Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Attorney

Nevada Bicycle Law
Statistics and Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Effects of a Bike Accident
Who Is Liable In Bike Accidents
Compensation for Bicycle Accident Victims
Nevada Bicycle Law Basics
How Ladah Law Helps In Bicycle Accidents
Why Choose Us for Your Bike Accident Case?
Other Bicycle Accident Information
Common Bicycle Accident & Injury FAQ & Answers
Safe Cycling Tips & Facts Infographic

Riding a bike can be a great way to get around and is a method of transportation that comes with a lot of benefits. You travel much faster than on foot. You don’t have the fuel expenditure of motor vehicles. Cycling helps you stay in shape. You get to experience being outdoors & breathing in fresh air. Bicycles often have more flexibilities than pedestrians or cars because they can often travel as either (depending on your state & local laws). You can often avoid the perils of finding a suitable parking space that’s even reasonably close to the destination. You don’t ever have to worry about your bicycle not starting. The list goes on. However, on the flip side of this, there’s a lot of dangers that neither pedestrians nor automobile drivers face as well. These can be serious downsides to cycling as they can lead to severe injury or even death. However, there are steps you can take to avoid these dangers & arming yourself with the knowledge of the most common dangers will go a long way for avoiding them. Let’s look at a few of the most commonly overlooked ways cyclists end up getting hit by cars. However, if you already have been struck by a car while on your bicycle, after seeking medical attention, contact an attorney to understand your options for seeking compensation: 702-252-0055.

The Downsides

Some of the most common types of accidents to cyclists sound more like boxing terms (and some are) but they obviously are applied a little differently here. Instead of getting hit by a gloved fist, we’re talking about the full weight of a vehicle’s hard metal & glass crushing into a cyclist’s body & bicycle. Usually throwing the bike and biker onto the hard, unforgiving surface of the asphalt or in some cases, another car.

6 Common Car VS Bike Accidents

• Left Cross:This is when oncoming traffic crosses over and results in a head on collision with a biker.
  What you can do to avoid the Left Cross: watch closely for oncoming traffic with blinkers on because they may not see you. A headlight on your bike can also help you become more visible.
• Right Cross: This happens when a vehicle attempts to pull out from the right side & the result is a collision with the vehicle & cyclist.
  What you can do to avoid the Left Cross: Watch both ways closely when you do or don’t have the right of way. Getting a headlight for your bicycle can also increase visibility. Make sure you have reflectors in good working condition if you plan to cycle at night.
• Right Hook: This happens when a vehicle passes you on the left then cuts in front of you or hit’s you as they make a right turn.
  What you can do to avoid the Right Hook: When someone is passing you, pay close attention as to whether or not it looks like they’re going to make a right turn after doing so. This may give you a chance to brake if they cut you off.
• Parking Lotted: Automobile drivers often overlook bicycle riders as they pull out of a parking lot, thus the name.
  What you can do to avoid getting Parking Lotted: Keep a close eye on parking vehicles as they come out of parking lots. Stay off the sidewalks (especially since it’s illegal to ride on the sidewalk in Vegas as this makes you less visible.
• Door Prize (“dooring”, “getting doored”, etc.): This typically happens when the door opens in a parked car which is pulled over to the side of the road. This can be difficult to avoid on streets where there are many parked cars close to the curb.
  What you can do to avoid taking the “door prize”: Give more space between you and the parked cars. Take the full lane of the road if necessary. Be prepared to come to an abrupt stop at any given time. Try to watch far ahead as possible for cars that have just pulled over to gain foresight into which cars may have exiting passengers.
• Rear Ended aka “The Overtaking”: You get hit by a vehicle coming up from behind you. This often happens as a result of the driver speeding and/or being distracted behind the wheel.
  How to avoid getting “overtaken”: One of the best things you can do is utilize a mirror on your bike. Chances are, you’re already used to checking your mirror from driving your car. Now you just need to make it a practice when you’re on your bike. Also, don’t weave in & out of lanes as this makes it more difficult for motorists to avoid you.

Cyclists Getting Hit By Cars Is A Heated Topic

The severity of injuries from bicycle accidents has lead to a lot of frustration from both the bicycle community and even some motorists. Some cyclists have begun to refer to car & cyclist collisions as “bike crashes” rather than “bike accidents” feeling as though accident carries too little weight of responsibility on the motorist’s part.

