Led by Preston Rezaee, Esq., The Firm is a premier personal injury law practice in Las Vegas, dedicated to delivering justice for accident victims. With a reputation for relentless advocacy and client-focused representation, The Firm ensures injured individuals receive the compensation they deserve.
Bicycling can be an efficient and enjoyable way to travel through Las Vegas, commute to work, exercise, or explore local neighborhoods. However, cyclists must share busy roads with passenger vehicles, rideshare drivers, delivery trucks, buses, and tourists who may be unfamiliar with local traffic patterns.
Unlike motorists, cyclists have no vehicle frame, airbags, or seatbelts protecting them during a collision. When a car strikes a bicycle, the rider may be thrown onto the pavement, into another vehicle, or against a fixed object. Even a collision at a relatively low speed can cause traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spinal damage, permanent scarring, or other life-changing harm.
Nevada law requires motorists to exercise care around cyclists. When passing a bicycle traveling in the same direction, drivers must move into an adjacent left lane when doing so is safe and possible. When a lane change is unavailable, the driver must generally leave at least three feet between the vehicle and the bicycle. Nevada law also requires drivers to exercise due care to avoid collisions with cyclists.
Understanding the rules of the road, common accident causes, evidence requirements, and insurance issues can help injured cyclists protect their rights after a Las Vegas bicycle accident.
Why Bicycle Accidents Happen in Las Vegas
Las Vegas presents several challenges for cyclists. Major roads often carry fast-moving traffic, while tourist areas include drivers searching for hotels, attractions, parking garages, and rideshare pickup zones. Construction may change traffic patterns, and extreme temperatures can affect both riders and motorists.
Factors that commonly contribute to bicycle collisions include:
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Drivers failing to yield
- Speeding
- Impaired driving
- Vehicles turning across bicycle lanes
- Drivers opening doors into a cyclist’s path
- Poorly maintained road surfaces
- Construction debris
- Limited nighttime visibility
- Drivers following cyclists too closely
Many crashes occur because a driver simply does not look carefully enough before turning, entering traffic, backing out, or changing lanes.
Drivers may later claim that the bicycle was difficult to see. However, motorists are still expected to watch for cyclists and other lawful road users. The Nevada DMV specifically instructs drivers to check blind spots, look for cyclists at night, and pass them with appropriate clearance.
Common Types of Bicycle Accidents
Unsafe Passing Accidents
A driver may attempt to pass a cyclist without leaving sufficient room. The vehicle may strike the rider directly, clip the bicycle’s handlebars, or force the cyclist off the road.
These accidents are particularly dangerous on narrow streets, roads without designated bicycle lanes, and areas where drivers are unwilling to wait for a safe opportunity to pass.
Nevada’s passing rules are designed to reduce these incidents by requiring drivers to change lanes when possible or provide at least three feet of clearance.
Right-Turn Collisions
A right-turn collision may happen when a driver passes a cyclist and then turns directly across the bicycle’s path. It can also occur when a driver fails to check a bike lane before entering a driveway, parking garage, shopping center, or intersection.
Cyclists may have almost no time to stop or avoid the vehicle.
Left-Turn Accidents
A motorist turning left may misjudge the cyclist’s speed or fail to see the bicycle entirely. The vehicle then crosses the cyclist’s path, causing a front or side-impact collision.
These accidents commonly occur at intersections and may result in the rider being thrown over the vehicle.
Dooring Accidents
A dooring accident occurs when someone inside a parked vehicle opens a door into the path of an approaching cyclist.
The cyclist may strike the door, swerve into traffic, or be thrown onto the roadway. Door-related accidents can cause severe facial injuries, shoulder damage, fractures, and head trauma.
Rear-End Collisions
Drivers who are distracted, speeding, or following too closely may strike a bicycle from behind. These crashes can propel the cyclist forward and cause devastating injuries.
Intersection Collisions
Intersections create risks involving:
- Failure to yield
- Red-light violations
- Rolling stops
- Confusion over right-of-way
- Turning vehicles
- Obstructed visibility
Traffic-camera footage and witness statements may become especially important in intersection cases.
