Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one recently experienced a bike accident, contact our Las Vegas bicycle accident attorneys at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP to learn your rights. A personal injury lawyer may be able to help you recover the costs of your hospital bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Why Choose A Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Lawyer From Our Law Firm?
- Our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers have a combined legal experience of over 100 years of helping victims of bicycle accident injuries.
- Our team has recovered over $3 billion since 2010 in compensation for all our clients, including bicycle injury victims.
- We have obtained record settlements and have a national reputation for excellence.
- We truly care about our clients and provide personalized legal services.
- We operate on a contingency fee basis, with no fees charged unless we win.
How Much Does a Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Lawyer Cost?
At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, your Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyer will not cost you anything out of pocket. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you will only pay us if we win your case and secure you financial compensation for your various losses. We do not charge anything in attorney’s fees unless and until we obtain compensation on the client’s behalf.
You will pay us $0 upfront to take your bicycle accident claim in Las Vegas. If we are successful, we will deduct our fee in the form of a percentage of the settlement or jury verdict obtained for you.
What Are The Most Common Causes of Bike Accidents In Las Vegas?
Most Las Vegas bicycle accidents are preventable. They occur due to negligence and human errors, such as drunk or distracted driving. When negligent parties cause bike accidents, victims may have the right to file claims for damages. At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, a bike accident lawyer will be passionate about holding at-fault parties or a motor vehicle driver accountable for harmful bicycle accidents in Las Vegas.
- Distracted driving
- Pedestrian accidents
- Texting and driving
- Ignored rights-of-way
- Broken traffic laws
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Dooring
- Potholes and other road defects
- Bad weather
- Product liability
After a bicycle crash, at the accident scene, try to remain calm and keep the driver at the scene. Notify the police and request an ambulance, if necessary. Retrieve the driver’s name and contact information. Take photographs of your injuries and the damaged bicycle. Then, contact a Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyer who can help you bring a claim against the responsible party.
If you are unsure of who or what caused your Las Vegas bicycle accident, our attorneys can visit the scene of the crash, interview witnesses, review camera footage and take other steps to investigate causation. From there, we can identify the liable party or parties on your behalf.
What Are Some Important Nevada Bicycle Laws?
A no-fault state is one in which fault for the accident has no bearing on the insurance process. All parties involved will seek reimbursement from their own insurance providers, despite who or what caused the bicycle accident. Only 12 states in the US follow no-fault laws. Nevada is not one of them. Nevada is a fault-based accident state, meaning you will bring your claim against the party that negligently or recklessly caused your accident. The driver or another party at fault for your wreck will be responsible for paying for your damages.
Under the state’s fault-based insurance coverage laws, you or your accident attorney will need to identify the at-fault party. This may take an investigation of how your accident occurred, including examining police reports, photographs, witness statements, and more. Then, your lawyer will bring your claim against this party’s insurance company in pursuit of fair compensation. Some Clark County accident claims in Las Vegas involve multiple defendants.
Do I Need to Report My Accident to the Police?
You should always contact the police by calling 911 if you are struck by a motor vehicle driver while on your bike in Las Vegas or Clark County. Nevada law requires accident reporting if the crash involves injuries, deaths or more than $750 in property damage. Notifying law enforcement can create an official record. This can serve as the foundation of an insurance claim.
Involving the police will produce a police report, which will contain factual information about your collision. This can include the driver’s identifying information, any citations given for violated traffic laws, a description of the motor vehicle, eyewitness names and statements, official crash scene photographs, a description of your injuries, and the officer’s opinion regarding the cause of the crash.
If you did not report your bicycle accident to the police, you still have the right to recover compensation if the driver is at fault. However, it can be more difficult to get a fair amount for your damages without involving the police. A missing police report can make it more important to hire a bicycle accident attorney to help you prove and negotiate your claim.
What Damages Can I Receive After a Cycling Accident?
Being involved in a bicycling accident in Las Vegas can turn your life upside-down. You may suffer severe or catastrophic injuries that require thousands of dollars in medical bills. A successful insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit could lead to the financial compensation you need to be made whole again. You may be entitled to recover three different types of damages under Nevada law.
