A 33-year-old woman was killed in northwest Las Vegas when a pickup truck allegedly ran a red light and struck her in a marked crosswalk. According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD), witness statements and video evidence indicate the driver entered the intersection at Rancho Drive and Decatur Boulevard after the signal turned red. The driver was arrested at the scene.
For families left behind after a fatal pedestrian accident, grief is often accompanied by the sudden financial and practical challenges that follow. Nevada law allows certain family members to pursue a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for their losses and hold negligent drivers accountable.
If you’ve had a family member killed in a Las Vegas pedestrian accident, you shouldn’t have to bear the financial burden of your loss alone. Contact our team at Burk Injury Lawyers to discuss your options today at 702-620-2020.
Pedestrian Deaths Caused by Red-Light Runners in Las Vegas
Las Vegas’s busy intersections are particularly dangerous for pedestrians when drivers ignore traffic signals. Red-light violations are a leading cause of severe pedestrian injuries and fatalities in Clark County.
While Nevada bans automated enforcement for ticketing purposes, some cameras are still used for data collection. A February 2024 report by the Nevada State Police noted that one intersection alone recorded 14,000 red-light violations in a single month.
In the Rancho Drive and Decatur Boulevard crash, police reported that the victim was crossing legally in a marked crosswalk when the truck entered against the signal. Evidence, such as police reports and witness statements, is often key in civil wrongful death cases to establish negligence.
Pedestrian Safety and the Broader Problem of Red-Light Violations
Fatal pedestrian accidents on the Las Vegas Strip, and across Nevada, have risen in recent years, with Clark County accounting for the majority. Speeding, distracted driving, and red-light running are consistent contributors. Intersection safety improvements and targeted enforcement have been implemented, but accountability for drivers who ignore signals remains essential.
High-violation intersections, as documented in local law enforcement reports, show the real risks pedestrians face daily. Families pursuing wrongful death claims not only seek justice for their loved one but also reinforce the need for driver accountability, potentially deterring similar conduct in the future.
Understanding Wrongful Death Claims After a Fatal Pedestrian Accident
A wrongful death lawsuit is a civil action filed by the deceased’s heirs or estate representative against the person or entity responsible for the death. Nevada law allows these claims to seek compensation for both financial and non-financial losses, including funeral costs, lost income, and the loss of companionship and emotional support.
Wrongful death claims are independent of any criminal proceedings. Even if the at-fault driver faces criminal charges, families must file a separate civil claim to recover damages. As such, while the driver in the fatal Rancho Driver and Decatur Boulevard collision was arrested faces criminal charges, the family of the decedent may also pursue legal action.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim and What They Can Recover
Nevada law allows the personal representative of the deceased’s estate, surviving spouse or domestic partner, children, and in certain cases other legal heirs, to bring a wrongful death lawsuit. These claims provide families with a legal avenue to hold negligent drivers accountable and recover compensation for their losses.
Recoverable damages can include:
Economic Losses
Families can seek compensation for economic losses, including funeral and burial costs, medical expenses, and lost wages or benefits the deceased would have provided. These damages may also account for projected income, raises, and retirement benefits that the family has lost due to the untimely death.
Non-Economic Losses
Equally important are non-economic losses, which address the emotional and personal toll of losing a loved one. These damages may include compensation for loss of companionship, guidance, care, and the grief suffered by surviving family members, as well as the pain and suffering endured by the deceased prior to death. Courts recognize these impacts, and Nevada law allows families to recover damages for these significant, though non-monetary, losses.
In cases where the driver’s conduct is especially reckless, such as running a red light at high speed, punitive damages may also be available to punish the offender and deter similar behavior.
Proving Liability in a Red-Light Pedestrian Accident
To succeed in a wrongful death case, families must show that the driver’s negligence caused the fatal crash. Evidence commonly used in these cases includes:
- LVMPD accident reports
- Intersection and nearby surveillance camera footage
- Eyewitness testimony
- Vehicle event data recorder (black box) information
- Accident reconstruction expert analysis
If the pedestrian was in a marked crosswalk with the signal in their favor, as was the case in the recent fatal collision, Nevada law generally presumes driver fault. If not, however, the pedestrian may share fault for the accident. Nevada’s modified comparative negligence rule allows damages only if the pedestrian’s share of fault is less than 51%. Partial fault reduces compensation proportionally. An experienced pedestrian accident lawyer can help families deal with potential shared fault defenses.
Protect Your Rights After a Pedestrian Wrongful Death in Las Vegas
Losing a loved one in a pedestrian accident caused by a red-light runner is a life-altering tragedy. While no legal action can replace the loss, Nevada’s wrongful death laws provide families with a pathway to hold negligent drivers accountable and obtain compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
Prompt action is critical. Preserving evidence, collecting witness information, and consulting a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible can make the difference in building a strong case. Families can secure resources to cover funeral costs, lost income, and emotional losses while pursuing justice for their loved one.
If your loved one was killed in a pedestrian accident, contact a Las Vegas wrongful death lawyer at Burk Injury Lawyers to understand your legal options and protect your rights under Nevada law. Call 702-620-2020 to schedule a free initial consultation.
