Las Vegas presents unique risks for cyclists with its heavy tourist traffic, drivers unfamiliar with local roads, and mix of pedestrians and vehicles. If you’ve been injured in an accident, understanding your legal options and when to contact a Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyer could be the key to getting back on your feet.
Why You Should Hire a Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you’ve been hit by a vehicle while cycling, you should hire an attorney when your injuries require medical treatment, when you’ve missed work, or when the other driver’s insurance company is giving you the runaround. A bicycle accident law firm handles everything from investigating your crash to negotiating with insurance companies, so you can focus on healing. They will:
- Gather evidence including traffic camera footage, witness statements, and accident reports.
- Work with medical experts to document your injuries.
- Calculate all your damages (current and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering).
- Handle all communication with insurance adjusters.
- Fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
The good news? You don’t need money upfront to hire a quality bicycle accident lawyer in Las Vegas. Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency fees, which means they only get paid if they win your case. Their payment comes as a percentage of your settlement. This means you can get legal help regardless of your financial situation.
Common Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries
To bring a bicycle accident lawsuit, you must have suffered actual damages. Because cyclists have so little protection compared to vehicle occupants, bike accidents often result in serious injuries. Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyers commonly see the following injuries.
Bruises and Cuts
Cyclists often suffer road rash, bruising, and lacerations. While these might seem minor, severe cases can lead to infection, scarring, and big medical expenses. Road rash can be especially painful when gravel and debris become embedded in the skin and can even require surgical cleaning. Keeping wounds clean and preventing infection after a bicycle accident in Las Vegas is essential.
Sprains and Torn Ligaments
The impact of a bike accident can strain or tear ligaments in your knees, ankles, wrists, and shoulders. For example, many cyclists experience rotator cuff tears when they extend their arms to break their fall, potentially requiring surgical repair. Soft tissue injuries can take months to heal and often need physical therapy. Even after healing, they can leave you with chronic pain and limited range of motion.
Broken Bones
Cyclists frequently suffer fractures to arms, legs, ribs, collarbones, and hips. Complex breaks might need surgery and metal hardware to repair, leading to lengthy recovery periods. Collarbone fractures are especially common and can take months to heal properly. In severe crashes on busy Las Vegas streets, cyclists may experience multiple fractures that require extensive rehabilitation and possibly permanent hardware implantation.
Back Injuries
Back pain after a bicycle accident can be caused by everything from herniated discs to spinal cord damage. These injuries can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and even paralysis, and they often don’t fully come to light until days after an accident. Las Vegas cyclists who sustain back injuries frequently require ongoing pain management, steroid injections, or even spinal fusion surgery. This is why every bicycle accident attorney in Las Vegas will tell you to see a medical professional immediately, even if you don’t have symptoms.
Brain Injuries
Even with a helmet, cyclists can sustain concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) when their heads hit the pavement or a vehicle. The high speeds of vehicles on Las Vegas thoroughfares like Charleston Boulevard or Flamingo Road increase the risk of severe brain trauma, which can affect your thinking, emotions, and basic functions, sometimes permanently. Severe injuries can have a long-term impact on your ability to work, maintain relationships, and enjoy activities you once loved.
Wrongful Death
Sadly, some bicycle accidents are fatal, especially on high-speed roads or at major intersections in Las Vegas where visibility may be compromised. In these heartbreaking cases, the victim’s family may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. Families who lose loved ones in bicycle accidents face not only emotional devastation but also financial hardships. A Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyer can help you recover funeral expenses, lost income, and the permanent absence of your loved one’s support and companionship.
Bicycle Accidents in Las Vegas: Do You Have a Case?
Not every injury leads to a bicycle accident settlement. Sometimes, accidents happen because the cyclist made a mistake or broke Las Vegas bicycle laws. Other times, unavoidable factors like sudden weather conditions play a role.
To bring a successful personal injury claim, you need to prove someone else was negligent, meaning they failed to act as a reasonable person would in similar circumstances. Here are the most common examples of negligence Las Vegas bike accident attorneys see.
Distracted Drivers
Drivers looking at phones, adjusting GPS systems, or focusing on Las Vegas’s bright lights and attractions instead of the road pose serious dangers to cyclists. Las Vegas, with its flashy billboards and constant activity, creates a particularly distracting environment for drivers. Tourists unfamiliar with the area frequently check maps or look at casino landmarks instead of watching for cyclists sharing the road.
Reckless Driving
Speeding, running red lights, and rolling through stop signs are common in Las Vegas, especially around tourist areas. Plus, Las Vegas’s grid layout with long straightaways often encourages drivers to exceed speed limits, giving them less time to spot and avoid cyclists. Incidents of reckless driving tend to increase during major events and conventions when traffic is heavier and drivers may be impatient.
