Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Nevada law allows a bicycle accident victim to seek compensation for numerous damages.

These damages are either economic damages or non-economic damages and typically include:

• Medical Bills: The costs of the medical care you received after the accident can be recovered in a lawsuit.
• Lost Wages: If your injuries resulted in you missing work or being unable to work at full capacity, you can seek payment for the lost wages.
• Pain and Suffering: The emotional damage and physical pain you experience due to an injury can be sought for in a pain and suffering claim.
• Punitive Damages: In cases where a driver's actions were extremely negligent, you may be given a punitive reward, which is meant to punish the at-fault driver.

Determining liability in cyclist accidents is a challenging task that usually requires assistance from an experienced lawyer.

However, understanding who can be liable is still crucial as it's a cornerstone to obtaining compensation and recovery.

• Negligent Drivers: In most cyclist wrecks, the driver of the motor vehicle is at fault as they may have been reckless, aggressive, or drunk driving.
• Bike Manufactures: If the accident was caused by a defect in one of the bike's components, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer could be held liable.
• Pedestrians: If, in the crash, a pedestrian stepped into the bike lane or crossed the street without looking, they may be found liable for the accident.
• Property Owners: If a property owner leaves an unmarked hazard that results in a cyclist's crash, the owner may be held liable.

Understanding Modified Comparative Negligence

It's crucial to understand that in Nevada, multiple parties can be found at fault for an accident, meaning both the driver and cyclist can be liable.

Under Nevada's comparative negligence rule, a person's compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault they share in the accident, and they will be barred from obtaining compensation if their fault percentage is 51% or more.

The Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) has laws protecting cyclists and drivers; knowing these laws is crucial to ensuring a safe riding experience.

Important cyclist laws to understand are:

• Bikes Are Vehicles: NRS 484B.777 states that bicycles are considered vehicles and have the same road rights as motor vehicles.
• Far Right Side: According to NRS 484B.777 and NRS 484B.763, all cyclists must ride on the far side of the road unless they pass another rider, make a left turn, or avoid hazards.
• Lane Sharing: Under NRS 484B.777, cyclists are permitted to ride side by side in the same lane; however, this must be done safely and not impede the flow of traffic.
• DUI: Under Nevada DUI law NRS 484C.110, it's illegal for any cyclist to ride while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and cyclists found riding under the influence can face punishments similar to motor vehicle DUI.
• Prohibited Areas: Following NRS 484B.773, cyclists are prohibited from riding on freeways or areas restricting bicycles.
• Yielding to Pedestrians: In Nevada, all cyclists must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and sidewalks, according to NRS 484B.280.

If you have any further questions surrounding cyclist law in NV, call (702) 566-3600 to speak with a lawyer.

While cyclists are given numerous rights to the road in Clark County, there are still things cyclists are not entitled which are:

• Sharing the Road: A cyclist must remain in the bike lane and cannot use a lane exclusively for themselves.
• Special Treatment in Legal Proceedings: Bicyclists will not give special expectations or treatment in legal proceedings related to an accident or traffic violation.
• Not to Be Treated as a Pedestrian: Bicyclists should not operate as pedestrians but as vehicles, meaning they have to yield, follow traffic signals, stay in their lane, and give the right of way to pedestrians.

In Las Vegas, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don't pay a fee unless your case is won.

If your case is won, the typical contingency fee percent is 33% to 40% of your final settlement amount.

This system allows people to seek legal representation without spending money from their wallets.