Much of the heat from this debate stems from the fact that automobile drivers usually experience little or no injury at all in the same crash that sends cyclists to the hospital or grave. Injuries experienced in vehicle vs bicycle accidents are often severed. Motor vehicle & bicycle collisions contribute to over 60% of bike-related deaths & long term disabilities. Some of the common injuries cyclists experience involve trauma to the head, spine & brain. Often, riders are forced into their handlebars so hard it causes internal organ damage, broken ribs which could even lead to a punctured lung.

Some signs to pay special attention to that signal serious injury are as follows:

• Head Check: If you’re helmet is damaged significantly, you may have hit your head harder than you realize. That’s worth getting medical attention (and replacing your helmet). Did you lose consciousness? Have a headache or experience vision changes, confusion? All signs you need to seek medical attention.
• Spine: Can you feel your fingers and toes? If you can’t or there’s numbness or tingling, that’s a potential sign of damage to the spine.
• Chest: Does it hurt to breathe deeply? If so, you could have cracked a rib and potentially even punctured a lung.
• Abdomen: Tenderness, soreness or parts of the abdomen becoming firm could signal damage or bleeding. Nothing to mess around with.

Should You Seek Medical Attention?

If you’re questioning whether you should seek medical attention, you probably should. If you experience any of the things above, immediately seek medical assistance. Consider making your personal information accessible on your clothing, bag, etc. so if you are unconscious from an accident, professionals can better assist & identify you. If you have medical information (such as allergies, medications you take, etc.) that someone treating you would need to know, make this information available.

Get Further Assistance

If you do end up in an automobile vs bicycle crash, and once you’ve taken care of your medical needs, contact an attorney to discuss the incident. You may not be fully aware of all the laws that apply to your situation & you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Stay safe, be alert and aware…live to bike another day.

Bicycle accidents rarely leave their victims the same person that they were before the crash. The physical, mental, and emotional effects of the crash can last for a very long time. Here are some of the more common concerns and questions we hear from our clients who were injured in a bicycle accident.

Should I Continue Riding the Same Route?

There is no correct answer. Instead, you should carefully consider whether the route contributed to your crash. For example, if you rode on a very busy road with lots of traffic, then it might make sense to change your route to one that is less busy—provided that you can still reach your destination in a reasonable amount of time.
Alternately, you might continue riding the same route but become more vigilant. It is very easy for experienced cyclists to become too comfortable on their bicycles, which might have contributed to your accident. The next time you go out, imagine that you are riding the route for the very first time. Pay close attention to sounds and any vehicle near you.
You should also consider whether you can ride the route at a different time of day. Some routes are very busy during one hour but less congested at a different time of day. This might not be an option if you ride your bicycle as a form of transportation to school or work. But it could be an option if you ride mostly for pleasure. Visit your route and check whether it might be safer to ride at a different hour.

How Do I Keep the Accident from Ruining my Love of Cycling?

First, we have to confront the fact that your injuries might make it difficult to get back on a bicycle for quite some time—if not indefinitely. Because bicyclists are so unprotected, any collision with a moving vehicle or even a stationary object can cause devastating injuries—spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and broken bones. It might be difficult if not impossible for you to ride a bicycle until you fully recover from them.
However, provided your physical injuries do not interfere with riding a bicycle, then you are dealing primarily with a mental or emotional block. Many of our clients suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder after a devastating crash. Getting back onto a bicycle could trigger severe anxiety and fear. Even if you are not suffering from PTSD, you simply might not enjoy cycling as much.

There are several ways you can overcome your fears. For example, you can start riding your bicycle on the open road, where you won’t have to stop as much. By finding a road that is not busy, you can give yourself hours of time with little risk of collision. You might have to go far outside Las Vegas to find sufficient space, but it is worth a start.
Other people benefit from working towards some goals. For example, you might set a number of miles you want to bike each month. By working toward a goal, you can overcome your fear of getting back on the bicycle.
Lastly, you should look for a bicycling group. Socializing with other enthusiasts could rekindle your love of cycling and make you feel safer at the same time. Ask other cyclists if they know of groups or check online. You can also start a group by creating a Facebook page.

Does Bicycle Safety Change as We Age?

