Las Vegas, with its 24-hour party atmosphere and readily available alcohol, sees more than its fair share of DUI accidents. Let’s look at what you need to know if you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, whether you might have a personal injury claim, and how a Las Vegas drunk driving accident attorney can help.
Las Vegas Drunk Driver Statistics
Las Vegas drunk driver accident attorneys are all too familiar with the city’s troubling statistics. According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s annual report, in 2024, there were 6,159 arrests for DUI, up more than 7% over 2023. There were also 56 fatal DUI collisions, which makes up just over 35% of all fatal accidents in the city.
The problem is so bad that in one recent crackdown in the Las Vegas valley there were 23 DUI arrests in one night alone. In another recent story, a man who drove drunk at 140 mph on Las Vegas Boulevard and hit another car, killing its driver, was sentenced to serve at least four years in prison.
It’s not just Las Vegas: According to a recent Forbes analysis, Nevada is the 22nd worst state for drunk driving, with 4.20 drunk drivers involved in fatal car accidents per 100,000 licensed drivers and 2.95 people killed in car accidents involving a drunk driver per 100,000 state residents.
Why Drunk Driving Is So Dangerous
We all know driving under the influence is dangerous, but drunk driving accident attorneys in Las Vegas see first-hand why these accidents can be so devastating. Alcohol impairs many of the skills needed for safe driving, turning vehicles into potential weapons.
Impaired Judgment and Decision-Making
Alcohol affects the brain’s ability to make good decisions. A drunk driver might think they’re fine to drive when they’re not, or make bad choices like taking turns too close to other vehicles or pedestrians. They might misjudge distances between cars or fail to notice traffic signals. This impairment can have deadly consequences for both pedestrians and other drivers.
Reduced Reaction Time
In traffic, split-second reactions can make the difference between a close call and a serious crash, but alcohol slows down how quickly you can react. When a car suddenly stops on Las Vegas Boulevard or a pedestrian steps into the crosswalk near the Bellagio fountains, a drunk driver takes longer to hit the brakes or take evasive action—and those extra seconds make all the difference.
Distraction and Risky Behavior
Drunk drivers are more likely to be distracted and take unnecessary risks. They might look away from the road to change music, text while driving, or talk to passengers. They’re also more likely to speed, weave between lanes, or ignore traffic rules altogether. In a busy tourist city like Las Vegas, where roads are crowded with pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles, these decisions are especially dangerous.
Types of Drunk Driving Accidents
Las Vegas DUI accident lawyers see it all the time: The 24/7 nature of our city, combined with easy access to alcohol, creates opportunities for many types of DUI crashes throughout the valley.
Vehicle Collisions
Car accidents and motorcycle collisions are unfortunately common in Las Vegas. Head-on collisions occur when drunk drivers drift into oncoming traffic, while T-bone crashes happen when impaired drivers run red lights at major intersections and rear-end collisions are common in stop-and-go traffic near the Strip.
The injuries from these crashes can range from whiplash and broken bones to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and even wrongful death. When large vehicles like trucks are involved, or when motorcycle riders are hit, the injuries tend to be even more severe due to the size difference and lack of protection.
Pedestrian Accidents
Las Vegas is full of pedestrians, especially in tourist areas like the Strip and downtown Fremont Street. Drunk drivers often fail to notice people in crosswalks or walking near the road. They might drive onto sidewalks or hit people leaving casinos, restaurants, or shows.
Pedestrians have no protection against the impact of a vehicle, so these accidents frequently cause catastrophic injuries including broken bones, internal bleeding, head trauma, and fatalities. Even at lower speeds, pedestrian accidents can cause life-changing injuries. Las Vegas drunk driving accident attorneys can help you calculate long-term damages and pain and suffering so you get the compensation you deserve.
Bicycle Accidents
Cyclists in Las Vegas are also vulnerable to drunk drivers. Whether you’re riding along bike-friendly areas like the Red Rock Canyon scenic loop or commuting on city streets, a drunk driver might not see you or give you enough space.
