Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorneys

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riders face greater risks of accident and serious injury than drivers of automobiles and other vehicles. Unlike a passenger vehicle, a motorcycle has no doors, no roof, no airbags, and no safety restraints. A motorcycle is also less stable than a passenger vehicle because it is lightweight and has only two wheels. Because of the higher risk and exposure, a motorcycle rider must take all safety precautions when riding as well as to protect all legal rights in the event of an accident and injury.

Motorcycle Road Hazards

Because motorcycle riders lack the protective barriers provided by passenger vehicles, riders are more likely to be injured as a result of irregularities in the road. Hazards that present merely minor irritations for a passenger vehicle can be a major hazard for a motorcycle rider and cause fatal collisions. These hazards include potholes, oil slicks, puddles, debris or other objects on the roadway, ruts, uneven pavement, construction zones and railroad tracks.

Reduced Visibility of Motorcycles to Passenger Vehicles

Motorcycle riders are a smaller presence on the road and are often obscured by other vehicles. Weather conditions, such as hard-driving rain, fog or snow may also increase the possibility of collisions and resulting in serious or fatal injuries. Reduced visibility is especially dangerous at intersections, where approximately 70 percent of motorcycle collisions occur with passenger vehicles.

Motorcycle Single Vehicle Crashes

Motorcycle operator inexperience and failure to appreciate the limitations of a motorcycle may also account for collisions. According to a 2001 Report of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclist fatalities in single vehicle crashes account for about 45 percent of all motorcyclist fatalities. Between 1975 and 1999, more than 38,000 motorcyclists died in single vehicle motorcycle crashes.  The NHTSA Report revealed the following data regarding fatal accidents:

• Alcohol involvement among motorcycle operators is a major factor in fatal collisions;
• Motorcycles are more likely to collide with a fixed object;
• Motorcycles are more likely to be involved in collisions when negotiating a curve;
• More motorcycle crashes occur on rural roadways;
• More motorcyclist fatalities occur off roadway; and,
• Speeding is a factor.

Defective Design or Manufacture of Motorcycles

A defect in a motorcycle's design or manufacture should also be considered as a potential cause of a serious of fatal collision.  When motorcycles reach higher speeds, the front end may become unstable and begin to shake or "wobble," as a result of a misalignment of the front and rear tires. If an accident is caused by a high-speed wobble, the manufacturer of the motorcycle might be held financially responsible for the design defect that resulted in injuries. An experienced Las Vegas motorcycle accident attorney will assess relevant product liability defects or recalls involving motorcycles, and can help determine whether you have a claim against the motorcycle manufacturer.

Nevada Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

If you or a loved one is injured in a motorcycle accident, you must protect your legal rights.  An experienced Nevada motorcycle accident attorney can evaluate your potential claim, including compliance with traffic laws, motor vehicle regulations, medical treatment issues, and liability determinations.