Anyone who is struck by a vehicle may suffer significant injury, and that is especially true in situations where a person is limitedly protected on a bike. Our Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyer at H&P Law, who is admitted to practice in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, can offer you guidance on what to do if you have been hurt and what to expect in moving your case forward. We encourage you to set up a free consultation to discuss your case with our Las Vegas personal injury lawyer now.
Bicycle Accidents Commonly Cause Significant Injury and Loss
In 2020, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Traffic Safety Facts stated that 317 people in Nevada died as a result of accidents like this. That does not account for the thousands of other people who were hurt as a result of this type of accident but did not lose their lives. The injuries from accidents like this can be devastating, causing a person to suffer significant losses immediately and over the long term:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Emotional trauma
- Chronic pain
- Lacerations and disfigurements
- Spinal column injuries leading to paralysis
- Burns and road rash that lead to infection risk
- Amputations
- Broken and crushed bones that never fully recover
What happened in your case is unique, and you deserve comprehensive legal guidance to fight for the compensation owed to you. At H&P Law, you can expect to get the legal support you need immediately. No matter how devastating your losses are, we have the experience and education to help our clients obtain the compensation owed to them.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Las Vegas
There is no way to know when such a devastating accident can occur, and even when you do everything right – wearing a helmet, riding in the right areas, and wearing reflective clothing – you could still be hurt. There are numerous causes for these types of accidents. Some of the most common reasons they occur include the following:
- Distracted drivers behind the wheel of the car
- Intoxicated drivers
- Inexperienced drivers
- Reckless drivers who are speeding or do not signal
- “I did not see them” types of drivers who do not know why they did not see the other bike
- Fatigued drivers
No matter which of these or other causes led to your losses, you deserve to have a trusted, highly aggressive attorney working by your side to protect you. Our bicycle accident attorney in Las Vegas has the experience you can rely on to get you through this situation so we can prove who is at fault and what you are owed. Rely on that experience to guide you every step of the way.
How to Know If You Have a Valid Bicycle Accident Case
One of the steps in filing a claim for a bicycle accident is showing that you were hurt as the result of the other party’s negligence, which ultimately means you need to show they should have kept you safe and something they did limited that from occurring. Our Las Vegas bicycle accident attorneys can help you determine fault and then use evidence to help build your case. Some of the components of this process include:
- Showing the other party owed you a level of safety. If a car struck you behind the wheel, showing they owed you a duty of care means demonstrating that the driver should have been monitoring and reacting to bike riders.
- Show that the other party did something to breach that duty of care. They may have been texting at the time of the accident or could have been running a red light.
- Show that their actions caused you to suffer injuries. Here, you need to show that the actions of the driver are what led to the injuries you have. For example, when they ran the red light, they struck you as you were legally crossing the street.
- Show that the accident caused you loss: IN this case, you likely have medical bills and lost time at work to demonstrate you suffered loss because you were struck by the vehicle.
This may seem like a simplistic process that is drawn out, but the law requires that you show that negligence occurred. With the help of our attorney, we will gather evidence to help support your claims. When it comes down to one person’s opinion over the other, this evidence can be critical.
Evidence That Can Help Back Up Your Bicycle Accident Claim
As noted, many bike accidents come down to what you say and what the driver says. Typically, a vehicle striking a person means that the driver is responsible, but they may try to prove that you were acting in a reckless manner or that you were breaking the law. Our goal, as your attorney, is to find any available information to back up your claim, and some of that evidence may include:
- Witness statements: Gathering witness statements is one of the most helpful tools available. They are not always available, but they are worth seeking out.
- Photos and videos: Though not commonly available in all situations, area video and security cameras, along with traffic cameras, may offer some insight.
- Your statement: What you tell the police officer and what the other party tells the police officer matters. Always ensure you are accurate and only provide facts and not speculation about what could have happened.
- Accident re-creation: In some situations, we may turn to professionals to discuss what occurred and have them re-create the incident, which may be able to show that you were not at fault.
- Expert witnesses: Our medical professionals may be able to shed light on the cause of your injuries and why they may have happened, such as the rate of speed at which the car was traveling.
Every case is very different. As your bicycle accident attorney in Las Vegas, we take proving your case seriously and will work closely with police reports, experts, and you to determine what evidence may be available to help substantiate your claim. Count on us to fight for your full and fair compensation. Read through our FAQs section to learn more.
