- Who Are Our Las Vegas Bike Accident Attorneys?
- What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident?
- Recent Bicycle Accident Statistics in Las Vegas
- What Are the Most Common Causes of Bike Accidents in Las Vegas?
- What Are Common Bicycle Accident Injuries in Las Vegas?
- How Much Is My Bicycle Accident Worth?
- Main Types of Damages to Recover After a Las Vegas Bicycle Accident
- Our Recent Case Settlements
- Who Is Liable for a Bicycle Accident in Las Vegas?
- How Do You Prove Negligence in a Bike Incident?
- What if I Contributed to the Bike Accident?
- How Can a Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Attorney Help You Settle a Claim?
- What Are Cyclists’ Rights in Nevada?
- Statute of Limitations for Bike Accident Claims in Nevada?
- Contact a Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today!
- Get a FREE case evaluation today
Las Vegas is a fantastic city with all the attractions and opportunities it has to offer. The sunny weather, countless parks, and recreational zones inspire more and more citizens to adopt such a healthy habit as cycling. Yet, despite the ongoing effort, Nevada isn’t one of the most bicycle-friendly states in the USA.
Lack of protection, shared lanes, and other potential dangers leave bicyclists quite vulnerable, and bike accidents do happen. So, it is vital to know your rights and obligations, and an experienced bicycle accident attorney can help you find justice and obtain the maximum compensation you deserve.
Who Are Our Las Vegas Bike Accident Attorneys?
Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group is a personal injury law firm specializing in bicycle accidents in Las Vegas. Our lawyers are committed justice advocates with years of experience in the field who always take the victim’s side.
Not only do we understand all the ins and outs of the local law system, but we also know the extent of financial, physical, emotional, and legal challenges that injured cyclists are faced with. Our mission is to not only defend bicycle accident victims but to make the streets of the city safer for everyone!
What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident?
A bike accident is a stressful experience that no one wants to deal with willingly. However, the more precise the steps you take after the incident, the safer you will be. Use the following tips to succeed with the task:
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Move to a safe location
If your condition allows you to move, you should try to get off the road to ensure your safety along with the safety of other road users.
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Call 911
Even if injuries or property damage seem minor, always notify emergency services. Medics can detect hidden trauma, and police will document the collision. These reports are key evidence for your bicycle accident claim.
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Exchange contact information
You may also want to exchange such contact information with the at-fault party, such as the name, phone number, address, insurance information, and other details. However, if you notice that the other driver is angry and hostile, you may want to leave it to the authorities.
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Seek legal assistance
An experienced bicycle accident lawyer will help you file a personal injury claim that fully reflects your damages and losses sustained in the incident.
Recent Bicycle Accident Statistics in Las Vegas
According to the recent Zero Fatalities report, bicyclist fatalities make up almost 4% of all deadly accidents in Las Vegas, and the rates appear to be on the spike since 2021. You can see for yourself:
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
| Population | 651,319 | 662,368 | 646,790 | 656,274 |
| Total fatalities | 33 | 32 | 34 | 51 |
| Pedalcyclist fatalities | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Percentage | 0.0% | 6.3% | 0.0% | 3.9% |
Since bicycle accidents remain the pressing concern in the state, it helps to understand who falls under the category of potentially vulnerable cyclist categories. Being aware of the numbers may help you stir clear of these dangers:
- Over 90% of fatal incidents happened on urban roads and outside bike lanes.
- Males in their 60s are the most vulnerable user group.
- The fact that 1/5 of all accidents take place during the nighttime, from 6 pm to 9 pm, shows that the local governmental entities may need to pay some more attention to proper lighting on the road.
- March and November seem to be the worst months for cycling in Nevada.
- Over 35% of all bike accidents across the state take place on Friday, so you may want to reconsider your before-the-weekend ride in the city.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Bike Accidents in Las Vegas?
No two bike crashes are alike. However, a wide variety of accidents happen because one or a few parties fail to follow road safety precautions. Some of the most frequent reasons why cyclists get injured in Las Vegas include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Negligent driving: Drivers who ignore traffic rules, signals, and signs are among the most popular reasons why bicyclists get hurt in the city.
- Dooring accidents: A suddenly opened vehicle door can cause serious damage to an unsuspecting bike rider. There’s nothing that a skilled dooring accident lawyer wouldn’t help to recover, though.
- Impaired driving: People driving under the influence are reckless and inattentive, often quite aggressive. The mixture of these conditions can have some of the direst consequences.
