The Unique Dangers of Las Vegas Motorcycle Accidents

While Nevada embraces motorcycle travel wholeheartedly, there is no denying the deadly nature of an accident for those who ride. November 4th, in the middle of the day, a 26-year-old man was heading south on Peter Buol Drive and failed to stop at a stop sign. There, he collided with a Dodge Ram.

The motorcyclist was ejected off his bike into the road and was later pronounced dead at University Medical Center. The owner of the Dodge remained at the scene and did not appear impaired.

A Deadly Year For Accidents

So far, 2021 has seen an exponential increase in motor vehicle accidents in the state of Nevada. The increase is not just over the past year. It represents the highest total in the same time period in the last decade. Fatal crashes involving motorcycles were up by 30 percent over last year as of July.

Bikers Are Most Likely to Die in an Accident

Despite the upgrades and safety features of new and improved motorcycle gear, it doesn’t compete with the protection of a steel cage, seatbelts, and airbags. Unfortunately, when car and biker meet, most often the biker is the loser. As of 2019, motorcyclists were almost 29 times more likely to be fatally injured in an accident than occupants of a passenger vehicle.

According to Andrew Bennett, Department of Public Safety spokesperson, there is a continuing trend of too much speed and driver impairment.

“Motorcycle operator error, the rider is either riding impaired, riding too fast, is the number one cause of fatalities for motorcyclists. But we are seeing an uptick in vehicles not yielding the right of way to motorcyclists. Whether they’re making that permissive left turn on a flashing yellow or solid green, motorcyclists are hard to see. It’s also hard to gauge their speed compared to a vehicle.”

Statistically, although biker impairment and speed are a big factor in many motorcycle accidents, in general, over 50 percent of these accidents are caused by the other driver.

Las Vegas Presents Specific Challenges to Riders

There are added risks to bikers on our roads, especially on the strip. The overwhelming amount of stop-and-go traffic and unexpected surprises prove to be challenging to a biker’s need to maintain balance and momentum.

Because a motorcyclist has a lower profile and the ability to slip into a car’s blind spot, they aren’t as easily seen by other drivers. Add driver distraction and impairment and the dangers are compounded. With the added lack of protection, the vulnerability of a biker in an accident is exponential.

Other Common Causes of Accidents

In addition to other drivers, a motorcycle accident can be caused by other things that wouldn’t be an issue for a car, such as poor road maintenance, potholes, debris, and obstacles. While the driver of a passenger vehicle will hardly notice things like gravel in the road or uneven surfaces, these can be just enough to throw a motorcycle off balance.

Consequently, it’s important for property owners and municipalities to keep roadways and driving surfaces safe for all vehicles, including motorcycles. If an accident is caused by unsafe driving surfaces or obstacles, the biker may be able to recover compensation through a premises liability claim.

Potential Injury Claims After a Motorcycle Accident

A great percentage of motorcycle accidents in Las Vegas are caused by someone else’s negligence. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, the injured biker may have a viable claim for compensation for their injuries. This can help an injured biker with the cost of their medical bills, lost wages, damages to their bike, pain and suffering, and other damages. If the rider was fatally injured, family members might have the right to recover damages through a wrongful death claim.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas, you should get the advice of an experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer to understand your legal rights and whether filing a personal injury claim is right for your situation. Contact the motorcycle accident attorneys at LV Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.