• Auto Accidents News
• Pedestrian Accidents

November 21, 2011

Driver Faces Charges in Connection with Fatal Las Vegas Pedestrian Accident

Summary of Accident

A 78-year-old woman faces three charges, including vehicle manslaughter, following a Las Vegas pedestrian accident that resulted in the death of a 6-year-old girl. According to a news report in The Las Vegas Review Journal, the fatal car accident occurred at Camino Eldorado and Bent Arrow Drive in Las Vegas. Officials say the driver failed to yield to the three children as they crossed the road in a crosswalk.

The 6-year-old girl succumbed to her injuries three days after the fatal crash. Another 6-year-old girl suffered a fractured skull, and her 5-year-old sister remains hospitalized with critical injuries.

The driver involved was not under the influence of alcohol but she has been charged with three misdemeanors, including unlawfully passing vehicles stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, failure to stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, and vehicular manslaughter.

Under Nevada Statute 484B.283 (3): “Whenever a vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle until the driver has determined that the vehicle being overtaken was not stopped for the purpose of permitting a pedestrian to cross the highway.”

Drivers who fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians in crosswalks, in addition to facing citations or criminal charges, can also be held civilly liable for the injuries, damages, and losses caused.

Victims and their families would be well advised to contact a skilled Las Vegas personal injury lawyer with experience pursuing compensation for medical bills, hospitalization, funeral expenses, and other related damages.

How Do Pedestrian Accidents Happen?

Pedestrian accidents occur when a person walking is hit by a car, truck, bus, or any other moving vehicle. These types of accidents often result in serious injuries or death due to the weight and size of the vehicles involved. The most common causes of pedestrian accidents include distracted driving, speeding, reckless driving and drunk driving.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents. Drivers who are talking or texting on their phone, eating, or manipulating their radio or navigation system while driving are not paying attention to pedestrians crossing the streets.

Speeding

Speeding is another major factor that contributes to pedestrian accidents. When a driver is speeding,
they cannot stop in time when a pedestrian crosses the street unexpectedly.

Careless driving can also lead to pedestrian accidents as drivers may fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians. Driving while impaired by drugs and/or alcohol can greatly affect a driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle leading to fatal pedestrian accidents.

Careless Driving

Careless driving is a major cause of fatal pedestrian accidents. When drivers fail to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of pedestrians, they put countless lives at risk. In Las Vegas, a driver faces charges in connection with a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred recently.

The crash occurred when the driver failed to stop for a crossing pedestrian, resulting in a tragic death. The careless driving exhibited by the driver could have been prevented if the driver had been paying attention to the road and following traffic laws.

Impaired Driving

Impaired driving is a serious problem in the United States, causing thousands of preventable deaths every year. In Las Vegas alone, there have been an alarming number of fatal pedestrian accidents due to drivers operating vehicles on city streets under the influence.  The legal limit in Nevada is 0.08%, and drivers who are found to be operating their vehicle at or above the legal limit can face serious criminal charges.

The Effects of Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents can have long-lasting and devastating effects on victims and their families. In the event of a fatal pedestrian crash, surviving family members may be able to seek compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit.

These types of claims enable families to recover damages such as medical expenses, funeral costs,
lost wages and benefits, pain and suffering, and other related expenses.

A knowledgeable Las Vegas pedestrian accident lawyer can help families understand their legal rights and options in seeking fair compensation for their losses.

How Can Pedestrian Accidents Be Prevented?

An experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer at Shook & Stone has a long history of holding at-fault drivers accountable for the damages they cause. If you have lost a loved one in a deadly crash, please contact our skilled wrongful death attorneys at 702-570-0000 to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.