Did you know more people are killed in pedestrian accidents in Nevada than in homicides? Walking has become a new risk in Las Vegas with an average of 1 death every 6 days in the Las Vegas area. More than 60 people were killed in 2013 and dozens hospitalized with critical injuries in Clark County.
In 2012, the last full year for which statistics are available, people died at a higher rate in Clark County in pedestrian car accidents than in Manhattan, Phoenix, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Pedestrian deaths are also on the rise.
Community leaders and law agencies have attempted to respond with increased law enforcement, public meetings, and raising awareness, but it hasn’t made a dent in the numbers. The problem is, for the most part, drivers who do not pay enough attention to pedestrians and pedestrians who aren’t always mindful of dangers. Rapid growth of the Las Vegas Valley has also contributed to the problem with long stretches of road between crosswalks, wide streets with many lanes, and high speed limits.
In 2014, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman announced the city will launch a 5-year, $3.5 million program to improve safety for pedestrians. The Nevada Department of Transportation is also working to install new lights and safety measures, but a single upgrade at one intersection is projected to cost about $1 million.
Pedestrian accidents in Las Vegas are often serious. In 2012, the University Medical Center treated 244 people hit by vehicles, 24 of whom died, 7 of whom had to move into a nursing home, and 20 of whom went to a rehab center to recovery. 78 of the victims suffered major trauma. These 244 patients incurred medical bills of $18 million.
Research has found that alcohol often plays a role in pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians who are intoxicated are often unable to safely navigate roadways while impaired drivers cannot spot people fast enough to respond. Distracted drivers and pedestrians are also common. Smartphones alone have contributed to several pedestrian deaths in Las Vegas.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a pedestrian traffic accident, it’s important to schedule a consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas as soon as possible as these cases do have a statute of limitations. A Las Vegas personal injury attorney can help you build a case and recover money to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A Las Vegas pedestrian accident lawyer can also help you protect your rights and help you get the compensation you need.
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