Las Vegas Ranks 3rd in U.S. for Pedestrian Fatalities

Pedestrian deaths in Clark County rose 93% between 2019 and 2023

Las Vegas has the third-most pedestrian accident fatalities of any city in the country, according to a recent study conducted by Kuru about the worst cities for pedestrian deaths nationwide.

At Lasso Injury Law LLC, we help injured pedestrians and their families seek accountability after serious crashes. Our firm has seen the devastating toll these accidents take on victims physically, emotionally, and financially. And we know the numbers only tell part of the story. Behind every fatality or injury is a real person who was simply walking to work, crossing the street, or trying to get home safely.

Here's what you need to know...

Las Vegas is among the worst cities nationwide for pedestrian safety

The recent study by Kuru, a shoe company, ranked Las Vegas the third-worst city nationwide when it comes to pedestrian deaths. Specifically, Las Vegas has 3.41 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people.

The study was based on the most recent pedestrian fatality data from the Governors Highway Safety Association’s 2023 preliminary report. The study was based on pedestrian accident data for cities nationwide with more than 500,000 residents.

The only cities with more pedestrian accident deaths than Las Vegas were Albuquerque, New Mexico (which had 4.68 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people) and Jacksonville, Florida (3.54 pedestrian deaths).

Why are pedestrian accidents common in Las Vegas?

Part of it has to do with the way Las Vegas streets were designed decades ago, with cars in mind rather than pedestrian safety, according to a recent Las Vegas Review-Journal article about the study.

“I think the biggest reason for that is that our cities are newer, built post-WWII when cars became the center of the traveling universe,” Erin Breen, director of the Road Equity Alliance Project, said in an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “Looking at both downtown Las Vegas and Henderson, the two areas are pre-WWII, the footprint is completely different. Those areas were built for people, and blocks are short, streets are narrow, and there are places to cross the street.”

Due to the way Las Vegas’ streets were designed, the city often receives low scores for pedestrian safety and overall walkability. Specifically, the Road Equity Alliance Project gave Las Vegas a 29 out of 100 for pedestrian safety and 42 for walkability.

Las Vegas pedestrian accident statistics

Unfortunately, serious pedestrian accidents have only gotten worse in recent years in Las Vegas and across Nevada. Through Aug. 10 of this year, there have been 39 pedestrian deaths in Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. In contrast, there were 38 pedestrian deaths in Las Vegas last year during the same time period.

Long-term, the number of pedestrian fatalities has increased dramatically in Clark County. Specifically, pedestrian deaths in Clark County increased by 93 percent from 43 deaths in 2019 to 83 fatalities in 2023, according to statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

As for Nevada, the numbers paint a grim picture as well. In the past decade, the number of pedestrian fatalities statewide has increased by 49 percent, from 71 pedestrian fatalities in 2014 to 106 pedestrian deaths in 2023 in Nevada, according to the NHTSA.

Common causes of pedestrian accidents

While there are many reasons why pedestrian accidents happen, certain common causes continue to be contributing factors in many Las Vegas pedestrian accidents. Of the 39 pedestrian fatalities so far this year in the city, 14 deaths occurred due to driver error. Specific reasons why include:

Drunk driving remains a serious problem and a common cause of many accidents in Las Vegas.
Distracted driving, including texting while driving or talking on the phone while driving.
Speeding can be especially dangerous on Las Vegas’ busy streets.
Tired driving, especially late at night, is a significant concern, as drivers often fall asleep at the wheel.

What is Las Vegas doing to make streets safer for pedestrians?

There are many safety measures planned to be implemented in an effort to prevent pedestrian accidents throughout Las Vegas. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, such steps include:

Building wider sidewalks.
Improved street lighting.
Upgrading bus stops.
Installing dedicated bike lanes.

“For me, the biggest issue we have is our road network design and how fast vehicles travel with few places for those walking and biking to travel safely,” Breen said. “This is also not something we can’t fix. The current thought of narrowing travel lanes and using the extra space to add infrastructure for those on foot and bike is so easily doable, with support from decision makers.”

Injured in a Las Vegas Pedestrian Accident? Know Your Rights.

If you or a loved one was hit by a car in Las Vegas, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. At Lasso Injury Law LLC, we don’t let insurance companies downplay serious injuries or try to shift blame onto victims. We investigate, gather evidence, and build strong legal cases to demand the justice our clients deserve.

Get the Las Vegas law firm that will fight for you. Contact us and schedule a free consultation with a Las Vegas pedestrian accident attorney who puts your best interests first. We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you only have to pay if we secure a financial settlement or verdict for you. Make an appointment today at our Las Vegas office on West Park Run Drive.

“Seriously, I have to give it up to Al & Christine. Day in & day out, they worked around the clock to make sure my case was handled properly. They performed beyond my expectations & God forbid I'm ever injured again, but if it happens, I'm calling Al!” – G.P., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