Hit-and-Run Bicycle Accidents
Some drivers leave the scene after striking a cyclist. Victims may still have potential compensation options through uninsured-motorist coverage, other applicable insurance policies, or a claim against the driver if law enforcement later identifies them.
Nearby homes, businesses, traffic systems, and vehicle dashcams may contain valuable footage.
Nevada Rules for Cyclists
Cyclists generally must follow traffic laws and operate predictably. Nevada DMV guidance instructs cyclists to ride on the right and as far to the right as practicable, while recognizing circumstances in which a cyclist may need to move away from the edge for safety. Cyclists may ride two abreast in certain situations but should ride single file when necessary to avoid interfering with traffic.
Cyclists should also:
- Obey traffic signals and signs
- Use appropriate lights and reflectors at night
- Signal turns when reasonably possible
- Avoid suddenly entering a vehicle’s path
- Ride in the direction of traffic
- Use reasonable care when passing vehicles or other cyclists
A cyclist’s alleged violation does not automatically excuse a negligent driver. Fault must be evaluated based on the conduct of everyone involved and the evidence surrounding the crash.
Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents
Because cyclists are physically exposed, bicycle collisions frequently cause severe injuries, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Concussions
- Skull or facial fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Herniated discs
- Broken arms, wrists, and shoulders
- Pelvic and leg fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Road rash
- Nerve damage
- Permanent scarring
- Dental injuries
- Psychological trauma
A helmet may reduce the risk or severity of some head injuries, but it cannot prevent every concussion or brain injury. Insurance companies may also attempt to focus on helmet use rather than the driver behavior that caused the collision.
Medical treatment should not be delayed merely because the cyclist initially feels capable of standing or walking. Adrenaline can conceal pain, while symptoms of brain injuries and internal trauma may appear later.
Who May Be Responsible?
Negligent Drivers
A motorist may be liable for:
- Failing to provide safe passing distance
- Driving within or across a bicycle lane improperly
- Failing to yield
- Speeding
- Driving while distracted
- Opening a vehicle door unsafely
- Driving while impaired
- Leaving the scene
Commercial Drivers and Employers
When the vehicle is being used for work, the driver’s employer or another company may share liability. Delivery services, rideshare companies, contractors, hotels, and transportation providers may carry commercial insurance that applies to the collision.
Coverage often depends on the driver’s employment status and activity at the time of the crash.
Property Owners
A property owner may share responsibility if unsafe conditions near a driveway, parking garage, or commercial entrance contributed to the accident. Examples may include obstructed visibility, unsafe traffic flow, poor lighting, or neglected hazards.
Government Entities or Contractors
Dangerous road conditions may include:
- Unrepaired potholes
- Defective traffic signals
- Missing signs
- Poorly designed bicycle lanes
- Construction debris
- Unsafe lane closures
Claims involving public entities can involve special notice rules, immunities, and deadlines. These cases should be evaluated promptly.
Bicycle or Component Manufacturers
A defective brake, wheel, frame, tire, steering component, or other part may contribute to a crash. Product-liability questions may arise when a defect causes or worsens the accident.
Comparative Negligence in Bicycle Claims
Insurance companies frequently try to assign partial fault to cyclists. They may claim that the rider:
- Was outside a bike lane
- Failed to use a light
- Entered traffic suddenly
- Ignored a signal
- Wore dark clothing
- Was distracted
- Failed to take evasive action
Nevada uses modified comparative-negligence principles. A cyclist’s compensation may be reduced by an assigned percentage of responsibility, and recovery can be barred when the cyclist’s fault exceeds the legal threshold.
An insurer’s initial conclusion is not necessarily accurate or final. Photographs, video, vehicle damage, road design, witness testimony, and expert analysis may contradict attempts to unfairly blame the rider.
Evidence That Can Strengthen a Bicycle Accident Claim
Important evidence may include:
- Police reports
- Photographs of the bicycle and vehicle
- Helmet and clothing damage
- Roadway photographs
- Traffic-camera recordings
- Business or residential surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- Vehicle dashcam recordings
- Cellphone records
- GPS or fitness-tracker data
- Medical records
- Driver statements
- Vehicle electronic data
- Accident-reconstruction findings
The damaged bicycle, helmet, lights, and clothing should be preserved. They may reveal impact direction, collision force, visibility features, or mechanical failures.
