Recently, two Las Vegas pedestrian accidents occurred within 10 minutes of each other, one of the accidents fatal. Surprisingly, both occurred in residential neighborhoods, and even more surprisingly, both involved infants under age two.
In one case, a 20-month-old boy was killed when a pickup truck in which his father was a passenger ran over him. The boy was given CPR on the scene and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. In the other accident, a one-year-old was the victim of a hit-and-run, but had only minor injuries.
A Serious Pedestrian Problem
Both of these accidents point to the serious problem of pedestrian accidents in the Las Vegas area. The statistics bear the problem out, as well. According to Transportation for America, a Washington, D.C.-based policy group, accidents involving pedestrians account for 11.8 percent of traffic deaths nationally. In Las Vegas, the figure is almost double that-20.3 percent.
This may be partly attributable to Las Vegas' reputation as a "pedestrian-unfriendly" city. Of the 52 metro areas in the U.S. with populations over 1 million, Transportation for America reports that Las Vegas ranks near the bottom (49th) in spending federal highway funds on pedestrian infrastructure.
With recent installations of overhead pedestrian bridges along the Vegas Strip, the city appears to be making efforts to better integrate pedestrians into the City's roadways. But as the deaths of the two infants demonstrate, accidents can occur even in residential neighborhoods.
Injuries involving cars backing up are of particular concern. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that on average 18,000 injuries, including 292 deaths, occur annually as a result of back-up accidents, with about 44 percent of the fatalities occurring to children.
One encouraging solution is the increased use of "back-up camera" systems in cars. These systems integrate a rear video camera with a small monitor in the dashboard, allowing drivers to see what is immediately behind them. Back-up cameras have proven a hit with drivers, so much so that on December 3, the NHTSA announced a plan to require all new cars to be equipped with them, starting in 2014.
An Attorney Can Help
Nevada law protects the rights of anyone who has been injured or killed as a pedestrian in an accident involving a car. If you or someone you know has been injured, talk to an experienced personal injury attorney, who can fully explain your legal options.
