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Representing Injured Motorcyclists in Las Vegas

The scenic desert highways of Nevada and the populated city streets of Las Vegas attract motorcyclists from all over the country. But congested highways and busy streets can pose significant risks for motorcyclists. Motorcyclists don’t have the impact-absorbing ability of a car or truck, and there is minimal protection that separates you and another vehicle. Therefore, it does not require a high-speed impact for a negligent driver to inflict horrific injuries upon a motorcyclist. A Las Vegas Motorcycle accident lawyer must take the time and effort to completely understand their clients’ injuries to recover damages for all the harm that the accident victim has sustained. At the Spartacus Law Firm, we make it our mission to leave no stone unturned in your personal injury case. We understand the life-altering damage a serious motorcycle accident can cause, and although it cannot erase the damage, a successful claim against the negligent party can help restore some of what was taken from you.

Motorcycle Accidents Are Rising In Nevada

Believe it or not, the number of motorcycle injuries being treated in emergency rooms has increased by over 40% over the last 15 years. Even more shocking, the US Department of Transportation reported over a 100% increase in motorcycle fatalities over this same period. While it’s true that there are more motorcycles on the road today than there were 15 years ago, it’s also true that motorcycle safety and awareness have decreased. The negligence or reckless actions of another driver could result in a horrible motorcycle accident with catastrophic injuries or even wrongful death. You may have serious injuries that require surgery and long-term treatment, but you may also suffer from psychological harm that does not present itself for weeks or months after your crash. Our Las Vegas motorcycle accident lawyer, Chandon Alexander, has pledged to help victims of these motorcycle accidents seek justice for the wrongdoing done to them. Understanding the cause of your accident is

Getting You Back On Your Feet After A Motorcycle Accident

We have a listing of competent medical practitioners that assist in your physical rehabilitation and are experts in their respective fields. We have a roster of renowned expert witnesses, so your case benefits from credible testimony on difficult issues.
 
Our Las Vegas motorcycle accident attorney will handle all aspects of your injury case. We will not hand off important elements of your case to paralegals or other staff. It is our policy at all times, and in all matters of your legal case, to provide the best and most competent legal representation.
 
Attorney Chandon S. Alexander protects the rights of the injured and helps his clients to recover not only from their injuries but also recover their lives.

Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents In Las Vegas

There are many factors and scenarios that can cause motorcycle accidents. However, the most common cause of motorcycle accidents in major cities like Las Vegas is other motorists failing to see a motorcycle in traffic. Due to a motorcycle’s menial profile, another driver may not detect a motorcycle if they are not paying full attention to the road. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that intersections are the most commonplace for motorcycle accidents to take place. The main cause of these collisions is other motorists not paying attention until it’s too late. Other common causes of motorcycle accidents in Las Vegas include:
  • Driving under the influence
  • Distracted motorists
  • Failure to check blind spot
  • Hazardous roads
  • Poor weather conditions
  • Speeding or reckless driving
  • Texting while driving
  • Roadway defects

Motorcycle Accident Treatment, Recovery, and Costs

The severity of injuries varies depending on the type of motorcycle accident. As you can imagine, different types of injuries from a motorcycle crash require other treatments and costs. Most of the time these injuries are significant and medical bills will add up quickly. Nonetheless, it is possible to make some predictions based on the injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Minor Treatment & Recovery

Injuries such as lacerations, bruising, minor broken bones, and other smaller injuries often require minimal care. Due to the rather quick recovery time for these injuries, extended hospital stays are not required. However, additional checkups or appointments with your doctor or physical therapist may be. After a motorcycle accident, this type of treatment can result in medical bills and lost wages due to missed time at work. A Las Vegas motorbike accident lawyer will help you lay all of this out and determine the correct number to begin negotiations at.

Long-Term Care

More serious motorcycle accident injuries like severely damaged limbs or major broken bones can require a much longer recovery period and more medical care. These injuries usually involve a lengthy hospital stay, the need for medical assistance over the next few months, and additional medical expenses. Mountains of medical bills, weeks or even months of lost income, and other costs can accumulate after a motorcycle accident.

Physical Therapy

Even after a motorcycle accident victim’s initial treatment and care, there may still be additional long-term medical requirements like physical therapy. Not only can physical therapy be expensive, but it’s also demanding. To fully recover from a serious injury, physical therapy is often required multiple times a week. Physical therapy can result in long-term medical costs and future work loss due to changes in lifestyle or missed career opportunities following the accident.

