In a collision between a bicycle and a car, the cyclist is at a terrible disadvantage. These injuries can be the most debilitating of all. In most bicycle accidents, a negligent or inattentive automobile driver is at fault.

Some of the common types of collisions include:

-A driver turning directly in front of a bicyclist.

-A driver entering the street from a driveway or parking space pulls into traffic in front of the bicyclist.

-A driver fails to yield at an intersection.

-A driver fails to stop at a stop sign or red light.

-A driver's inattention while driving past a bicyclist.

-A driver fails to look both ways when resuming travel after stopping at a stop sign.

-A driver impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Our Las Vegas lawyers representing people injured in all kinds of accidents, including crashes between bicycles and other vehicles, and are just a telephone call or text away. 

If you are hurt, you want a bike accident lawyer who understands the type of injuries that happen when a car or truck hits a bicycle rider. You also want an attorney who knows how bad roads and other dangers can lead to injuries from a bicycle accident. That's why you want Ed Bernstein & Associates on your side. Our legal staff focuses on injury and accident cases, so we know how insurance companies operate - they try to settle cases cheaply, without concern for your best interest. When you hire us, we put our legal bike accident know-how to work, fighting for your legal rights to fair compensation.

From the moment you hire our accident law firm, an entire legal team goes to work for you on your Las Vegas bicycle accident case.

-In the office, Las Vegas attorneys and legal staff will talk to the insurance company, handle your medical bills, and take the worries off your hands - so you can focus on getting better.
-In the field, our investigators take pictures at the scene of the bike accident, talk to witnesses, and use whatever means possible to dig up evidence for your case.

Bicycle Safety Tips

-Make sure your bike is functioning properly before you begin riding it. It's important to check that all parts are in working order, that the tire pressure is normal, and that the chain, brakes, and lights all work properly.

-Know all the traffic laws and safety hand signals. To make a left turn, extend your left arm straight out to your side. For a right turn, bend your elbow and hold your arm up in an "L" shape, or extend your arm straight out to your side. To make a sudden stop, hold your arm in an upside-down "L" shape.

-Try to take less-traveled routes so that you won't have to compete with dangerous traffic.

-Ride in a straight line on the right side of the road.

-Drive near the curb, but stay a car door's width away from parked cars, as someone may suddenly exit the car in front of you.

-Always ride in the direction of traffic. This puts you where motorists are sure to see you.

-Ride defensively with the assumption that drivers can't see you.

-Obey the two-second rule. When the car in front of you passes a fixed object, begin counting. If you get to that object before you count to two, you're following too closely.

-Always keep both hands on the brake and keep an eye out for potholes, rocks, and other obstacles.

-Wear fluorescent or reflective gear, especially when riding at night. Equip your bike with a white headlight and a red taillight, as well as with front and rear reflectors.

-Be careful when riding in wet weather, as snow or rain can impair your brakes.

-Don't wear loose clothing, as they can get caught in the bike's chain, gears, or brakes. Clip pants to avoid getting them caught in the bike's parts.

-Always wear a helmet. Studies have found that wearing a helmet can help reduce bicycle injuries by 85 percent. Get one that fits properly and meets safety standards.

Below are bicycle laws from the Nevada Department of Transportation website, http://www.bicyclenevada.com:

NRS 205.2741 Throwing substance at or willfully damaging bicycle or motor vehicle.
1. It is unlawful for any person:
(a) To throw any stone, rock, missile or any substance at any bicycle, or at any motorbus, truck or other motor vehicle; or
(b) Wrongfully to injure, deface or damage any bicycle, or any motorbus, truck or other motor vehicle, or any part thereof.
2. Any person who violates any of the provisions of subsection 1 is guilty of a public offense, as prescribed in NRS 193.155, proportionate to the value of the property damaged and in no event less than a misdemeanor.

NRS 484.019 "Bicycle" defined.
"Bicycle" means a device propelled by human power upon which a person may ride, having two tandem wheels either of which is over 14 inches in diameter, or every such device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels except a moped.

NRS 484.313 Restrictions on use of controlled-access highway; penalty.
1. The department of transportation or a local authority, after considering the advice of the Nevada bicycle advisory board, may with respect to any controlled-access highway under its jurisdiction:
(a) Require a permit for the use of the highway by pedestrians, bicycles or other nonmotorized traffic or by any person operating a power cycle; or
(b) If it determines that the use of the highway for such a purpose would not be safe, prohibit the use of the highway by pedestrians, bicycles or other nonmotorized traffic or by any person operating a power cycle.
2. Any person who violates any prohibition or restriction enacted pursuant to subsection 1 is guilty of a misdemeanor.

NRS 484.324 Vehicles and bicycles.
1. The driver of a motor vehicle shall not:
(a) Intentionally interfere with the movement of a person lawfully riding a bicycle; or
(b) Overtake and pass a person riding a bicycle unless he can do so safely without endangering the person riding the bicycle.
2. The driver of a motor vehicle shall yield the right of way to any person riding a bicycle on the pathway or lane. The driver of a motor vehicle shall not enter, stop, stand, park or drive within a pathway or lane provided for bicycles except:
(a) When entering or exiting an alley or driveway;
(b) When operating or parking a disabled vehicle;
(c) To avoid conflict with other traffic;
(d) In the performance of official duties;
(e) In compliance with the directions of a police officer; or
(f) In an emergency.
3. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the driver of a motor vehicle shall not enter or proceed through an intersection while driving within a pathway or lane provided for bicycles.
4. The driver of a motor vehicle shall:
(a) Exercise due care to avoid a collision with a person riding a bicycle; and
(b) Give an audible warning with the horn of the vehicle if appropriate and when necessary to avoid such a collision.
5. The operator of a bicycle shall not:
(a) Intentionally interfere with the movement of a motor vehicle; or
(b) Overtake and pass a motor vehicle unless he can do so safely without endangering himself or the occupants of the motor vehicle.