Economic Damages
Any expenses or financial losses you incurred – and will foreseeably continue to accrue – because of the cycling accident can be listed on your claim for reimbursement or coverage. This includes:
- Current and existing medical costs
- Emergency department services
- Ambulance fees and medical transportation
- Doctor’s appointments
- Tests and x-rays
- Surgical treatments
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Prescription medications
- Medical devices
- Disability costs and accommodations
- Bicycle repairs or replacement
- Lost wages and income
- Lost future capacity to earn
- Funeral and burial costs (in a wrongful death claim)
Any out-of-pocket costs you suffered while trying to recover from a Las Vegas bicycle accident can be included in your damages claim. Keep your receipts, bills and paystubs to prove your economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
In addition to the tangible and specific losses you suffered due to a bicycle accident, you could also be eligible to receive non-economic or general damages. Nevada law allows for the recovery of intangible or invisible accident-related losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Physical pain or chronic pain
- Emotional, mental or psychological distress
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Depression or anxiety
- A new phobia of cycling
- Inconvenience
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium (for family members)
It can be more difficult to prove non-economic damages than economic damages. You can help support your claim by seeking professional treatment or counseling for any related mental health effects, as well as writing an injury journal with your daily feelings.
Punitive Damages
Punitive or exemplary damages in Nevada are an additional form of financial compensation that can be awarded in cases where a defendant has acted with gross negligence, recklessness, a wanton disregard for the safety of others or malicious intent to harm.
Oppression, fraud or malice generally must be proven using clear and convincing evidence to be awarded punitive damages under Nevada law (Revised Statutes § 42.005). Their purpose is to punish the defendant and discourage future acts of similar negligence or wrongdoing.
How Long Do I Have to File a Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Claim?
Act quickly if you believe you have grounds for a Las Vegas bicycle accident claim. Every state has a statute of limitations – a time limit on your right to file a claim. For the courts to view bicycle accident cases as valid, you must file your lawsuit within at least two years of the date of your accident. If you wait longer than two years, the courts may bar your action for recovery. You may have more or less than two years; however, if your bicycle accident case qualifies as an exception or comes with special rules.
Note that Nevada’s statute of limitations applies only to personal injury claims – not to insurance claims. Most insurance companies require you to report auto and bicycle accidents as soon as possible or within a reasonable time. The specific deadline can depend on the circumstances of your accident and injury. The best way to ensure the validity of your claim is to report the accident as soon as possible
What Are Your Rights as an Injured Bicyclist in Nevada?
Bicyclists have all the same rights to the roads as other motorists in Nevada. However, they must obey bike-specific statutes when applicable. Bicyclists are the same as all injured accident victims when it comes to the right to pursue compensation through the civil court system. The state’s law permits injured cyclists and family members of deceased or injured loved ones to bring claims against the at-fault motor vehicle drivers or other parties in pursuit of financial recovery. To have grounds for a claim, you must show the following:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care. All drivers owe bicycle riders the duty of care to prevent accidents and injuries. Other parties, such as the city, owe bicyclists duties as well.
- The defendant breached this duty. Breaches of duty include acts of negligence such as texting and driving, speeding, ignoring the right of way at intersections, and driving recklessly around bicyclists.
- The breach of duty caused your bike accident. You need proof that the defendant’s actions were the direct cause of your bike accident. If you partially contributed to your accident, don’t worry – state laws still make you eligible for recovery.
- You suffered damages in the accident. Damages can include personal injuries, lost wages, property damage, and emotional pain and suffering.
The Las Vegas bicycle accident attorneys at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP excel at helping bike accident victims prove their losses and the other party’s fault in bicycle accident claims. Let us show you what we can do for your family during a free discussion with one of our attorneys. It may surprise you to find that you’re eligible for significant recovery because of someone else’s fault for your collision. Don’t go up against insurance companies alone. Retain top bicycle accident lawyers from our firm for the help you need.
What Are The Common Injuries in Las Vegas Bicycle Accidents?
Depending on the driver’s speed and the intensity of the bike crashes, bicycle accident victims can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences. A personal injury claim can hold the responsible parties accountable for their negligence, and you can recover financial compensation to cover medical expenses. Common injuries caused by bicycle accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Road rash
- Head and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Wrongful death
It’s important to seek medical attention after your accident, even if you don’t feel hurt. Some injuries take time to show symptoms, which is why it’s recommended to get treated before you have serious discomfort. Our Las Vegas accident attorneys note that seeking medical treatment also helps with your injury claim, medical records verify the extent of your injuries, and how much you should be compensated for.
How Can I Prevent a Las Vegas Bike Accident?
Although a bicycle crash can occur in many different ways, some types of accidents are more common than others. Recognizing these accidents could help you avoid them while riding around Las Vegas.
