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Las Vegas, known for being the world's entertainment capital, is unfortunately struck by dozens of car accidents daily, with 12,000 reported in Clark County in 2023.
Understanding the common causes of car accidents in Las Vegas can promote safer driving behaviors and prevent future traffic accidents.
11 Common Causes of Las Vegas Car Accidents
To prevent future car accidents in Las Vegas, we first must diagnose their causes. Common causes of car accidents in Las Vegas are:
Distracted Driving
So many car accidents happen due to distracted driving. Drivers on their phones, eating, adjusting the radio, texting, or using the GPS may fail to notice traffic signals, pedestrians, or other vehicles.
According to the Nevada Department of Transportation study, nearly 30% of Las Vegas car accidents occur due to distracted driving.
Young drivers often fall victim to distracted driving more than adult drivers, so parents must implement safety measures on their children's cell phones in order to prevent distracted driving.
Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
Impaired driving is a consequence of the booming Las Vegas nightlife, as in 2023, there were over 1,500 drunk-driving car accidents.
Impaired driving is dangerous because it greatly hinders the driver's ability to react and operate a vehicle safely.
Despite the strong DUI laws and frequent DUI checkpoints in Las Vegas, drunk driving accidents remain a problem in the Las Vegas metropolitan area and beyond.
Speeding
Another prevalent cause of vehicle accidents in Las Vegas is speeding.
The city has long, straight roads, and some drivers, especially young drivers, fail to maintain the speed limit and drive at an excessive speed.
Speeding-related accidents account for around 35% of fatal crashes in Las Vegas in 2023 and that percentage is expected to rise in 2024.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving encompasses a range of dangerous driving behaviors such as aggressive driving, unsafe lane changes, tailgating, and disregarding traffic laws.
On Las Vegas roads, reckless driving is often caused by impatient drivers or road rage, which can lead to serious accidents.
Weather Conditions
Las Vegas is known for remaining sunny and dry, making it dangerous when a sudden rainstorm strikes.
Drivers may not adjust properly to slippery roads, making for a car accident-prone environment.
While weather-related auto accidents only accounted for about 10% of accidents in 2023, changing your driving behavior in adverse weather is still important to avoid potential hazards.
Fatigued Driving
Drowsy driving can be considered almost as dangerous as drunk driving, with fatigued drivers having impaired reaction times, decision-making abilities, and overall awareness.
Many drivers in the Las Vegas metro area push their limits and attempt to drive fatigued, leading to driver error, which causes around 8% of all car accidents in Las Vegas.
Pedestrian Behavior
Pedestrian accidents are becoming a growing problem in 2024, with pedestrian fatalities becoming more than double than last year, according to KLAS.
Frequent jaywalking and crossing the street outside designated crosswalks leads to pedestrian v. car accidents resulting in serious injuries.
Inexperienced Drivers
Young and inexperienced drivers may lack the necessary experience to navigate safely the busy streets of Las Vegas.
In addition, tourists may be unfamiliar with the local roads and make sudden turns or moves that can result in traffic accidents.
Failure to Yield Right of Way
Drivers who do not yield the right of way to other drivers or pedestrians at crosswalks may disrupt traffic flow or cause a car accident.
Following Too Closely
Following too closely or performing the aggressive driving technique of tailgating can lead to a rear-end collision in an area with traffic congestion.
Senior Drivers
Older drivers may have a harder time reacting to events on the road because they may suffer from poor vision, hearing, and strength.
How to Avoid Being in a Car Accident
Avoiding car accidents is a top priority for all Las Vegas drivers; however, many may not know what preventive measures they can take to avoid a car accident.
If you are one of those people, here are a few key strategies you can use to avoid a car accident:
Avoid Distractions
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents in Las Vegas. A few ways you can avoid distractions are:
Avoid using your phone
Keep your eyes on the road
Limit passenger conversations
You must avoid all distractions and exercise caution when you suspect a distracted driver is around.
Maintain the Speed Limit
Most car accidents occur due to speeding. Following the posted speed limit is important, and avoid driving too fast or too slow.
Speed limits are there to keep you safe, and if a driver behind you becomes impatient while obeying one, remain calm and don't speed up.
Maintain a Safe Following Distance
To prevent a rear-end car accident, keep at least three seconds between you and the car ahead of you.
In addition, stay alert and be prepared to stop at any moment.
Adapt to Adverse Weather
If a rain storm hits and the roads become wet, employ these hazardous driving tactics:
Slow down
Use headlights
Larger following distance
Scan Your Surroundings
While driving, you should constantly scan your surroundings for:
Vehicles in your blind spots
Pedestrians and cyclists
Erratic driving behaviors from others
Talk to a Las Vegas Car Accident Lawyer Today
Motor vehicle accidents in Las Vegas happen, and if you were involved in one, it's important to start thinking about possible legal options you can take to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
If you want to explore legal options following a car accident, contact the Las Vegas car accident attorneys at our firm today for a free consultation, where we'll explain your case and how we can help get you maximum compensation.
Call (702) 566-3600 or submit an inquiry today to talk to a car accident attorney.
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Rodney Okano Car Accident Lawyer is a Las Vegas personal injury law firm with over 20 years of experience helping clients obtain maximum compensation following injuries from accidents such as car crashes, worksite injuries, and slips and falls. Over those years, The Rodney Okano Car Accident Lawyer Law Firm has become an experienced law firm that can ensure exceptional results for any of its clients.
