Each year many more people are discovering the pleasure and economic benefits of riding a motorcycle. Due to the relatively consistent weather in the Nevada desert, motorcycle riding is a yearlong activity. However, riding a motorcycle is not entirely fun and games. Motorcyclists are required to have the needed skills to operate such a vehicle safely on Nevada highways and roads. Regrettably, the safety of motorcyclists is not always within their control.
Motorcycles offer very little protection for their rider in the event of a crash. Even wearing the proper safety gear cannot always guard the rider from injuries, or even death, in a severe motorcycle accident. Consequently, Nevada motorcycle riders are often at the mercy of reckless and negligent drivers, dangerous roadways, faulty maintenance and/or careless motorcycle manufacturers.
In a report released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 42 people were killed in Nevada motorcycle accidents in 2009. Although the numbers through the first nine months of 2010 indicate a slight decline in motorcycle-related accidents, the final numbers are expected to show an increase in Nevada motorcycle accident fatalities for the entire year of 2010. Many times an automobile driver’s failure to see bikers is, unfortunately, a principal reason motorcycle accidents occur. As indicated by the Department of Transportation’s motorcycle safety study, three-quarters of all motorcycle accidents involve a collision with another vehicle – most often a passenger car. The other vehicle’s driver frequently reported not seeing the motorcycle or not having enough time to avoid the accident. If someone is injured or killed in a Nevada motorcycle accident – and it is the result of a negligent driver – that person or their family can file a Nevada personal injury lawsuit in response to the incident.
Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities that drivers of passenger vehicles have. Thus, if a rider becomes the victim of the negligent or reckless actions of another, he or she has the right to hold the at-fault party liable for the injuries they endure. Due to our extensive and comprehensive experiences with personal injuries we, at Benson and Bingham, understand the pain associated with such accidents. We pride ourselves on client service and will work with you to help you receive the reimbursement you deserve. If you or someone you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please speak with one of our experienced attorneys who can advise you in your rights under Nevada law. The personal injury attorneys at Benson and Bingham are committed to protecting the rights of motorcyclists.