Traveling by car in Las Vegas? Although Nevada does not rank in the top 10 most dangerous states in which to drive (whereas states like Arkansas and Oklahoma do), this does not mean that Las Vegas driving is safe. In 2010, there were 235 fatal crashes in Nevada out of a total of nearly 52,000 crashes. While the dangers of Las Vegas’ roads may be obvious to those who live or regularly visit the city, tourists and first-time visitors may be unaware of certain dangerous conditions that can increase the likelihood of a crash:
- Drunk and impaired drivers: Around 40% of all fatal accidents in Nevada involve alcohol consumption. In a city like Las Vegas, it should come as no surprise that drinking and driving occurs with some regularity. Drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists and pedestrians should be on the lookout for signs that a motorist is impaired by drugs or alcohol. These signs can include behaviors such as weaving within one’s lane, swerving in and out of a lane, unexplained acceleration or deceleration, and a disregard of traffic signs and devices. It is advisable to keep as much distance as possible between yourself and a driver who appears to be impaired.
- Entering dangerous intersections: According to a Fox 5 News story last year, three of the five most dangerous intersections (judged by the number of fatal car and motorcycle accidents) are along a single stretch of Tropicana Avenue. When entering an intersection after one’s light turns green, a careful driver should anticipate that there may be a driver coming from a perpendicular direction that either does not see the red light or is intent on disregarding the light. Therefore, extra time should be taken to look in all directions before proceeding into an intersection. Do not forget to look out for pedestrians and bicyclists in crosswalks.
- Motorcyclists and bicyclists: With the streets of Las Vegas as crowded as they are, it may surprise those who do not live in Las Vegas to learn just how many bicyclists and motorcyclists use Las Vegas’ roadways as well. Drivers should take extra precautions and check their blind spots for bicyclists and motorcyclists. Careless driving can result in a motorcycle or bicycle accident, which in turn can result in a serious or even fatal accident. If a court finds that a motorist did not take reasonable steps to watch out for motorcyclists or bicyclists, that motorist can be held liable to the cyclist for compensation.
These are but a few of the dangerous conditions on Las Vegas streets that can make a car accident more likely to occur. When an accident does occur and you are injured as a result, you need aggressive and knowledgeable legal representation to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. For years the experienced team at Ladah Law, PLLC has helped injury victims do just that. Contact us 24 hours a day at (702) 252-0055 following a Las Vegas injury car crash.