What Your Bicycle Accident May Be Worth in Las Vegas
Due to the complexity of bicycle accidents, it is not possible to provide a clear value of the losses you have until we speak to you. During your free consultation with our Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyer, you will get some insight into what your case is worth. Some of the most common losses we see in our clients include the following:
- Medical bills due to immediate emergency care and ongoing recovery in a hospital
- Specialist costs
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost time at work
- Complication recovery costs such as from infection, burns, secondary surgeries, and long-term recovery
- Emotional trauma and mental health disorder treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of quality of life
How this bicycle accident impacted you and how it will continue to play a role in your life and your future is one of the most important factors our attorneys will try to understand. For many of our clients, there is a need for comprehensive support after a devastating accident, and we will work to help you get it. Set up a consultation with our bicycle accident lawyer in Las Vegas at H&P Law now to find out what your case may be worth.
Catastrophic Injuries After a Bicycle Accident Warrant Legal Representation
When a bike accident involves a car or truck, the risk of serious, life-threatening injuries is very high. In these situations, many people do not fully recover and will have lingering types of ongoing medical issues, pain, and emotional trauma. When catastrophic injuries occur, your recovery may be in question, but there is no doubt you are going to face a lifetime that is very different and may be challenging.
Our attorneys recognize the implications of catastrophic injuries on your health and well-being. As a result, we work tirelessly to ensure that you get the legal support you need when you are faced with serious injuries that make it impossible for you to work, engage in activities you enjoy, or otherwise have the life you thought you would have. Our attorneys have the experience necessary to help you in complex cases, including:
- Paralysis, including providing support for ongoing medical needs
- Emotional trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder
- Chronic pain development and management over your lifetime
- Amputations that may limit your ability to engage in activities
- Inability to work or engage in relationships due to changes with cognitive problems after traumatic brain injury
- Communication, hearing, and vision loss due to the accident
What to Do If Your Loved One Lost Their Life as a Result of a Bicycle Accident
Wrongful death attorneys at H&P Law can help you to navigate the devastation and loss from your family member’s accident. Our team will work tirelessly to prove that your loved one was hurt due to the negligence of others and then fight to get the compensation you may be owed in these cases. Expect our Las Vegas wrongful death lawyer to work tirelessly to provide you with the guidance and support you need in this challenging situation of loss.
Punitive Damages May Also Be Owed to You
In most bicycle accident cases, the damages you suffer will fall into two categories: economic and non-economic losses, which we have talked about here. In other cases, there may be the need to take additional action to hold the at-fault party accountable. The judge may award you punitive damages, a third type of recovery that is rarely offered.
Under Las Vegas law, the court is able to award exemplary and punitive damages, which are over and above other damages you earn, in situations where a party has acted in a particularly reckless or negligent manner. For example, if the person driving the vehicle was intoxicated, and that is what led to the injury suffered by you, the court may rule this to be excessive and warrant punitive damages. These damages are a type of punishment to the driver that the court levies.
In situations where this applies, the court will determine if the person should pay punitive damages and how much based on the seriousness of your losses. It is important to know that punitive damages are not commonly awarded, but when they are applicable, you can expect our legal team to work closely with the court to ensure they are awarded to you. If you have questions about these rules, be sure to ask our legal team.
Why Hire a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Las Vegas Now
Hiring a bicycle accident lawyer in Las Vegas may be one of the most important decisions you make for your future. If you were involved in a serious accident and have a financial loss, emotional trauma, pain, and ongoing burdens from the accident, you need an attorney by your side who will fight for your right to compensation. Consider the importance of hiring a Las Vegas bike accident attorney:
- We know the insurance companies: Our goal is to protect our clients from what they face, and we do not allow insurance companies to deny claims or offer settlements that are not reflective of your needs and rights.
- We know how to maximize your compensation: With our experience, we can be sure you consider all of the losses you have from this accident so we can file a claim that is truly representative of how this accident will impact you.
- We are compassionate, trusted professionals: We know how important this recovery is to you, which is why we work hard to protect your right to compensation while you work hard at your recovery.
When you put H&P Law to work for you, you get the legal support you need. You get a trusted professional by your side to guide you. Our goal is always to help you get the money you are owed, and a review of our case results can help you see how we have worked with others just like you.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Attorney Now
Find out what your case is worth before you settle your claim with your insurance company by setting up a free consultation with H&P Law. Let our Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyer go to work to provide your right to compensation. Call us now to get the legal guidance you need.