For example, accidents in intersections are especially frequent. When passing through an intersection on your bicycle, yield the right-of-way to an oncoming vehicle, if necessary.
- You must follow all the same rules as other drivers, including coming to a complete stop at a stop sign or red light.
- Slow down and look carefully for traffic.
- Do not wear headphones, as that could limit your ability to hear an oncoming car.
- Take up an entire lane rather than riding on the right-hand side of the road when riding in traffic. Riding to the right of the road could lead to drivers passing too closely and sideswiping you.
- Riding on the road could also decrease your chances of an accident with a car door.
Many bike accidents occur because motor vehicle drivers don’t see the cyclist. You can help prevent these collisions by wearing bright colors or reflective gear, and avoiding biking at night could also help improve your visibility. If you have been in an accident with a truck, reach out to a Las Vegas truck accident lawyer today.
How Long Will My Bicycle Accident Claim Take?
The answer to this question depends on the individual circumstances of your case and should be discussed in more detail with one of our attorneys for the most accurate information. No two cases have the exact same timeline.
One of the most important things to keep in mind as you navigate your claim is not to rush things. If you quickly accept the first settlement offered to you by an insurance provider, you may be agreeing to a value that is far less than what you truly deserve.
Once you sign and accept an insurance settlement, you are unable to reopen your case or renegotiate for a higher value (with rare exceptions). For this reason, it is important for your financial future not to be impatient with the claims process.
Average Case Timelines
While an “average” case timeline may not accurately reflect how long your individual claim will take, it can give you a general idea of what to expect. You should always file an insurance claim following a bicycle accident as soon as possible.
Under state law, the insurance company has 30 business days from the time it receives your claim to accept or deny coverage. This time limit may be increased if the insurance company requests an extension for the investigative period with a valid reason.
The majority of bike accident claims in Las Vegas reach settlements. This process typically takes around three to six months. If there are complications or severe injuries, however, this can lengthen the process. If the case has to go to trial, it could take one year or longer to move through the Clark County court system.
What Affects the Timeline of a Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Claim?
With no set timeline for a bicycle accident injury claim, the length your case takes will depend on its unique factors. Complications that could lead to a longer claim include:
- Severe or catastrophic injuries
- Permanent disability
- The death of a loved one
- A longer medical recovery time
- A liability dispute
- A case that heads to trial rather than a settlement
- An uncooperative insurance company
- Multiple at-fault parties
- A wrongfully denied claim
- Insurance bad faith practices
You can make your bicycle accident case go by as efficiently as possible by hiring an attorney early on, taking your attorney’s recommendations, and carefully documenting your accident and injuries from the beginning.
Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident in Las Vegas
It can help your injury claim to know exactly what steps to take in the aftermath of a bicycle accident in Las Vegas. When you file a claim, an insurance company will assess your actions to search for reasons to reject or reduce a payout. This includes searching for common mistakes, such as delaying medical treatment or admitting fault.
Protect yourself by taking the following steps if you get involved in a bike accident in Nevada:
- Move yourself and your bike to a safe place away from the road, if possible.
- Try to remain calm and keep the driver at the scene.
- Notify the police and request an ambulance, if necessary.
- Get medical attention for your injuries immediately.
- Do not admit fault for the accident or apologize.
- Retrieve the driver’s name and contact information.
- Take photographs of your injuries and the damaged bicycle.
- Look around for cameras that may have caught the bike accident on tape.
- Contact your own insurance company, if you have car insurance, to report the accident.
- File a claim with the driver’s automobile insurance policy.
- Don’t give the adverse driver’s insurance claims adjuster a recorded statement.
- Keep copies of all of your medical records and communications from insurers.
- Before you accept a fast settlement, speak to an attorney about your rights.
Contact a Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyer who can help you bring a claim against the responsible party. Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP can take over negotiations with an insurance provider on your behalf to ensure the adequate protection of your rights. Unlike an insurer, your lawyer will work for you – you can trust us to advocate for your best interests every step of the way.
Contact an Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Las Vegas
The Las Vegas bicycle accident attorney you choose to represent your case can make all the difference in the type of compensation you recover. Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP has an impressive case history, with results reaching into the multi-millions for injured clients in the past. We garner the best possible results by never backing down from our beliefs. We support our clients’ causes with tenacity, doing all that we can to ensure fair results. When it comes to representing your accident claim with passion, count on Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP. Contact us for more information about how we can help your family. Call our law firm at (702) 560-5520 for your free consultation.