The insurance adjuster and opposing counsel in a bicycle accident case will work hard to prove that you shared some of the fault in the accident. Nevada observes the doctrine of comparative negligence, which means that your compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault you share.
The Boulder City bicycle accident attorneys of Pacific West Injury Law understand the costs that injury victims face. But we know how to determine negligence. And we will work hard to defend you against allegations of liability and fight to ensure that you are treated fairly.
Bicycling Accident Recoverable Damages
Many factors are considered when assessing the damages of your claim. The severity of injuries, cost of medical treatment, length of treatment, and recovery are all taken into consideration when discussing compensation for damages.
Since non-economic damages like pain, suffering, and emotional trauma are difficult to place a value on, a Boulder City bicycle accident attorney will turn to previous cases to determine reasonable estimates when considering damages for your case.
Some of the considerations of damages include but are not limited to the following:
Wages Lost
The amount of money you lost while being treated for injuries, the amount of future losses, and other costs related to earnings are factors. Disability or vocational rehabilitation is considered when you lose the ability to work or cannot do your previous job.
Medical Costs
Medical treatment, hospital bills, physician fees, lab fees, rehabilitation and therapy, medical or surgical equipment, and related expenses will be factors in the damage considerations.
Non-Economic Damages
Emotional damage, psychological damage, and pain and suffering all fall into the non-economic considerations that will be looked at in your case.
Property Damage
Your bike, helmet, cell phone, safety equipment, or other personal belongings that were damaged in the accident can be recoverable damages.
Who Is at Fault in a Bicycle Accident in Nevada?
Due to the comparative negligence doctrine, any number of things can be a factor in determining liability in a bicycle crash in Nevada. Whether or not the cyclist or driver is cited by the officer can be a huge consideration.
Evidence that is presented makes a big impact on proving who is at fault in these types of cases. Traffic camera footage, photos of the crash site, witness testimony, or physical evidence collected by a crash scene investigator can help or hinder either party’s case.
A personal injury lawyer with bicycle accident claim experience can guide you and provide valuable knowledge of how to proceed in your case. After evaluating the evidence, your attorney can craft arguments or defenses that are designed to help prove that you bear no fault.
Am I Partially at Fault for My Bicycle Accident?
The defense will do everything in their power to try to find you at fault for a bicycling accident in order to win their case and save their client money. The insurance company has a vested interest in avoiding large payouts, so their adjusters and attorneys will be on the same team.
If you are wondering if you may have contributed in some way to the accident, certain situations may be shown to have contributed to the crash. The most common situations include:
- Texting or talking on your phone
- Violating bicycle traffic codes
- Disobeying posted signs
- Not using available cycling lanes or paths
- Darting into traffic
According to comparative negligence laws, if a cyclist is found 50% or more at fault, they lose the right to obtain compensation in a personal injury suit. Having a skilled bicycle accident attorney in Boulder City on your side can be precisely the help you need to prove your case.
Cyclist Accident Lawsuits in Boulder City
Even though the typical bicycle accident situation is paid through the at-fault individual’s insurance policy, it sometimes makes sense to pursue a personal injury case. In more catastrophic injuries, the limits of the insurance policy can be exhausted before you even leave the hospital.
This is a situation that is best examined by a personal injury attorney with experience in cycling accidents in Boulder City. There are dozens of factors that can be taken into account that may open the possibility for additional money to be recovered. A bicycle vs. car accident lawyer can help you to better understand the situation and offer legal advice.
Uninsured Motorists or Hit-and-Run Drivers That Cause Bicycle Accidents
If you were hit by a driver without insurance or worse, left at the scene by a hit and run driver, don’t panic. Your medical expenses may be covered by your own car insurance policy. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, it may be used to protect you even when you aren’t in your car.
Even if you don’t know if you have a claim, a bicycle accident lawyer in Boulder City may still be able to provide you with some legal options.
What Kind of Injuries Happen in Bicycle Vs. Car Accidents?
There are usually very serious injuries sustained in bicycle accidents. Since a massive vehicle is involved, there can be trauma that is life-altering. Being hit by a car requires immediate medical intervention and sometimes months, years, or a lifetime of care to treat.
Typical injuries in bicycle accidents can include:
- Amputation (loss of limbs)
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Facial/eye injuries
- Internal injuries and organ damage
- Internal organ damage
- Loss of hearing or speech
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Pelvic injuries
- Permanent disfigurement
- Scrapes and bruises
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Vision Loss
Treatment for such serious injuries can be painful and time-consuming. Emotional trauma from the injuries can have lasting effects on your life, changing the dynamics of your family or causing an inability to do your previous job.
A bicycling accident lawyer can help to recover compensation for this disruption to your life.
Contact a Boulder City Bicycle Accident Law Firm to Learn More
For further information or legal guidance after your accident, contact the attorneys of Pacific West Injury Law. A Boulder City bicycle accident lawyer can listen to the details of your case and provide you with your legal options at no cost.
We advise caution in using social media and advise against posting anything regarding your accident. For more information about pursuing a personal injury case for your bicycle accident, contact us today.