Top Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Bicycle accidents have been on the rise in Las Vegas for several years, ranking Las Vegas as the third most dangerous city for bicyclists according to The Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for Southern Nevada. Many of these collisions result from negligent drivers that are either distracted or drunk, which causes catastrophic injuries to the cyclists who get struck.
If you or a loved one recently sustained injuries in a bike accident, you need to contact the experienced personal injury attorneys of Vegas Valley Injury Law. We represent individuals and their families trying to put their lives back together after enduring such a tragic event. We will not stop until you recover the maximum compensation available to you under the law.
Why Bike Accidents Happen in Las Vegas
Like any other vehicle collision, bicycle accidents are usually preventable and are a result of human error. When negligence is a factor, Nevada law allows injured parties to pursue compensation for their damages. Below are the most frequent factors that led to our clients being hurt in a bike crash:
Distracted driving
Texting and driving
Ignored rights-of-way
Broken traffic laws
Speeding
Drunk driving
Reckless driving
Dooring
Potholes and other road defects
Bicycle defects
How we help you
We will begin your case by investigating the accident scene.
Consult with doctors to identify the care victims will need.
Determine any loss in earnings, and account for pain and suffering endured due to your personal injury accident.
Aggressively pursue the total compensation for all your losses including financial, medical, and emotional.
Call (702) 444-5555 No Fee Unless We Win!
Pursuing a Bicycle Accident Claim
As a fault-based state incorporating a modified system of comparative fault, you will need to file a claim against the party that caused the events leading to the accident that left you injured. Proving their negligence can be challenging, but our seasoned personal injury team has years of experience successfully building cases against liable individuals, government agencies, and manufacturers for their contribution to the harm our clients suffered.
When we represent you in your personal injury claim, we will take the following steps to prove the other party's negligence:
Obtain police reports
Gather witness statements
Hire accident reconstruction experts
Investigate the crash scene
Gather medical records from doctors
Gain access to any video footage or photographic evidence
Regardless of how minor or severe your injuries and property damages are, you should not hesitate to speak with legal counsel immediately after suffering a bicycle accident. Personal injury claims have a two-year statute of limitation for filing, after which you may be unable to take any actions to receive compensation. It should be noted that insurance companies also have their own time limits for processing a claim, which can vary depending on the policy and carrier. You may not be able to get this information without an attorney's assistance since insurers want to save money and will do whatever it takes to minimize or deny your injury case outright.
The best way to protect your compensation rights is to hire a bicycle accident attorney at Vegas Valley Injury Law to represent you as soon as possible.
Nevada Bicycle Laws
In general, Nevada bicycle laws echo motorist requirements. As a cyclist, you should pay attention to and obey traffic signs and lights. If you neglect to follow these signals, you could be subject to traffic citations similar to those typically faced by motorists.
Certain laws are specifically targeted at cyclists. These are outlined in detail in the Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 484B. Essential rules to keep in mind when riding your bike include:
- Ride in the same direction as motor vehicles. Never ride against the flow of traffic.
- Ride as far on the right side of the road as possible — unless you're about to make a left turn or are able to match the speed of traffic.
- Use hand signals when turning, unless you're in a designated turn lane or it's clearly unsafe to remove your hands from the handlebars.
- Riding on sidewalks is permitted under Nevada law but prohibited by numerous local ordinances.
- If you want to ride your bike after dark, you'll need to equip it with:
- A white lamp situated at the front of the bike. This must be visible from at least 500 feet away.
- A red reflector at the back of the bike. With a vehicle's low beams, this should be visible from 300 feet away.
- The sides should either have reflective material visible from 600 feet away or side lamps visible from 500 feet away.
- Biking while intoxicated constitutes the gross misdemeanor crime of reckless endangerment.
Injuries Commonly Found in Las Vegas Bicycle Accidents
The severity of injuries one could experience after being hit while riding a bicycle in Las Vegas depends heavily on the crash's circumstances, including the type of vehicle involved and the rate of speed it was traveling at impact.