- Road rage: There are motor vehicle drivers who refuse to accept the obligation of sharing the road with other, more vulnerable users. Inappropriate gestures, vile language, or straight-off tailgating can unbalance a cyclist and lead to a serious crash.
- Distracted driving: Even a momentary lapse of attention to check the incoming call or chat with a passenger creates a dangerous driving situation with potential bicyclist casualties.
- Hit-and-run incidents: Hit-and-run accidents make up almost 13% of all fatalities in Las Vegas. Not all of them involve bike riders, but we can’t discard a possibility.
What Are Common Bicycle Accident Injuries in Las Vegas?
Bike accident injuries are often underestimated. The most typical traumas can have a lasting, if not life-changing, effect on the victim. These are the most frequent injuries a biker may face in Las Vegas:
- Head injuries: When a cyclist falls off their bike, they may hit their heads hard on the concrete or any other solid surface. The fall can become a source of such serious traumas as traumatic brain injuries, broken skulls, concussions, and other conditions.
- Fractures: Broken bones are another typical result of being thrown off the bicycle with the full force of the vehicle. Some fractures are extremely complex and require bone reconstruction and lengthy rehabilitation.
- Back injuries: Many bicyclists hit their backs hard during the crash. Lack of protection leaves the person susceptible to different spinal cord injuries, the severest of which may even result in paralysis.
- Facial injuries: Another typical result from a collision with the ground, especially if falling headfirst, would be dental traumas. On top of that, cyclists may sustain all sorts of soft tissue injuries, which leave scars and, in some cases, disfigurement.
- Psychological trauma: Not everyone is able to brush off the situation easily. Some bicycle accident victims have serious mental conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.
How Much Is My Bicycle Accident Worth?
The final settlement amount depends on a variety of conditions. Although there isn’t a special formula to use for precise calculations, an expert bicycle accident lawyer usually bases their claim estimations on the following contributing factors:
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The severity of sustained injuries
Although minor injuries can and should be rightfully compensated, the more serious the traumas a cyclist sustains in an accident, the higher the settlement will be. All due to the costly treatments, potential implications, and long-term effects of the most severe of the injuries.
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Shared liability
Some bicycle accident cases feature more than a single at-fault party. If a cyclist contributes to an incident, the amount of their reimbursement will be decreased based on how guilty they are. Experienced Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyers will help you obtain the maximum compensation available under the given circumstances.
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Insurance coverage
Although most insurance companies offer different policies, not all motor vehicle drivers sign up for the optimal coverage. Sometimes, the insurance company may be unable to provide sufficient funds to cover all the losses. However, that does not necessarily mean that you will have to deal with all the costs out of your pocket.
Main Types of Damages to Recover After a Las Vegas Bicycle Accident
Any bike accident is a source of varying damages and losses that the at-fault party has to cover to help the victim get back on their feet and rebuild their lives. These types of damages are usually divided into economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. The last category is the rarest and is applied in the most severe cases.
Usually, you can count on recovering the following damages:
- Medical bills: All the past and future medical treatment costs up to full financial compensation. Your hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, prescriptions, assigned medical care, and other medical bills fall under the category of mandatory monetary settlements.
- Loss of income: If you are staying off work due to the injury, it does not mean that you lose the available income. The liable party or their insurance company will pay the lost wages while you recover from the accident.
- Property damage: Any personal item that gets damaged in the crash must be reimbursed. Whether these are the repair costs or complete replacement, a qualified bicycle accident attorney will help you recover those.
- Emotional distress: On top of the monetary expenses, an injured party can also claim non-monetary losses. If you have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, anxiety, or any other mental health condition, you have a right to settle these damages in full.
Our Recent Case Settlements
Who Is Liable for a Bicycle Accident in Las Vegas?
Finding a responsible party is critical to receiving proper reimbursement for your losses. Although every personal injury claim is different, you can hold a few parties accountable for the incident. They are the following:
- Driver: A motor vehicle driver is one of the most apparent liable parties. If the operator was speeding, ignoring traffic rules, or was respectful on the road, they will have to cover all the losses listed by the victim.
- Property owner: If the accident took place on someone’s property and the driving conditions, such as uneven pavement or lack of properly maintained lanes, caused the collision, they may be deemed responsible for the inflicted damages.
- Vehicle manufacturer: Once a bicycle malfunctions, for instance, the brakes don’t work well, and it is proved to be a manufacturing error, the manufacturer will be a liable party in the incident.
