
Where do most accidents happen in Nevada? Accidents happen throughout Nevada, with a large portion occurring in commercial and residential areas of the largest cities.
Consider the following high-risk areas for accidents in Nevada, as well as where accidents occur in some of the state’s largest cities, and then speak with a Las Vegas car accident lawyer about your case.
Dangerous Roads in Nevada
Not all accidents in Nevada occur on interstates and highways; many occur on the area’s local roadways and arteries into and out of the major cities. These areas typically experience significant congestion and, in some cases, construction, which increases risks to drivers. Some of the most dangerous roads in Nevada include the following:
- Las Vegas Boulevard: This is one of the most important routes in Clark County and is home to the Las Vegas Strip. It is one of the most congested roads in the state, especially around peak travel times in high-traffic zones. Accidents happen here virtually every day.
- Las Vegas Boulevard and Warm Springs: Often considered the most dangerous intersection in Las Vegas, this area is prone to accidents. Congestion, aggressive drivers, and speeding are the most common causes of accidents here.
- Boulder Highway: This is an important roadway throughout the state. It connects Downtown Las Vegas to Henderson and Boulder City, making it a highly used route. Being a heavily used corridor, it is also one of the most commercially driven, with casinos, motels, and numerous other businesses. Reckless driving and distraction are the biggest causes of accidents here.
- Eastern Avenue: Eastern Avenue runs through the Las Vegas Valley, providing north-south connections. It may not be as congested as other areas. Still, it is known for several dangerous intersections, including those with visibility issues, speeding, and drivers who fail to yield the right of way.
- Blue Diamond Highway: The Blue Diamond Highway is considered one of the most beautiful roads, but it is also dangerous. It runs through the Las Vegas Valley area and can be dangerous at some intersections. Drivers often note that it is increasingly becoming dangerous as development grows throughout the region.
These are just a handful of the most dangerous roadways in Nevada, and far from all of them. However, for those using these routes, the risk of an accident is high. You may find it challenging to avoid an accident, even when you do everything right. Speak with a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer today.
Nevada’s Urban Roadways
Estimates from some studies (Nevada Crash Facts) indicate that the largest share of accidents occurs on Nevada’s urban roadways, which account for nearly 70% of all fatal crashes in the state. These are the roadways that surround the state’s largest cities and metro areas. Some of the largest and most dangerous urban roadways in Nevada include:
- Interstate 15: I-15, also known as the Las Vegas Freeway, is the primary north-to-south artery through the entire Las Vegas Valley area. It connects the region to Utah and Southern California, with thousands of people using it every day.
- U.S. Route 95: US 95 is another large and important roadway in the Las Vegas metro area, running north to south through it. Also called the Oran K and Gragson Freeway, it runs right through downtown, making it an important, congested commuter route. It also intersects with Interstate 512 and US 93, which can increase the risk of an accident here.
- Interstate 11: I-11 runs along Route 93 and Route 95. Though newer, it is growing in use as an important roadway through the Las Vegas metro region. It also connects the city to Boulder City, making it a commonly used route for tourism to and from the city.
- Bruce Woodbury Beltway: Also known as the 215 Beltway, this route spans 50 miles across the region. It is an important artery throughout the Las Vegas Valley, since it surrounds about 75% of the city. It also feeds into I-215 and CC 215, increasing demand.
- Interstate 515: This route links Henderson to Las Vegas. Due to heavy congestion on this route, you can expect delays whether you are heading out of town or into downtown.
- Interstate 215: Also known as the Southern Beltway, I-215 circles through Henderson and connects the city’s residents to the Harry Reid International Airport. It also provides east-west access in the southern portion of the Las Vegas Valley.
- Interstate 80: I-80 is the main east-west artery that connects Reno to Sparks and on to Sacramento, as well as to Salt Lake City in the east. It serves as a critical route through and around the city.
- Interstate 580: This is the largest north-south freeway that links Reno to Carson City and Minden.
A large portion of accidents in Nevada occur on these routes around the largest towns. Other large cities in the state, including North Las Vegas and Sparks, have additional or continuations of these highways that increase risk. These routes are at high risk of accidents due to congestion, reckless driving (including speeding and illegal lane changes), and distracted driving. A Las Vegas distracted driving accident lawyer can guide you through the legal process after a crash.
Highest Risk Intersections in Las Vegas
One of the most common places for accidents in Nevada is at intersections. Because it is the largest city in terms of traffic and congestion, many of these accidents happen in and around Las Vegas. The following are some of the most dangerous intersections in Las Vegas, which have caused severe injuries.
- Rainbow Blvd. and Flamingo Rd: This is considered one of the most frequent areas for intersection accidents. Speeding drivers and congestion, as well as out-of-town travelers unfamiliar with the area, are big contributors to the accidents here.
- Tropicana Ave. and Jones Blvd: This area has numerous causes of accidents, including people who run red lights, distracted drivers, and confusing turn lanes. It is one of the most common areas for dangerous intersection accidents.
