to Yield at Crosswalks

One of the most common causes of pedestrian crashes is when a driver fails to stop or yield to someone in a marked crosswalk. Despite clear traffic laws, many drivers rush through turns or roll through intersections, assuming pedestrians will stop instead.

Legal Right-of-Way Ignored

Under Nevada Revised Statutes § 484B.287, pedestrians in crosswalks have the right-of-way, and drivers must stop. Failure to do so, especially in signal-controlled intersections or school zones, is a clear sign of negligence.

Distracted Driving

Drivers using cell phones, GPS devices, or infotainment systems often fail to notice people crossing the street. Even a few seconds of inattention can lead to a devastating impact.

Visual and Cognitive Distraction

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), distracted driving is a leading cause of fatal pedestrian crashes nationwide. In Carson City, distractions are especially dangerous in high-density areas like downtown and near school zones.

Speeding in Residential and Commercial Zones

Excess speed dramatically reduces a driver’s ability to brake or react in time to avoid a collision. In pedestrian crashes, even small increases in speed result in significantly higher injury severity or death.

Higher Speed, Higher Fatality Risk

The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has found that the risk of fatal injury to a pedestrian skyrockets as vehicle speed increases, even just from 25 mph to 35 mph. This is especially alarming on roads like Fairview Drive, where speed limits are frequently ignored.

Left-Turn and Right-Turn Collisions

Turning vehicles pose a major hazard to pedestrians, particularly when drivers are focused on traffic rather than checking the crosswalk. Left-turn crashes tend to be more severe, while right-turn incidents often result from “rolling stops.”

Intersection Blind Spots and Signal Confusion

Many pedestrian crashes in Carson City occur at intersections where turn arrows conflict with pedestrian walk signals. These timing issues, combined with limited driver visibility, create a dangerous environment for those crossing legally.

Poor Lighting and Low Visibility Conditions

Many pedestrian accidents happen during dusk, dawn, or nighttime hours, especially in areas with inadequate lighting or blocked visibility. Dark clothing, parked cars, and poorly designed intersections only add to the risk.

Infrastructure Negligence or Vehicle Liability

In some cases, a government agency or property owner may share fault for failing to install adequate street lighting or for obstructed signage. These claims may require additional investigation but can be critical to securing full compensation.

Injuries Commonly Sustained in Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrians have no physical protection in a collision, not even a helmet or seatbelt. That’s why injuries in these cases are often catastrophic, requiring emergency care, long-term rehabilitation, or permanent lifestyle changes. In Carson City, where many pedestrian accidents occur on roads with higher speed limits and limited infrastructure, the injuries are especially severe.

Below are the most common injuries our legal team sees in pedestrian accident cases.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

When a person’s head strikes the pavement, a vehicle, or another hard object, the result is often a concussion or more severe brain trauma. Even mild TBIs can cause long-term issues with memory, balance, focus, and sleep.

High Impact, High Risk

According to the Brain Injury Association of America, falls and vehicle strikes are among the top causes of brain injury in the U.S. Victims may require neurological care, speech therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation for months, or years.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Back Trauma

A vehicle strike can cause the pedestrian’s body to twist or fall in unnatural ways, putting extreme stress on the spinal column. These injuries may result in partial or full paralysis, herniated discs, or chronic pain.

Lifelong Consequences

Spinal trauma often requires surgery, mobility devices, and home modifications. In the most severe cases, it permanently affects a person’s independence and earning capacity.

Fractures and Broken Bones

Broken legs, arms, ribs, hips, and pelvis injuries are extremely common in pedestrian crashes. These injuries can occur during the initial impact or when the person is thrown to the ground.

Surgical Recovery and Rehab

Complex fractures may require pins, rods, or plates, followed by months of physical therapy. The elderly and those with preexisting conditions face even longer and more difficult recoveries.

Internal Injuries and Organ Damage

Even if there are no visible wounds, blunt force trauma can cause life-threatening internal bleeding or damage to organs like the lungs, liver, or spleen.

Silent and Deadly

These injuries may not be immediately apparent, which is why it’s critical to seek medical attention after any pedestrian crash, even if you don’t feel pain right away. Early diagnosis can mean the difference between life and death.

Severe Cuts, Lacerations, and Disfigurement

Glass, asphalt, and debris can cause deep cuts, road rash, and permanent scarring, especially on the face, hands, or legs. These injuries often require stitches, skin grafts, and cosmetic surgery.

Visible Trauma and Emotional Toll

Beyond the physical pain, visible injuries can cause embarrassment, depression, and loss of self-confidence. These emotional damages are fully compensable in Nevada personal injury law.

