Early last December, five bicyclists were killed and three others were injured when a truck hit a group of bicyclists riding on Highway 95 just outside of Boulder, Nevada. This most recent tragedy raised serious questions about the safety of cyclists on Nevada roads. Sharing the road with passenger and commercial vehicles is always a risk for cyclists, since these types of crashes can be fatal or result in long-term and serious injuries.
Cyclist Statistics
The Nevada Office of Public Safety (“NOPS”) reports that the state had seven deaths in 2019 in traffic accidents involving bicyclists, eight deaths in 2018, and nine deaths in 2017. In the past three years, almost 600 accidents involving bicyclists have occurred. Studies show that 2.2% of all motor vehicle accidents deaths in 2016 were related to bicycle accidents. In 2019, as many as 900 individuals were killed in Nevada bicycle-related accidents; according to statistics, 71% of these accidents happened in urban settings. Unfortunately, children are particularly at risk of being involved in a bicycle-related accident, as 135 die annually in the United States.
Both time and location are factors that affect the risk of being involved in a Nevada bicycle accident. Researchers on the topic note that most collisions occur in the evening hours, between 6pm and 9pm. Moreover, four or more bicycle accidents occurred between 2011 and 2015 in just 19 Las Vegas intersections. The Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan for Southern Nevada (RBPPSN) reported that Las Vegas is the third most dangerous city for bicyclists. Common consequences of Nevada bicycle accidents include serious and often traumatic injuries, emotional suffering, and financial distress.
Steps to Take
The first priority for any bicycle accident victim is that he or she, if possible, get to a safe away from traffic. Just as important is for the accident victim to get immediate medical attention. This is true even if he or she believes that any injuries suffered are minor in nature because symptoms may lag and a medical report of the crash is important. Below are some more tips on what to do if you or someone you know is hurt in a Nevada bicycle accident:
- Get medical attention immediately;
- Contact local law enforcement, be sure a police report is generated, and get a copy of the report and/or the case number;
- Do not disturb the accident scene as-is but, instead, leave everything as-is;
- If you can, get detailed information from the driver and passengers including names and insurance information;
- If you can, take photos of your injuries, the scene of the accident and any property involved (ask someone you trust to do so if you cannot yourself);
Shortly after following the above, be sure to put yourself in contact with an experienced Nevada personal injury attorney before having any communication with the insurance company.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury because of a Nevada bicycle accident, contact the skilled personal injury attorneys at H&P Law to protect your rights. Our legal team has vast experience handling insurance claims as well as litigating personal injury lawsuits. Contact our Las Vegas or Henderson office today to speak with one of our lawyers.
