Bicycle Accident Injury Attorneys in Las Vegas

Bicycle Accident Attorney in Las Vegas

Bicycle accidents can lead to severe injuries, and unfortunately, in some cases, they can even be fatal. The nature of cycling exposes riders to significant risks on the road, making it essential to understand the potential consequences of these incidents.

Consequences of Bicycle Accidents

There are different types of injuries you can suffer from a bicycle accident, some of these include:

• Broken bones and fractures
• Traumatic brain injury
• Head injuries
• Hearing loss
• Vision loss
• Concussions
• Neck injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Paralysis
• Back injury
• Joint injuries
• Amputation
• Nerve damage
• Burn injury
• Torn ligaments
• Hip fractures

According to a Highway safety study, 45% of bicycle accident fatalities occurred when a motor vehicle was traveling in the same direction as the bicyclist, and 40% occurred when a car rear-ended a bicyclist.

How to Prove Your Claim in Nevada: A Comprehensive Guide

When pursuing a personal injury claim in Nevada, understanding the legal basis for liability is crucial. Most personal injury cases hinge on the concept of negligence. To successfully secure compensation, you must establish four key elements.

1. Establishing Duty of Care

The first element you need to prove is that the driver had a duty to drive safely. This means they were obligated to operate their vehicle in a manner that would not create an unreasonable risk of harm to others on the road.

2. Breach of Duty

Next, you must demonstrate that the driver breached this duty. This breach can occur through careless or reckless actions, such as speeding, driving under the influence, or ignoring traffic signals.

3. Causation

The third element involves showing that the driver’s breach of duty directly resulted in your injuries. This means that you need to establish a clear link between the negligent behavior and the accident that caused your harm.

4. Demonstrating Damages

Finally, you need to prove that you suffered physical, emotional, and financial losses due to your injuries. This can include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Collecting documentation and evidence is essential in substantiating your claims.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Nevada

Bicycle accidents can have serious consequences, and understanding their causes is essential for both cyclists and drivers. According to the Nevada Department of Transportation, improper crossing is the most frequent reason for these accidents. This term refers to situations where a bicyclist fails to adhere to standard safety protocols while navigating across a lane or intersection.

Key Causes of Bicycle Accidents

1. Improper Crossing: Cyclists must be vigilant when crossing intersections. Neglecting safety measures not only endangers themselves but also other road users.
2. Failure to Yield: This occurs when either a driver or a bicyclist fails to allow the other party to pass. Both parties must be aware of their surroundings to prevent collisions.
3. Right-Hand Turn Collisions: A typical scenario involves a bicyclist being struck by a motor vehicle while it is making a right-hand turn. Drivers often overlook cyclists sharing the road, which can lead to severe injuries. In such cases, drivers may be held liable for any harm caused.
4. Left-Hand Turn Collisions: Similar to right-hand turns, left-hand turn accidents can also involve cyclists whom the driver does not see.
5. Dooring Incidents: This occurs when a driver or passenger opens a vehicle door into the path of an approaching cyclist, leading to potentially dangerous situations.
6. Rear-End Collisions: Cyclists are at risk of being rear-ended by vehicles that are not maintaining a safe following distance.

Examples of Negligence That Cause Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents can often be attributed to negligence on the part of drivers, cyclists, or road conditions. Understanding these negligent actions can help promote safer riding environments and raise awareness among all road users. Here are some common examples:

Distracted Driving

One of the leading causes of bicycle accidents is distracted driving. This includes activities such as texting, using cellphones, or engaging with other electronic devices while behind the wheel. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlights that distractions significantly increase the likelihood of accidents. For more information, you can check out KTLA.

Driving Under the Influence

Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs is another severe form of negligence. Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and poor judgment, which can lead to devastating accidents. According to data from the CDC, nearly 29 people in the U.S. die every day in motor vehicle crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. Speeding and Unsafe Driving Conditions

By being aware of these negligent actions and understanding how to mitigate them, we can work towards safer streets for cyclists everywhere.

Steps to Follow After a Bicycle Accident

There are certain things that you can do after being involved in a bicycle accident, some of these include:

• Seek medical attention, even if you think you are not severely injured; a medical professional should still assess you.
• Report the accident to the police. Call the police even if the accident was minor; a police report can help you prove your claim in case you end up filing a lawsuit.
• Obtain evidence, if your injuries allow you, take pictures of the scene, and the injuries you suffered.
• Do not make statements like apologizing to others, or post photos about your accident on social media.
• Contact an experienced lawyer.

Compensation for Injuries Due to Bicycle Accidents

The damages for which you can obtain compensation fall into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages:

These damages are secured to offset the financial costs and losses associated with the accident.

• Future and past medical expenses
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
• Lost wages and income
• Lost benefits
• Nursing assistance or care
• Property damage

Non-economic damages:

These damages are awarded to compensate victims for the losses that are harder to value associated with the accident, such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Depression and anxiety
• Disfigurement
• Reduced quality of life
• Loss of consortium

Tips for Bicyclists to Prevent Accidents

Bicyclists can take specific steps to stay safe and prevent collisions with motor vehicles, such as:

• Respect traffic signs.
• Use hand signals when stopping or turning.
• Maintain a minimum of three feet from parked cars.
• Avoid riding in a driver’s blind spot.
• Wear protective gear.
• Always remain alert and listen for cars approaching from the rear and sides.

Responsibility for Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

There can be more than one party responsible for your injuries in your bicycle accident, some of them are:

• Drivers: all drivers have a duty of care to follow and be alert to their surroundings. 
• Pedestrians: Sometimes, people can be distracted while crossing streets and end up stepping directly into the path of a bicycle or another moving vehicle.
• Parking lot facilities: Property owners are required to keep their land safe and well-maintained; otherwise, they may be held accountable for injuries sustained in their facilities.

How Can Our Experienced Lawyers Help You?

While you focus on medical treatment, a bicycle accident attorney can help you:

• Investigating the scene. An attorney can send investigators to the location to collect evidence you may have missed.
• Gathering evidence. An attorney can help collect evidence while you recover from your injuries.
• Filing legal paperwork. A personal injury attorney will file legal paperwork to move your claim forward.
• Conducting eyewitness depositions. Your attorney can depose witnesses to compile critical accounts of what happened.
• Calculating an approximate settlement. Your bicycle accident attorney will estimate the damages for which you deserve to be compensated.
• Negotiating with insurance companies. Your Las Vegas bicycle accident attorney will deal with insurance companies on your behalf.
• Filing a lawsuit. 
• Representing you at trial.

Do I Have a Time Limit to Present My Claim?

In Nevada, as in other states, there is a statute of limitations, which is the time limit for presenting your claim. For a personal injury claim, you must file the lawsuit within two years; otherwise, your claim will be barred from proceeding. The time starts from the date of your accident. There are some exceptions that an attorney can explain if they are applicable.