Failing to Yield or Share the Road
Under Las Vegas bicycle laws, cyclists have the same rights to use roadways as motorists. Drivers who fail to give cyclists enough space or don’t yield when required by law can be held responsible for resulting accidents. Nevada law requires drivers to provide at least 3 feet of space when passing cyclists, or to move into the adjacent lane if possible. Many Las Vegas drivers are unaware of these requirements or deliberately ignore them, putting cyclists at risk.
Impaired Driving
With 24-hour access to alcohol at casinos and clubs, Las Vegas sees its share of drunk driving incidents. An intoxicated driver who hits you while you’re cycling can face both criminal charges and civil liability. The prevalence of ride-sharing services makes drunk driving particularly inexcusable in Las Vegas. Impaired drivers have slower reaction times and impaired judgment, making them especially dangerous to vulnerable road users like cyclists.
Dooring
Dooring happens when someone in a parked car opens their door into a cyclist’s path without looking. This is especially common in crowded areas with street parking. Areas near the Las Vegas Strip, downtown, and popular restaurant districts where parking is tight have bigger dooring risks. Even at relatively low speeds, dooring accidents can launch cyclists into traffic or cause them to flip over their handlebars, causing serious injuries.
Defective Bike Parts
Sometimes the accident isn’t caused by a driver but by a faulty bicycle component. Brake failures, handlebar malfunctions, or wheel separations can cause catastrophic accidents without any warning to the rider. In these cases, you might have a product liability claim against the manufacturer or retailer. Many cyclists in Las Vegas also rent bikes from hotels or bike-sharing services, creating additional questions of liability if the bikes haven’t been properly maintained.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Las Vegas
The steps you take immediately after a bicycle accident can make or break your case. Here’s what Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyers recommend you do:
- Ensure your safety first: Move out of traffic if possible. Don’t remove your helmet until medical professionals arrive, as it may be stabilizing your neck.
- Seek medical attention: Even if you feel fine, see a doctor as soon as possible. Some serious injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, might not show symptoms immediately. Plus, medical records create an official link between the accident and your injuries.
- Gather evidence: If you’re able, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, damage to your bike, and the vehicle that hit you. Get contact information from witnesses and the driver’s insurance details. In tourist-heavy areas of Las Vegas, finding witnesses later can be nearly impossible.
- File a police report: Make sure police officers come to the scene and create an official report. This document will be valuable evidence for your claim. Ask how to get a copy of the report when it’s ready.
- Consult with a Las Vegas bicycle accident attorney: Before talking to any insurance companies, speak with an attorney. Insurance adjusters often try to get you to accept quick, lowball settlements before you understand the full extent of your injuries and losses.
Get the Compensation You Deserve with Blackburn Wirth Injury Team
Bicycle accidents in Las Vegas can leave you facing a mountain of challenges during your recovery. From dealing with insurance companies that try to minimize your claim to figuring out how to pay your bills while you’re unable to work, the aftermath of a bike accident can feel overwhelming.
The Blackburn Wirth Injury Team understands what you’re going through. Our experienced Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyers take the time to listen to your story, answer your questions, and keep you updated throughout your case. Unlike big law firms where you might feel like just another case number, we provide personal attention from start to finish. Call Blackburn Wirth today at 702-472-7000 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.
FAQs for Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Who is at fault if a car hits a bicycle?
Fault depends on who was negligent in the specific circumstances of the accident. If the driver was speeding, texting, or violated traffic laws, they would likely be at fault. However, if the cyclist ran a red light or was riding against traffic, they might share some or all of the blame. Nevada follows comparative negligence rules, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault, as long as you weren’t more than 51% responsible.
How is liability determined in a bicycle accident case?
Liability is determined by gathering and analyzing evidence such as police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and accident reconstruction experts’ opinions. Your attorney will work to establish that the driver breached their duty of care by acting negligently and that this negligence directly caused your injuries. Physical evidence from the scene, including skid marks, damage patterns to your bicycle, and the position of vehicles after impact, also helps establish who was at fault.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit?
In Nevada, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit for a bicycle accident. However, this deadline (called the statute of limitations) might be shorter or longer in certain circumstances. Missing the deadline usually means losing your right to seek compensation, which is why it’s so important to consult with a Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
How much does a Las Vegas bike accident attorney cost?
Most Las Vegas bicycle accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and no attorney fees if you don’t win your case. If your case results in a settlement or court award, your attorney receives a percentage of that amount. This arrangement makes quality legal representation accessible to everyone, regardless of financial situation.
