Bicycle Accidents

A bicyclist was injured in a Las Vegas drunk driving accident after being struck by a hit-and-run driver. According to a KTNV news report, the injury collision occurred on State Route 159 near Calico Basin. The woman driving a white pickup truck struck the bicyclist and then drove way. Police say she parked the car at a nearby horse corral and fled on foot. Officials eventually arrested her for driving under the influence and hit-and-run. The bicyclist was transported to an area hospital with head and ankle injuries.

Both driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a car accident are illegal under Nevada law. The law states that it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. Motorists are also required under the law to stop immediately after an accident and remain at the scene until authorities arrive. They are also required to exchange information with the other parties involved in the collision and try to help the injured victim.

In such cases, injured hit-and-run victims can file a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. Victims may be able seek and obtain compensation for damages such as medical expenses, loss of earnings, past and future pain and suffering, and emotional distress.

The experienced Nevada bicycle accident injury lawyers at Shook & Stone have a successful track record of helping bicycle accident victims obtain just compensation for their losses. We also have experience helping those injured as a result of hit-and-run drivers or uninsured or underinsured drivers. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Las Vegas bicycle accident, please contact us at 1(877) 910-2220 for a no-cost case evaluation.

Helmets have been proven to help prevent serious head injuries and brain trauma. Statistics show that helmets save lives. While it is recommended that all Nevada residents wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle or a bicycle, not all riders are legally required to do so. It is important that all Nevada riders follow the law and actively seek out ways to better protect themselves in case of an accident.

Under Nevada Statute 486.231, all motorcycle riders must wear protective headgear. The law clearly states that everyone in Nevada must wear a helmet whether they are a driver or a passenger, a minor or an adult. Nevada motorcycle riders must wear a protective face shield on their helmet if their motorcycle does not have a protective transparent windscreen. It should be noted, however, that not all motorized cycles require helmet use. Only riders on motorcycles that can travel over 30 miles per hour are required to wear protective headgear.

In Nevada, you are not legally required to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. Only bicyclists under the age of 17 on the Duckwater Indian Reservation or the Reno/Sparks Indian Colony are required to wear a helmet. All other riders, children and adults alike, are allowed to ride without a helmet.

Properly fitting helmets can help absorb the impact sustained during a collision. Every year many people suffer fatal head injuries or catastrophic brain injuries because they fail to wear a helmet. Wearing a helmet will not only offer you protection in the event of a crash, but also demonstrate that you are a safe rider and that you took every possible precaution before getting on the roadway.

However, motorcycle and bicycle accidents occur despite precautions and safety measures. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle or bicycle accident in Nevada that was caused by a negligent driver, call the skilled bicycle accident lawyers in Las Vegas at Shook & Stone at 1-877-910-2220 for a free consultation and comprehensive case assessment.

Nevada has a hot dry climate well suited to alternative modes of transportation like bicycling. However, the high traffic congestion within Las Vegas can be a very dangerous place for a cyclist. Making sure to follow the proper rules of the road and taking safety precautions can help prevent a Las Vegas car accident and keep a bicyclist safe and uninjured.

There are certain road rules and safety tips that bicyclists must and should follow when travelling on Nevada roads, especially if the roads are in high traffic cities like Las Vegas:

• Ride on the right side of the road and always with the flow of traffic;
• Be alert for cars pulling in and out of driveways;
• Stay off sidewalks;
• Use hand signals when turning or stopping;
• Look over your shoulder;
• Ride in a straight line;
• Wear reflective clothing and outfit a bicycle with a white headlight and red tail reflector if riding at night;
• Wear visible, bright-colored clothing during day-time riding;
• Always wear a hard-shell helmet; and
• Maintain a car door’s width away from parked/immobile cars to prevent being “doored.”

Even if a bicycle rider follows all of these rules and safety guidelines, it cannot prevent all Nevada bicycle accidents. Such is the situation with pedestrians, skateboarders, skaters and any other person using an active means of transportation. When Las Vegas drivers are inattentive, distracted, intoxicated, or otherwise reckless or negligent, other people often pay the price, whether they are a bicyclist, pedestrian, or motorist. With the help of an experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorney, a negligent or reckless driver can be held accountable for any accident and/or injuries they caused.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Nevada auto accident as the result of a negligent driver, the dedicated Las Vegas bicycle accident attorneys of Shook & Stone will work diligently to recover the compensation you deserve. Please call us today at 1-877-910-2220 for a consultation.