As our bodies change, bicycling safety also should change. Senior citizens lose balance and often suffer from impaired vision and hearing. As a result, many enthusiasts find that they cannot ride the same way in their senior years as they did when they were younger. For staying safe on your bike in the future, consider the following tips:
Choose a recumbent bike. These bicycles allow you to lean back while riding, which can provide greater balance as well as back support, which are critical as we age. If you still want to ride upright, you can get a seat that is wider and better padded than your current seat.

• Hop on a three-wheeled bike if you are losing balance but do not want to ride a recumbent bicycle.
• Ride more during the day when the weather is good. Doing so will make you more visible to drivers. As we age, our reflexes slow and vision changes, making it harder to avoid crashes in inclement weather or at night.
• Choose a separated bicycle path, if one is available.
• Have your vision checked frequently. You want your vision as sharp as possible.

By following common-sense safety tips, many people can extend their love of bicycling well into their senior years.

I’m Afraid to Introduce My Children to My Love of Bicycling. What Should I Do?

After a crash, it is perfectly natural to be wary of having your loved one bicycle, especially in the same area where you suffered a crash. Nevertheless, learning to ride a bicycle is a rite of passage for most children, and it would be unfortunate to deny your child the pleasure of riding simply out of fear. Chances are you see car accidents every month on the road, but you will happily let your child get a license. The same principle should apply to bicycling.

• Of course, now is a great time to teach your child the basics of bicycling safety:
• Wear a helmet. It’s the law in Las Vegas.
• Stop and look around before entering a roadway.
• Ride with traffic.
• Obey traffic signs and make proper hand signals ahead of time.
• Always keep at least one hand on the handlebar.
• Never do something just because a friend is doing it.

Practice the basics of riding in a park or in your driveway so that they can learn how to ride in a safe environment. And always model your own safety when out on the road with your children.

How Can I Advocate for Greater Recognition of Biker Safety Issues?

Unfortunately, our government and fellow citizens do not take bicycle safety seriously. After a crash, you might become an advocate for small changes. For example, you might want Las Vegas to introduce bicycle pathways. Or you simply might want to increase driver’s recognition that they must share the road with bicyclists. Fortunately, there are many things you can do:

• Get involved in local politics. Speak to candidates about their stance on bicycle safety issues. Chances are they have no opinion on the topic, so now is the time to inform them of the need for bicycle lanes and pathways.
• Write to your newspaper or favorite blog to increase awareness that motorists need to share the road.
• Join a bicycle advocacy group or start your own. For example, the Southern Nevada Bicycle Coalition speaks to members of the media about bicycle safety and analyzes road projects to see how they impact the safety of members. Join them today or start your own chapter where you live.

By being proactive, you can relieve some of the stress you feel after being victimized in a crash. Some people suddenly rediscover their love of cycling when they become more involved in advocacy for bicyclists.

Getting hurt in a bicycle accident can be devastating. Not only can it take weeks, months, and sometimes even years to recover physically and emotionally from your injuries, but bicycle accident injuries can also result in substantial medical bills and lost wages. Recovering from a bicycle injury is a long process, whether you are dealing with the effects of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or trying to return to work after extensive rehabilitation. Often the recovery process also involves facing the psychological effects of the accident as well as seeking financial compensation for your losses.

If you were injured in a bicycle accident and are just starting to think about the recovery process, it is important to learn more about how obtaining compensation can help with your recovery. An experienced Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyer can speak with you today about your options.

Common Types of Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents can result in many different types of injuries depending upon how and where the crash occurs. According to a journal article in American Family Physician, bicycle accidents often cause debilitating and life-threatening injuries that often prove to be fatal. While a cyclist can sustain serious personal injuries even when there are no other parties involved in the accident (such as when a cyclist skids off the road or collides with a fixed object), the most serious injuries tend to occur when a bicyclist is involved in a collision with a motor vehicle.

What kinds of injuries are most common in bicycle accidents? The journal article cites the following:

• Skull fractures;
• Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries;
• Facial fractures;
• Brain contusions;
• Intracranial hemorrhages;
• Facial and eye contusions;
• Dental fractures;
• Corneal foreign bodies;
• Arm and leg fractures;
• Dislocations;
• Muscle strains;
• Rib fractures;
• Lung injuries;
• Splenic ruptures;
• Hepatic lacerations;
• Renal contusions;
• Pancreatic trauma;
• Vascular perforation;
• Bowel contusions;
• Traumatic hernia;
• Pelvic fractures;
• Lacerations; and
• Abrasion, or road rash.

