A 2010 report from Allstate Insurance Company confirms what many Las Vegas visitors and residents may have already suspected: Las Vegas is home to some of the worst drivers in the nation.
According to the company’s annual America’s Best Driver’s Report and other car accident statistics, Las Vegas ranked 144 out of 200 large U.S. cities as having some of the most accident-prone drivers. Las Vegas drivers were found to be 21 percent more likely to be involved in a car crash. To put it another way, 2010 statistics indicated that every Las Vegas driver would be involved in an accident once every 8.3 years. Although the Allstate report is a bit limited – it defines a car crash as any collision involving property damage and is based only on claims filed by Allstate customers – the general conclusion has been reached by other studies: Las Vegas drivers are more at risk of being involved in a car crash.
Las Vegas drivers injured in a car crash need a knowledgeable and dedicated advocate to help them recover compensation for their injuries and losses. The Ladah law firm is experienced in car crash litigation and committed to helping those injured in Las Vegas car crashes recover the damages they deserve. Contact our Las Vegas car accident lawyers at (702) 252-0055 right away.
What Does Las Vegas’ Bad Driving Mean to Me?
Visitors to Las Vegas may wonder what these statistics mean to them personally (they may also wonder how it is that there are not more car crashes in Las Vegas!). After all, these statistics are taken from the habits of Las Vegas drivers only. While these statistics are indeed a commentary on the driving habits of Las Vegas residents, these statistics also mean that visitors, tourists and residents – anyone who uses Las Vegas’ roads and highways – is at an increased risk of being involved in a car crash.
It is not just residents who are to blame for Las Vegas’ bad reputation when it comes to driving. Another report suggested that visitors who drive in Las Vegas and are unfamiliar with the city’s roads likely contribute to the number of insurance claims that are filed each year.
What are the Most Common Causes of Car Crashes?
Statistics and research that breaks down the causes of car crashes is difficult to obtain; however, there are several common causes for car crashes in general. These include:
- Inattentive or distracted driving: A visitor who is lost and attempting to find his or her way or a driver talking on his or her cell phone is a danger to other motorists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians because his or her attention is divided between the task of driving and whatever else he or she is attempting to focus on. This means the driver is not able to react as quickly to obstacles or hazards.
- Drunk driving: Las Vegas is certainly a city that likes to party. Unfortunately, some drivers do not keep the party where it belongs but instead choose to drink and drive. An intoxicated driver or a driver who is impaired by drugs will suffer from an increased reaction time and difficulty dividing his or her attention between the multiple tasks that driving involves. All of this increases the likelihood of a crash.
- Disregard of traffic control signals: It does not matter if you ran that red light on purpose or if you were too distracted to notice the stop sign – disregarding traffic control devices like lights and signs contributes to a large amount of traffic collisions.
- Speeding: No one likes to wait in traffic, and Las Vegas drivers are no different. We want to get where we need to go quickly and get on with our business. When we speed, though, we put ourselves and others who use the road at risk. Congested roads and highways mean that speeders have little time to react to people or vehicles that suddenly appear.
Is There Any Good News in These Reports?
There is a silver lining to Allstate’s report. Las Vegas is slowly climbing and becoming a safer city in which to drive. Specifically, Allstate’s report ranked Las Vegas 153 out of 200 in its 2009 report. This means that there are fewer insurance claims being filed by Las Vegas drivers. While the Allstate report does not indicate why this trend is improving, there could be several culprits:
- Public awareness campaigns have been shown to have some measure of success in highlighting a particular driving behavior and encouraging change. Local, state, and even the national government put on public awareness campaigns regularly throughout the year.
- Safer driving behaviors most certainly play a significant role in this trend. People who drive more defensively, who obey traffic laws and who maintain awareness of what is going on around them are less likely to be involved in a serious car crash.
- Better policing practices may also be contributing to the trend. Law enforcement officers have a wide range of tools available to help them detect and stop dangerous drivers. While law enforcement cannot be everywhere, tough laws that punish repeat traffic offenders or individuals who drive drunk play a role in making Las Vegas’ roads safer.
- Community involvement may also be responsible for the trend noticed by Allstate. This involves individual citizens and drivers reporting bad roadway behavior to law enforcement or encouraging individuals who are too impaired to drive to take a cab or other means of transportation.
Where to Turn for Help
Las Vegas is by no means a safe city in which to drive – car crashes do happen at a greater rate than the rest of the nation. When you or a loved one is injured in such a crash, contact the experienced Las Vegas accident attorneys at the Ladah law firm for help. You may be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries and losses. Contact us at (702) 252-0055 to take advantage of a free initial case evaluation.