Car Accident Statistics

Name: Cogburn Davidson Injury Lawyers
Telephone: (702) 903-7644
Price range: Free Consultation
Rating: 4.9

Las Vegas roads are some of Nevada’s busiest and most dangerous. Learn what the numbers reveal and how to protect your rights after a crash.

Why Car Accident Statistics Matter

Each year, thousands of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are injured or killed in traffic accidents across the Las Vegas Valley. Between 2016 and 2020, the region recorded more than 175,000 crashes, including over 80,000 collisions that caused serious injuries or fatalities. These crashes leave victims facing staggering medical bills, lost income, and long recoveries. If your accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, you don’t have to face this alone.

At Cogburn Davidson, we’ve helped injured Nevadans recover over $100 million in verdicts and settlements. With 40+ years of combined trial experience, our car accident attorneys know how to fight insurance companies and win for our clients. Call today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.

How Cogburn Davidson Can Help After a Las Vegas Car Accident

Navigating the aftermath of a crash can be confusing and stressful, especially when you’re injured and unsure of your next steps. Our team will handle every detail of your case from start to finish while you focus on recovery. When you hire us, we will:

Investigate your collision and collect critical evidence
Review police reports and accident data to determine fault
Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies
Work with medical and crash reconstruction experts to strengthen your claim
Take your case to trial if the insurer refuses a fair settlement

We know how Las Vegas insurance adjusters operate, and we don’t back down. Our team combines compassion for our clients with the relentless drive to deliver results.

Need Help Now? Talk to one of our attorneys for free today.

(702) 805-3275 Contact Us

Is Las Vegas Safe for Drivers?

Despite its bright lights and endless entertainment, Las Vegas roads can be incredibly dangerous. A national traffic safety study ranked Las Vegas as the fifth-safest major U.S. city, but that statistic can be misleading. Here’s why:

Between 2016 and 2020, nearly 1,000 fatal crashes occurred in the Las Vegas metro area.
Drunk driving and speeding remain significant contributors to traffic deaths.
Distracted driving, while less common than in some states, still causes hundreds of preventable collisions each year.

Even with improving safety measures, Las Vegas continues to face one of the highest crash volumes in the western United States due to its heavy traffic, tourism, and 24-hour driving culture.

Las Vegas Car Accident Statistics (2016–2020)

Data from the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and the Nevada Fatal Crash Dashboard show just how serious the problem is across the Las Vegas Valley, which includes Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Clark County.

Total crashes: 175,370 (average of 35,000+ per year)
Fatal crashes: 960
Injury crashes: 80,697
Average fatalities per year: 192
Average injury crashes per year: 16,139

These collisions involve not just vehicles, but also motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians, who are especially vulnerable in high-traffic areas.

When and Where Do Most Las Vegas Crashes Happen?

Car accidents in Las Vegas follow unique patterns due to the city’s around-the-clock traffic and tourism.

Day of the week: Crashes spike on Saturday, with roughly 25% more accidents than on weekdays.
Time of day: Collisions peak between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., when locals and tourists are both on the road.
Location: Many of the city’s most dangerous intersections are along Las Vegas Boulevard, Tropicana Avenue, Rainbow Boulevard, and the I-15 corridor.

Understanding these trends can help drivers stay alert, but unfortunately, even the most careful motorists can’t control others’ reckless actions.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Las Vegas

Las Vegas’s busy streets see a wide variety of crash causes, but a few patterns stand out year after year:

Impaired Driving

Nevada continues to battle a serious drunk and drug-impaired driving problem. After recreational marijuana legalization, DUI-related crashes involving cannabis increased.
In 2020 alone, 72 of the city’s 182 fatal crashes were caused by impaired drivers.

Speeding

High speeds remain one of the top contributors to deadly crashes. In the same year, 50 fatal collisions were linked to speeding. Drivers on the I-15 and major surface roads often exceed limits, reducing reaction time and increasing impact severity.

Distracted Driving

While less common than impaired or speed-related crashes, distracted driving, especially texting behind the wheel, continues to cause serious injuries and fatalities.

Unsafe Turns and Failure to Yield

Many intersection crashes occur when drivers run red lights, ignore signs, or misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic.

Crash Outcomes and Victims

Las Vegas crash data also highlights the tragic outcomes of high-speed and reckless driving:

5 fatal bicycle crashes
39 fatal motorcycle crashes
61 fatal pedestrian accidents in 2020

Pedestrians and cyclists in the Las Vegas Valley face a disproportionate risk of serious injury or death compared to other road users.

What These Statistics Mean for Las Vegas Drivers

Behind every number is a person whose life was changed or lost because of someone else’s negligence. If you were injured in a Las Vegas car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:

Medical expenses and rehabilitation
Lost income and reduced earning potential
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress and trauma
Property damage
Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

Our attorneys will calculate your full damages and fight for every dollar you deserve.

Our Attorneys Lawyers Who Give a Damn

Our lawyers are leaders in Nevada's top legal organizations, non-profits and PACs, working on laws to make your communities safer.

Jamie S. Cogburn

Partner

1 of 19 certified personal injury attorneys in NV
Board Member of Nevada Justice Assn & Citizens for Justice PAC

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Hunter Davidson

Partner

Nevada Justice Association
Member – American Association for Justice

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Yolanda Carapia

Lawyer

Nevada Editorial Board & Character and Fitness Committee - Nevada State Bar
DEI & Club X Committee for Nevada Justice Association

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Kendelee Works