Las Vegas ranked among top 10 most dangerous cities for pedestrians

Las Vegas is among the most dangerous cities in the nation for pedestrians, and the situation may be growing worse.

2013-05-09

May 09, 2013 (Press-News.org) Las Vegas has long been one of the nation's most notorious cities for pedestrian accidents, and last year things got even worse. According to Metro Police, 2012 was a record-breaking year for such accidents in the Las Vegas area, with collisions between vehicles and pedestrians spiking 80 percent from the previous year, KLAS-TV reported.

A report issued by Allstate on April 10, 2013, listed Las Vegas as one of the top 10 most dangerous cities for pedestrians. Las Vegas is ranked sixth on the list, just below Riverside, California, and above Memphis, Tennessee.

Infrastructure and speed contribute to risks

Road design may be one issue contributing to the high rate of pedestrian accidents in the Las Vegas area. For example, as pointed out by KLAS-TV, there are very few physical barriers protecting pedestrians from traffic in Las Vegas. As a result, people walking near roadways may face a relatively high risk of being struck by a vehicle that has gone off the road. Many Las Vegas pedestrian accidents involve collisions with vehicles on sidewalks and other areas where people are legally permitted to walk.

Speed is another factor that can contribute to the risk of pedestrian injuries. According to the nonprofit group Transportation for America, people are often injured near arterial roadways designed for high-speed vehicle traffic. Because these roads are often built with little consideration for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, people near arterial roads frequently face an increased risk of being struck by a speeding vehicle.

Few factors are more important than speed when it comes to collisions between cars and pedestrians. According to a 2010 study by the London Department for Transportation, a person is more than five times as likely to be killed by a car traveling 40 miles per hour than by a car traveling 30 miles per hour. Approximately 60 percent of pedestrian fatalities in the U.S. occurred on roads with a posted speed limit of 40 miles per hour or above, according to Transportation for America.

Compensation for pedestrian injuries

In Nevada, drivers can be held liable for injuries they cause as a result of negligent or reckless driving -- including speed-related collisions with pedestrians or other vehicles. People who are injured in traffic accidents in Nevada may be able to receive financial compensation for their injuries, lost wages, medical bills and other losses they have suffered as a result of the crash. For more information about the compensation that may be available after a vehicle accident in Nevada, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.

Article provided by Harris & Harris Lawyers
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