Head injuries affect anywhere from 22 percent to 47 percent of cyclists who are injured in accidents, and most TBIs occur when a bicyclist is involved in a collision with a motor vehicle. We do not often think about the psychological effects of a serious bicycle crash, but injury victims can also experience mental anguish and even post-traumatic stress disorder.

Getting Back on Track After Your Bicycle Accident Injuries

Recognizing that bicyclists are involved in accidents with some frequency, an article in Cycling Weekly discusses tips for recovering from a bicycle injury. According to Dr. Josephine Perry, bicycle crashes can happen for many different reasons, and they can result in a wide variety of injuries whether the accident occurs on the road or on a trail. For some bicyclists, the “mental injuries” can be more difficult in terms of recovery than the physical ones.

The following are some tips from Cycling Weekly for recovering from a bicycle injury:/

Give yourself time to recover from the bicycle accident and recognize that time for rest and recovery is important to healing;
Come to terms with the psychological effects of the bicycle accident and face such effects head on;
Always follow your healthcare providers’ advice, including your doctors and your physical therapist, throughout your rehabilitation;
Follow through on exercises you learn in physical therapy, and know that recovering well usually requires you to perform these exercises in order to get your strength back; and
Know that even the most careful cyclists can get hurt in accidents.

Part of a full recovery often involves filing a claim to recover compensation for your losses. If the bicycle accident in which you sustained serious injuries was caused by a negligent motorist, it is important to learn more about how filing a claim can provide you with compensation for your medical bills, your rehabilitation costs, and your lost wages. Compensation can also include non-economic damages, which can compensate you for losses such as pain and suffering or mental anguish.

Tips for Staying Safe While Cycling

Part of any bicycle accident recovery is learning more about how crashes happen and taking steps to prevent a collision in the future. According to the American Family Physician article, the following are things to avoid when cycling in order to prevent serious injuries in an accident:

• • Never ride your bicycle without wearing proper safety gear, including a helmet, gloves, eye protection, bright or reflective clothes, and shoes that will not slip from your bike pedals;
  • Never ride your bicycle at dusk or at nighttime without installing lights and reflectors on your bicycle;
  • Do not ride a bicycle that has not been properly fitted to you, both in terms of your general size and your height;
  • Do not ride a bicycle without performing regular maintenance on it and ensuring that it undergoes regular safety checks, especially on brakes, suspension, and handlebar padding;
  • Do not ride your bicycle in a way that puts you at greater risk of a serious accidents, including turning in front of a motor vehicle, failing to watch for parked cars where doors can open and hit you, riding in the opposite direction of traffic, weaving in between motor vehicles or engaging in lane splitting, running red lights or disobeying any other traffic rules, or failing to use hand signals to alert motorists to your plans to turn or to change lanes.

Thinking about ways to stay safe the next time is important for any cyclist. At the same time, if another party caused your injuries, you should hold that party accountable by filing a claim.

Learn More from a Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Attorney

It is never easy to recover from a serious bicycle accident. You will need time to recover physically as well as emotionally, and it may be difficult or even impossible to return to work due to the severity of your injuries. When you are facing a long recovery, it is important to seek financial compensation by filing a bicycle injury claim.

An experienced bicycle accident attorney in Las Vegas can discuss the options available to you. The advocates at Ladah Law Firm have been assisting injury victims in Las Vegas for years, and we can speak with you today about your case. Contact Ladah Law Firm online or call us at 702-252-0055.

Riding a bike is an economical and environmentally friendly way to get to your school or office. In addition to being an excellent form of transportation, it also helps you stay physically fit while getting acquainted with neighborhoods and parks in your community. At the same time, in the event of an accident, your bike offers little to no protection against injuries that can be severe and in some cases, potentially life threatening. As bike crash lawyers, we know that accidents can occur, regardless of how experienced a cyclist you are. In order to protect yourself, check out our list of the seven most commonly overlooked dangers cyclists face.