- Sahara Ave. and Maryland Pkwy: This intersection is a high-traffic area in the city center. The sheer number of cars passing through it causes many crashes each year.
- Charleston Blvd. and Decatur Blvd: This intersection is problematic for numerous reasons, but in recent years, ongoing construction, changes in traffic patterns, and a lack of visibility have contributed to numerous accidents here.
- Sahara Ave. and Eastern Ave: Significant traffic passes through this intersection throughout the day. The large number of commercial buildings in the area, coupled with ongoing construction, makes it a high-risk area.
These intersections are dangerous due to high traffic volumes, the presence of distracted or impaired drivers, and limited visibility. It is very common for drivers to cause accidents because they do not know the area well, thanks to the heavy presence of tourists here. This, coupled with trucks, buses, and rideshare drivers, makes these routes complex and dangerous.
Highest Risk of Accidents in Henderson
Some intersections carry the same or similar levels of risk for drivers due to heavy congestion and often reckless driving. Henderson is a large city with various urban and residential areas, and many people commute each day. Heavy traffic, construction, and distractions are the most common causes of accidents in this area. Some of the most dangerous intersections in Henderson include:
- S. Eastern Ave. and St. Rose Pkwy. This route has many drivers passing through it daily. Collisions at this intersection often result from multiple factors, including driver distraction and racing through lights. Higher speeds increase the risk of head-on collisions.
- Coronado Center Dr. and St. Rose Pkwy. Also a commercial area, this intersection can experience heavy traffic during peak hours. There are also many people entering and exiting the retail centers along the route, which increases the risk of accidents when a driver fails to yield the right of way.
- N. Stephanie St. and W. Sunset Rd. This popular intersection has several concerns, including the high speed in the area. This often results in drivers running red lights, causing head-on collisions, or striking the car in front of them. The intersection is also right by the Galleria Mall, which increases the risk with the number of drivers turning into the area.
- E. Lake Mead Pkwy and N. Boulder Hwy. This is an important junction in the city, but it is also one of the most dangerous. Accidents occur on this high-speed roadway due to visibility issues, distracted drivers, and construction.
- W. Sunset Rd. and W. Whitney Ranch Dr. This intersection is in a slightly more residential area, but there is often a lot of traffic here. Backed-up traffic often leads to aggressive drivers and speeding, resulting in accidents.
The accidents in Henderson are made worse by the city’s near-constant construction, with some intersections sorely in need of safety improvements due to issues with light timing, visibility, and speed adjustments. Also note that Boulder Highway and Lake Mead Parkway are hot spots for pedestrian accidents due to the city’s retail and residential areas.
Free Consultation We’ll help you win the benefits you need to get your life back.
Highest Risk of Accidents in Reno and Sparks
Many accidents occur in Reno and Sparks, Nevada, each day, even though most areas have a lower accident rate than Las Vegas. Reno’s rising traffic volume, along with aggressive drivers, has led to a significant increase in accidents in this area. The Reno and Sparks metro area often sees preventable accidents. The most dangerous intersections include:
- Pyramid Way and McCarran Blvd. This is the city’s intersection with the highest traffic volume, often exceeding 60,000 vehicles per day. That sheer number of drivers increases the risk of accidents.
- McCarran Blvd and Nichols Dr. This intersection is just down the street and is known for a high number of accidents caused by reckless driving and speeding.
- Moana Lane and Kietzke Lane. What makes this intersection so dangerous is the volume of traffic turning into and out of the retail centers, which increases the number of crashes, especially during peak hours.
- Pyramid Way and Los Altos Pkwy. Accidents happen in this part of the city due to the increasing volume of traffic entering and exiting the area. The high volume increases during peak times, such as the morning and evening rush hours, and after the kids get out of school.
- McCarran Blvd and Rock Blvd. This intersection is also along the busy commercial route and junction through the city. Accidents often occur throughout this McCarran loop due to congestion and, in some areas, poor visibility surrounding the area.
In Reno, the McCarran Loop is considered one of the most dangerous roadways in the city, but there are other high-risk areas, including along South Virginia Street, Oddie Blvd, and 4th Street. Most of these intersections are commercial-centric, but some are also larger residential areas. Speed, traffic volume, and running red lights are the most common causes of accidents at these intersections in Reno and Sparks. Talk to a Las Vegas highway accident lawyer about your case today.
How a Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
At Shook & Stone Injury Lawyers, we know how risky and dangerous Nevada roadways can be. Accidents happen in the area all the time. The number of accidents occurring on our streets is terrifying, and the risk of serious injury and even loss of life is also very high.
If you are in an accident with injuries and other losses, speak to our car accident lawyer in Nevada today. Request a free consultation so we can review what happened to you and who may be at fault and responsible for your damages. We have recovered over $1 billion for our clients.