Las Vegas is a very popular tourist destination, and millions of people visit the city each year. Unfortunately, like most other tourist destinations in the United States, vehicle accidents are more common than in other metropolitan areas. This is due to traffic congestion and many drivers who are likely unfamiliar with the area. Each year, the Las Vegas Police Department, the Nevada Highway Patrol, and various other agencies collect accident data to determine the biggest risks drivers face on the road.
If you plan to visit Las Vegas in the near future and will be driving during your visit, it’s important to know the risks you face when it comes to motor vehicle accidents. While you can’t always predict how other drivers will behave on the road, you can limit your own risk of causing a car accident in Las Vegas by driving as responsibly and defensively as possible.
Most Common Causes of Las Vegas Car Accidents
Motor vehicle accidents can happen in the Las Vegas area for many reasons. Nevada follows the fault rule, so if you experience a car accident and wish to recover your losses, you must be ready to prove exactly how your accident happened and identify the driver responsible for causing it. According to the most recent accident statistics, the most common causes of vehicle accidents in the area include:
- Distracted and inattentive driving. Throughout the country, distracted driving is the number one cause of all motor vehicle accidents each year. Any activity that distracts the driver’s attention away from the road and handling their vehicle safely can potentially result in a devastating collision. Cell phone use is the most commonly reported form of distracted driving in the Las Vegas area.
- Speeding. Whenever a driver speeds, they inherently increase their risk of causing an accident. Speeding also increases the seriousness of resulting injuries, and excessive speeding can lead to a reckless driving charge as well.
- Driving under the influence (DUI). Unfortunately, Las Vegas is a hotspot for drunk driving and drugged driving. Many people come to the city for gambling and other attractions, and this leads to some people driving after becoming intoxicated. DUI is punishable by fines, jail time, and loss of driving privileges, and penalties increase when the defendant has caused injury or death with their intoxicated driving.
- Moving violations, such as failure to yield the right of way, performing illegal turns, or running a red light or stop sign. Other drivers may not expect these actions, and serious accidents can result from even seemingly minor moving violations.
These are just a few ways that serious car accidents can happen in Las Vegas. After you experience an accident due to the actions of another driver, it’s important to know your options for recovering your losses. State law requires all drivers to have auto insurance, but an insurance claim alone may not fully cover the scope of the damages you suffered. If this applies to your case, you will need an experienced attorney’s assistance to help you file a personal injury claim against the driver who caused your accident.
FAQs
How Many Car Accidents Happen Each Day in Las Vegas?
On average, about 20,000 traffic accidents happen in the Las Vegas area each year, working out to roughly 55 accidents per day. Across the state, roughly 50,000 to 60,000 traffic accidents are reported each year, making the Las Vegas area the largest contributor to the state’s total accident rate compared to the other densely populated parts of the state.
Can I File an Auto Insurance Claim After a Car Accident in Las Vegas?
Every driver in the state must have auto insurance that includes property damage liability coverage and bodily injury liability coverage. The minimum requirements are $25,000 per person in bodily injury coverage, with a minimum requirement of $50,000 in total accident liability coverage for bodily injury and at least $20,000 in property damage liability coverage. If the driver at fault has auto insurance, you may file a claim against their policy in response to an accident they caused.
What Happens if the Driver at Fault Does Not Have Car Insurance?
If an underinsured or uninsured driver injures you, you can file an insurance claim against your own auto insurance policy as long as you have uninsured driver coverage. If you do not, you can proceed directly to filing a personal injury claim against the driver at fault. Uninsured driver coverage is not required by law but is strongly recommended for all drivers as it provides a valuable initial compensation option after an uninsured driver has injured you in an accident.
Should I Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Las Vegas?
There may not be a law requiring you to hire legal counsel after an accident, but doing so will make recovery much easier. You will be more likely to secure appropriate compensation for your damages with an attorney’s assistance, and they may uncover avenues of recovery you would have overlooked on your own. Your attorney will also make the insurance claim filing process easier, resolving any disputes that might arise between you and the driver at fault’s insurance carrier.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Attorney for a Las Vegas Car Accident Case?
If you choose Easton & Easton to represent you in your recovery efforts following a car accident, you will not pay any legal fees until we secure compensation on your behalf. If we cannot obtain a recovery for you for any reason, you pay nothing. If we win your case, you only pay a percentage of the total recovered. Therefore, there are no ongoing costs for our representation and no financial risk to you if we cannot win your case.
The attorneys at Easton & Easton have the experience and resources you need on your side to recover from a car accident with confidence in Las Vegas. If you are unsure how to proceed with your recovery efforts after another driver has injured you, we can help. Contact us and set up a consultation with a Las Vegas car accident attorney today to learn more about the legal services we provide.
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