Unfortunately, fatal crashes are on the rise in our region. According to a report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, deadly accidents hit a ten-year high in 2018. While the preliminary data looks a little bit better for 2019, the fact remains: Hundreds of innocent people lose their lives on the roads in our state each and every year. Family and friends are left to pick up the pieces. The City of Las Vegas in particular has long seen more than its fair share of fatal accidents in recent years.
The Nevada Office of Traffic Safety reports that there were 329 confirmed traffic fatalities in the state in 2018. The preliminary data for 2019 indicates that there were 243 highway deaths. However, state officials want to caution that the 2019 number will rise. It usually takes at least a year before all car accident fatalities can be confirmed and recorded in the official state data.
The majority of Nevada’s deadly accidents take place within Clark County. In 2018, approximately 65 percent of our state’s fatal accidents occurred in our county. Many, but not all, of these crashes happened within Las Vegas itself. As noted by Fox 5 Vegas, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department documented 138 fatal crashes in the city in 2018. Once again, preliminary data suggested that there were mild improvements in 2019—but it is still too early to be sure.
What We Know About the Causes:Substance Abuse is a Factor in More than Half of Deadly Accidents
Substance abuse remains one of the leading causes of fatal accidents in Las Vegas. According to data provided by the Nevada Department of Public Safety, driver intoxication is a factor in nearly 55 percent of all deadly accidents reported in the state since 2017. While drunk driving remains the biggest source of substance abuse, drugged driving is also a major cause of concern. Marijuana DUI accidents are on the rise.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) investigates every deadly accident in the city. While most of these accidents have multiple causes, the agency released the following four things as the leading factors that were cited in fatal accident reports in 2018 and 2019.
Over the last several decades, fatal accidents have been gradually falling in the United States. While this is certainly good news, there are alarming signs. That trend started to reverse in the last few years. Many highway safety experts believe that a rise in distracted driving is a big part of the problem. Specifically, increases in texting and driving and smartphone use while driving may be leading to more fatal crashes. Distracted driving is dangerous driving.
Nothing can ever truly make up for the loss of a family member in a fatal accident. The vast majority of deadly crashes could have been stopped—if only all parties had taken proper safety precautions.
If the death of a loved one was caused by negligent actions, there must be legal accountability. Knowing that a person’s life can never be replaced, a wrongful death claim allows close loved ones of the victim an opportunity to get justice and much needed financial support.
Wrongful death lawsuits are among the most complicated types of legal cases. Unfortunately, not all loved ones of the victim are eligible to bring a claim. In Nevada, the claim must be filed by the estate of the deceased or by the deceased person’s heirs. Navigating the wrongful death claims process and building a successful case can be challenging—especially for a family at such an emotionally raw time. You need a top attorney on your side. Our Las Vegas wrongful death lawyers are here to answer your questions, explain your rights and options, and take action to get your family justice, closure, and maximum available financial compensation.
At Ladah Law Firm, our Nevada wrongful death attorneys are compassionate, attentive advocates for families who have lost a loved one is a fatal crash. We will protect your rights. To set up a free, completely confidential consultation, please contact our legal team today at 702-252-0055. From our office location in Las Vegas, we serve communities in Clark County and throughout Southern Nevada, including Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Mesquite, and Summerlin South.