What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Carson City

The moments after a pedestrian accident are disorienting, frightening, and critical. You may be in shock, unsure of your injuries, or unaware of your legal rights. Taking the right steps immediately after the crash, and in the days that follow, can make a significant difference in your recovery and in your ability to pursue a personal injury claim.

Whether you were hit in a busy crosswalk downtown or alongside a school zone on College Parkway, here’s what to do to protect your health, your rights, and your financial future.

Call 911 and Request Medical Help Immediately

Your safety comes first. Call 911 and report the incident. Ask for both emergency medical responders and law enforcement to be dispatched to the scene. The police report will be a crucial piece of evidence in any legal case.

Even Minor Injuries Need Evaluation

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), many pedestrian accident injuries, including head trauma and internal bleeding, may not show symptoms right away. It’s essential to be fully evaluated, even if you feel “okay.”

Get a Copy of the Police Report

When officers from the Carson City Sheriff’s Office arrive, provide your statement clearly and calmly. Ask for the report number before leaving the scene. If you’re transported to the hospital, a witness or family member can help ensure this report is created and obtained.

What’s in the Report?

It typically includes the driver’s identity, insurance information, eyewitness accounts, road conditions, and initial fault determination. This official documentation often becomes a cornerstone of your injury claim.

Document the Scene and Your Injuries

If you’re physically able, or someone with you is, use your smartphone to take photos and video of

• The exact location (crosswalk, road, or sidewalk)
  
  
• Vehicle damage and license plate
  
  
• Your injuries, clothing, and any personal property affected
  
  
• Street conditions, signage, lighting, and weather

Capture Everything

The National Safety Council stresses the importance of evidence collection in pedestrian cases, especially when road design or visibility may be contributing factors.

Avoid Making Statements to Insurance Companies

After the crash, the driver’s insurance company may contact you asking for a recorded statement or trying to settle quickly. Do not accept any offer or speak on the record before consulting with a lawyer.

Protect Yourself

Insurance adjusters often try to shift blame or minimize payouts. Having legal representation ensures you’re not taken advantage of or pressured into an unfair settlement.

If you’ve been contacted by an insurer, speak with a Carson City pedestrian accident attorney first.

Who’s Liable in a Pedestrian Accident?

Establishing who is legally responsible for a pedestrian crash is one of the most critical parts of your injury claim. While drivers are often the at-fault party, liability can sometimes extend to government agencies, property owners, or even vehicle manufacturers. In Carson City, where public roads, mixed-use zones, and private parking areas all intersect, determining fault takes a thorough investigation.

At Ed Bernstein Injury Lawyers, we dig deep to uncover every liable party and hold them fully accountable.

Negligent Drivers Are the Most Commonly Liable Parties

In most pedestrian crashes, the driver is directly responsible. This may involve speeding, failing to yield, running a red light, or texting while driving.

Failure to Yield at Crosswalks

Under Nevada law, drivers must stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks or when a walk signal is active. When a driver ignores these rules and causes a crash, they are considered negligent per se, meaning they violated a safety law that resulted in harm.

Rideshare and Delivery Drivers

If the driver was working for a company like Uber, Lyft, Amazon, or DoorDash at the time of the crash, additional insurance coverage may apply. These companies carry commercial or contingent liability policies that may significantly increase available compensation.

Corporate Insurance Coverage

Depending on whether the driver was on duty or in transit, the company may share liability. We determine the driver’s work status at the time of the crash and pursue all applicable insurance avenues.

Government Entities for Road Defects or Poor Lighting

Sometimes, pedestrian accidents aren’t caused solely by driver behavior. If the crash occurred due to a lack of crosswalks, broken pedestrian signals, missing signage, or poor lighting, a city or state agency may bear partial responsibility.

Filing a Claim Against a Government Agency

These cases require notice filings under Nevada tort law. For example, if the City of Carson failed to maintain a pedestrian signal near a school zone, a claim may be submitted through the Nevada State Risk Management Office.

Property Owners and Business Operators

In private parking lots, shopping centers, or apartment complexes, pedestrians may be struck by vehicles due to poor lot design, blocked sightlines, or missing warning signage. In these cases, property owners or management companies may be held liable under premises liability law.

Unsafe Property Design or Maintenance

If the property failed to provide safe walkways, lighting, or proper traffic controls, and someone was injured as a result, the owner or operator can be named in a personal injury lawsuit.

Pedestrian Accident FAQs

Pedestrian accidents raise urgent legal, medical, and financial questions. Below are some of the most common concerns our clients in Carson City have after being hit by a vehicle. These answers provide guidance, but every case is unique, so we always recommend speaking with an attorney to understand your full legal options.

