Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Bicycle Accident Attorneys Serving Las Vegas & All of Nevada

A bicycle accident lawyer can help if you were injured while riding your bike. Inattentive and aggressive motorists, poorly maintained roads, and other factors can make cycling extremely dangerous. Burg Simpson can help you pursue compensation for a bicycle accident that was not your fault.

Our Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyers have extensive experience representing people in all types of motor vehicle accidents. We have recovered more than $2 billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients.

For a FREE and confidential case evaluation with a knowledgeable bicycle accident lawyer, call 702-668-2070 today. Burg Simpson serves clients throughout the Las Vegas area, all of Nevada, and nationwide.

What Are the Most Common Bike Accident Injuries?

Cyclists often suffer severe, life-altering injuries in accidents with motor vehicles—even if they are wearing a helmet. These injuries can result in significant emergency room and hospital bills, require lengthy physical therapy, and have a significant impact on the ability to work (not to mention the physical and psychological impacts).

Some of the most common injuries sustained by cyclists in bicycle accidents include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Head and Facial Injuries
• Bone Fractures
• Neck, Back, and Spinal Cord Injuries
• Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage
• Soft Tissue Damage
• Joint Dislocation
• Nerve Damage
• Road Rash

If someone else was responsible for the accident, you should not have to bear the burdens of these injuries. Attorneys at Burg Simpson dedicate their legal practice to representing those who have been seriously injured through no fault of their own.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

From 2016–2020, the Nevada Department of Transportation recorded a total of 2,301 bicycle crashes. The majority of these crashes (2,088, or 90%) resulted in some form of injury while 34 proved fatal. The majority of these accidents occurred in and around Las Vegas, Henderson, and other parts of Clark County.

The annual Nevada Traffic Safety Crash Facts report provides additional information on where and when fatal bicycle accidents occur:

• 95% of fatal crashes occur in urban areas.
• The most dangerous times to ride a bike are between the hours of 3 p.m.–6 p.m. and 6 p.m.–9 p.m. (roughly corresponding to evening rush hour and the early evening).
• Nearly 60% of fatal bike accidents occurred during the daytime.
• Fridays saw the most fatal bicycle accidents (9), followed by Sunday and Monday (7 fatal crashes each).
• Males accounted for the vast majority of bicycle accident deaths, with men aged 51–55 accounting for nearly one-quarter of fatalities.

More than 60% of Nevada’s fatal crashes involving bicycles occurred on roadways or in intersections (as opposed to bike lanes and marked crosswalks). It is important to consider what role the negligence of a motorist may have played if you were injured or a loved one was tragically killed in a bicycle accident.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?

The most serious instances of injury to a cyclist typically occur as a result of collisions with motor vehicles. Even low-speed crashes can cause catastrophic and even fatal trauma to a bicyclist.

Prompt and thorough investigation is required to determine what caused the accident. A bicycle accident lawyer can investigate on your behalf to establish what happened and who was at fault. The driver of the vehicle may be held liable if any of the following led to the accident:

• Distracted driving
• Excess speed
  – Drivers face additional penalties if their speeding is the “proximate cause” of a collision with a bicyclist; see Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 484B.600
• Failure to yield the right of way
  – See NRS 484B.270
• Errors in overtaking or passing a cyclist
• Running a stop sign or red light
• Failure to check blind spots
• Unsafe lane changes and turns
• Following too closely
• Reckless driving
• Drunk driving
• Opening the door of a vehicle into the path of a bicyclist

A bicycle accident attorney will gather all available evidence. If it is determined that the driver of the car, truck, or other vehicle was at fault, your lawyer can prepare a strong case and pursue the compensation you deserve.

What Else Can Cause a Bicycle Accident?

Car-bicycle collisions tend to be the most serious, but they are not the only factors that can lead to a bicycle accident. Other potential causes include:

• Dangerous road conditions (i.e., broken asphalt, loose gravel, objects in the roadway, etc.)
• Poorly designed roads and bicycle lanes (i.e., inadequate signage, roads and intersections with insufficient accommodation for cyclists, etc.)
• Defective bike and vehicle components

Our bicycle accident lawyers can determine all available legal options for injuries sustained as a result of these and other factors. For example, legal action may be brought against a government agency for accidents caused by unsafe roads, while the manufacturer of a product may be held liable for defects.

What Can Bicyclists Do to Avoid Accidents?

Although a careless driver or other negligent party may be at fault for a bicycle accident, cyclists are also responsible for following the rules of the road. Laws governing the operation of bicycles in Nevada can be found in NRS 484B.760–484B.790.

Some of the most important regulations bicyclists need to follow to avoid accidents include:

• Obey all applicable traffic laws.
• Make appropriate hand and arm signals when turning or otherwise deviating from a direct course.
• Ride aside the bicycle (i.e., only on the seat with a leg on each side).
• Whenever possible, ride “as near to the right side of the road as practicable.”
• Cyclists may not ride more than two abreast (except in designated bike lanes).
• Attaching or holding onto a vehicle when cycling is prohibited.
• Never carry more passengers than the bike is designed to hold.
• One hand must be kept on the handlebars when carrying items.
• Bicycles must be equipped with a front lamp, rear reflector, and reflective material on both sides in accordance with NRS 484B.783.
• All bikes must be outfitted with a brake.

Just like motorists, cyclists should also avoid distractions (such as texting, talking on the phone, etc.), riding a bike under the influence, and other unsafe behaviors. Failure to follow the rules can lead to a bicycle accident for which the rider may be at fault.