Do not repair or discard the bicycle before it has been photographed and inspected.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
After a collision:
- Call 911 and report the accident.
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Remain at the scene when medically possible.
- Obtain the driver’s license, insurance, and vehicle information.
- Photograph the vehicle, bicycle, road, signs, and visible injuries.
- Collect witness names and contact details.
- Identify nearby cameras.
- Preserve the bicycle, helmet, clothing, and electronic ride data.
- Avoid admitting fault or guessing about what happened.
- Do not post accident details on social media.
- Contact an experienced personal injury attorney.
Victims should also avoid accepting a quick insurance payment before the diagnosis, treatment plan, and long-term effects of the injuries are understood.
Insurance Issues in Bicycle Accident Claims
The at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage may provide compensation. Other possible sources may include:
- Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage
- Commercial auto insurance
- Employer policies
- Umbrella coverage
- Homeowner or renter policies in limited circumstances
- Health insurance for immediate treatment
Coverage disputes can become complicated when the driver was working, using a rideshare platform, operating a borrowed vehicle, or carrying insufficient insurance.
Insurers may request a recorded statement or broad medical authorization. These requests should be approached carefully because statements can be taken out of context and medical authorizations may provide access to records unrelated to the accident.
Compensation Available to Injured Cyclists
Depending on the case, compensation may include:
- Emergency transportation
- Hospital expenses
- Surgery
- Diagnostic imaging
- Physical therapy
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Bicycle replacement or repair
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent scarring
- Disability-related expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Serious injuries may affect employment, independence, exercise, family responsibilities, and future quality of life. Those long-term consequences should be evaluated before a claim is resolved.
How The Firm Helps Bicycle Accident Victims
Preston Rezaee, Esq., and The Firm assist injured cyclists by:
- Investigating the collision
- Preserving traffic and surveillance footage
- Examining vehicle and bicycle damage
- Obtaining witness statements
- Reviewing road conditions and traffic controls
- Identifying every applicable insurance policy
- Challenging unfair cyclist-blame arguments
- Working with medical and accident experts
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Filing a lawsuit when fair compensation is not offered
The Firm works to ensure that cyclists are treated as lawful road users and not unfairly portrayed as responsible merely because they were riding a bicycle.
Why Acting Quickly Matters
Bicycle accident evidence can disappear rapidly. Vehicles and bicycles may be repaired, traffic-camera recordings may be overwritten, skid marks can fade, and witnesses may become difficult to locate.
Early action can help:
- Preserve physical evidence
- Obtain video recordings
- Document road conditions
- Identify the driver and insurer
- Protect electronic ride data
- Meet applicable filing deadlines
- Prevent insurers from controlling the narrative
A prompt investigation is especially important in hit-and-run, commercial-vehicle, road-defect, and catastrophic-injury cases.
Conclusion
Cyclists have the right to use Nevada roads, and motorists must exercise care when driving near them. A driver who passes too closely, turns across a bike lane, opens a door without looking, or drives while distracted can cause devastating injuries in seconds.
After a bicycle accident, medical treatment and evidence preservation should be immediate priorities. With experienced representation from The Firm, injured cyclists can pursue compensation, challenge unfair fault allegations, and hold negligent parties accountable.
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. The content is based on the author’s understanding of the subject matter at the time of writing and is not tailored to the specific circumstances of any individual or entity.
Nothing in this article should be construed as creating an attorney-client relationship or as a substitute for seeking legal advice from a licensed attorney. Legal matters can be complex and vary greatly depending on the jurisdiction and the specifics of the case. Therefore, we strongly encourage readers to consult with qualified legal counsel for advice regarding their individual circumstances.
The author and publisher of this article assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein. The reader assumes full responsibility for any use or reliance on the information contained in this article.
By using this article, the reader agrees that they will not hold the author or publisher liable for any outcomes resulting from their use of the information presented.
For specific legal advice, readers are urged to contact a licensed attorney in their jurisdiction.