Las Vegas Pedestrian Accident Attorneys

Pedestrian Accidents in Nevada

At Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen, we know that our city is one of the best places to explore on foot, but taking in the sights and sounds on foot has its challenges. With nearly 40 million people visiting the city each year, traffic, obstacles, refuse, and poorly maintained walkways and stairways can pose an inherent risk to the city’s residents and visitors alike.

If you have been involved in a pedestrian accident, our experienced Las Vegas pedestrian accident lawyers can help you pursue the fair compensation you deserve. We are ready to take on the person or party whose negligence caused your injuries and fight to maximize your claim.

On This Page:

• Las Vegas Pedestrian Accident Statistics
• What Are the Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?
• What Are the Most Common Injuries Associated with Pedestrian Accidents?
• What To Do After A Pedestrian Accident
• What If the Driver Leaves the Scene Before I Can Make a Claim?
• Understanding Pedestrian V. Automobile Right of Way

Millions of Dollars Recovered for Injured Individuals

Las Vegas Pedestrian Accident Statistics

In 2017, 78 pedestrians—a Clark County, Nevada record—were fatally struck by vehicles. The previous record was 60, making pedestrian deaths all too common in the area.

Every year, numerous pedestrians are injured or even killed as a result of another person or entity’s negligent or wrongful actions. Drunk and distracted drivers, people speeding down the roadway, and bicyclists not paying attention or illegally riding on sidewalks in municipal areas are some of the common causes behind these devastating accidents.

In fact, pedestrian accidents are common throughout the U.S. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that, last year:

• 5,376 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes, nearly a 10% increase from the previous year
• A pedestrian was killed approximately every 1.6 hours
• A pedestrian was injured more than every 7.5 minutes
• Pedestrian deaths accounted for 15% of all traffic fatalities
• There were more than 70,000 injuries associated with pedestrian accidents, up from 61,000 the previous year

What Are the Most Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration report that the most common causes of pedestrian accidents include:

• 24%: Trip on cracked on uneven walkways
• 17%: Trip/slip and fall
• 12%: Hit by a car
• 6%: Wildlife/pets involved
• 5%: Tripped on rock/stone
• 5%: Stepped in holes, pits or dips

What Are the Most Common Injuries Associated with Pedestrian Accidents?

Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that almost 130,000 pedestrians were treated throughout the country, either in emergency rooms or quick-care clinics, for non-fatal, pedestrian accident-related injuries.

The CDC goes on to report the most common injuries resulting from pedestrian accidents as:

• Brain injuries
• Neck and spine injuries
• Broken bones
• Internal organ damage and bleeding
• Lacerations and bruising
• Torn muscles and ligaments
• Wrongful death

To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, call us at (702) 505-8115 today. Se habla Español.

What To Do After A Pedestrian Accident

There are five steps you should take if you are involved in a pedestrian accident:

• Get medical help right away. Your well-being is the most crucial factor after a pedestrian accident.
• Contact the police department to take your statement and complete a full report for future use.
• If you can assess the scene before seeking medical care, record the information related to the cause of your injury. This can include the driver’s information (if a car is involved) or the location of your accident (if poor maintenance is involved). You should also take down the contact information of any witnesses at the scene.
• Take pictures of the cause of your pedestrian accident with your cell phone. It’s also a good idea to take pictures of your injuries (if possible/appropriate).
• Contact a pedestrian accident attorney to investigate the cause of your injury and to move forward with the next steps in pursuing a case against the liable person or party.

What If the Driver Leaves the Scene or the Cause of the Accident Is Repaired Before I Can Make a Claim?

If you are rushed from the scene with a medical emergency after your accident, our Las Vegas pedestrian accident attorneys will take the lead in fully researching and investigating your accident after the fact. In these cases, our partnerships with accident reconstruction experts and our extensive experience with fleeing motorists, company cover-ups, and other complex circumstances allow us to retrace the accident and create a case to support your claims in court.

Understanding Pedestrian V. Automobile Right of Way

While most of us are familiar with the basic rules of the road, not everyone understands that there are duties that extend to pedestrians, as well as other motorists. Clearly, drivers have a duty to take proper precautions towards pedestrians within designated crosswalks, but they also, in some instances, have the same duty as it relates to non-crosswalk scenarios. Simply stated, pedestrians have the right to travel safely across roadways, but must also exercise care in doing so.

Motorist Regulations

Nevada law requires motorists to come to a complete stop before an intersection crosswalk, even if the motorist is intending to turn right on a red light. Further, motorists intending to turn right on a red light should absolutely check for oncoming vehicles, as well as pedestrians coming from either the left or right or any pedestrians intending to cross the adjoining street.

Motorists must allow pedestrians to cross the intersection if they have a “walk” signal to cross. Further, if a person is already in the crosswalk as a motorist is approaching an intersection, independent of the traffic signal, the motorist must yield to the pedestrian.

Pedestrian Regulations

The law requires that if crosswalks are present, a pedestrian must use the crosswalks and abide by the crosswalk signals to cross traffic.

Pedestrians attempting to cross the street at an area without a crosswalk may be in violation of “jay-walking” laws, but independently, they must always yield to all vehicles. In turn, motorists must exercise caution as it relates to pedestrians entering traffic, independent of whether they are doing so within a crosswalk. In fact, if a motorist does not exercise due care and a pedestrian is injured, the motorist may be liable even if the pedestrian was crossing the street outside of a designated crosswalk.

Contact Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen for a Free Consultation

Contact our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys to schedule a free consultation. We will review your case and the circumstances surrounding your injuries to determine if negligence was a factor and who we can take action against to recover your financial losses, including medical care and lost wages. We have the experience necessary to deliver results for personal injury victims.

Call our office today at (702) 505-8115 or submit an online contact form to get started.