Lifelong Recovery

The worst scenario is a catastrophic injury that restricts how you live your life. Unfortunately, motorcycle accident injuries that result in paralysis or similar severe conditions require lifelong therapy or medical treatment. These injuries come with life-altering disabilities and have immense financial consequences. For example, medical expenses, loss in salary or work, alterations to your home and vehicle, and much more. In this scenario, having an experienced Las Vegas motorcycle accident attorney will ensure that you and your family receive the best possible legal representation. The damage done can never be erased, but a settlement for any pain and suffering that you’ve endured can help you recover from the tragedy caused by the other driver’s negligence.

Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

The types of injuries a motorcyclist can face in an accident are vast, especially given the lack of protection a rider has, the risk of serious injury is high. But certain injuries are more common than others. Common types of motorcycle accident injuries include:

Spinal Cord Injuries

In most motorcycle accidents, the collision ejects the rider from the motorcycle. As you can imagine, these accidents are often violent and can cause severe injury to riders’ spinal cords, and can alter their quality of life forever. Any kind of spinal cord injury is considered serious and will require extensive medical evaluation and treatment. These injuries can cause temporary or permanent paralysis and can cost millions of dollars in therapy, treatment, home modifications, and services over a lifetime. If you’ve suffered a spinal cord injury, call the Spartacus Law Firm and speak with the motorcycle accident attorney Las Vegas residents trust.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

In Nevada, it is the law for all motorcyclists to wear helmets when riding. Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 486.231 requires motorcycle riders and passengers to wear helmets that comply with the standards set by the Department of Public Safety (Department). The Department has adopted by reference the standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 49 C.F.R. § 571.218. Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) 486.015. Violations of the helmet law are misdemeanor crimes under NRS 486.381.
 
It’s been proven that helmets drastically decrease the risk of death in a motorcycle accident. Helmets also decrease the severity of head injuries. However, a helmet will not fully protect a motorcyclist, especially after a collision at a high rate of speed. After a motorcycle accident that causes the head to collide with another object or the ground, there can be serious and irreversible injuries that cause bleeding, fractures, swelling, and even tissue death. As a result of these injuries, riders may experience a wide array of symptoms including constant headaches, concussions, severe cognitive impairments, and even permanent loss of consciousness.

Road Rash

The term road rash is used to describe abrasions and lacerations a motorcyclist endures when they are ejected from the bike and slide violently along the road. Road rash is one of the most common motorcycle accident injuries, and it can range from minor to severe.
First-Degree Road Rash – This type of injury is identified by small scrapes, redness, bruising, slight bleeding, and tenderness. It’s important to make sure you clean the area well to avoid infection or future complications. First-degree road rash is often minor and cases can be treated at home.
Second-Degree Road Rash – Second-degree road rash will likely show bleeding, swelling, radiating heat, and exposed muscle, tendons, or nerves. This injury is painful to the touch and takes weeks to months to fully heal. Medical attention is often required following a second-degree road rash and can result in hefty medical bills.
Third-Degree Road Rash – In third-degree road rashes, skin can be peeled from the body, causing bleeding, swelling, and severe wounds. The area where the injury occurred can have a shiny or milky appearance, and be excruciatingly painful. Severe road rash may expose muscle, tendons, bone, or nerves, and the wound may cover more than 10 percent of your body.
A motorcyclist with extreme road rash should seek medical attention right away to reduce the risk of infection. Although medical attention and treatment are not cheap, by working with a Las Vegas motorcycle accident attorney, you can detail all expenses in a personal injury claim against the negligent party who caused the accident.

Severe Cuts & Lacerations

Motorcyclists will often wear protective gear that minimizes the risk of road rash, particularly in a lay-down accident. However, protective gear is not 100% effective, and not every motorcyclist will be wearing it at the time of the crash. A Nevada motorcycle accident can cause motorcyclists to sustain abrasions and lacerations across significant portions of their bodies, creating a high risk of infection and the need for painful skin grafts and similar surgeries. When these injuries are particularly severe, they can lead to motor disabilities and disfiguring scars.

