Henderson, NV (April 17th, 2025) – Seven years of advocacy has finally paid off for residents near the Millcroft and Pecos intersection in Henderson as construction on a crosswalk has started.
Las Vegas is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and bustling streets. However, beneath the city’s allure lies a pressing concern: pedestrian safety. In 2024, Clark County witnessed a 53% increase in pedestrian deaths during the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2023. This alarming trend underscores the importance of crosswalks, and the dire consequences of their absence.
The Danger of High-Traffic Areas Without Crosswalks
Busy intersections without crosswalks are breeding grounds for pedestrian accidents. People are often left to make unsafe decisions just to get where they’re going. Whether it’s crossing a six-lane road to reach a bus or jaywalking outside a shopping center, the risk of injury skyrockets when there’s no safe path across.
Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents in Areas Without Crosswalks
When you take crosswalks out of the equation, several predictable, and preventable, factors tend to show up in accident reports. These include:
Poor Visibility
Many accidents happen at night or in areas where lighting is insufficient. Without designated crossings and proper signage, drivers may not see pedestrians until it’s too late.
Speeding Drivers
High-traffic areas often mean faster-moving vehicles, especially on major roadways. Drivers may not anticipate sudden pedestrian crossings, and reaction times shrink when speed increases.
Distracted Driving and Walking
Phone use contributes on both sides. Drivers looking down at a screen don’t notice people stepping into the road. Pedestrians glued to their phones may assume traffic will stop, or simply not look at all.
Lack of Traffic Calming Measures
Without crosswalks, there are usually no flashing beacons, speed bumps or pedestrian islands. As such, drivers may lack helpful visual clues telling them to slow down or watch for people on foot.
Pedestrian Behavior
In many cases, people cross when it’s convenient, not necessarily when it’s safe. They might assume drivers will yield or try to beat traffic gaps, especially in the absence of signage or signals guiding them to a crosswalk.
Why It Matters in Las Vegas
In Las Vegas, the danger is magnified. The mix of high tourist traffic, wide roads, and often distracted or unfamiliar drivers makes pedestrian safety a bigger challenge than in many other cities. Add to that the desert sun glaring off windshields and a population that often walks long distances to access public transit or amenities, and you’ve got a setup for frequent, and sometimes deadly, encounters.
Navigating Pedestrian Accidents in Nevada
When a pedestrian is hit by a car outside a marked crosswalk, the legal picture isn’t always black and white. Liability depends on a mix of factors: driver behavior, pedestrian actions, visibility, and whether either party violated traffic laws. The danger, and efforts such as those by the residents in the Henderson neighborhood, add to the question: is Las Vegas doing enough to ensure pedestrian safety on the strip?
Nevada’s Crosswalk Laws
Under Nevada law, drivers are required to yield to pedestrians within marked crosswalks. Outside of crosswalks, pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to vehicles, but that doesn’t automatically make a pedestrian or driver at fault for an accident. Rather, Nevada follows a comparative negligence system. As such, if both the driver and the pedestrian share blame, the pedestrian can still recover damages, as long as they’re not more than 50% at fault.
For example, if a jury finds a pedestrian 30% responsible for darting into traffic, but determines the driver was 70% responsible for speeding or texting, the pedestrian’s compensation would be reduced by 30%.
What Courts Consider in Cross-Walk Related Cases
When a pedestrian is injured in a high-traffic area without a crosswalk, courts and insurance adjusters often consider ranging factors. These include:
- Driver Speed and Attention: Was the driver speeding? Were they distracted or intoxicated? Did they make any attempt to brake?
- Lighting and Road Conditions: Was it dark? Were there streetlights? Could the driver have reasonably seen the pedestrian in time?
- Pedestrian Conduct: Was the pedestrian jaywalking? Were they crossing in a straight line or weaving between cars? Did they look for oncoming traffic?
- Proximity to a Crosswalk: Was there a crosswalk nearby the pedestrian could have or should have used?
- City or Property Owner Negligence: Was the city or a property owner partly to blame? Did the city fail to install a crosswalk in a high-risk area despite complaints or a history of accidents?
Due to the varying factors involved, pedestrians injured in accidents that occurred outside a crosswalk may find it helpful to consult with a Las Vegas pedestrian accident lawyer.
When Legal Help Makes a Difference
Pedestrian accident cases, especially those outside crosswalks, often turn into back-and-forth arguments between the drivers’ insurance company and the injured person. These cases may hinge on small details, from surveillance footage to accident reconstruction reports.
A motor vehicle accidents attorney experienced with handling pedestrian-involved cases can investigate whether local agencies ignored safety complaints, whether the driver had a record of similar violations, or whether poor lighting contributed to the crash. Further, they may help push back when insurance companies try to pin all the blame on the pedestrian.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident, contact our attorney at George Bochanis Injury Law Offices. We have more than 30 years of experience and have represented more than 50 clients in trial, holding negligent and reckless parties liable for the injuries and damages they cause. Call today for a free consultation to discuss your rights, 702-388-2005.
