How Many Car Accidents Happen in Las Vegas a Day?

On the busy streets and highways of Las Vegas, car accidents are a given – and the past week has been no exception. From a fiery crash on I-15 during the morning rush hour to a collision between a semi-truck and a bullet-riddled car in West Las Vegas, the headlines have been filled with news of devastating car accidents. And just this past weekend, a serious crash on South Fort Apache Road left three people critically injured. These crashes were newsworthy enough to make the headlines, but there are daily car accidents in Las Vegas that only make an impression on the drivers and passengers that suffer from injuries and property damage. Las Vegas is a busy city with a high volume of traffic, so the fact there are frequent crashes shouldn’t be surprising. Exactly how many car accidents happen in Las Vegas a day? 

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, 20,324 car accidents took place in the city during 2021, the most recent year statistics are available – which breaks down to 55.6 accidents per day. Car accidents in Las Vegas increased by nearly 20% from 2020.

Is Las Vegas a Dangerous City for Driving? 

Las Vegas ranks poorly amongst US cities for safe driving. According to the Allstate America’s Best Driver’s report, Las Vegas comes in 129th place for several safe driving metrics, dropping seven places from the previous year’s report. 

• Las Vegas drivers average 8.35 years between car accidents – compared with 14.95 years for the top ranked safe driving city, Brownsville, Texas. 
• Drivers in Las Vegas are 26.7 percent more likely than the national average to be involved in a collision. 
• North Las Vegas has a separate entry and ranked even lower at 161st place. Drivers there average 7.6 years between accidents and are 39.2 percent more likely to be in a crash than the national average. 

What Types of Car Accidents Occur in Las Vegas? 

The majority of car accidents reported in Las Vegas involve injuries – reinforcing the need for careful driving and obeying traffic laws.

• In 2021, 11,363 car accidents resulted in injuries for drivers, passengers, and/or pedestrians, comprising 56% of the total number of accidents. 
• 8,961 car accidents reported no injuries.
• 706 car accidents involved pedestrians.
• There were 149 fatal crashes. 
• Fatalities were almost evenly distributed amongst drivers (40), motorcycles and mopeds (42) and pedestrians (47). Passengers (16) and bicyclists (4) also lost their lives.  
• 50 fatalities involved a driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 
• 13 people who did not survive the crash were not wearing a seatbelt or helmet.
• 21 fatalities were hit and run, and police made 13 arrests.

What are the Causes of Car Accidents in Las Vegas? 

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department ranked the following as the top causes of fatal car accidents in 2021:

Failure to yield the right of way (ROW) was the top factor in causing fatal accidents, identified as a cause in 36% of fatal crashes.  Drivers who fail to yield when required can cause collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians, leading to serious injuries or fatalities. Common scenarios where failure to yield ROW can occur include turning left at an intersection, entering a roundabout, or merging onto a highway.

Pedestrian error. Pedestrians who cross the street outside of designated crosswalks or fail to pay attention to oncoming traffic can be hit by vehicles, leading to serious injuries or fatalities. It’s essential for pedestrians to be aware of their surroundings and to follow traffic laws to ensure their safety on the roads. Pedestrian error caused 26%  of fatal crashes in 2021.

Failure to maintain a lane was the third most common cause of fatal crashes according to the Las Vegas MPD report, comprising 25% of all fatal accidents. When drivers drift out of their lane, they can collide with other vehicles, or run off the road, causing injuries or fatalities. This behavior can be caused by distractions, such as using a cell phone while driving, or by impairment due to drugs or alcohol.

Excessive speed. When drivers exceed the posted speed limit, they have less time to react to changing traffic conditions, such as sudden stops or obstacles in the road. Additionally, high-speed collisions can cause severe injuries or fatalities. Speeding was the cause of 10% of fatal crashes in 2021. 

Other improper driving behaviors were a factor in 3% of fatal crashes. These include reckless driving, ignoring traffic signals, driving while fatigued, and more. While the specific cause of these accidents may be unclear, they can still result in serious injuries or fatalities. 

Bicyclist error. Bicyclists who fail to obey traffic laws or ride in an unsafe manner can cause collisions with vehicles, resulting in injuries or fatalities. These errors can include riding the wrong way on a street or failing to signal a turn. Bicyclist error was a cause of 1% of fatal accidents. 

Liability in a Las Vegas Car Accident

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Las Vegas caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. This compensation can include both economic and non-economic damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. Economic damages are measurable losses that can be easily quantified, such as medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are more subjective and may include emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

It is important for a car accident victim to know the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in Nevada. State law dictates the victim has two years from the accident to file a claim, otherwise, they will lose their legal right to claim compensation. Some injuries can’t be detected until days or weeks after an accident. There is a legal exception for these types of injuries and the two-year limit applies to the date the injury was discovered. 

While the statute of limitations is a crucial aspect to consider, it’s equally important to be aware of the rising trend of fatal car accidents in Nevada. The state has seen an alarming increase in such incidents, emphasizing the need for vigilance on the roads. Additionally, certain times of the year, like holidays, can be particularly dangerous. The prevalence of holiday drunk driving has been a significant concern, leading to devastating chain reactions on the highways. In fact, chain-reaction collisions can often be traced back to negligence, making it imperative for drivers to exercise caution and responsibility.

If you are involved in a car accident, call 702-680-1111 or contact our experienced legal team today, and we will work to get the compensation you deserve.