Facilities like the sidewalk, crosswalks and traffic signs are meant to keep all road users, including pedestrians, safe. Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents are quite common. In fact, auto-pedestrian accidents claim over 300 lives in Nevada each year. But exactly how do these accidents happen?
Here are the top causes of auto-pedestrian accidents in Las Vegas.
Distractions
Distractions come in multiple ways, such as when the driver is operating a cellphone, applying makeup or checking the navigation while driving. The risk of a distraction is amplified in the more tourist-prone areas of Las Vegas, such as the city’s downtown area and the strip.
Pedestrians, too, can be distracted while on the road resulting in serious accidents. For instance, a pedestrian glued to their phone can easily wander onto oncoming traffic resulting in a serious accident.
Intoxication
Operating a vehicle while intoxicated presents a serious risk to every road user, including pedestrians. Alcohol impairs the driver’s judgment and ability to respond to traffic rules. For instance, an impaired driver who is unable to take note of and obey a stop sign at the crosswalk is likely to run over pedestrians at the crosswalk.
Drunk pedestrians can also increase the risk of an accident when they cross the road at the non-designated spots or when they disregard the stop lights.
Speeding
Speeding is a major cause of fatal auto-pedestrian accidents in Las Vegas. Speeding motorists are more likely to cause accidents, and the faster the driver is speeding during the accident, the more likely the crash will result in a fatality.
The driver’s reaction time is significantly reduced during speeding. And this reduced reaction time increases the possibility of fatal accidents.
When a collision involves a vehicle and a pedestrian, the outcome is usually devastating to the pedestrian. Find out how you can safeguard your rights and interests if you are involved in an auto-pedestrian accident that is not your fault.
