Car Accident Rate in Las Vegas Continues to Rise

According to recent reports, Las Vegas roadways aren’t getting any safer for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. From 2014 to 2015, the number of fatality crashes increased by 33 percent with deaths resulting from accidents rising by about 31.6 percent. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident due to negligence, call an experienced Las Vegas car accident attorney at Cogburn Law Offices today for a free case consultation.

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Why are Las Vegas roadways so dangerous?

Car crashes are a common occurrence in Clark County- especially in Las Vegas. As the largest city in the state, the Las Vegas is home to more than 600,000 residents and is a popular travel destination for millions of visitors every year. Due to the large permanent population and the sheer size and nature of the tourism industry in Las Vegas, roadways are often congested with motor vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians who are frustrated, intoxicated, distracted, or simply unfamiliar with the area.

• Crashes Caused by Intoxication: Drunk driving accidents are a serious problem in the Las Vegas community. Despite numerous efforts to combat drunk driving in the area, thousands of motorists continue to drive while impaired. In 2014, there were about 4,500 DUI arrests in Las Vegas alone. Between 2011 and 2015, 369 individuals suffered fatality and another 708 experienced significant injuries on Nevada roadways due to impaired driving. According to recent reports, about 65 percent of fatalities and serious injuries involving drunk driving in the state occurred in Clark County.
• Pedestrian Accidents: Pedestrian behavior is a major factor in the number of injury and fatality accidents in Las Vegas as well. Between 2011 and 2015 about 336 pedestrians were killed and another 688 suffered serious injuries as a result of motor vehicle crashes in the state, with a large number of those occurring on Las Vegas roadways. In fact, there were 50 pedestrian fatalities in Las Vegas in 2015 alone. Approximately 50 percent of pedestrian accidents happened at mid-block locations and 29 percent occurred at intersections. The most common cause of these incidents was improper roadway crossing.
• Distraction: Both driver and pedestrian distraction play a significant role in the number of crashes in Las Vegas. Although handheld use of cell phones and other electronic devices has been illegal throughout Nevada since 2012, about 3,500 distraction-related crashes still occur in the state every year. The use of electronic devices is not the only cause of distracted driving, however. Eating or drinking while driving, getting caught up in conversations with other vehicle occupants, loud music, and the sights and sounds of the strip are also common. And drivers aren’t the only ones who can become distracted. Pedestrians in Las Vegas often become distracted by the excitement of the area as well. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that about 10 percent of all fatality crashes involve some type of distracted driving.
• Intersections: Intersections have proven to be especially dangerous in Nevada and the Las Vegas area. About 309 people lost their lives and another 2,377 suffered significant injuries in the state due to intersection-related crashes between 2011 and 2015. An astounding 75 percent of those incidents occurred in Clark County alone. Surprisingly, about 68 percent of these crashes happen during daylight hours. Several strategies have been developed to reduce the toll of intersection crashes in the area as a result. Installing flashing lights and retroreflective backplates at intersections, redesigning certain intersection and installing roundabouts, and educating the public and local agencies are just a few.
• Road Congestion: The large amount of traffic on the roadways in and around Las Vegas often creates congestion that results in an increased number of crashes. According to a recent report by a GPS navigation technology company, Las Vegas ranks 19th in the United States for metropolitan cities with the worst traffic congestion. Many drivers who are visiting the area are not used to such heavy traffic conditions, and they can quickly become overwhelmed. Additionally, some drivers become frustrated with the long waits in bumper to bumper traffic, the actions of other drivers, and the seemingly endless line of stoplights that interrupt their trips. As a result, motorists can become aggressive with their driving and frequently rush to beat oncoming traffic, cut other drivers off, disobey traffic signals and make hasty decisions that are unsafe.
• Motorcycles: Although the number of motorcycle injury accidents in the state actually went down from 239 in 2014 to 206 in 2015, and there were 12 fewer motorcycle fatalities, accidents involving motorcycles in Las Vegas are still a problem. In addition to the challenges that other types of motorists face, motorcyclists are less visible to other drivers and are more susceptible to the dangers (such as road rash injuries) of roadway maintenance issues and poor design.

Our personal injury lawyers in Las Vegas see an abundance of motor vehicle crash cases each year. We have the experience needed to help you understand your rights and responsibilities, and gain you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Call us today for a free case consultation. It is hoped that by raising public awareness and implementing effective solutions, the rise in the number of crashes will soon be reversed.