Orthopedic & Soft Tissue Injuries

Many motorcycle accidents result in some type of broken bone, separated joint, torn ligament, damaged tendon, or internal injuries due to the lack of protection. If a rider is thrown from a motorbike and does not suffer a serious injury like those mentioned, they should consider themselves very lucky. Although these injuries are rarely fatal, they can still cause severe disruptions in life and leave injured riders with permanent disabilities and chronic pain.
 
Although there are plenty of perks and benefits when choosing to drive a motorcycle versus a car or truck, operating a motorcycle on the open road can be unpredictable. Motorcyclists suffer many more injuries every year compared to car or truck accidents, and those injuries tend to be much more severe. However, by wearing the necessary protective gear, motorcyclists can reduce the risk of serious injury. If you or a loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident in Nevada, it’s critical to contact a qualified Las Vegas motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Determining Fault in Motorcycle Accidents

The biggest question in an accident, who was at fault? Since no two accidents involving motorcycles are the same, it can be difficult when determining who is at fault. Especially given the stigma that surrounds motorcyclists and unfair generalizations of recklessness. There are plenty of instances where motorcyclists are at fault for an accident; however, research has shown that in most cases, it is the fault of another motorist that caused a motorcycle accident. Drivers of cars and trucks simply do not view motorcyclists and their awareness of these vehicles decreases. In fact, studies have shown that many drivers of cars and trucks saw the motorcycles before colliding with them.

Insurance Requirements for Las Vegas Motorcyclists

As a motorcyclist in Nevada, it is against the law to operate a motorcycle without meeting the minimum insurance requirements. According to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, each motorcycle operator in the state of Nevada is required to have the following:
 
  • $15,000 coverage for bodily injury or death for one person in any one accident
  • $30,000 coverage for bodily injury or death for at least two people in any one accident
  • $10,000 for the damage or destruction to property in any one accident
Although motorcyclists are not required to have more than the minimum insurance requirements, it’s still recommended that you carry additional insurance because your damages after a motorcycle accident will likely exceed the minimum coverage. Additional coverage that helps protect Nevada motorcyclists includes:
 
  • Collision coverage
  • Comprehensive coverage
  • Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage

Las Vegas Motorcycle Accident Statistics

The dangers motorcyclists face are evident, but it’s been proven that motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to be in a deadly wreck than those driving cars. At the Spartacus Law Firm, we have compiled statistics detailing the data associated with motorcycle-involved accidents in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the entire U.S. to offer insight and awareness surrounding these collisions. Some new and eye-opening Nevada-focused statistics regarding motorcycle accidents are listed below:
 
  • 297 people lost their lives in motorcycle-related crashes on Nevada roads between 2015 – 2019.
  • Motorcycle accidents account for 18.6% of Nevada’s total collision fatalities
  • 77% of fatal motorcycle crashes are in urban Nevada areas, Las Vegas being one of the more popular areas.
  • In 2019 there were 56 fatalities from motorcycle accidents in Nevada, 30 of these occurred in Clark County.
  • A comparison of accidents involving motorcycles and accidents involving four-door sedans shows that motorcycle accidents are more likely to cause injury and death. 79% of motorcycle accidents resulted in injuries, and 4.6% were fatal. In four-door sedan accidents, however, 37% resulted in injuries and 0.25% were fatal.
 
The Nevada Crash Data Dashboard illustrates data regarding motorcycle-related deaths and fatal crashes, where these accidents happened, what time they occurred, and ultimately the reason for the crash. Nevada’s plan to reduce motorcycle-related fatalities and serious injuries are listed below:
 
  1. Conduct public education programs for high-risk motorcyclist behaviors (speeding, aggressive, reckless, and impaired riding) and for motorists to yield to motorcycles.
  2. Increase the percentage of motorcyclists that are trained and licensed.
  3. Integrate the unique characteristics of motorcycles and rider vulnerability into motorcycle-friendly roadway design, traffic control, construction, and maintenance policies and practices.
  4. Increase crash survivability through education and training.
In 2019, 5,014 motorcyclists died in motorcycle crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2019, motorcyclists were nearly 29 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle miles traveled.
 