- Pedestrians: Pedestrians have the right of way, which cyclists must abide by. However, in some cases, a person may jump in front of the bike and initiate a crash. If that is the case, this person will pay for the sustained losses.
- Governmental entity: The municipality that fails to ensure safe driving conditions for all the road users — it does not fix potholes, doesn’t replace faded or broken signs, or ignores debris on the street — can be held accountable.
How Do You Prove Negligence in a Bike Incident?
To secure fair compensation for your damages and losses, you must prove that the other party is fully responsible for the accident and the aftermath it brought. A successful case relies on a few significant pillars; they include but are not limited to the following:
- Duty of care: Every road user has their duty of care. This means that they have to follow traffic rules and regulations to avoid creating dangerous situations and causing harm to anyone.
- Breach of duty: An accident happens when one or more parties break that duty of care. A victim needs to provide solid proof of that breach. Whether the driver was speeding, the pedestrian was crossing in the wrong place, or the municipality didn’t fix the lane — they breached their duty of care.
- Damages: It is not enough to claim sustained damages. You should also gather valid proof of your losses. Police reports, medical records, digital evidence, and other details serve as a palpable confirmation of that.
A professional bike accident lawyer can help you gather, process, and present available documentation to build a solid case.
What if I Contributed to the Bike Accident?
In some cases, the cyclist is one of the contributing parties in an incident. No matter how minor the involvement is, it will be taken into account when ruling the final settlement for the accident. The state of Nevada abides by the modified comparative negligence rule. This means that while a bicyclist can recover their damages, the percentage of fault will be deducted from it.
For instance, if the total worth of the case is $100K, but it has been proven that the biker contributed to the collision because their bicycle wasn’t equipped with proper reflective gear, and they are assigned 20% of the fault, the final settlement will be $80K. The injured party will receive only 80% of the initial claim since their own negligence contributed to the crash.
While it seems like a fair deal in a case like that, it is advised to work with experienced bicycle lawyers to make sure that the percentage is attributed correctly. In some instances, insurance companies try to increase the victim’s involvement to reduce the overall reimbursement amount.
How Can a Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Attorney Help You Settle a Claim?
With a professional bicycle accident by your side, you can count on expert legal guidance and support. However, there are other benefits that a trained legal assistant can introduce to your case. For example:
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Expert evaluation
A qualified legal representative can assess all the aspects of the case, including claim calculations and liability evaluation, to make sure that you receive rightful compensation.
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Professional negotiations
It is rarely a pleasant task to deal with an insurance company. Well-versed attorneys know how to navigate intricate mazes of insurance policies and remain firm when it comes to the final settlement to rule out a potential lowball offer.
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Legal paperwork
Personal injury cases often require a fair share of paperwork to prepare, specific deadlines to stick to, and other legal procedures to comply with. It may be challenging to do on your own if you lack the necessary skill and professional background in the field.
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Litigation support
Sometimes, bike accident claims are rejected or denied for a variety of reasons. Taking the case to court is your best chance to appeal the decision and recover the compensation you deserve. A trained legal advisor will guide you in the right direction should it come to that point.
What Are Cyclists’ Rights in Nevada?
According to Nevada’s statutes, bicyclists have the same rights as motor vehicle drivers. They can share the same lanes, follow the same signs, rules, and regulations, and ride in the same direction as the rest of the traffic.
It isn’t mandatory to wear a helmet after you reach 16 years of age, but it is advised to wear a helmet to ensure personal safety and avoid shared fault accusations. Although cyclists have to stick to the right side of the road if there are no special lanes equipped, other drivers must give them at least three feet of clearance.
Statute of Limitations for Bike Accident Claims in Nevada?
You are advised to file your accident claim as soon as possible. However, according to the personal injury law of Nevada, a plaintiff can file a compensation request within two years from the date of the incident.
Some cases may have a different timeframe based on the underlying conditions. You can get a precise deadline after an initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer. Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group offers a free consultation anyone can use to figure out where they are standing with their case.
Contact a Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today!
A tragic bicycle incident can put you in a tight position. So, it is vital to have a reliable partner, a field expert, and an understanding friend on your side. Our team works tirelessly to make the streets of our city safer. If you or your loved one have been injured in a bicycle accident, don’t hesitate to contact us! We’ll assess your case, develop a winning strategy, and make sure that your rights are well-defended and just compensation is served on time!
Share the details of your situation with us so we can begin advocating on your behalf. We customize our approach to fit the unique needs of each client.