What Should I Do Immediately After Being Hit by a Car as a Pedestrian?

First, seek immediate medical care, even if you think your injuries are minor. Call 911 to report the accident and request both emergency medical responders and a police officer at the scene. If you’re able, take photos of the scene, your injuries, and the vehicle that hit you. Collect witness names and contact info. Don’t admit fault, and avoid discussing the accident with the driver’s insurance company before consulting an attorney.

Taking these steps will help protect your health and preserve critical evidence for your claim.

Can I Still Recover Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault?

Yes. Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence rule (NRS § 41.141). This means you can still recover damages as long as you were 50% or less at fault for the accident. However, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you were awarded $100,000 but found to be 25% at fault for crossing outside a crosswalk, you’d still recover $75,000. If you’re found 51% or more at fault, you won’t be eligible for any compensation.

How Long Do I Have to File a Pedestrian Accident Lawsuit in Nevada?

In most cases, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Nevada is two years from the date of the accident. If the claim involves a government entity (e.g., a crash caused by a city bus or unsafe crosswalk), you may need to file a formal notice of claim within six months.

Waiting too long can forfeit your right to compensation, so it’s critical to act quickly and consult with a lawyer who knows Nevada injury law.

What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive After a Pedestrian Accident?

You may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages, including

• Medical expenses (ER visits, surgery, rehab, prescriptions)
  
  
• Lost income and reduced earning potential
  
  
• Pain and suffering
  
  
• Emotional distress or trauma
  
  
• Long-term care and disability costs
  
  
• Punitive damages in extreme cases (e.g., DUI or reckless driving)

A skilled pedestrian injury lawyer will work with experts to calculate and prove the full value of your claim.

Do I Need a Lawyer to File a Pedestrian Accident Claim?

Technically, you can file a claim without legal representation, but insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys whose job is to minimize what they pay out. Without a lawyer, you’re at risk of being lowballed, blamed for the accident, or pressured into settling for far less than you deserve.

At Ed Bernstein Injury Lawyers, we protect your rights, build a compelling case, and fight for the maximum compensation you’re owed, so you can focus on recovery.

Why Choose Ed Bernstein Injury Lawyers for Your Pedestrian Accident Case

When you’ve been hit by a vehicle, you need more than just legal help, you need a team that understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll of a pedestrian accident. At Ed Bernstein Injury Lawyers, we’ve spent over 40 years standing up for injured Nevadans. From crosswalk collisions to hit-and-runs, we know what it takes to build strong, evidence-backed cases that hold negligent drivers accountable.

If you were injured in Carson City, we’re ready to help you secure the compensation and justice you deserve.

Decades of Experience Handling Pedestrian Injury Claims

We’ve successfully represented thousands of injured clients throughout Nevada, including many who were hit while walking. We know the local traffic patterns, the intersections with high crash rates, and how to overcome the common defenses used by drivers and their insurance companies.

We Know What Evidence Wins Cases

From black box data to traffic light timing, we gather every piece of evidence necessary to support your claim. Our firm also works with accident reconstruction specialists to prove exactly how the crash happened, and who was at fault.

Local Knowledge of Carson City Courts, Roads, and Law Enforcement

With decades of experience working in Northern Nevada, we understand how local court procedures, law enforcement practices, and city infrastructure impact your case.

From Downtown to East William Street, We Know the Risk Zones

We’ve handled cases on Fairview Drive, South Carson Street, College Parkway, and every high-traffic zone in between. We use our knowledge of local conditions to challenge weak defenses and highlight driver negligence.

We Handle the Insurance Companies So You Don’t Have To

After a pedestrian crash, the last thing you should be doing is arguing with an insurance adjuster. We take over communication, negotiate aggressively, and reject lowball offers that don’t account for long-term injuries.

Your Case Is Trial-Ready from Day One

While many cases settle, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. This strategy maximizes leverage and shows insurers we’re serious about getting full compensation, not a fast payout.

Talk to a Carson City Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

If you or someone you love was hit by a vehicle in Carson City, you’re likely facing pain, confusion, and mounting medical bills. You shouldn’t have to navigate this alone. At Ed Bernstein Injury Lawyers, we’re here to protect your rights, uncover the truth, and fight for the full compensation you deserve.

We’ve helped countless pedestrian accident victims throughout Nevada hold negligent drivers and insurers accountable, and we’re ready to do the same for you. Whether the crash happened downtown, near a school zone, or in a crosswalk outside a store, we’ll guide you through every step of your recovery and legal process.

Speak with a Carson City pedestrian injury attorney now and take the first step toward justice and recovery.