You may ride your motorcycle and expect a great experience. However, all it takes is a negligent driver to ruin your experience by crashing their car into you and your motorcycle. If this happens, a Mesquite personal injury lawyer may be able to help you seek damages from the at-fault motorist.
H&P Law has an experienced legal team in place to help you with your personal injury claim. A Mesquite motorcycle accident lawyer can take a look at your case and help you determine what to do next. For more information, reach out to us.
Nevada Motorcycle Laws
Per Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) §486.231, you are legally required to wear a helmet if you ride a motorcycle. This applies to anyone who travels by motorcycle, moped, or trimobile. If you choose not to wear a helmet and get into an accident, you may suffer a serious injury or die.
According to the Las Vegas DMV, car and truck drivers are expected to share the road with motorcycles and other three-wheeled vehicles. As a rider, you have the right to use a complete traffic lane. Also, two motorcycles are allowed to share a lane.
You may follow the rules of the road for motorcyclists, but there is no guarantee motorists will follow safe driving regulations. If a driver is unsafe, they may slam their car into you and your motorcycle. At this point, you may want to consult with a Mesquite motorcycle accident attorney since they may be able to help you file a claim against the driver responsible for your crash.
Motorcycle Accident Liability
Who is at fault for your motorcycle collision depends on the facts surrounding your accident. In many cases, a negligent driver is the at-fault party. Yet, other parties may be liable, such as:
- Motorcycle manufacturer
- Manufacturer of a motorcycle helmet
- A mechanic who previously worked on a motorcycle
- The city or county where the crash happened
The legal team at H&P Law may be able to help you figure out who is liable for your motorcycling accident. In addition, a motorcycle accident lawyer in Mesquite may help you submit a claim for compensation in accordance with Nevada’s personal injury statute of limitations. To learn more, get in touch with us.
Motorcycle Accident Claim Statute of Limitations
Based on NRS §11.190, you may have up to two years to pursue compensation as part of a motorcycle accident claim. There is a two-year window for submitting a request for damages from anyone responsible for your personal injury. If you decide not to ask for damages within this period, you may be unable to do so down the line.
Motorists are legally required to carry liability insurance in Nevada. You may be able to ask for compensation for your motorcycle accident from an at-fault driver’s insurer. Even if you do, there is a chance the insurance company will do everything within its power to dispute your claim.
When you hire a motorcycle accident attorney in Mesquite, you may get help with your injury claim. Your lawyer may advocate for you and protect your legal rights. They may also help you calculate your damages and request a reasonable amount of compensation.
Motorcycle Crash Damages
You may be awarded economic and non-economic damages based on a motorcycle collision claim. Economic compensation is provided for quantifiable losses, while non-economic damages are given out for subjective harm. Reasons why a judge or jury may offer economic or non-economic damages following a motorcycle crash include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
A motorcycle accident lawyer may ask you questions about your crash and the losses you suffered as a result of it. Your attorney may use this information to help you decide how much to pursue in a motorcycle crash claim. Much in the same vein, your lawyer may answer frequently asked questions and any others you have about motorcycle collision damages.
Motorcycle Accident Settlement
You may receive a phone call from the party responsible for your motorcycling crash or their insurance company just days after your accident. Be careful if you receive this call, as the at-fault party or their insurer may pressure you to accept responsibility for your collision. They may also offer you a settlement that is well short of what you may receive if you bring your case to court.
A motorcycling accident attorney may help you evaluate a settlement proposal. If your lawyer feels a settlement offer is insufficient, they will let you know. Regardless, you have the final say on whether to accept, reject, or counter a settlement.
If you have an attorney at your side who has helped their clients achieve outstanding case results, you may want to decline a settlement offer. Your lawyer may work diligently to help you build a body of evidence to support your case. They may help you get 100% of the damages you request.
Motorcycle Crash Comparative Negligence
You may have played no part in causing your motorcycling accident, but the defendant in your case may claim otherwise. Nevada has a comparative negligence statute. If you are found to be partly responsible for your crash, the damages a judge or jury awards may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, a judge or jury may say you are 10% at fault for your motorcycling accident. If this occurs, you may receive damages, but you may get less than what you initially expected. In this scenario, you may be awarded 90% of the compensation you originally requested.
With comparative negligence, you may not be awarded damages if you are deemed to be primarily at fault for your motorcycling accident. For instance, a judge or jury may find you are 51% responsible for your motorcycling collision. In this situation, you may not be given compensation, and you may be solely responsible for all of your accident-related losses.
Partner with a Mesquite Motorcycle Accident Attorney
H&P Law is a personal injury law firm committed to helping our clients however we can. We may be able to help you hold an at-fault party accountable for actions that led to your motorcycling accident and injury. To request a free case consultation, contact us today.