Seven Cycling Dangers To Be Aware Of

As a responsible cyclist, you may think you have taken the steps necessary to avoid accidents and injuries. While using a helmet and other protective gear and performing proper bike maintenance is smart, there are still hazards when riding that you may not have considered. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as many as 50,000 cyclists are injured and over 700 killed each year in cycling accidents in the U.S., and seven commonly overlooked dangers include the following:

• • • Not being aware of driver blind spots: Make sure drivers can see you when sharing the road;
    • Not being aware of how trucks make turns: The NHTSA states that that light trucks are involved in half of all cycling accidents, and bikers need to be aware that trucks need additional room when making turns;
    • Disregarding traffic signs: Always obey traffic stop and yield signs;
    • Not looking both ways before crossing intersections: Just because you have the right f way at an intersection, be sure all other traffic is at a complete stop before proceeding;
    • Not looking when crossing driveways or parking spaces: Be on the alert in neighborhoods and shopping districts where drivers may be pulling in or out of driveways or parking spaces;
    • Failing to detect objects in your path: Be on the lookout for obstacles such as uneven roadways, gravel surfaces, and even dogs or children bolting out in front of you;
    • Driving under the influence: Be aware of how even over-the-counter or prescription medicines can impair your cycling ability.

For tips on and the best cycling routes in Las Vegas, check out our map resource for cyclists.  

Reach Out to Us for Help

If you or a loved one has been injured in a cycling accident, contact the Ladah Law Firm, PLLC today. Our experienced Las Vegas cycling accident attorneys provide the aggressive legal representation you need to assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.

Bicycle deaths are far more common in car accidents than are the deaths of pedestrians, motorcyclists, drivers, or car passengers. In fact, while bicycle trips account for less than one percent of all trips taken in the United States, bicyclist fatalities represent just under two percent of all traffic deaths according to PedBikeInfo.org. If you are a bicyclist in Nevada, heed these tips for safe riding:

Wear a Helmet

The most important thing you can do as a bicyclist is to wear a properly-fitting, Department of Transportation or Snell Foundation-approved, helmet. According to Helmets.org, helmets provide a 66 to 88 percent reduction in the risk of head, brain, and severe brain injury for all ages of bicyclists.

Ride Defensively

You should always ride your bike defensively, with the assumption that the drivers of cars around you are not paying attention, and therefore it is your responsibility to prevent an accident from occurring. Some tips for riding defensively include:

• • • Pay attention. Take your headphones out, resist the urge to talk on your phone or text, and focus on what you hear and see around you. Watch out for other people who are not paying attention!
    • Make eye contact. Before you cross in front of a car, make sure that you make eye contact with the driver of that car to ensure that they see you.
    • Always double check. Whether you have the right away or not, are traveling through an intersection, are pulling out of a driveway, are making a turn, or need to change lanes, always double check for oncoming vehicles. Do not assume that just because the light is green a car will see you, or respect your right to proceed.

Follow the Law

Las Vegas streets can be a bit chaotic. One way that you can reduce your risk of being in an accident, even at times of high traffic, is to follow the law (yes, there are laws for bicyclists, too!). This means adhering to all posted traffic signs, using hand signals, riding no more than two abreast to a lane, staying in the right-hand lane, and yielding to traffic when required.

Choose Safe Areas to Ride

Finally, choose safe areasto ride. If there is a bicycle lane or path available, use it. If there is a way to get to your destination using a quieter, less-trafficked route, take it. Do not put yourself at risk by choosing to ride around cars when other options are available.

Protect Yourself While Riding

Wear protective gear & keep your bicycle maintained well (make sure breaks function optimally, etc.). When you are biking, ride smart. Take extra precautions to ensure that other drivers see you and to reduce your risk of a crash. If something does go wrong and you are hit, do not hesitate to contact a Las Vegas bicycle accident attorney to discuss your legal rights.

Must-Read FAQs for Las Vegas Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles are serious business, often resulting in devastating and catastrophic injuries, many times with severe head trauma for victims. We hope you are never a victim of a Vegas bicycle accident.

In 2010, according to the Nevada DOT, there were well over 500 bicycle accidents statewide. Most of them were injury accidents involving motor vehicles where the driver of the motor vehicle was at fault. And when an unprotected bicyclist is hit by a car weighing several tons, the injuries the victim suffers can be extensive, often requiring ongoing medical treatment and causing loss of income for long periods. So if you’ve been in a Vegas bicycle accident, you need a personal injury attorney who understands bicycle accidents to help you get the compensation you deserve and often desperately need.

How Are Vegas Bicycle Accidents Statistically Different?

