Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents are a serious problem in Nevada. Recently, the Reno Police Department responded to a report of a serious motorcycle accident. Upon arriving at the scene, authorities discovered a severely injured motorcyclist. They learned through their investigation that a pickup truck had struck the motorcycle when turning at an intersection. The driver of the pickup was uninjured, cooperative with police, and arrested at the scene for driving under the influence and causing substantial injury. With plenty of sunshine and open roads, Nevada is a great place for motorcycle enthusiasts. Unfortunately, numerous motorcycle accidents occur in the state, as well. Motorcycles feature less stability and protection than passenger cars, meaning that injuries from accidents are often catastrophic. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident in Reno, talk to an experienced Reno Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC about whether you’re eligible to receive compensation through a personal injury claim.
In 2018, the Governors Highway Safety Association reported that motorcyclist fatalities occur over 28 times more frequently than passenger fatalities when considering vehicle miles traveled. In 2016, motorcyclists constituted more than 22 percent of all vehicle fatalities in Nevada, the highest percentage in the nation. In 2017, one in every six traffic fatalities in the state was a motorcycle rider. What makes motorcycles so dangerous? Below we discuss a few factors:
Ride Apart reports that the most common type of motorcycle accident involves drivers making left-hand turns into the path of a motorcycle. Often, the driver states that he or she failed to see the motorcycle before beginning the turn. Other common causes of motorcycle accidents include speeding and alcohol impairment, whether by the motorcyclist or the car driver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that around one-quarter of all of the motorcycle riders killed in crashes in the U.S. are alcohol-impaired at the time of the crash.
A motorcyclist can sustain an injury to nearly any part of his or her body during an accident due to the likelihood of ejection and high-speed contact with other objects and the road. Some of the most common injuries include:
Nevada law requires individuals who ride motorcycles to purchase liability insurance, just as drivers of other vehicles do. It is strongly recommended that motorcyclists also purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as well, as it provides protection from your own insurance carrier in the event that your accident injuries exceed the limit of the at-fault party’s policy.
In addition to filing an insurance claim, motorcyclists who have sustained injuries in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence may also seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Some highlights of Nevada’s personal injury laws include:
A two-year statute of limitations to file a claim, starting with the day of the accident. This time limit may vary, however, depending on the specific circumstances of your accident, so you should contact an attorney immediately following your accident to discuss.
If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one due to a motorcycle accident in Reno that another party’s negligence caused, you should contact us immediately to discuss the details of your case and determine your eligibility for compensation. We also serve clients in Lake Tahoe, Sparks, and Carson City. Schedule your free consultation by contacting Benson & Bingham Accident Injury Lawyers, LLC online or by calling (775) 600-6000 today.
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