What If I Was Partly At Fault for the Accident?

Both the driver and the cyclist may be at fault for a bicycle accident. As long as your share of fault does not exceed that of the driver, you can still recover damages; however, the amount of recovery will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you.

Do not hesitate to seek legal counsel as soon as possible if you are blamed for a bicycle accident. You may still be entitled to compensation, and allegations of fault may even be disputed.

What If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?

Unlike many states, Nevada does not have a compulsory helmet law. Regardless of age, cyclists can legally ride a bike without wearing a helmet; however, choosing not to wear a helmet can have devastating consequences.

Helmets prevent nearly 90% of serious brain injuries in bicycle accidents. Insurance companies may also cite the failure to wear a helmet as a reason for limiting or denying compensation.

It is important to know your rights as a cyclist. At the same time, it is crucial to take steps to protect yourself in the event of an accident. Wearing a helmet is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of serious harm.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

Being involved in a bicycle accident can be a distressing and disorienting event. While your safety and well-being should be your top priorities, it is also important to protect your legal rights.

Key steps to take after a bicycle accident include:

1. Check Yourself for Injuries

If you are seriously injured, avoid moving unless it is absolutely necessary. Otherwise, move to a safe location if you can. Getting out of the way of traffic can prevent further injuries.

2. Call for Help

Nevada law requires that accidents resulting in bodily injury or death be reported to the police. Dial 911 or have the driver or another bystander make the call if you cannot.

3. Exchange Information

Get the following information from any drivers involved in the bicycle accident:

• Names and contact details
• Driver’s license numbers
• Year, make, and model of the vehicle
• License plate number
• Insurance information

4. Document the Accident

Take photos of the accident scene, including the position of your bicycle relative to any other vehicles, road conditions, and any relevant signage or signals. You should also photograph any visible injuries, damage to property, and debris from the accident.

5. Speak to Witnesses

If there are witnesses present, ask them what they saw. You will also need their contact information in case eyewitness testimony is needed for your bicycle accident claim.

6. Provide a Statement to Law Enforcement

When a police officer arrives on the scene, provide them with accurate and concise information about what happened. Do not say anything to suggest you were at fault or speculate about the cause of the accident.

7. Seek Medical Attention

Paramedics will evaluate your injuries at the scene. You may be treated and released, or you may need to be taken to the emergency room.

Even if your injuries seem minor, you should get medical care as soon as possible. Some injuries (such as trauma to the brain) may not be immediately apparent but can worsen over time.

8. Preserve Any Evidence

In addition to photographs, you should keep any physical evidence related to the accident (such as your bicycle and the clothing you were wearing at the time of the collision). You will also need to organize bills, receipts, and other documents.

9. Avoid Mistakes

The driver’s insurance company may contact you in an effort to settle a potential claim. Be cautious when interacting with insurance adjusters, as the company’s interests do not align with yours. You should not:

• Share any information other than basic, factual details
• Downplay your injuries
• Admit fault or suggest that you were responsible
• Give consent for the insurance company to access your medical records
• Agree to a settlement

10. Consult a Lawyer ASAP

The best way to protect your rights after a bike accident is to seek legal counsel right away. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer at Burg Simpson can fully assess your case and help you seek compensation for your injuries.

Reach Out to Our Firm for FREE Today

What Damages Can I Recover for a Bicycle Accident?

Damages are the losses you sustain as a result of someone else’s negligence. Many bike accident victims are unaware of the full extent of damages they may be entitled to recover, which is why it is so important to speak to a Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyer about your case.

For more than 45 years, Burg Simpson has been a leader in personal injury law. Our attorneys seek to maximize compensation for each client based on their current losses and future needs. You may be entitled to recovery of the following:

• Current and future medical expenses
• The cost of assistive devices, household and vehicle modifications, etc.
• Medical-related travel expenses
• Lost wages
• Damage to personal property
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Mental and emotional anguish
• Permanent disability
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Embarrassment and shame
• Loss of the enjoyment of life

Insurance companies generally offer much less than a claim is worth. A bicycle accident attorney can assess the offer and negotiate for more. If necessary, our lawyers can file a lawsuit, prepare for trial, and represent you in court if that is the best option for obtaining fair compensation.

How Long Do I Have to Sue After a Bicycle Accident?

The statute of limitations in Nevada for a bike accident claim is generally 2 years from the date of the crash. If you wait longer than 2 years, you will likely forfeit the right to pursue damages for injury or the wrongful death of a loved one.

Bicycle accidents are traumatic. If you sustained serious injuries or a member of your family tragically passed away, filing a claim may be the last thing on your mind. Entrusting your case to an experienced bicycle accident attorney is the best step you can take. Retaining legal counsel enables you and your family to focus on healing while your lawyer ensures that all deadlines are met and your rights and interests are preserved at all times.

Contact a Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

Many people ride bikes for fun, to get some exercise, or as part of their daily commute. Unfortunately, careless drivers, hazardous roads, and other dangers can lead to accidents resulting in catastrophic injuries and even fatalities.

At Burg Simpson, we recognize how vulnerable cyclists are in the event of an accident. Our bicycle accident lawyers have the experience, knowledge, and resources to fight for a favorable outcome in your case and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries and damages.

Have you been injured in a bicycle accident in Las Vegas? Call Burg Simpson at 702-668-2070 for a FREE and confidential case evaluation.