Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Lawyer Explains
Bicycle accident injuries
Las Vegas is working hard on becoming 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 a 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 and duty of care
If the cyclist accident was caused by the negligence of others and could have been prevented, the injured cyclist is entitled to collect damages to cover: a) past and future medical bills, b) lost earnings, c) property damages, and, d) 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.
If an Uber vehicle was at fault and if the Uber driver were "on the job" (had a passenger in a car or was on the way to pick up a passenger), the attorney for the victim would file a claim against Uber insurance. The same rule applies to bicycle accidents involving Lyft drivers or bicycle collisions with a taxi.
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.
When a bicyclist gets into a collision with a private car and the driver of that car is at fault, the attorney 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.
Food delivery bikes
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 the 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 law of liability works in your case.
Property damages after a bicycle accident in Las Vegas
Most insurance companies will be surprised to see that a bicycle accident lawyer has included the destroyed bike's price in the reimbursement claim. Even more, it is surprised by the price of a bicycle. But truth be told - some bikes are very expensive and the at-fault party should pay for a destroyed bicycle.
Children and bicycle accidents
In general, the law assumes that children do not have the same well-formed judgment as adults do.
The standard of care that is expected of an adult cannot be applied to young children because children do not understand the risks the way adults do.
But the law places a high burden on adults who are driving their vehicles around children on bikes. A motorist should always be extra careful and vigilant when driving through a family neighborhood or nearby a school or park. Speeding in these areas increases the chances of a collision with a child on a bicycle and is viewed 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, as long as a majority 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 it. 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 a lawsuit, we recommend that 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 very seriously and continue with the treatment until the doctor releases you. 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 it is so important to have a very efficient and skilled bicycle accident lawyer to represent you.
Our no-fee promise
We take all bicycle accidents on a contingency basis. This 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 30, 2024.
