The Las Vegas Sun reports that a Nevada driver veered off the road and hit two pedestrians. The crash happened on a weekday afternoon and resulted in the death of one teen victim and the serious injury of the other. Law enforcement believes the 14-year-old student victims were walking home from the nearby Legacy High School. The crash occurred around 2pm near Fifth Street and Centennial Parkway, according to the news report and North Las Vegas police.
According to the report, a maroon sedan was heading southbound on Fifth Street when the vehicle’s 21-year-old driver veered off the road and crossed all the wrong-way lanes. The sedan then struck the boys, who were walking on the gravel sidewalk. The boys likely did not see the car coming as they were appropriately walking against traffic, as recommended by authorities. Law enforcement notes that there was no obvious cause for the crash. Some causes for the crash could be speed, bad weather conditions, or a medical episode. That being said, crash investigators have not ruled out impairment as of yet.
Pedestrians at Higher Risk of Injury
Pedestrian safety has been a growing concern across the nation, especially in urban areas with high traffic congestion, and Nevada is no exception. Pedestrians are even more in danger of being hurt in today’s society with the advent of constant use of cell phones causing distracted driving and walking.
Unfortunately, pedestrians are at a higher risk of injury or death when involved in a traffic accident, particularly if the victim is struck by a moving vehicle. This is because if two cars collide going 10 MPH, the result will surely be a mere fender bender, or more likely, no property damage whatsoever. Under the same scenario, a pedestrian hit at the same speed can suffer serious injuries upon impact. If the vehicle is going 30 MPH or faster, a struck pedestrian can be killed.
Recovering Damages in a Nevada Pedestrian Accident
It is not uncommon for pedestrians to have insurance coverage aside from the Nevada driver of the vehicle that is involved in the crash. A hurt pedestrian may also have other coverage such as an employer’s health care plan, disability insurance, and/or a workers’ compensation policy. If you or someone you know has been involved in a pedestrian accident in Nevada, contact the knowledgeable Nevada personal injury attorneys at H & P today.
