Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Lawyer Explains
Protecting cyclists' rights
Las Vegas is working hard to become a bicycle-friendly city. You can see more and more bike lanes on Las Vegas roads, and more people bike to work. However, bicycle accidents happen.
If your bicycle accident resulted in a severe injury, call us at 702-432-1000 and ask to speak with a bicycle accident lawyer.
We don't charge for the consultation.
Causes of bicycle accidents
Motorist negligence and defective bikes cause most bicycle accidents in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Other causes may include:
- Potholes and roadways that need repair
- Poorly maintained sidewalks
- Unclear bicycle lanes
- Collisions with a fixed object
- Stray pets
- Speeding
Where do bicycle accidents happen in Las Vegas?
Commonly, bicycle accidents happen at a road intersection when the driver either didn't pay attention while driving past a bicyclist or the driver was turning directly in front of a bicyclist.
Negligence
If negligence caused a bicycle accident, the injured cyclist has the right to seek compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses,
- Lost income,
- Property damage, and
- Pain and suffering.
Bicycle laws in Nevada
In Nevada, bicycles are subject to many of the same rules of the road as motor vehicles. NRS 484B.760 through 84B.783 regulate bicycles' operation, maintenance, and safety standards.
Bicycle accident claims
For insurance purposes, collisions between bicyclists and any motor vehicle are "auto accidents."
Types of motor vehicles involved in a bicycle accident
A motor vehicle involved in a collision could be:
- A private car
- A truck
- An Uber car
- A Lyft car
- A taxi cab
- A food delivery vehicle (e.g., UberEats or pizza delivery)
Besides, the gig economy created many new services that use bikes to deliver food and packages. With many more bicyclists on the roadways in Las Vegas, the chances of a collision with a distracted motorist have significantly increased.
Who is liable?
Bicycle accidents can be very complicated. To find the best solution for your case so that you can receive compensation for your medical bills and other damages, the bicycle accident lawyer has to look into the facts surrounding your accident, the severity of the injuries, and the at-fault party policy limit.
Uber. If an Uber vehicle was at fault and the driver was 'on the job' — carrying a passenger or en route to pick one up—the victim's attorney would file a claim against Uber's insurance. The same principle applies to bicycle accidents involving Lyft drivers or taxi collisions.
Food Deliveries. If the food delivery vehicle were at fault and caused the bicycle accident, the attorney for the victim would file a liability claim against the business that employed the driver and against their business insurance.
Private Cars. When a bicyclist gets into a collision with a private car, and the driver of that car is at fault, the attorney for the victim would file a liability claim against that driver's car insurance.
If you are a bicyclist who got hurt in an accident in Las Vegas, Nevada, and you want to know if you have a legal claim, call us at 702-432-1000 and ask to speak with a bicycle accident lawyer.
The gig economy and food/package deliveries
The same rules apply to any other motor vehicle accident when a food delivery bike or package delivery bike gets into an accident. The bicycle accident lawyer looks into the facts to determine if the driver's negligence caused an accident and files the claim against their insurance.
When the at-fault driver is uninsured or an underinsured motorist, the attorney could file a claim against the business insurance of the food delivery company. Some exceptions may apply.
Call us, and a bicycle accident lawyer will explain how the liability law works in your case.
Should the cost of a destroyed bike be reimbursed?
Yes. Many insurance companies are surprised when a bicycle accident lawyer includes the cost of the destroyed bike in a reimbursement claim - and even more surprised by how expensive some bicycles can be. However, the fact remains that the at-fault party is responsible for covering the cost of a destroyed bike.
Children and bicycle accidents
The law recognizes that children lack the fully developed judgment and risk awareness that adults possess. As a result, the standard of care expected of an adult cannot be applied to young children.
However, the law places a heightened responsibility on adults driving near children on bicycles. Motorists must exercise extra caution and vigilance when driving in family neighborhoods, near schools, or around parks. Speeding in these areas significantly increases the risk of collisions with children on bicycles and is regarded very harshly under Nevada law.
Statute of limitations
The statute of limitations for all personal injury claims in Nevada is two (2) years. Most bicycle accidents fall into this category. The statute of limitations law can change for a child injured on a bicycle.
If you were partially at fault
Nevada recognizes the modified comparative negligence rule, which means - the plaintiff can collect compensation from all other at-fault parties if the plaintiff was less than 51% responsible for the accident.
In other words, if most of the accident is not your fault, you can sue for damages.
Your social media postings
If you got injured in a bicycle accident, don't publish the images of your accident injuries on Strava, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Not only will your friends and family members read your posts, but the adjusters and private investigators for the insurance company will also read them. They will compare what you tell your friends about your injury with what your bicycle accident lawyer tells the insurance company.
Bear in mind even if you delete your posts on social media, the insurance company can still subpoena the content of your social media account and use your deleted posts, comments, images, and videos as evidence during the trial.
So, when you are in a lawsuit or expect to file one, we recommend you stop posting anything related to your accident on social media.
You can settle your bicycle accident claim once
The bicycle accident lawyer can submit your claim to the insurance company only once, and then - the case is closed. This is why we advise our clients to take all doctors' recommendations seriously and continue the treatment until the doctor releases them. Only a medical doctor will know how much medical treatment is enough.
Bicycle accident settlement
After a bicycle accident, the compensation amount depends on the facts of your specific accident, how severe the injuries appear, and the policy limits you are filing your liability claim against. This is why having a very efficient and skilled bicycle accident lawyer to represent you is so important.
Our no-fee promise
We take all bicycle accidents on a contingency basis. It means that you don't have to pay a penny unless we settle your case or win your lawsuit at trial.
To speak with a bicycle accident lawyer, call us at 702-432-1000.
We serve clients in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, North Las Vegas, and the surrounding area of Nevada.
Last updated on January 3, 2025.