NRS 484.501 Penalty; responsibility of parent or guardian of minor; applicability to bicycle.
1. It is a misdemeanor for any person to do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required in NRS 484.505 to 484.513, inclusive.
2. The parent of any child and the guardian of any ward shall not authorize or knowingly permit any such child or ward to violate any of the provisions of this chapter.
3. The provisions applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a bicycle is operated upon any highway or upon any path set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles subject to those exceptions stated herein.

NRS 484.503 Traffic laws apply to person riding bicycle.
Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway has all of the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle except as otherwise provided in NRS 484.504 to 484.513, inclusive, and except as to those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application.

NRS 484.504 Persons exempt from traffic laws otherwise applicable to person riding bicycle; exception.
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a peace officer, a fireman, an emergency medical technician certified pursuant to chapter 450B of NRS or an employee of a pedestrian mall, who operates a bicycle while he is on duty, is not required to comply with any provision of NRS or any ordinance of a local government relating to the operation of a bicycle while on duty if he:
(a) Is responding to an emergency call or the peace officer is in pursuit of a suspected violator of the law; or
(b) Determines that noncompliance with any such provision is necessary to carry out his duties.
2. The provisions of this section do not:
(a) Relieve a peace officer, fireman, emergency medical technician or employee of a pedestrian mall from the duty to operate a bicycle with due regard for the safety of others.
(b) Protect such a person from the consequences of his disregard for the safety of others.
3. As used in this section, "pedestrian mall" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 268.811.

NRS 484.505 Riding on bicycle.
1. A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than upon or astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto.
2. No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.

NRS 484.507 Clinging to another vehicle on roadway prohibited.
No person riding upon any bicycle, coaster, roller skates, sled or toy vehicle shall attach the same or himself to any vehicle upon a roadway.

NRS 484.509 Operating bicycle on roadway.
1. Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall, except:
(a) When traveling at a lawful rate of speed commensurate with the speed of any nearby traffic;
(b) When preparing to turn left; or
(c) When doing so would not be safe,
ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
2. Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles.

NRS 484.511 Carrying articles.
No person operating a bicycle shall carry any package, bundle or article which prevents the driver from keeping at least one hand upon the handle bars.

NRS 484.513 Lamps, reflectors and brakes required on bicycles.
1. Every bicycle when in use at night must be equipped with:
(a) A lamp on the front which emits a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front;
(b) A red reflector on the rear of a type approved by the department which must be visible from 50 feet to 300 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle; and
(c) Reflective material of a sufficient size and reflectivity to be visible from both sides of the bicycle for 600 feet when directly in front of the lawful lower beams of the head lamps of a motor vehicle, or in lieu of such material, a lighted lamp visible from both sides from a distance of at least 500 feet.
2. Every bicycle must be equipped with a brake which will enable the operator to make the wheels skid on dry, level, clean pavement.

 

 

 

Edward M. Bernstein is the owner of Edward M. Bernstein & Associates, a law firm with offices in Las Vegas and Green Valley, Henderson. He has served as a Judge Pro Tem for the City of Las Vegas Municipal Court and for the City of North Las Vegas. He was the Democratic candidate for the United States Senate in 2000. He has been appointed by the Governor to serve as a hearing officer for the State of Nevada Personnel Advisory Commission as well as a hearing officer for the State of Nevada Department of Administration and the Nevada Board of Psychological Examiners. Las Vegas personal injury lawyer Ed Bernstein is one of the most experienced Las Vegas personal injury lawyer representing Las Vegas victims who need a Las Vegas personal injury lawyer or a Las Vegas car accident lawyer. If you've been hurt, you want a car crash attorney who understands the type of injuries that result from serious car wrecks. That's exactly what you'll get the from the law firm of Ed Bernstein & Associates. There are hundreds of accidents in Las Vegas annually and a car accident attorney in our Las Vegas injury law firm can help you recover damages and get compensated for injuries of all types. Our Las Vegas wrongful death lawyers handle injury lawsuits pertaining to medical malpractice cases. If you've been hurt by recalled drugs, a pharmacy error, dangerous antidepressants, or risky asthma drugs, where can you turn for help? You may have trusted a drug to help you feel better but now your health is worse. If you had a bad drug reaction, there's a good chance it may have happened to someone else too. Because there are time limits on filing a claim on a dangerous drug, don't wait any longer to find out about your legal rights. This website offers information about car accidents, bike accidents, taxi accidents, boat accidents, pedestrian accidents, motorcycle accidents, work injuries, workers compensation, hurt-on-the-job injures, dog bites, animal attacks, slip and fall accidents, casino accidents, medical malpractice, social security disability, people denied social security benefits, food poisoning, nursing home abuse, dental malpractice, chiropractor malpractice, nursing malpractice, healthcare malpractice, insurance disputes, defective products, harmful side effects from drugs like Ortho Evra, Seroquel, Zyprex, Fosamax, Digitek, Levaquin, or Yasmin / Yaz.