On December 10, 2020, five cyclists were tragically killed and three others injured when a box truck hit a group of cyclists on Highway 95 just outside of Boulder, NV. The incident raised serious questions about cycling on Nevada roads and the crash is currently under investigation.
Sharing the road with larger vehicles is always a risk, since bicycle crash injuries can be catastrophic, leading to loss of life and serious injuries with long-term consequences. Prior to Thursday’s accident, there have been three cyclists killed on Nevada roads but this terrible accident has more than doubled the number of cyclist fatalities this year. According to the Nevada Office of Public Safety, Nevada had seven traffic fatalities involving bicycle riders in 2019, eight in 2018, and nine in 2017. Nearly 600 accidents involving bicycle riders have occurred in the last three years.
In 2016, pedal-cyclist deaths accounted for 2.2 percent of all motor vehicle accidents in the United States. Traumatic injuries, emotional damages, and financial repercussions affect those involved for years. If you or your loved ones have been involved in a cycling accident in Nevada, there are a few things you must do in the aftermath to protect your interests. To get help from an experienced personal injury attorney in the aftermath of a cycling accident, call Henness and Haight at (702) 805-HELP.
What To Do After A Bicycle Accident
Getting to a safe place and seeking medical help is always the first priority after an accident. If you feel your injuries are minor, it is still very important to seek medical care since some symptoms and injuries may not show up immediately. You want to establish a medical report of the accident.
If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident, do the following:
- Seek medical attention.
- Call the police after any accident. You will need official documentation and a police report is essential if you need to file a lawsuit or seek damages from the driver’s insurance company.
- Don’t disturb the crime scene. Leave your bike where it is and don’t try to move it off the road.
- If you are able to, get the driver’s name, insurance information, names of passengers and eyewitnesses.
- Take photos of your injuries, the accident scene, and your bicycle if you can.
- Call an experienced personal injury lawyer who has handled bicycle accidents. If you were hit by a commercial driver, you will need a personal injury lawyer who is well-versed in handling large commercial truck insurance companies.
- Do not call any insurance companies yourself. Let your personal injury lawyer handle all communication with insurance adjusters and other investigators. You could inadvertently make a statement that damages your case.
Are You A Cyclist In Nevada? Know Your Rights
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that Nevada is the 26th most deadly state in the United States for cyclists. Nearly 80% of all bicycle-related accidents happen in Las Vegas and Henderson, Clark County where traffic patterns are not designed for cyclists to share the road. Las Vegas streets, with the large volume of traffic at high speeds, are so unsafe that Forbes Magazine listed Las Vegas as the third most dangerous city for cyclists in America.
Children are particularly vulnerable to bicycle-related accidents. In the US, more than 135 children die each year while riding their bikes.
If you are a cyclist in Nevada, Las Vegas, or the surrounding cities, it’s important to know and understand the rules of the road and follow basic safety precautions.
Motorists are responsible for safe passing and must allow at least three feet between themselves and a cyclist when passing. However, there are rules that cyclists must also follow and if these Nevada statutes are not followed, then the cyclist may assume liability for the accident.
In Nevada, cyclists must obey the following rules:
- Bicyclists must comply with all the rules of the road that apply to motorists and must ride on the road when possible.
- A cyclist must provide signals using their hands or arms when traveling on the roadway and making lane changes or turns.
- Bicyclists riding in groups on roadways must not ride more than two abreast. Bicyclists riding on paths or areas that are designated exclusively for bicycles are exempt.
- Bicyclists may not interfere with the movement of a motor vehicle intentionally.
- Bicyclists must ride at least three feet away from parked cars.
- There must be a white light on the front of the bike visible to a distance of at least 500 feet.
- Cyclists cannot carry packages or objects that prevent them from keeping both hands on the handlebars.
- Cyclists should ride on the right side of the road as far to the right as they can.
- The bicycle should have functioning brakes.
- Bicyclists may not hold onto another vehicle.
For additional information about bicycle safety and Nevada laws regarding cycling on Nevada’s roads, download this guide about bicycles and vehicles from Nevada’s Department of Transportation.
Why You Need To Call A Bicycle Accident Attorney If You’ve Been In An Accident
If you’ve experienced an injury from a bicycle accident in the greater Las Vegas area, you need to call a personal injury attorney to protect your interests. At Henness & Haight, we go above and beyond to help you recover from an accident. Our lawyers will help you file any insurance claims and we’ll handle all communication for you so you can focus on your recovery. But that’s not all. Our team has a vast network of medical professionals and we’ll help you schedule and get the care you need so you can recover quickly. Plus, we’ll document everything to help you get the fair compensation you deserve.
Call Henness & Haight today to get help following a bicycle accident at (702) 805-HELP.