Main Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

According to a report, about 7,148 pedestrian deaths occurred in 2024, a decrease of around 4.3% from the 2023 death count. However, that’s still nearly 19% above levels from 2016. When looking only at states’ pedestrian fatality rates per capita, Nevada is among the highest. In 2024, its pedestrian death rate per 100,000 people was ~3.46, positioning it well above the national average rate of about 2.10.

No one is more vulnerable in a traffic collision than a pedestrian. There’s nothing to shield them from the blunt force of impact with another vehicle. As a result, their injuries tend to be severe, catastrophic, and far too often fatal.

At THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, our Las Vegas pedestrian accident attorneys have experience fighting for the rights and interests of injured victims. We know the physical, financial, and personal challenges you may face after being hurt in a pedestrian accident. Let our dedicated legal team take on your case while you focus on your recovery.

Our Nevada lawyers have successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. We’ll leverage our collective skills and resources to help you get the money you need to rebuild your life and move forward. Throughout your case, we’ll be by your side to answer your questions, connect you with quality medical providers, assist with transportation, and help with whatever difficulties may arise during your recovery.

From start to finish, you’re our priority. We can meet wherever and whenever is most convenient for you, whether that’s at home, by your bedside, or in our office. Call or contact us now for a free consultation.

Leading Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

1. Distracted Driving and Distracted Pedestrians

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents. When drivers look at their phones, adjust navigation systems, or engage in other distractions, their eyes are diverted from the road. This delay can be deadly when pedestrians are crossing streets, particularly near school zones or busy intersections. Distracted drivers have less time to brake and may run traffic lights or stop signs, resulting in crashes involving pedestrians.

Distracted pedestrians also play a role in some pedestrian accident cases. People looking at phones or listening to music may step into oncoming traffic without noticing a vehicle involved in the crash until it is too late. The combination of distracted drivers and distracted pedestrians creates a dangerous situation, leading to higher injury severity and more pedestrian fatalities.

Avoiding distraction is simple but requires awareness. Drivers should silence phones and focus on the road, while pedestrians should stay alert and wait for the walk signal before crossing.

2. Impaired Driving and Impatient Drivers

Impaired driving remains a significant factor in many pedestrian-related accidents. Alcohol and drugs slow reaction time and affect judgment. An impaired driver may fail to yield at designated crosswalks or misjudge the speed of pedestrians walking nearby. These errors often lead to severe injuries or fatal crashes.

Impatient drivers are another danger, especially in urban areas with high traffic volume. Drivers who speed through intersections, fail to follow traffic laws, or try to beat traffic lights put pedestrians at risk. When drivers fail to stop at a red light or ignore pedestrian crossing signals, the outcome can be tragic.

Preventing impaired driving requires personal responsibility, but it also depends on law enforcement and community education. Drivers must obey traffic laws and never get behind the wheel while impaired. Pedestrians should be extra careful around bars, entertainment districts, and events where impaired driving may be more common.

3. Speeding and Failure to Follow Traffic Laws

Speeding is a major contributor to the severity of injuries in pedestrian accident cases. When a negligent driver is traveling too fast, the stopping distance increases, giving pedestrians less time to react. Crashes involving high speeds are more likely to cause life-altering injuries or result in fatally injured pedestrians.

Failure to follow traffic laws also plays a big role. Some drivers run traffic signals, ignore speed limits, or fail to yield to pedestrians in designated crosswalks. Drivers who do not follow traffic laws endanger everyone on the road, including other involved parties such as cyclists or other vehicles.

Lower speed limits in school zones, shopping centers, and parking lots are in place to protect vulnerable pedestrians. When drivers respect these rules, the severity of injuries decreases. Obeying traffic laws and speed limits is one of the simplest ways to improve pedestrian safety and prevent many pedestrian accidents.

4. Poor Lighting Conditions and Poor Visibility

Poorly lit areas are a common site of pedestrian fatalities. When pedestrians cross in dark conditions, drivers may not see them until it is too late. Poor lighting conditions around parking lots, non-intersection locations, and rural roads increase the danger.

Parked vehicles can also block a driver’s line of sight. When pedestrians step out from behind parked vehicles, drivers may have only seconds to react. This situation often leads to crashes involving pedestrians, particularly when traffic volumes are high.

Pedestrians can reduce the risk by wearing reflective clothing and carrying flashlights at night. Cities can enhance pedestrian safety by implementing improved lighting and maintaining effective traffic signals and pedestrian crossings. Drivers should expect pedestrians in poorly lit areas and slow down accordingly.

