When a vehicle strikes someone walking, the physical and financial consequences demand legal representation that understands both the severity of pedestrian injuries and Nevada's complex liability laws. Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman LLP helps pedestrians injured on Reno's streets pursue compensation from negligent drivers and other responsible parties.
For over two decades, our firm has represented individuals struck while crossing streets, walking through parking lots, or simply going about their daily lives. Our selective approach to cases means your attorney personally handles your claim from initial consultation through resolution. We take on the insurance battles, while you take the time to recover.
Contact us now to schedule a free consultation. Our Reno pedestrian accident lawyer works on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay us unless we win.
Key Takeaways - Pedestrian Accident Claims in Reno
- Pedestrians have legal rights even when crossing outside designated crosswalks, though Nevada's comparative fault rules may affect compensation
- Common pedestrian accident injuries include traumatic brain injuries, fractures, internal organ damage, and psychological trauma, requiring extensive treatment
- Drivers must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and exercise caution in areas where pedestrians are present
- We investigate multiple compensation sources, including the driver's insurance, employer liability, and municipal responsibility for dangerous road conditions
- Our firm works on contingency fees, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for your injuries
How Can Our Reno Pedestrian Accident Attorneys Help?
The attorneys at Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman LLP have earned Martindale-Hubbell's highest AV® Preeminent rating through consistent dedication to injured clients and meticulous case development. Fellow attorneys trust us with their complex pedestrian injury referrals because they recognize our commitment to pursuing fair compensation. This peer confidence comes from our track record of taking cases to verdict when necessary, not just settling for quick payouts.
Our approach to pedestrian accident representation includes:
- Scene Documentation and Evidence Preservation: We quickly secure traffic camera recordings, photograph skid marks and debris patterns, and identify witnesses while details remain fresh
- Coordination with Medical Providers: We facilitate connections to appropriate specialists, if necessary, and maintain detailed records documenting the progression of your injuries
- Investigation of Liability: We analyze driver behavior, visibility conditions, traffic control devices, and municipal responsibility for dangerous crosswalk designs
- Insurance Strategy and Protection: We manage insurer communications to prevent statements that could harm your claim while pursuing available coverage
- Financial Impact Assessment: We document lost income, diminished earning capacity, and calculate future care costs with assistance from vocational and economic professionals when needed
- Settlement Advocacy: We negotiate from positions of strength, using comprehensive evidence and our trial reputation to pursue meaningful compensation
- Trial Presentation: We develop compelling courtroom presentations using visual aids, expert testimony, and clear narratives that resonate with Washoe County jurors
Our firm's deep roots in Northern Nevada mean we know which intersections along Virginia Street see frequent pedestrian strikes, where poor lighting on 4th Street creates hazards, and how McCarran Boulevard's design endangers those on foot.
We work regularly with trauma teams at local hospitals and understand their documentation practices for pedestrian impact injuries. This regional knowledge helps us build strong cases by anticipating defense arguments, identifying responsible parties, and determining damages.
HEAR FROM OUR CLIENTS
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Reno
Northern Nevada's mix of urban corridors, casino districts, and residential areas creates specific hazards for pedestrians. Recognizing these patterns helps establish liability and shows how many accidents result from preventable driver behaviors.
Crosswalk and Intersection Accidents
Drivers failing to yield at marked crosswalks cause many serious pedestrian injuries. Downtown Reno's busy intersections see frequent violations when drivers rush through yellow lights or make turns without checking for pedestrians. Even with walk signals, pedestrians face risks from distracted or impatient drivers.
Parking Lot and Private Property Incidents
Casino parking garages, shopping centers, and apartment complexes throughout Washoe County present unique dangers. Drivers backing out of spaces may not see pedestrians, especially children or elderly individuals. Poor lighting and a lack of designated walkways increase these risks.
Distracted and Impaired Driving
Cell phone use, navigation systems, and other distractions cause drivers to miss pedestrians entirely. Reno's entertainment districts also see drunk driving accidents that devastate pedestrian victims. These cases may involve punitive damages due to the driver's reckless behavior.
Poor Visibility and Road Design
Many pedestrian accidents occur during dawn, dusk, or nighttime hours when visibility decreases. Inadequate street lighting, missing sidewalks, and dangerous road designs along highways like US-395 force pedestrians into harm's way. Government entities may share liability for these dangerous conditions.
What Should I Do After Being Hit by a Car in Reno?
The hours and days following a pedestrian accident prove critical for your health and legal claim. Once you're safe and have received initial medical care, specific actions can help protect your rights and strengthen your case.