Common injuries caused by bicycle accidents include:
Traumatic brain injuries
Head and neck injuries
Broken bones
Road rash
Spinal cord injuries
Fractured skull
Emotional trauma
Disfigurement
Dismemberment
Death
Even if you can get up and walk around after suffering a collision with a car, you should seek medical attention right away. Some injuries, especially involving the head, can have delayed onset of symptoms that can lead to life-threatening complications if undiagnosed. Getting evaluated will also help establish the extent of your accident injuries, your collision's circumstances, and the groundwork for your compensation claim.
Tips to Avoid a Bicycle Accident in Las Vegas
While some accidents are unavoidable, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk while riding around Las Vegas. Consider some of the following tips to increase your bicycle safety:
Follow all traffic laws
Yield the right-of-way
Do not assume motorists can see you
Wear reflective gear regardless of the time of day
Avoid riding your bike at night whenever possible
Ensure your bike has functional safety equipment
Invest in appropriate safety gear, including a helmet
Try to ride in designated bike lanes and paths
When taking extra steps to be safe while cycling isn't enough, Vegas Valley Injury Law is standing by to help you begin the process of healing and protect your rights to compensation under Nevada law. Our practice provides a level of experience and understanding of Nevada law that is unparalleled because we focus on all types of vehicle-related accidents, including:
Truck accidents
Drunk driving collisions
Bicycle crashes
Car accidents
Pedestrian accidents
Hit and Runs
Head-on impacts
T-Bone collisions
Motorcycle accidents
And more!
Trust our local Las Vegas area legal team to provide you with the dedicated representation you need to successfully pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault party who caused your accident.
Common Nevada Bicycle Accident Questions
As a responsible cyclist, you do your part to keep Nevada's roads safe. Still, you remain vulnerable — and in the event of an accident, you'll need strong support. The sooner you get in touch with a Las Vegas bike accident lawyer, the better. Until then, these common questions and answers should provide helpful insight:
What is the statute of limitations for Nevada bike accidents?
- Nevada maintains a statute of limitations of two years for personal injury claims. The clock starts ticking on the date of the accident. From there, you'll need to file your claim within two years to ensure your ability to secure damages.
Can I get compensation if I was partially at fault for the accident?
- While motorists typically bear the brunt of the responsibility in Las Vegas bike accidents, bicyclists may contribute by not using necessary hand signals or riding against the flow of traffic. Even if you are deemed partially responsible, you may be able to obtain compensation under Nevada's contributory negligence doctrine. Also known as the 51 percent rule, this simply means that you need to be deemed 50 percent (or less) responsible for the accident to collect damages.
What happens if I was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident?
- The opposing side may try to argue that your injuries were made more severe due to your lack of a helmet. Still, this does not absolve the negligent motorist, nor should it fully stand in the way of you collecting damages.
How does insurance compensation work when the at-fault motorist is not insured?
- In bike accidents involving drivers who lack auto insurance, it may be possible to recover compensation via uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Vegas Valley Injury Law Today
Both bicyclists and motorists traveling on Las Vegas roadways are responsible for following all state and local laws when using city thoroughfares. When a driver becomes distracted or engages in other reckless behaviors like speeding, aggressive driving, or getting behind the wheel drunk, they can change your life forever.
Don't let the insurance companies or at-fault parties convince you that you have no recourse for recovering the injuries you sustained. Vegas Valley Injury Law has years of experience helping Las Vegas bicycle accident victims recover damages that may include:
Current and future medical expenses
Lost income, including diminished work capacity
Loss of consortium
Property damage
Wrongful death
Punitive damages for egregious acts of negligence
Contact Vegas Valley Injury Law today at (702) 444-5555, or reach out via our online request form. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case's circumstances and advise you on the next best steps to protect your right to compensation under Nevada state law.
We offer free consultations. We will get back to you within 24 hours.