5. Bad Weather and Road Design Factors

Inclement weather is another factor that causes pedestrian accidents. Rain, snow, or fog can reduce visibility and force pedestrians to take unsafe routes. Bad weather also affects stopping distances, making it harder for drivers to avoid pedestrians.

Road design problems, such as missing designated crosswalks or poorly timed traffic signals, also create hazards. Busy intersections without pedestrian-friendly timing can leave people stranded in the middle of the road. Poorly planned urban areas often lack sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to walk in traffic lanes.

Local governments can reduce pedestrian injuries by improving infrastructure, adding sidewalks, and creating safe pedestrian crossings. Drivers must adjust speed in bad weather and follow traffic laws carefully to avoid collisions.

6. Inexperienced Drivers and Other Risk Factors

Inexperienced drivers, including teenagers, are more likely to misjudge pedestrian speed or fail to anticipate where pedestrians might cross. Many pedestrian accidents involve drivers who are still learning to manage traffic signals, speed limits, and oncoming traffic.

Non-intersection locations are another risk area, as drivers may not expect pedestrians to be walking there. Rural areas, school zones, and shopping centers all present unique dangers. Drivers who expect pedestrians only at marked crosswalks may fail to yield when someone crosses elsewhere, leading to severe injuries or pedestrian deaths.

Pedestrian Safety Guidelines You Can Follow

Safe walking habits can dramatically reduce your risk of being involved in pedestrian accidents. Here are the most effective steps for staying safe near traffic:

• Cross at Designated Crosswalks: Always use marked crosswalks or intersections where drivers expect pedestrians and obey pedestrian crossing signals.
• Wait for the Walk Signal: Follow traffic lights and wait for a clear walk signal before stepping into oncoming traffic.
• Stay Visible at Night: Wear bright or reflective clothing after dark and carry a flashlight in poorly lit areas to help drivers see you.
• Be Alert and Avoid Distractions: Put away phones and headphones to avoid becoming a distracted pedestrian and keep full attention on traffic.
• Teach Children Safe Habits: Show kids how to follow pedestrian laws, hold hands near busy intersections, and never run between parked vehicles.
• Give Yourself Extra Time: Elderly pedestrians and those with mobility challenges should allow extra time to cross streets and use pedestrian crossing buttons where available.
• Adjust for Weather and Condition: Use extra caution during bad weather, poor visibility, or heavy traffic volume, as drivers may have trouble stopping.

Common Injuries in Pedestrian Accident Cases

Pedestrian accident cases often result in more serious injuries than car accidents involving two vehicles. Pedestrians have no protection from impact, resulting in significantly higher injury severity.

Traumatic brain injuries are among the most common results of pedestrian accidents. These injuries can cause:

• Memory loss
• Cognitive problems
• Long-term disability

Life-altering injuries may require surgery, physical therapy, and ongoing care. Medical expenses can be overwhelming, especially when the injured person is unable to return to work. Families often face financial hardship after many pedestrian accidents, which is why pursuing compensation is important.

Our firm works to recover damages for hospital bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Helping severely injured clients regain financial stability is a major part of what we do.

Pursuing Compensation After a Pedestrian Accident

Here’s how we handle pedestrian accident cases at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys:

• We personally examine police reports, interview witnesses, and review traffic signals and camera footage to determine exactly how the accident occurred.
• Our attorneys use their legal knowledge to hold negligent drivers, impatient drivers, or other involved parties accountable under Nevada pedestrian laws.
• We work closely with doctors to document medical expenses, injury severity, and long-term care needs, supporting your claim for damages.
• Our team seeks recovery for lost wages, pain and suffering, future medical expenses, and other life-altering costs resulting from the accident.
• For families who lost loved ones, we file claims for pedestrian fatalities and guide them through the legal process with compassion and care.
• We deal directly with insurance companies, so you can focus on healing, ensuring they offer fair settlements.
• If insurers refuse to pay what you deserve, our trial lawyers are prepared to take your case to court and fight for maximum compensation.

We Protect Pedestrians Through Legal Support at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys

Even when everyone is careful, many pedestrian accidents still happen. If you or a loved one has been severely injured, THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys can help. We provide a free consultation to explain your rights and help you pursue compensation. Our goal is to hold negligent drivers accountable and make Las Vegas safer for pedestrians.