Las Vegas rarely slows down. With multi-lane corridors, round-the-clock tourism, and one of the highest traffic densities in Nevada, the city’s intersections are among the most dangerous in the state. According to the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety, Clark County reports over a third of the state’s serious crashes every year, many occurring at large, signalized junctions.
This guide highlights five intersections most frequently cited in crash data and by locals themselves and shares what makes them risky, what the city is doing about it, and what you can do if you’ve been injured.
1. Flamingo Road & Eastern Avenue
Flamingo and Eastern is one of the city’s busiest crossroads, linking residential zones with nonstop commercial driveways. Delivery trucks, fast-food exits, and impatient commuters all compete for space. Visibility is often blocked by larger vehicles, leaving smaller cars, motorcycles, and pedestrians vulnerable.
Left-turn conflicts and drivers rushing through stale greens are the top crash patterns here. Waiting for a protected arrow and slowing before the box drastically cuts risk. If you were injured in a collision here, our guide on what to do after a car accident in Las Vegas outlines every legal and medical step you should take.
2. Sahara Avenue & Decatur Boulevard
This intersection’s size and speed are what make it so dangerous. Wide lanes and long green lights create a false sense of safety. Drivers turning left often misjudge approaching traffic, leading to severe side-impact crashes. According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Traffic Bureau, rear-end and left-turn collisions peak here during rush hour.
If you’re struck at Sahara and Decatur, Nevada’s comparative negligence laws determine how fault is divided. You can still recover damages even if you share part of the blame. Learn more in our article on Nevada’s comparative negligence in vehicle accidents.
3. Tropicana Avenue & Pecos Road
Mixing family neighborhoods, schools, and shopping strips, Tropicana and Pecos has heavy pedestrian activity from sunrise to dusk. Many collisions happen when drivers clear one pedestrian but fail to see another entering from the far lane. The Nevada Department of Transportation calls this corridor a “high pedestrian interaction zone.”
Pedestrians should begin crossing early in the signal and make eye contact with turning drivers. Cyclists are safest when claiming their lane rather than hugging the curb. If your accident involved a child passenger, review Nevada’s car seat safety laws to ensure compliance and strengthen your claim.
4. Rainbow Boulevard & Charleston Boulevard
After dark, Rainbow and Charleston becomes unpredictable. Late-night restaurant traffic and impaired drivers turn the area into a collision hotspot. The NHTSA reports that nearly one-third of fatal nighttime crashes nationwide involve alcohol impairment—a statistic that holds true here.
Give erratic drivers space, avoid eye-level glare, and pause briefly on green to catch late runners. When alcohol overservice plays a role, our article on liability for over-serving alcohol in Las Vegas explains how negligence at a bar or casino can contribute to fault.
5. Las Vegas Boulevard & Tropicana Avenue (The Strip)
Few intersections compare to Tropicana and Las Vegas Boulevard. With rental cars, buses, e-scooters, and throngs of pedestrians, chaos can erupt even when signals work perfectly. The Nevada Highway Safety Office lists the Strip among the most hazardous pedestrian corridors in the state.
Visitors often rely on GPS prompts that lag a second too late, causing sudden lane changes or stops. If you were injured while visiting the Strip, read our resources for tourist personal injury laws in Nevada and filing a claim as a tourist in Las Vegas.
Other Problematic Las Vegas Intersections
Locals often mention Maryland Parkway at Desert Inn, Cheyenne at Jones, and Craig at North 5th Street as frequent crash zones. These corridors share the same risk factors: excessive width, short light cycles, and drivers weaving between lanes. Our report on Nevada’s most dangerous roads shows how these intersections fit into broader statewide patterns.
Why These Intersections Are So Hazardous
Volume and width create more decisions in less time. Older designs struggle with today’s traffic, while distractions, speeding, and fatigue amplify every mistake. Tourists add confusion, reacting late to lane prompts or signal changes. Short turn phases and obstructed sightlines further reduce margin for error. If your crash involved a rear-end impact, our page on who’s at fault for rear-end accidents in Nevada covers how liability is determined.
Steps to Take After a Collision
Call 911 and check for injuries. Move to a safe location and document the scene! Photograph vehicles, signals, and surroundings. Get medical attention immediately and avoid admitting fault at the scene. Insurance companies will look for reasons to minimize payouts, so it’s best to review your case with an attorney before making recorded statements. Our resource on navigating Nevada car insurance claims outlines how to protect your rights.
Injured at a Dangerous Las Vegas Intersection? We Can Help
Every day, drivers and pedestrians are seriously hurt at intersections like Flamingo and Eastern, Sahara and Decatur, and Tropicana and Pecos. If a negligent driver caused your injuries, you deserve justice.
Contact West Coast Trial Lawyers for a free case consultation call (213) 927-3700 or fill out our easy online contact form. Our team knows the Las Vegas streets, the insurance tactics, and how to win these cases. We’ll fight for your full physical, emotional, and financial recovery.
