Trauma from Las Vegas Bicycle Accidents: What You Need to Know

Las Vegas is famous for many reasons, most of them exciting and fun. With great weather most of the year (it’s a dry heat), many people enjoy outdoor activities in Las Vegas, such as riding bikes. While the city has made some progress on building more bike lanes and bike trails, it’s still not the safest place to ride your bike, and bicycle accidents are not uncommon. If you were recently injured in a bicycle accident in Las Vegas, learn what makes the city hazardous for cyclists and what steps you should take should you be involved in an accident.

Unlike car and truck drivers, bicyclists do not enjoy the protection of a closed-in vehicle. Like motorcyclists, they are more vulnerable to serious injuries in the event of accidents. Head trauma is subsequently common, as are traumatic brain injuries. If the bicyclist is not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, the risk of both of these injuries is high.

Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include, but are not limited to:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness/balance issues
• Headaches
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Speech issues
• Light and sound sensitivities
• Sensory challenges, such as a bad taste in the mouth, blurred vision, and ringing in the ears
• Depression and moodiness
• Concentration and memory problems
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Confusion

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries may cause additional symptoms, including seizures, loss of coordination, persistent headaches, finger or toe numbness, slurred speech, and serious confusion.

In addition to head injuries, bicycle accidents in Las Vegas can result in broken bones, cuts and lacerations, spinal trauma, internal bleeding, and organ damage. The severity of the injuries depends on factors like whether the bike rider was wearing a helmet and other protective gear, how fast the vehicle that struck them was going, and how fast they were going at the time of the accident.

What makes Las Vegas so dangerous for bicyclists?

The most famous street in Nevada, the Las Vegas Strip, does not have a bike lane. As tempting as it may be to ride your bike on the Strip, it’s not recommended; and it’s illegal to do so on the sidewalks.  Several streets in the downtown Las Vegas area have green bicycle lanes, though with so many tourists driving around looking at the sites, they may not recognize the bike lanes. Like many western cities, Las Vegas was built for cars. This means wide roads, many still without bike lanes, and sometimes high-speed limits. Unfortunately, Las Vegas is not known as a pedestrian or bike-friendly city.

Traffic congestion makes the city dangerous to bike riders as well, particularly certain intersections. Intersections can be so dangerous that 8 News Now even ran a five part series on the subject. According to their data, the most dangerous intersections in Las Vegas (for cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike) include:

• Sahara and Decatur
• Charleston and Lamb
• Charleston and Rainbow
• Flamingo and Pecos
• Flamingo and Maryland Pkwy.
• Flamingo and Las Vegas Blvd.
• Nellis and Stewart
• Boulder Highway, Nellis, and Flamingo (the “Trifecta of Doom”)

Accidents within the city limits typically occur at night, due to factors such as reduced visibility and driver intoxication. Since people mainly come to Las Vegas to “party” in some fashion, the chances of dealing with intoxicated car and truck drivers is high. Distracted drivers contribute to accidents as well, as do those who speed, break traffic laws, or otherwise drive recklessly.

In the rare instance it rains, or even snows (it happens), in Las Vegas, riding a bike becomes even more dangerous. Winter is the rainy season in Las Vegas, and the roads are known to become slick when it rains because the city does not get much throughout the year. This can prove dangerous for bicyclists and drivers new to the area.

What to do after a bike accident in Las Vegas

Seeking immediate medical care should be your first priority following an accident in Las Vegas. If you are able, photograph the scene of the accident, your bike, and your injuries. Your injuries need treatment, even if they appear minor, and the physicians will check for related complications, such as internal bleeding. The resulting medical report provides evidence of injuries. Once you are able, contact a lawyer to discuss your case.

Depending on how the accident happened, the plaintiff (you) might be able to claim economic and non-economic damages, including medical care, pain and suffering, lost wages, mental anguish, and physical therapy. Your attorney collects evidence to create a viable claim, including the aforementioned medical report, as well as the police report, photos and videos of the accident and injuries, and witness statements.

It is important for the injured bicyclist not to repair their bike while the claim is ongoing, as the damaged two-wheeler provides further evidence; but make sure not to get rid of the bike if you have possession of it as it is evidence. Staying silent about the case until it is over is recommended as well, as any social media posts about the accident can be used against the plaintiff at a later date.

Personal injury claims are typically settled out of court, though the occasional case does go to trial. No matter how the case proceeds, the legal professional is there to provide representation.

According to Nevada Revised Statute 11.190, accident victims have two years from the date of the incident to file legal claims. Since the state operates under modified comparative negligence rules, the bike rider must be 50% or less to blame for their injuries. If a bicyclist is found 51% or more to blame, they are ineligible for compensation. Any fault that a jury gives to the bicyclist will reduce the verdict by that percentage. So, if a jury returns a verdict of $1,000,000, but finds the bicyclist 20% at fault, the verdict will be reduced to $800,000.

Sustaining injuries from a vehicle-bicycle accident can result in ongoing pain and trauma. As you take steps to heal and overcome the mental aspects of the accident, reach out to an attorney. The lawyers at Claggett & Sykes Law Firm provide dedicated counsel and representation for a wide variety of personal injury cases in Las Vegas, including car, truck, bike, and motorcycle accidents. Our team recently won $14 million at trial for an injured bike rider and has won millions more in settlements for injured cyclists. Call our office or submit our contact form to schedule a free initial consultation today.