Bicycle Accident Injury Attorneys in Las Vegas

Bicycle Accident Injury Attorney in Las Vegas

The injuries that can result from a bicycle accident can be very severe and even fatal because of the exposure bicycle riders have. Riders who are children, young teenagers, or middle-aged account for most fatalities. Also, it has been noticed that male cyclists are more likely to die from bicycle accidents.

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 accidents 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

In many personal injury cases, the legal basis for liability is negligence. To succeed in a claim for compensation, it is required that you prove four elements:

• The driver had a duty to drive safely, to not cause an unreasonable risk to harm others.
• That person breached the duty through careless or reckless actions.
• Because of that person not fulfilling this duty, it resulted in the injuries.
• You suffered physical, emotional, and financial losses due to your injuries.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Las Vegas

According to the Nevada Department of Transportation the most frequent element for a bicycle accident to occur is improper crossing, which refers to when a bicyclist does not maintain standard safety protocols when riding across a lane or intersection. Another common cause is failure to yield and that can occur when either the driver or bicyclist neglects to let the other pass. Other common causes include:

• A bicyclist hit by a motor vehicle making a right-hand turn. This happens when the driver doesn’t check or acknowledge that a bicyclist is sharing the road. These drivers can be held liable if they cause harm to the bicyclist.
• A bicyclist struck by a vehicle making a left-hand turn.
• A bicyclist hit by a vehicle door.
• A bicyclist gets rear-ended.

Examples of Negligence that Cause Bicycle Accidents

Some of the negligent actions that can lead to a bicycle accident include:

• Distracted driving, like the use of cellphones or other electronic devices.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Speeding, which also includes driving too fast for road conditions, which can make the driver not be capable of reacting on time to curves or road hazards.
• Failure to follow state or local traffic safety laws.
• Defective vehicles or bicycles
• Hazardous or defective road conditions
• Riding in hazardous weather conditions

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 badly injured, you should still be checked out by a medical professional.
• 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 in two categories such as: 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 certain steps to stay safe and prevent collisions with motor vehicles, some of them are:

• 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 protection 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 they can 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 can be held accountable for injuries suffered in their facilities.
• Government entities

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 attorney will calculate the damages for which you deserve to be compensated.
• Negotiating with insurance companies. Your Las Vegas bicycle accident attorney will negotiate 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 like in other states there is a statute of limitations, which is the time limit you have to present your claim, for a personal injury claim you must file the lawsuit within two years, or your claim will be barred. The time starts from the date of your accident. There are some exceptions which can be explained by an attorney if they are applicable.