The physical protection available to bicyclists is minimal, often causing their accidents to be especially damaging. In 2019 alone, over 1,000 bicyclists were killed in bicycle accidents and over 300,000 were injured in bicycle crashes nationwide. According to an article in The New York Times written by John M. Glionna, “in 2015, Las Vegas was rated the nation’s third most-dangerous city for bicyclists”. Now, luckily, the severity of this issue has decreased, but not by much.
This danger causes many to stop cycling, something that brings them joy and keeps them healthy. This is not right, as bicyclists have just as much right to the road as any other vehicle. However, while on the road, bicyclists may not obey traffic laws as strictly as other vehicles do. While this is clearly wrong, motorists must also have a heightened awareness, yield to, and give just as much respect to bicyclists as they would to any other vehicle. If they do not and get into a collision with the bicyclist due to their own negligence, the injured bicyclist has a right to compensation for their injuries and any other damages or losses.
Bicycle injury attorneys from Clear Counsel Law Group will work with you or your loved one to get the restitution that you deserve. Making things right for you or your loved one is top priority for us. Our firm is dedicated to getting compensation for your losses, such as bodily injury, property damage, or loss of income.
How Do Bicycle Accidents Happen on Las Vegas Roads?
In Las Vegas, a surprising amount of people bike, contributing positively to Las Vegas’s famous metropolitan image. There are over 400 miles of bicycle lanes in the city, according to the Las Vegas Sun, with even more in other parts of the valley such as Henderson and Summerlin. Bicyclists looking for exercise, transportation, or even just recreation ride alongside cars and on roads, which unfortunately often leads to disaster.
More often than not, when a crash between a motor vehicle and a bicycle occurs, it is the motor vehicle at fault. This can lead to serious injury and even death on the bicyclist’s part, with the motorist getting off much easier. Because of the size difference between vehicles, it is easy for motorists to be unaware of bicyclists until it is too late.
Cyclists Who Are "At Fault" Can Still Win Their Case
No matter who was at fault, if you or a loved one was involved in a bicycle accident, make sure to see a bicycle accident lawyer. You always have a right to pursue your insurance claims, no matter who was at fault, and just because somebody says "you were at fault" it doesn't actually mean anything in court!
For example, in 2016, 21% of bicyclists in crashes with alcohol involvement had a blood alcohol content of .08 or above. However, even if you were "drinking and riding," it doesn't automatically mean you caused the accident, and you could still earn something from an insurance claim. Even if the police report finds you at fault, an experienced bike injury lawyer can help you win your case.
Similarly, someone not wearing a helmet might still obtain compensation, as this did not affect the occurrence of the crash, just the severity. Don't listen to insurance companies who will try to get you to say you did something wrong by not wearing a helmet!
Whether or not you or your loved one was at fault in a bicycle accident, it is important to consult with a bike accident lawyer before resigning to zero compensation. A bicycle injury lawyer will have much more knowledge and experience with this exact kind of situation and will know what you need to do, what your rights are, and how to protect yourself. More than that, a good bicycle accident attorney will be able to give you hope and energy when all you want to do is give up.
We Help Las Vegas Cyclists Injured by Hit-and-Run and Uninsured Motorists
Hit-and-run accidents happen every day, whether it be motorist against motorist or something including a bicyclist. While a hit-and-run prevents the victim from getting justice, it does not prevent them from obtaining compensation from an insurance settlement. Usually the way to get compensation after a hit-and-run bicycle crash is through uninsured motorist coverage, which is required in Nevada to be offered by all insurance companies.
That's right, your car insurance may cover you when you're on a bike! Although drivers are not required to have it, uninsured motorist coverage provides compensation from any losses caused in an accident caused by an uninsured motorist. This includes hit-and run-drivers, as you will not be able to obtain their insurance.
No matter how reluctant your insurance company is to provide you with proper compensation, with the right lawyer you will be able to get it.
What About Bicycle Crashes That Happen on a Rental Bike?
It's normal to feel concerned that the bicycle rental company will come after you for damage to their property. Will you be able to defend yourself against their claims? Do you actually owe them anything? Was a poorly-maintained rental-bike partially at fault for the accident?
When a bicycle rental company is involved in the bike accident, it only makes things more complicated. A whole new corporate entitiy is part of the case and it can feel overwhelming. If you were hurt in a rental bike accident, you should absolutely call the bicycle accident lawyers at Clear Counsel Law Group to discuss what happened and how we can help. This kind of disaster needs expertise and strength, which we are proud to offer you.
Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers Fight For You, Even When The Fight Seems Too Big.
It's easy to feel discouraged after a bike crash. Pain and suffering wear you down and the insurance companies are constantly pressuring you to give up and agree to their lowball settlement offers. We can help.
We fight for you. That means we do the heavy lifting on the case and on negotiations so you can focus on healing and getting your life back together. We negotiate with the insurance companies. We help you find the right treatment centers and health care providers for your individual needs. We help make sure you're not being taken advantage of by healthcare providers.
Most importantly, we help you through regular contact, updates, and a clear path forward with your case. You'll have a dedicated case manager and an entire team of attorneys working with you, offering advice and the perspective that comes from thousands of successful injury cases.
Clear Counsel Law Group Helps Bike Accident Victims Be Heard
After you or a loved one has suffered a loss, we try our best to make your lives right again. We want you to feel justice for your losses. In successful cases, compensation should do just that: compensate for any loss or pain you have experienced because of your accident, be it physical, mental, or emotional. We are completely ready to dedicate our time and energy into making things right.
You have the right to seek justice. You have the right to have any wrongs done to you righted. We are here to make sure your rights are not ignored. Do not allow your voice to be muffled. Contact Clear Counsel Law group today to set up a consultation. Justice is not out of our reach.
Sources:
- https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/sports/cycling/cyclists-safety-las-vegas.html
- https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/home-and-community/safety-topics/bicycle-deaths/
- https://www.dot.nv.gov/travel-info/search?q=top%20contributing%20factors%20in%20bicycle%20accidents
- https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812507
- https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/bicycle/index.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fmotorvehiclesafety%2Fbicycle%2Findex.html
- https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/jul/06/las-vegas-cyclists-feel-growth-and-growing-pains-a/
