Las Vegas pedestrian deaths hit a record high in 2017. According to the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety, 78 people were struck and killed by motor vehicles last year. In comparison, 57 pedestrians lost their lives in 2016, and 60 died in 2015, which was the previous high.
Traffic safety experts said the top causes of pedestrian deaths were speeding, drunk driving and distracted driving. The victims included 48 males and 30 females. The youngest victim, an 11-year-old girl, was hit by a garbage truck at the intersection of Viking Road and Sandhill Road on Feb. 8. The oldest victim was an 85-year-old man. He was struck at Paradise Road and Harmon Avenue on Sept. 12. Overall, 36 of the 78 pedestrians killed in 2017 were age 55 or older.
According to a representative of the Las Vegas police, age may have played a role in some of the pedestrian deaths. Other contributing factors included pedestrians distracted by their phones and pedestrians failing to use crosswalks. Officials noted that in some instances, both the pedestrian and the driver were impaired by alcohol. The deadliest road for pedestrians was Boulder Highway, on which nine people were struck and killed.
Pedestrian accidents can lead to a number of serious injuries, including head trauma, brain injuries, spinal injuries and broken bones. Some victims are unable to work for weeks or months after the accident while others are left permanently disabled. In order to recover damages, it may be necessary for a victim to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver who struck them. Such a lawsuit might bring needed financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.