Reno Motorcycle Accident Lawyers, Washoe County, NV
Aggressive representation for Nevada motorcycle accident victims
The open roads of Nevada entice many Reno residents to buy and enjoy motorcycles. As a rider, you know that many times drivers of other vehicles don’t pay enough attention to motorcycles. While motorcycles provide a sense of freedom, the downside is they provide little physical protection for drivers and passengers when other drivers are inattentive. Reno motorcycle accidents often cause fatalities and catastrophic injuries.
At Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers, our Reno personal injury lawyers fight to show how drivers failed to respect the rights of the motorcycle riders to be on the road. Our lawyers are skilled in negotiating with insurance companies and taking cases to trial and have secured millions of dollars for motorcycle riders throughout the state. Call today to get started on your case.
Quick Questions
- What are common injuries from motorcycle accidents?
- What factors contribute to Reno motorcycle accidents?
- Does Nevada have mandatory motorcycle laws?
- Who is responsible for damages when a Reno motorcycle accident occurs?
- How much is my Reno motorcycle accident case worth?
- Is there a Reno motorcycle accident lawyer near me?
What are common injuries from motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycle accidents are extremely dangerous because motorcycles don’t have a hood, roof, side door, or trunk to protect the riders. When accidents happen, the riders usually strike the hard asphalt, or they are crushed by the vehicle that struck their motorcycle. According to the Insurance Information Institute, more than 5,000 people died in motorcycle accidents nationwide in 2018 and again in 2019.
Survivors of motorcycle accidents often suffer one or more of these catastrophic injuries:
- Brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries cause physical, emotional, and cognitive difficulties that often require a lifetime of medical care. TBI victims often require surgery and need to treat with many different types of therapists.
- Spinal cord injuries. It’s fairly common for motorcycle riders to wrench, twist, or injure their spinal cord when they’re thrown from their bike. Some spinal cord injuries result in paralysis.
- Traumatic amputation. Some victims may lose an arm, leg, or another part of their anatomy as a result of being crushed – or because the injuries they sustain are so great that a doctor must amputate to save the victim’s life. A loss of limb or an appendage is life-altering. Victims often require long-term psychological care, treatment for a prosthesis, and surgery.
- Internal organ damage. Broken ribs may heal over time, but they can easily puncture a lung or other organ. A motorcycle rider who is thrown from a bike could be pierced by an object when he or she lands.
- Broken bones. Some fractures can be set and heal with time, but riders often have multiple fractures from accidents. When bones are shattered, multiple surgeries may be required. Some fractures result in a lifetime of agony. Broken legs and hips are quite common because they’re often the first body part to strike the ground. Shattered arms and wrists are also common because the rider will, in most cases, brace for impact.
- “Road rash.” This skin injury occurs when the motorcycle operator or passenger slides along the road. Victims require immediate treatment, especially to prevent infections. Victims may require skin grafts and plastic surgery. Some victims have permanent nerve damage.
Many of these injuries can lead to permanent scarring or disfigurement.
What factors contribute to Reno motorcycle accidents?
Does Nevada have mandatory motorcycle laws?
Yes, it does. Nevada requires that every motorcycle driver and every passenger must wear an NHTSA-approved helmet. All operators must be at least 16 years old, and you must have a license no matter what age you are. Lane splitting is illegal, as is operating a motorcycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Who is responsible for damages when a Reno motorcycle accident occurs?
Depending on the circumstances of your case, there could be one or more liable parties. At Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers, we file personal injury claims and wrongful death claims against all responsible parties. Defendants may include:
- The driver of a car, truck, or other vehicle that struck you.
- The owners of the vehicle that struck you. (Generally, owners are liable for the negligence of anyone they gave permission to use their vehicle.)
- A manufacturer of a defective motorcycle part such as the gear shifts that cause an accident. The distributors and retailers are also generally liable.
Other defendants including trucking companies or third parties such as the city, county, or state department of transportation, may also be liable.
How much is my Reno motorcycle accident case worth?
There’s no way to say what a motorcycle case is worth without first reviewing the details, but most cases involve severe injuries that place a significant financial burden on the victim. If you have health insurance, your health insurance carrier should pay your medical bills and then seek reimbursement if there is a settlement or verdict.
In Nevada, the defendants who caused the motorcycle accident are liable for your damages. Once fault is established, we seek the following damages for our clients:
- Medical bills. These expenses include all your hospital bills, physician bills, therapy care, medications, and the cost of assistive devices.
- Lost income. We demand payment for all your lost income and work earnings for as long as you are unable to work.
- Pain and suffering. Victims can claim compensation for all their daily aches, pains, worries, and anxiety for as long as they are suffering due to the motorcycle accident.
- Property damage. You’re entitled to compensation for the cost to repair your motorcycle or, if the motorcycle is beyond repair, to replace it.
- Scarring and disfigurement. This includes the cost of plastic surgery and psychological care.
- Loss of consortium. Accident victims and/or spouses can claim compensation for the ways the injuries affect the ability to enjoy the marital relationship.
When the actions of the other party show a complete disregard for the safety of others, we demand punitive damages.
If a loved one died, we demand wrongful death damages including funeral and burial bills, the income lost because your loved one died, and the emotional losses because your loved one is not able to provide the comfort and companionship you dearly miss.
We work with your employers and financial experts to prove financial losses. We work with your medical team to show the seriousness of your injuries. Our Reno motorcycle accident lawyers help prepare you and your witnesses to testify or show just how much the injuries have affected your life.
Is there a Reno motorcycle accident lawyer near me?
Our Reno law office is located at 100 N Sierra St, Suite 220, but we will travel if you are too injured to come to us. We also speak with clients through video and on the phone.
Consult with our experienced Reno motorcycle accident attorneys today
At Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers, we understand how traumatic a motorcycle accident injury is, and how devastating it is when a loved one dies in a motorcycle crash. We help clients understand how the litigation process works. We fight to show the defendants did cause the accident. We demand full compensation for all your economic and personal damages. To discuss your right to hold defendants liable, just call 702-333-7777 or fill out our contact form.
Reno Office
100 N Sierra St, Suite 220
Reno, NV 89501