Some steps to take after returning home from a pedestrian accident include:
- Continuing Medical Treatment: Follow all medical advice and attend every appointment, even if you feel better. Pedestrian accidents frequently cause delayed symptoms, particularly with head injuries or internal trauma. Keep detailed records of all treatments, medications, and medical equipment needs.
- Documenting Everything: Create a file for all accident-related documents including police reports, medical bills, and insurance correspondence. Take photos of visible injuries throughout your recovery to show their progression. Keep a journal noting pain levels, mobility limitations, and how injuries affect daily activities.
- Preserving Evidence: Save the clothes and shoes you wore during the accident, as they may show impact points or road rash. Don't wash them or throw them away. If you had items like phones or bags damaged in the crash, keep these as evidence of impact severity.
- Taking Care with Communications: Insurance adjusters may contact you quickly, seeking statements that could hurt your claim. Politely decline to discuss the accident beyond basic facts. Never agree to recorded statements without legal representation. Avoid posting about your accident or activities on social media, as insurers monitor these for contradictory information.
- Seeking Legal Guidance Promptly: Evidence disappears quickly in pedestrian accident cases. Surveillance footage gets overwritten, skid marks fade, and witnesses become harder to locate. Early legal intervention helps preserve crucial evidence and protects your rights during insurance negotiations.
Taking these steps helps build a strong foundation for your claim while protecting your health and legal rights. Each action contributes to documenting the true impact of your injuries and preserving evidence that proves the driver's responsibility for your damages.
Who Is at Fault in Pedestrian Accidents in Nevada?
Determining fault in pedestrian accidents requires understanding Nevada traffic laws and examining the specific circumstances of each crash. Contrary to common belief, pedestrians don't always have the absolute right-of-way, but drivers bear significant responsibilities for pedestrian safety.
Nevada Revised Statutes 484B.287 requires drivers to yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks at intersections. Drivers must also exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians, even when pedestrians cross improperly. This duty increases near schools, parks, and residential areas where children may be present.
Nevada's comparative fault system under NRS 41.141 means pedestrians can recover damages even if they are partially at fault. Your compensation reduces by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover if you are less than 51% responsible. Common factors affecting fault determination include:
- Whether the pedestrian used a designated crosswalk
- Traffic signal compliance by both parties
- Driver speed and attention level
- Visibility conditions and lighting
- Pedestrian sobriety and behavior
- Road design and maintenance issues
The other side may try to shift blame to the pedestrian, arguing that things like jaywalking or dark clothing contributed to accidents. Our pedestrian accident lawyers counter these arguments with evidence showing driver negligence as the primary cause, such as cell phone records proving distraction or surveillance footage showing speeding.
Types of Damages Recoverable in Pedestrian Claims
Pedestrian accidents can cause catastrophic injuries due to the human body's vulnerability to vehicle impact. The damages available in pedestrian accident cases address both immediate needs and long-term consequences:
- Immediate Medical Expenses: Emergency treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, and rehabilitation form the foundation of economic damages. Pedestrian injuries frequently require extensive medical intervention including orthopedic surgeries, neurological treatment, and physical therapy lasting months or years.
- Future Medical Needs and Life Care: Severe injuries require ongoing care that must be calculated and included in claims. This includes future surgeries, medications, medical equipment, home modifications for accessibility, and potential nursing care. Life care planners help project these costs accurately when injuries cause permanent disabilities.
- Lost Income and Earning Capacity: Time away from work for treatment and recovery creates immediate financial strain. More significantly, permanent injuries may prevent returning to previous employment or any work at all. We calculate both past lost wages and future earning capacity based on age, education, and injury limitations.
- Pain, Suffering, and Quality of Life: Physical pain and emotional trauma from pedestrian accidents may be compensated. Scarring, disfigurement, and disability affect self-esteem and relationships. Loss of enjoyment includes inability to participate in activities that once brought joy and fulfillment.
- Wrongful Death Damages: When pedestrian accidents prove fatal, surviving family members may pursue compensation for funeral expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship. Nevada law provides specific guidance on wrongful death claims and eligible family members.
These damage categories work together to address the comprehensive impact of pedestrian accidents. Our attorneys document each type of loss thoroughly, working with medical and financial professionals when necessary to present the scope of damages to insurance companies and juries.
What If the Driver Was Uninsured or Fled the Scene?
Hit-and-run accidents and uninsured drivers create additional challenges for injured pedestrians, but compensation sources may still exist. Taking immediate action improves the chances of identifying fleeing drivers and securing alternative available coverage, when necessary.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
Report hit-and-run accidents to the police immediately, as delays complicate investigations. Canvas the area for witnesses and surveillance cameras from nearby businesses or traffic monitoring systems. Even partial license plates or vehicle descriptions help police investigations. Your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply to hit-and-run pedestrian accidents, though coverage varies by policy.
Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers
Many drivers carry only Nevada's minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person, which rarely covers serious pedestrian injuries. Our Reno lawyers investigate potential coverage sources, including umbrella policies, employer liability for drivers working at the time, and your own auto insurance, which may provide uninsured motorist benefits even for pedestrian accidents.
Alternative Compensation Sources
Beyond driver insurance, other parties may bear responsibility. Poor road design or maintenance may create municipal liability. Employers may be liable when employees cause accidents while working. Our team works to identify different avenues for compensation to help you secure fair compensation.
Why Pedestrian Accident Cases Require Immediate Legal Action
Pedestrian accident cases in Reno present unique legal challenges that differ significantly from typical vehicle-to-vehicle crashes. The severity of injuries combined with frequent disputes over fault makes early attorney involvement crucial for protecting your rights and building a strong claim.
Evidence Preservation Challenges
Physical evidence from pedestrian accidents disappears rapidly. Skid marks wash away with weather, surveillance footage from nearby businesses typically overwrites within days or weeks, and witnesses become harder to locate as time passes. Even vehicle damage that shows impact height and force may be repaired before proper documentation. Early legal intervention allows attorneys to send preservation letters demanding that crucial evidence be maintained.
Combating Unfair Bias
Insurance companies may blame pedestrians for accidents, arguing they were distracted, wearing dark clothing, or crossing improperly. Attorneys who understand these strategies can gather evidence that shifts focus back to driver negligence – such as cell phone records, traffic violations, or impairment.
Complex Liability Issues
Pedestrian accidents may involve multiple responsible parties beyond just the driver. Poor street lighting, missing sidewalks, or dangerous road designs can create municipal liability. Employers may bear responsibility when employees cause accidents while working. Identifying liable parties requires an investigation that becomes harder with delays.
Medical Documentation Timing
The full extent of pedestrian injuries may not become apparent immediately. Traumatic brain injuries can have delayed symptoms, and orthopedic injuries may require multiple surgeries over time. Early legal representation helps you create records supporting fair compensation for long-term needs.
Insurance Company Advantages
Insurance adjusters begin investigating immediately after accidents, gathering evidence that supports their position. Without legal representation, injured pedestrians face this sophisticated opposition alone while healing from painful injuries. Attorneys level the playing field by conducting equally thorough investigations focused on proving driver fault and documenting your damages.
Proven Results for Our Clients
FAQ for Reno Pedestrian Accident Attorney
Do I Need a Pedestrian Accident Lawyer or Can Any Personal Injury Attorney Help?
While general personal injury attorneys can handle pedestrian cases, those familiar with pedestrian-specific laws and common insurance defenses provide stronger representation. Pedestrian cases involve unique factors like municipal liability for road design and specific visibility arguments that benefit from focused experience.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Pedestrian Accident Claims in Nevada?
Nevada law under NRS 11.190 provides two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit for pedestrian accidents. However, claims against government entities for dangerous road conditions require written notice within 180 days, making immediate legal consultation critical to preserve all potential claims.
How Are Contingency Fees Calculated in Pedestrian Accident Cases?
Our contingency fee arrangement means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation through settlement or verdict. The fee is a percentage of recovery, and we advance all case costs like medical record fees and expert witnesses, recouping these only from successful outcomes.
Can Pedestrians Access Uninsured Motorist Coverage?
Pedestrians may access uninsured motorist (UM) coverage through their own auto policies, even though they weren't driving during the accident. Coverage availability depends on specific policy language, and we help clients understand and pursue all available coverage options.
What Evidence Helps Prove Liability in Pedestrian Accident Cases?
Strong evidence includes surveillance or dashcam footage, witness statements, police reports, driver cell phone records, and physical evidence from the scene. Skid mark analysis, vehicle damage patterns, and visibility studies also help establish how accidents occurred and who bears responsibility.
our pedestrian accident resources
Contact Our Reno Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today
Pedestrian accidents leave victims facing painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about their future. Quick action protects your rights and improves chances for fair compensation. At Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman LLP, we combine Northern Nevada legal knowledge with proven trial experience to help injured pedestrians recover and rebuild.
Our attorneys understand the serious nature of pedestrian accidents and fight for compensation that addresses your losses. We handle cases on contingency, meaning no fees unless we win, allowing you to focus on healing while we manage the legal complexities.
Call (775) 284-8888 for your free consultation. Our personal injury lawyers represent injured pedestrians throughout Northern Nevada, including Washoe County, Carson City, Douglas County, and surrounding areas. Let our dedicated legal team protect your rights and pursue the compensation you need for medical care, lost income, and the life changes ahead.