Las Vegas presents a unique statistical situation when it comes to bicycle accidents. In 2015, Las Vegas ranked third on the list of the most dangerous cities for cyclists, with 6.4 deaths per million inhabitants (Forbes). But two similar sized cities, Boston and Oklahoma City recorded zero bicycle accident deaths in that same year (Forbes).

This difference can be attributed to two interrelated factors. Boston is a city with many cyclists and is set up to accommodate them, and drivers are aware of cyclists and their needs. Oklahoma City, on the other hand, is simply a city of cars with few cyclists. But in Vegas, you find the two combined.

While Vegas is making great strides toward safely accommodating bicycle riders, it is always full of out-of-towners. And many of these tourists and conventioneers come from cities and towns where there a very few cyclists, and, as a result, they don’t really know how to share the road with bicycles. All of this makes for a unique situation in Las Vegas.

What Are the Most Common Types of Bicycle Accidents?

The three most common types of bicycle accidents are:

Right hook – Perhaps the most common, the right hook occurs when a driver passes a cyclist on the left (usually too close) and then makes an abrupt right turn (usually without signaling). The driver, of course, sees the cyclist before and while passing, but not afterward.

Left hook – Another common accident, the left hook occurs when a driver makes a left turn without yielding to traffic, which includes bicycle riders. In most of these cases, divers claim they never saw the cyclist.

T-bone – This type of accident is often the most severe in terms of injury to the cyclist because speeds and force impact is greater. It happens when a cyclist moves out into an intersection and is hit broadside by a cross-moving vehicle, usually as a result of one failing to yield.

Two common elements can usually be found in most types of bicycle accidents. The first is that the driver of the car or other motor vehicle couldn’t or didn’t see the cyclist. (Even a small air freshener dangling from the rear-view mirror can prevent a driver from seeing a cyclist in the road.) The second element is that the injuries are usually severe.

How Does Nevada Law Make Bicycle Accident Claims Tricky?

In Nevada, bicycles have a right to the road, but there are also certain legal requirements for riders. First is that cyclists are required to wear a helmet. In addition, they are required to:

• Have a light on the front of the bicycle
• Comply with all standard rules of the road
• Carry no bundles or packages that interfere with the ability to operate handle bar
• Not intentionally interfere with the movement of a motor vehicle

If you fail to comply with these requirements and are in a bicycle accident, you will likely have to assume some of the fault. And that’s where Vegas bicycle accident cases tend to get sticky – because Nevada has in place a “comparative negligence law.” This means the amount of compensation you can receive will be affected by the amount of negligence or fault on your part.

Ultimately, only a qualified and experienced bicycle accident attorney can help you navigate through all these legal intricacies and help ensure that you don’t come out on the short end of the stick.

How Do You Choose the Right Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Attorney?

First, keep in mind that the process of bringing a lawsuit can be lengthy and expensive. So it’s best to have a qualified Vegas bicycle accident attorney with a demonstrated track record of achieving personal injury settlement agreements before cases go to court.

For Las Vegas bicycle accident claims, you also need a law firm with attorneys who know how insurance companies think and work. For those big companies will use almost any underhanded tactic to keep you from getting the compensation you need and deserve. Formerly, Ramzy Ladah worked for these insurance companies that pay out (or, rather, that work hard at not paying out) on bicycle accident claims.

The attorneys at Ladah Law thoroughly understand the strategies and motivations of the insurance companies and what it takes to beat them. So if you’ve been hit by a car in a Vegas bicycle accident and want a fair settlement, contact Ladah Law Firm by filling out a form on their website, going into their office or calling them at 702-252-0055.

Every accident victim has two obligations if they want to receive compensation—prove someone else is to blame for the accident and establish the full extent of their injuries. For those reasons, remember to do the following:

• Call the police to come out if you were struck by a car or other moving vehicle. The police can issue a police report, which helps establish when and where the accident occurred.
• Obtain the name and contact information for any witnesses to the accident. These people can testify as to how the accident unfolded and who was to blame.
• Get the driver’s name and insurance information.
• Never admit fault to the other party. For example, it is very natural to say, “I’m sorry,” even if you are not to blame for the crash. Instead, wait patiently for the police to arrive and keep your words to a minimum. Anything you say can and will be used against you.
• Preserve your bicycle, even if it is wrecked. The bicycle can contain important clues about the accident and your injuries.
• Take pictures of the accident scene, if possible. For example, take a picture using your smartphone of where the vehicle and your bicycle ended up. If you are too injured, ask a bystander to take pictures.

