Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Vehicle-bike collisions in Las Vegas, NV, may lead to serious injuries and significant emotional distress for bicyclists. In addition to physical recovery, cyclists often find themselves facing the daunting task of dealing with difficult insurance companies. Navigating the claims process may be challenging, as insurers may attempt to downplay the severity of bicycle-related injuries or shift blame onto the bicyclist. Understanding your rights as an injured party is important to ensure that you receive the support and guidance you need during this difficult time.

Before accepting a settlement offer from the insurance company for a cycling crash, consult with a skilled Las Vegas bicycle accident attorney today.

How Common are Cycling Crashes?

Bike collisions remain a serious issue in the United States, and Las Vegas is no exception.

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 130,000 bicyclists sustain injuries and almost 1,000 are killed in bicycle accidents each year.
• There is a higher incidence of cycling-related fatalities between the months of June through September, based on a 2022 report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• Crash data provided by the Nevada Department of Transportation (DOT) for 2020 indicated that there was a total of 287 bike collisions that year, 5 of which were fatal.

What are the Common Injuries in a Bike Collision?

Some of the most commonly seen injuries in cycling crashes include:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal trauma
• Broken bones
• Head trauma
• Road rash

Factors Influencing Bicycle-Related Injuries

In a 2023 published study by Yeung, et. al., researchers evaluated the charts of 313 patients presenting with bicycle accident-related injuries at a Boston-based level 1 trauma center. Of the chart review, environmental and road conditions during the incident, safety practices, and crash-related factors were studied. The results suggested that the most common bicycle-related injury was extremity trauma with 42 percent followed by head trauma with 13 percent.

How Do Most Accidents Occur Involving Cars and Cyclists?

A car versus bicycle collision may occur from a wide array of causes, including:

• Dooring: If motorists or passengers of motor vehicles open their doors without checking for oncoming bicyclists, a serious crash may occur.
• Distracted Driving: Drivers who are distracted by adjusting the stereo, talking on the cell phone, or texting may not spot bicyclists on the road, leading to crashes.
• Failure to Yield: Drivers who fail to yield the right of way to bicyclists when entering traffic, turning, or merging may cause bike crashes.
• Speeding: When a driver is traveling at an excessive speed, it may decrease their ability to stop in time to avoid accidents, especially when passing or at intersections.
• Insufficient Infrastructure: Lack of signage, poorly designed or maintained roads, and insufficient designated bicycle lanes may cause or contribute to crashes involving motor vehicles and cyclists.
• Impaired Driving: Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol may have impaired judgment and reduced reaction times which may increase the risk of a crash with a cyclist.

Compensation in a Cycling Crash Case

An injured bicyclist may file a personal injury claim against the insurer of the motorist who crashed into them. These cases often seek reimbursement for economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Past and future medical bills
• Wage loss and diminished earning potential
• Emotional suffering and physical pain
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Costs of bike repair or replacement

Since insurance carriers are known for making lowball settlement offers, it may be a good idea to contact a knowledgeable Las Vegas bicycle accident attorney who can explore all available options for recovering full compensation for your losses.

What if a Bicyclist is Killed in a Collision?

If a bicyclist is killed in a vehicular crash through no fault of their own, then the surviving family members of the decedent may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. The burden of proof is on survivors to establish negligence and damages through clear and compelling evidence. In other words, case evidence must prove that the loss of life occurred because of the cycling crash and not from another cause. For more details, contact an experienced bike accident attorney near you.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Vehicle-Bicycle Accident?

After a bike collision in Las Vegas, it is crucial to determine who was responsible for the incident. An experienced bicycle accident attorney can help and support you at every step of the process. Your injury lawyer will conduct an independent investigation to identify one or more at-fault parties in your case, including:

• Employer: An employer may be held liable for an incident caused by the actions of an employee. The case evidence must prove that the employee was within the employer’s control and the employee was within their scope of employment. Examples of potential claims against employers in cycling crash cases include hiring inexperienced, unlicensed, or unqualified drivers.
• Negligent Driver: Most bicycle accident cases are the result of driver negligence. Motorists owe a duty of care to others, including bicyclists, when using the state’s public roads. A driver may be held liable for a bike collision for reasons such as speeding, failure to yield the right of way, reckless driving, and texting and driving.
• Bike Manufacturer: When an in-depth investigation reveals that a bike has faulty equipment and those defective parts caused an injury or other loss, the bicycle manufacturer may be held liable for damages through a product liability case. In these matters, the bike must be kept and preserved in its original condition following a crash for an injury attorney to examine with their team of experts.
• Government Entity: When a cycling crash occurs because of a poorly designed or maintained public roadway, the injured bicyclist may have a potential claim against the government entity. In these cases, a notice of claim must be filed with the appropriate public agency within 180 days of the incident date.  
• Construction Company:  If a cycling crash occurred in a construction zone, the construction company may be held liable if dangerous conditions in the road caused or contributed to the incident. This may include construction debris, lack of proper signage, and maintaining the area in a reasonably safe condition.

At Southwest Injury Law, we have a track record of success and are available to assist you by reviewing your case in a free consultation. Get started today by contacting our Las Vegas office or message us online.

Does Auto Insurance Cover Bicyclists in Hit-and-Runs?

There are often options for seeking compensation after a hit-and-run bicycle accident. For instance, if a bicyclist has auto insurance or a member in their household has uninsured motorist coverage, the protection may extend to them in their hit-and-run case. For more details, contact an experienced bicycle accident attorney serving Las Vegas and surrounding areas.

How a Las Vegas Bike Accident Attorney Can Help You

After a cycling crash, seeking help is important, especially when traumatic injuries are involved. Once medical attention has been sought, get in touch with an experienced attorney near you. When you retain legal counsel, you can count on your lawyer to:

• Review the Facts: An attorney will evaluate the facts and circumstances of the case, including evidence such as police reports, eyewitness statements, video surveillance footage, photos of the crash site, and medical records. This serves to prove liability in the bike collision case.
• Identify Sources of Compensation: A lawyer will determine all available avenues for financial recovery after a cycling crash, including bodily injury liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and more.
• Handle Negotiations: A lawsuit will be filed in civil court to protect the statute of limitations and proceed with litigation if a settlement agreement cannot be reached between the motorist and all responsible insurers.  
• Work With Expert Witnesses: An attorney may call on an expert witness, such as a crash reconstruction specialist or a medical expert, to provide testimony in support of the bicycle accident case.

How Our Personal Injury Law Firm Supports the Cycling Community

Owner and attorney at Southwest Injury Law, Luis Ayon, Esq., is an avid cyclist who proudly sponsors the Bicycle Haüs Racing Team. He is familiar with the many dangers that cyclists may face while riding in Vegas. Our service area does not stop just at LV, our legal team represents clients in bicycle accident cases throughout the state of Nevada. Call us or submit an online contact form for a free case evaluation today. We are here to help you and your family through this difficult time.

Contact a Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

Work with a skilled Las Vegas bicycle accident attorney who has your best interests at heart. Schedule a free consultation today at (702) 600-3200. We proudly serve residents in Clark County and throughout Nevada. We take personal injury cases on a contingent fee basis which means that we will not get paid unless we successfully resolve your claim.