Drunk drivers might swerve into bike lanes on streets like Charleston Boulevard or fail to check for cyclists when turning. The resulting injuries can include road rash, broken bones, head injuries, and spinal damage. Riders have minimal protection against the force of a car or truck, making bicycle accidents especially dangerous.
Who Can Be Held Responsible in a Drunk Driving Accident?
When you’ve been hurt by a drunk driver in Las Vegas, figuring out who’s legally responsible isn’t always as straightforward as it might seem. It’s important to have an experienced Las Vegas drunk driver accident lawyer to help you determine liability.
While the intoxicated driver usually bears most of the blame, Nevada follows what’s called “comparative negligence.” This means if you were also partly at fault—maybe you were speeding or didn’t have your headlights on at night—your compensation might be reduced by your percentage of fault. The good news is that as long as you were less than 50% responsible, you can still recover damages. If you’re a Las Vegas drunk driving accident victim, an attorney can help you prove you were just that: the victim.
It’s also important to look at everyone who might share responsibility. For example, if your accident involved an Uber, Lyft, or taxi with a drunk driver, the rideshare company or taxi service might also be partly liable. If the accident happened while the driver was working for a delivery service, their employer could share responsibility. Your attorney will investigate all possible responsible parties.
Maximizing Your Compensation for a Las Vegas Drunk Driving Accident
If you’ve been injured by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to several types of compensation to help you recover both financially and personally:
Economic damages cover your actual financial losses like medical bills (including future medical care), lost wages from missed work, and reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to your job. These damages have specific dollar amounts attached to them.
Non-economic damages include compensation for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. If you can no longer enjoy hiking or playing with your children because of your injuries, these losses deserve compensation too.
Punitive damages are designed to punish the drunk driver for especially bad behavior and deter others from driving drunk. Nevada courts often award punitive damages in DUI accident cases, especially when the driver had a very high blood alcohol level or if someone was killed.
How Much Is Your DUI Accident Case Worth?
The total compensation you receive depends on many factors: how serious your injuries are, how much medical treatment you need, whether you’ll have long-term disabilities, and how clearly the drunk driver’s fault can be proven.
A good Las Vegas drunk driving accident attorney will start by gathering evidence like police reports, breathalyzer results, witness statements, and surveillance video from nearby businesses. They’ll work with accident reconstruction experts who can show exactly how the crash happened, and medical experts who can explain your injuries and future needs. All this evidence helps build a strong case for maximum compensation.
Choose Blackburn Wirth as Your Las Vegas DUI Accident Attorney
After a drunk driving accident, having the right legal team makes all the difference. Blackburn Wirth has a team of drunk driving accident attorneys in Las Vegas, NV that understand the unique aspects of accident cases in Sin City, from dealing with out-of-state tourists to navigating the complexities of busy Strip intersections. Our team has deep connections in the Las Vegas community and extensive experience standing up to insurance companies who try to minimize your compensation.
We’re here to handle the legal headaches while you focus on healing. Don’t face this challenging situation alone—get a free case evaluation from a Las Vegas drunk driving accident attorney. Call 702-464-5000 or fill out the online form and find out how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
How long do I have to file a claim after a drunk driving accident in Las Vegas?
In Nevada, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, it’s best to contact a drunk driving accident lawyer in Las Vegas as soon as possible, while evidence is fresh and witnesses’ memories are clear. Missing this deadline usually means losing your right to compensation completely.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes, Nevada follows the “modified comparative negligence” rule, which means you can still recover damages as long as you were less than 50% responsible for the accident. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault, so if you were 20% at fault, you’d receive 80% of the total damages awarded.
What if the drunk driver was uninsured or underinsured?
If the drunk driver doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough coverage, you may be able to use your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you have it. You might also pursue compensation directly from the driver’s personal assets, or look for other liable parties like employers or vehicle owners who might have additional insurance coverage.
Can a bartender be held liable for a drunk driving accident?
No, Nevada is one of only a few states that doesn’t have “dram shop” laws making retail sellers and servers liable for injuries caused by serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated people. However, if the bartender or establishment served alcohol to someone underage who then caused an accident, they can be held liable under different laws.
