
STOP! STOP what you’re doing and read this blog post, as getting ticketed for running a stop sign in Nevada is not really a light-duty offense.While it is considered a misdemeanor, the fine for the violation is expensive, and so are the repercussions.
Let’s face it. We’ve all rolled through an intersection with a posted stop sign – at least one time in our lives. Unfortunately, some people don’t see a stop sign because they are distracted or speeding.
It’s no big deal if you get a ticket, or so it seems, until you realize its importance. Running a stop sign can lead to a serious injury or a fatality. Moreover, crash statistics show that speeding-based crashes happen most often in urban areas or those places where traffic signals and stop signs are used frequently. In Nevada, a lot of the accidents take place after 6:00 p.m. in the evening, from Friday to Sunday, and from March to September.
Both distracted driving and speeding are two major reasons why people fail to stop at a stop sign – both of which are regularly attributed to serious casualties. That’s why a stop sign ticket is not exactly cheap – about $395 (as of March 8, 2023). You’ll also get four demerit points on your driver’s license if you fail to stop at a crossing with a posted sign.
Nevada code NRS 484.257 is part of the Nevada rules of the road that imposes penalties for ignoring stop signs. You also cannot pass a school bus when it displays a stop sign.
Assembly Bill (AB) 116, in Nevada, decriminalizes misdemeanor traffic offenses like cell phone use (distracted driving) or speeding. However, if you’re hit by a driver who runs a stop sign, you can file a personal injury claim, as this type of civil infraction can be quite serious.
Because Nevada is an at-fault injury state, you can request damages from the at-fault party. If you’ve been hurt because a person ran a stop sign, you’re entitled to file a lawsuit to recoup money for medical bills, lost earnings, or pain and suffering
You need to pay the ticket right away if you are pulled over for failing to stop at a stop sign. Some drivers are able to speak to a lawyer and get the ticket reduced to a non-moving violation. This prevents a driver, with an otherwise good driving record, from receiving demerit points. Drivers with 12 demerit points on their driver’s license can lose their rights to drive for up to six months. The added demerits also increase what people pay in car insurance premiums.
If you’re the victim of someone who runs a stop sign, consult with an attorney. Receive medical care the same day you get hurt. You should do this even if you feel okay. A related injury may emerge at a later date. You may also need this information if you wish to file a personal injury claim.
Whether you’re hit by a speeding driver or receive injuries in another type of crash, you need to contact a personal injury lawyer immediately. In Reno, your go-to legal firm is Kidwell & Gallagher. Give them a call right now t set up a consultation.
Craig W. Kidwell is the managing partner of Kidwell & Gallagher, Ltd., and exclusively represents injured workers in Nevada. Mr. Kidwell has been practicing workers’ compensation law in Nevada since 1999 and has acted as lead counsel on over 2,000 contested workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Kidwell represents injured workers in Nevada through all stages of Nevada’s complex worker’s compensation system. Craig regularly appears in all levels of Nevada’s administrative workers’ compensation system and has represented injured workers in Nevada’s districts and Supreme Court.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Managing Partner, Craig W. Kidwell who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.