Most importantly, hire an experienced bicycle accident lawyer who can help you fully document the accident and how you are suffering.

Bicycle injuries can be very expensive to treat. We have seen many injured clients rack up more than $10,000 in medical bills and lost wages for injuries that they initially thought were minor. If someone else is to blame for the crash, you want to fully recover for all economic losses, as well as for your pain and suffering and emotional distress.
To help maximize the amount of compensation available, remember to do the following:

• Get to a doctor as soon as possible and tell the doctor you were in a bicycle accident. Explain your symptoms, including pain, so that the doctor can include this information in your patient file.
• Follow your doctor’s advice to a tee. If you do not, then the person who hit you could claim you are responsible for your own injuries.
• If you are not improving, get a second opinion.

Remember that some symptoms are delayed 24-72 hours, so do not assume you are uninjured if you do not feel immediate pain.

You should also carefully document your pain and emotional distress. These injuries are hard to see, but they are no less real—and Nevada law lets you receive compensation for them. Many of our clients keep a journal in which they record their pain daily and how their injuries are affecting their mood.

No! One of the biggest mistakes our clients make is giving their version of events to an insurance adjuster when they are in pain and still trying to process what happened. Remember, insurance adjusters have one goal—to get you to settle your case for a small percentage of what your injuries are actually worth. They can—and will—use anything you say against you to reduce the amount of money they offer you. Why would you talk to an insurance adjuster when you can’t think straight and should be focusing on getting well?

At Ladah Law, we have found that it might be months before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and the full amount you have spent in medical care. There is no reason to engage in settlement discussion with an insurance agent in the weeks after a collision. Instead, hire a bicycle accident attorney right away who can communicate with an insurance adjuster for you.

Possibly. Bicycles, like all products, can injure consumers when a defect renders them unreasonably dangerous. Many bicycles are recalled every year because they pose unacceptable hazards to riders. If your bicycle was dangerous and defective, then you could sue the manufacturer for your injuries.

For example, Trek recalled about a million bicycles because a lever on the front wheel caused the bicycle wheel to completely separate. One person was paralyzed and others were injured before the manufacturer pulled the bicycle from the marketplace. Your bicycle accident attorney will need to thoroughly review the circumstances of the crash and possibly look at the bicycle before determining whether you have a case.

Our state has a strict statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Under Nevada law, plaintiffs typically have two years to bring a bicycle accident injury claim. Should you fail to initiate legal action prior to the statutory deadline, then your bike accident injury lawsuit will likely be thrown out of court. Put another way, you will be denied compensation based solely on a legal technicality. Do not let the time run out before you get a hearing on your case. Protect your rights by contacting an experienced Las Vegas bicycle accident injury attorney as soon as possible after a collision.

All successful bicycle accident injury claims must be built on a strong and sturdy foundation of supporting evidence. Following a collision, it is essential that bike accident victims take proactive measures to gather and secure all evidence relevant to their case. Relevant evidence can include photographs, police reports, witness testimony, expert analysis, and much more. This is an area where an experienced Las Vegas bike accident lawyer will be able to assist you. Your lawyer can comprehensively investigate your bicycle crash, obtaining the evidence you need to prove liability and establish the value of your damages.

Unfortunately, defendants and insurance companies sometimes try to blame injured cyclists for their own accident. If you are being blamed for part or all of your crash, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away. As Nevada is a comparative negligence state, getting stuck with an unjust share of the blame for your collision could result in your settlement offer being reduced by thousands of dollars. You need strong legal representation. Your Las Vegas bike accident lawyer can help you gather the evidence you need to prove liability.

You might have a case. The first question that needs to be addressed is what entity was responsible for the pothole. For example, if there was a dangerous pothole in a parking lot, you might have a viable personal injury claim against the responsible business. On the other hand, if there was a dangerous pothole on a public road, you might have a personal injury claim against a government entity. These are both complex legal cases that should be handled by a professional.

In addition, if you are bringing a claim against the government, you have very limited time to take legal action — far less time than you have in other personal injury cases. There are also specialized legal procedures that must be followed when bringing personal injury claims against the City of Las Vegas, Clark County, the State of Nevada, or any related public entity. At this point, you should contact a Las Vegas bicycle accident attorney who has the skills and legal knowledge needed to protect your rights.