Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable users of Las Vegas’s roadways — exposed to impacts that passenger vehicle occupants are shielded from by steel frames, airbags, and crumple zones. When a car or truck driver fails to see a motorcycle, makes an unsafe lane change, or violates a rider’s right of way, the consequences are catastrophic. A Las Vegas motorcycle accident lawyer at Marathon Law Group represents injured Nevada riders in the pursuit of full, fair compensation against the at-fault party and their insurer.
Injured in Las Vegas? Call Marathon Law Group at (702) 522-1808 for a free consultation. Our personal injury attorneys work on contingency — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Produce Severe Injuries
The physics of motorcycle crashes produce injury patterns that are far more severe than those in standard car accidents. Without the structural protection of an enclosed vehicle, a motorcycle rider who is struck by a car at 35 mph has no barrier between their body and the striking vehicle, the ground, or fixed objects in the crash environment. Road rash — abrasive injuries from sliding across pavement — can cause full-thickness skin loss, deep tissue damage, and severe infection risk. Traumatic brain injuries, even among helmeted riders, occur at significant rates in high-impact crashes. Fractures — of the femur, pelvis, tibia, fibula, and bones of the upper extremity — are common, often multiple and severe. Spinal injuries, including those resulting in paralysis, occur in a significant proportion of serious motorcycle crashes.
Common Causes of Las Vegas Motorcycle Crashes
The leading cause of motorcycle crashes involving another vehicle is the left-turn crash: a car turning left at an intersection fails to see an oncoming motorcycle or misjudges its speed and turns into its path. The motorcycle has no time to stop and the collision occurs at or near full speed. Unsafe lane changes by motorists who fail to check blind spots before merging into a motorcycle’s lane are a second major cause. Rear-end crashes at traffic signals, where a following vehicle fails to stop before hitting the motorcycle ahead, occur with disproportionate frequency because motorcycles are harder to see than cars. Distracted driving has increased the frequency of all of these crash types as drivers divert attention from the road to mobile devices.
The “Biker Bias” Problem in Nevada Motorcycle Cases
Motorcycle riders face a consistent prejudice in personal injury claims sometimes called “biker bias” — the assumption by insurance adjusters, and sometimes jurors, that the rider was riding recklessly or was partially responsible for their own injuries. Insurance companies exploit this bias to assign comparative fault to the rider and reduce their payout. Countering this requires thorough accident reconstruction, witness statements, dashcam footage (from the rider’s own camera and from nearby vehicles), and an attorney experienced in making the case that the other driver — not the rider — was responsible. In Nevada, under the modified comparative negligence rule, a rider who is 30% at fault still recovers 70% of their damages — but the insurer will fight to push your fault percentage as high as possible.
Nevada Helmet Law and Its Effect on Your Claim
Nevada requires all motorcycle riders to wear a DOT-approved helmet. Riding without a helmet in violation of Nevada law can be used as comparative negligence evidence to reduce your recovery for head and brain injuries — though it cannot bar your claim for non-head injuries entirely. Riders who were properly helmeted at the time of their crash are in a stronger position to recover full compensation for any head or brain injury component of their claim.
Contact Marathon Law Group for a Free Motorcycle Accident Consultation
Las Vegas motorcycle accident victims deserve a lawyer who understands the specific challenges of these cases and fights the bias that works against riders. Marathon Law Group represents injured Nevada motorcyclists aggressively. Call (702) 522-1808 for a free, no-obligation consultation about your crash.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact our experienced Las Vegas motorcycle accident attorney at Marathon Law Group. We offer free consultations and only get paid when you win.
For more information about your legal options, visit our Nevada personal injury practice area page or contact us today for a free consultation. You should also be aware of the Nevada personal injury statute of limitations to protect your rights.