Cyclist Rules and Accidents in Nevada

Cyclists in Las Vegas can be as safe as possible and still be involved in accidents that result in serious injuries. If someone else causes a bike crash, you deserve compensation for your losses. Speak with a Las Vegas personal injury attorney.

An accident involving a bicyclist and a motor vehicle often leads to traumatic injuries, and the cyclist is generally the one who suffers the most injuries, even when they have a helmet on when the accident occurs.

According to data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 48,000 cyclists in the United States were injured in a single year in accidents involving motor vehicles. Sadly, 677 of these cyclists succumbed to their injuries and died. In Nevada, 246 people died from traffic accidents during the same period, and of those fatalities, four were cyclists. These numbers show how serious the risk of catastrophic or fatal injuries can be in a bicycle accident.

Are Helmets Required Under Nevada Law for Cyclists?

It is not a requirement for a cyclist to wear a helmet under Nevada law. However, the Nevada Department of Transportation and NHTSA strongly advocate and encourage all bikers to wear helmets.

Must Cyclists Follow Nevada Traffic Laws?

Though bicycles are not “motor vehicles” under Nevada law, cyclists are nonetheless required to follow nearly all the same traffic rules automobile drivers are required to follow to ensure the safety of all those using the roads. Failure to follow these rules by both automobile drivers and cyclists can result in citations for traffic violations or worse.

Is Biking While Drunk or High a Crime In Nevada?

Biking while drunk or high is not considered to be an offense under state driving under the influence (DUI) laws. However, people who bike while under the influence of alcohol or drugs face criminal charges under Nevada Crimes Against Public Health and Safety.

What To Do If Involved in a Bicycle Accident

If you are not seriously hurt in the accident and can do so safely, assess the accident scene and address any unsafe situation, such as moving yourself and the bike out of the way of traffic.

If you can, call 911 so paramedics can be dispatched to evaluate and treat any injuries.

For anyone suspected to have suffered a neck injury, do not move them unless you absolutely must to keep them safe from further collisions.

Protecting Your Rights After Bicycle Accident

After you seek the medical treatment you need after a bike crash, you should consider seeking legal counsel from an experienced attorney to determine whether you have rights that need protection.

Besides physical injury that could be short-term or permanent, there are numerous other losses you can suffer after an accident, such as lost income, intimacy problems, pain and suffering, and more.

Contact a Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney

When you have followed all the rules of biking and yet find yourself injured in an accident, you need a proper and complete evaluation of your situation by an experienced personal injury attorney to ensure maximum compensation for your injuries.

Breeden Malpractice & Injury Law is here to help. Call us at (702) 996 8141 or contact us online to make sure your rights are fully protected.