  • 4,985 motorcyclists died in motorcycle crashes in 2018
  • 28% of motorcyclist riders that died in 2017 were drunk or otherwise impaired
  • 29% of motorcyclists did not wear Department of Transportation (DOT) – compliant helmets in 2018.
  • Of the motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2017, 29% were riding without valid motorcycle licenses
  • Motorcyclists continue to be over-represented in traffic-related fatalities, accounting for 14% of all traffic-related fatalities. While representing only 3% of the entire registered motor vehicle fleet.
  • Motorcyclists are about 28 times as likely as passenger car occupants to die in a motor vehicle traffic crash.
 
Nevada motorcycle accident lawyers see more motorcycle accident victims than many others in the nation. The popularity of Nevada’s open roads and the number of motorcyclists in the state make it a hotspot. But, as a result, motorcycle fatalities continue to rise in our state.

Watch Out For Low Initial Settlement Offers

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident where it’s obvious that someone else was at fault, then it’s very important to remain vigilant of shady insurance tactics. After the accident, you’ll likely get a call from an insurance company representing the at-fault party. If and when that happens, you must be careful about what you say. Remember, the insurance adjuster is not looking out for you and your best interest in the case. The insurance adjuster’s goal is to get you to make a statement on the record that undermines your claim against the negligent party or agree to a low initial settlement offer. The number one thing that the insurance company doesn’t want to do is pay you the full amount for the motorcycle accident.
 
Spartacus Law Firm understands how tempting it is for motorcycle accident victims and their families to accept the first settlement offer. The worry of medical bills, loss of work, damaged property, and more is enough to make anyone feel pressured to settle right away rather than hold for a better offer. But it’s important to understand that the initial offer that an insurance company presents to you is likely significantly less than what you should receive given what your injuries have already and will continue to cost you. Not to mention, these initial settlement offers frequently come with strings attached. Meaning any settlement you agree to requires that you sign away your right to sue the insurance company and the negligent party it insures for further compensation. Keep in mind, once this settlement is signed and agreed to, there is no going back, and the insurance company is well aware of that. Once you’ve signed a settlement and accepted payment, your rights to recover any more money from that party and its insurer are closed, regardless of what future expenses you may incur. This is the single most important reason why having an experienced Las Vegas motorcycle accident attorney is so valuable to victims seeking compensation. At Spartacus Law Firm, we will help guide you through the legal process and advise you on the offers you receive and how much your case is truly worth. You don’t have to do this alone, we’re here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Is A Motorcycle Accident Case Worth In Las Vegas?

Every accident victim must understand the difference between the settlement value of the case and the potential trial value. Most personal injury lawsuits end before they even reach trial; the two parties conduct settlement negotiations to reach a mutually agreeable compensation value. However, if the two parties can’t agree on a settlement, then the case proceeds to trial. In most cases, defendants will want to settle these matters as quickly as possible and avoid trial if possible. But make no mistake, the first offer is almost always much less than the final offer. A qualified Nevada motorcycle accident attorney can help you with these settlement negotiations and maximize the settlement value of your case.

Why Should I Hire A Las Vegas Motorcycle Accident Attorney?

Insurance companies will repeatedly attempt to avoid paying victims of an accident the true value for their injuries and damage. They will stall and deny by arguing that the motorcyclist was partially to blame for the accident or was at fault in causing the accident. Luckily, an experienced Las Vegas motorcycle accident lawyer can help you cut through the complicated negotiation process and pursue a lawsuit to get you the maximum payout that you deserve. Simply knowing that an attorney is involved is enough to get more serious offers from the insurance company.

What Damages Can I Recover After a Motorcycle Accident In Nevada?

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Nevada that was caused by another driver’s negligence, you may need a Las Vegas motorcycle crash attorney. At the Spartacus Law Firm, we make it our mission to get to the bottom of what happened to secure the compensation and justice you need. Damages from a motorcycle accident that you could recover include:

  • Coverage of medical expenses related to the motorcycle accident
  • Recovery of lost wages if you are unable to work
  • Coverage of property damage
  • Pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life damages
  • Possible punitive damages against the negligent party

Contact A Las Vegas Motorcycle Accident Attorney

The Spartacus Law Firm has the experience, resources, and legal knowledge to properly handle any kind of motorcycle accident case. Our Las Vegas motorcycle accident attorney will commit to you and your case to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your family. We go above and beyond the normal call of duty to provide our clients with everything they could need after a bad accident, from insurance settlement negotiations to recommendations for medical treatment in Las Vegas. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Chandon Alexander by calling us at (702) 660-1234 for a free consultation today!