Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Attorney

Bicycling as an alternative to driving a car is not only good for the environment but is also economical and healthy. Las Vegas and surrounding areas’ warm weather and great scenery make the city a haven for bicyclists, with many residents also considering bicycling fun. However, the rising popularity of bicycles as an alternative mode of transport has not been without a downside. 

With bicyclists and motorists sharing the same Las Vegas roadways, bicycle accidents are on the rise, especially collisions with motor vehicles. With little to no protection, bicyclists often suffer catastrophic injuries or even die in these accidents. In 2018, over 850 bicyclists died in traffic accidents across the United States.

While cyclists may be to blame for some of these accidents, most bicycle accidents are caused by negligent drivers. If you have recently sustained injuries in a bicycle accident due to someone else’s negligence or have lost a loved one in wrongful death, the law entitles you to compensation. If you are in Las Vegas, Nevada, our skilled Las Vegas bicycle accident attorneys at Heidari Law Group will help you get the compensation you or your family deserve. 

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Besides helping identify the type of bicycle accident, knowing the cause of an accident is critical in determining the liable party. Some of the most common causes of Las Vegas bicycle accidents include:

• Reckless driving – Drivers who fail to keep a proper look-out for cyclists on the road are likely to hit them when overtaking or pulling out of intersections. Reckless drivers who drive over the speed limit, run red lights, illegally change lanes, or fail to yield the right of way are a threat to cyclists on the road. Those who park or drive on bike lanes also endanger cyclists.
• Drunk and distracted drivers – As a result of intoxication, drunk drivers often ignore cyclists on the road and end up hitting them. Similarly, distracted drivers engaged in something else while driving, including using the phone, may also hit cyclists as the distraction make it hard for them to keep a proper look-out.
• Dooring accidents – occur where motorists open the doors of their parked car into a cyclist’s path, injuring them. 

• Other Causes – Besides accidents caused by motorists, a cyclist may also sustain injuries in accidents caused by poor road and weather conditions. Other causes include mechanical faults or defective parts, including failed brakes. A cyclist may also suffer injuries from a crash with another cyclist or even a pedestrian.

Common Bicycle Accidents Injuries 

With little to no protection in a collision with a motor vehicle, bicyclists often suffer severe injuries, including: 

• head and traumatic brain injuries
• back and spinal cord injuries
• internal organ damage
• broken bones
• fractures and sprains
• neck and shoulder injuries
• amputations and paralysis
• Bodily scarring and disfigurement
• soft tissue injuries

Some bicycle accidents are also fatal. The accident may also leave a victim with emotional and psychological injuries that negatively impact their overall quality of life.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

After a bicycle accident, the first thing you should do is ensure your safety by getting off the road and checking your injuries. You should then request emergency services, including the police and medical treatment. Even if you think you are not hurt, it is essential to visit the emergency room for a checkup by a medical professional. Typically, the adrenalin your body releases after an accident can delay the pain, and without consulting a professional, you may end up downplaying a severe injury.

After getting medical attention, you should report the accident to the police. In most cases, the police will have arrived at the scene as part of the emergency response. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you should also take pictures of the accident, including your crashed bicycle and your injuries. The pictures will be part of the evidence when seeking compensation for damages.

If your accident involved another party, you should exchange contact information with them. However, you should avoid any negotiations with them or making any statements that can negatively impact your accident claim, including accepting responsibility. If it is a hit-and-run accident, take-down any information you can, including the license plate number and the vehicle’s physical description.

Finally, contact an experienced Las Vegas bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible. You should not speak to the other party, their lawyer, or the insurance company without your lawyer.

How Does a Bicycle Accident Attorney Help Your Case?

Despite seeming straightforward, bicycle accident claims can be complicated. As with other personal injury lawsuits, the liable party’s insurance company will try to shortchange you by denying you fair compensation. However, a skilled and experienced bicycle accident attorney can help you with the case.

The attorney will handle investigations, including obtaining all the necessary evidence, including the police report and any surveillance from the accident scene. They will also collect witnesses’ statements. They will also help you get a doctor’s evaluation and the necessary medical records for assessing your damages.

A skillful bicycle accident attorney will also negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and, if necessary, file a personal injury case to get compensation for your damages. 

Recovering Damages in a Bicycle Accident 

Besides reckless drivers, other parties may also be liable for damages in a bicycle accident. For instance, government agencies may be liable in cases involving poor road conditions, while bicycle manufacturers may be liable in cases involving defective or malfunctioning bicycle parts.

There are various damages that you can seek in a bicycle accident case, including damages for medical expenses, lost wages, damaged property, lowered quality of life, and pain and suffering. Where the other party was incredibly reckless, your attorney can also help you seek punitive damages.

However, recovering damages is not automatic, and some factors might disqualify you for compensation, including where you were intoxicated during the time of the accident. You may also be ineligible for compensation in an accident where you were at fault, admitted fault, weren’t wearing a helmet, or accepted compensation from the other party.

Contact a Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Attorney

Most bicycle accident results in severe injuries that require expensive and often length medical care. An accident may also rob a cyclist’s ability to work and leave them in significant emotional and financial distress. Even though the law entitles compensation to victims of bicycle accidents due to another’s negligence, bicycle accident claims are usually complicated.

However, if you are in Las Vegas and you or a loved one is a victim of a bicycle accident, don’t worry. Our skilled Las Vegas bicycle accident attorneys at Heidari Law Group have broad experience dealing with cases like yours and will help you get the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about our services.

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If you need a personal injury attorney with a history of success, good communication at all stages of your case, and who will help you manage and settle your case call Abogados Con Experiencia. We will handle your case so that you can heal and put your life back together.