Reno Bicycle Accident Claims
Bicycle accident claims in Reno are not much different from other insurance claims. You will be the one making the claim against the other driver, and you will need to show that the other driver was at fault in the accident.
In Nevada, bicycles are not considered “vehicles” because they are human-powered. However, you are still required to follow traffic laws and can be cited for violations. On the other hand, your auto insurance follows you when you’re riding a bike. In most bicycle vs. auto accidents, the person driving the car is usually at fault. After such an accident, it is crucial to consult a Reno car accident lawyer to ensure your rights are protected and you receive fair compensation.
After an accident, you should exchange information with the other driver just as you would if you were in a car accident. You can file a claim with your own insurance just like you would after a car accident.
No matter what happens, you should always contact a Reno bicycle accident attorney. There are rules about bicycles that make bike accident insurance claims different from those for car accident claims. You should never try to negotiate with an insurance company, even your own, without speaking to a knowledgeable insurance attorney.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident in Reno, call us for a free evaluation of your case. The bike accident attorneys at Leverty & Associates Law Chtd. are here for you (775) 624-5276 to discuss your accident and alternatives.
About Our Firm
The attorneys of Leverty & Associates Law Chtd. have been active in Nevada for more than 40 years. We have a combined 100 years of experience among our lawyers, giving us a powerful edge in court and in our field.
We have recovered more than $150 million in claims and compensation for our clients. Because of our attorneys’ advocacy and our legal team’s hard work in preparing for litigation, we have more than 1000 satisfied clients. Our attorneys work with you and with each other to achieve the best possible outcome in each case we handle.
As long-time Nevada residents themselves, our attorneys and staff are active members of the Reno community and have served on state boards and in the government. We are proud to have been named members of the Nevada Justice Association, Super Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association, and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Learn more about our practice areas.
Attorney Patrick Leverty
Attorney Patrick Leverty is a Nevada State Bar certified Personal Injury Specialist and has extensive experience with personal injury actions, complex torts, product liability and class actions. He has an AV rating with Martindale Hubbell and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocate Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Forums, honors granted by peers to recognize attorneys who have won these awards for their clients.
Mr. Leverty is President of the board of the Reno Aquatic Club and immediate Past President of the Nevada Justice Association.
All our team members are dedicated to our core principles:
- Compassion for our clients
- Commitment and dedication
- Licensed and experienced attorneys
- Open communication
- Accurate assessment of your case
- Attention to detail.
When you come to Leverty & Associates Law Chtd., you will receive top-tier legal assistance no matter what type of case you bring to our door. Call us at (775) 624-5276 or visit our website for a free consultation.
How Bicycle Accidents Happen
In Reno, bicycles are allowed to ride on both the road and the sidewalk, except in the central business district. Bicycles are the stronger presence on the sidewalk and the weaker vehicle on the road. When you’re riding a bike, you must pay attention to where you are and what is going on around you, because where an accident happens will affect potential liability later.
On the sidewalk
Cyclists must always follow the speed limit, no matter where they are.
- Cyclists must yield the right of way to all pedestrians when entering a sidewalk, or when crossing a sidewalk.
- Cyclists must also yield the right of way to approaching bicycles when entering a roadway or highway.
- When walking a bicycle, cyclists must obey pedestrian laws.
- Bicycles may not be parked on sidewalks or in a manner that obstructs pedestrian traffic.
On the roadway
- Cyclists must ride in the same direction as vehicle traffic when in a bike lane unless it is designated as two-way traffic.
- At night, bikes must have a white front light visible for 500 feet and a red rear reflector visible from 50-300 feet.
- When entering a roadway where there is vehicle traffic, bicycles must yield to oncoming vehicle traffic.
Bike accidents usually happen because drivers are not paying attention to their surroundings. Although bicycles legally have the right of way in Nevada, this will not help you win a battle on the road. It’s your own responsibility to keep your eyes open and watch out for cars.
However, if you are following the rules of the road, you make your attorney’s job much easier, because the opposing side will not be able to say you were weaving through traffic or riding recklessly on the sidewalk. When dealing with your insurance or the other party’s insurance, your Reno personal injury lawyer will need to show that you had no responsibility for the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents
Nevada does not require cyclists to wear helmets. The Nevada Department of Transportation strongly encourages everyone to wear a bicycle helmet for safety. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends that children always wear helmets.
Cyclists are required to stay as far to the right as possible unless turning left or it would be unsafe to stay on the right. If there is debris or another vehicle in the roadway, you may swerve around it, as long as the road next to you is clear.
There is no law requiring reflective clothing or reflective gear. Remember that the main reason cars hit bikes is that they cannot see you. Reflective vests or high-visibility clothing is always a good idea when cycling, even if not required by law.
A moped falls somewhere between a bike and a motorcycle. Mopeds must be registered with the Nevada DMV, although there is no special insurance required. Moped riders must have a regular driver’s license. Unlike bike riders, moped riders must wear a helmet. And unlike bike riders, moped riders can be arrested for DUI.
Not really. Nevada charges intoxicated bike riders with reckless endangerment, which is a gross misdemeanor. If your accident causes serious bodily injury, it could be upgraded to a Class C felony, with 1-5 years prison time and up to $10,000 in fines. But since you were not driving, your license won’t be suspended.
When Bikes and Insurance Collide
When you’ve been involved in an accident due to another party’s carelessness or negligence, the question of fault becomes important. Nevada is an at-fault state, meaning that the person who is at fault in an accident pays for the damages of the other party.
Nevada courts follow a modified comparative fault rule. This means that even if you are partially responsible for your accident, you can still recover some of your damages, but only if your fault was not greater than the other party’s fault. If both of you are equally at fault, you could theoretically recover. If you were 51% at fault, you would not be allowed to recover compensation.
Your car insurance covers you when you are riding a bike. If you’re hit by a car and they don’t have any insurance (which is unfortunately possible these days), you can still file a claim with your own insurance if you have uninsured (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. This is one reason you should contact a skilled Reno bicycle accident lawyer if you’ve been injured in a car vs. bicycle accident. Similarly, if you’re involved in a motorcycle accident under comparable circumstances, consulting a Reno motorcycle accident lawyer is equally important to ensure that your rights and interests are protected.
How We Can Help You
When you suffer an accident at the hands of another party, you may be facing a difficult recovery process. You may need emergency medical care, surgeries, multiple days of hospitalization, and rehabilitation. You may miss work, leaving you without the income your family needs. The last thing you need is to have the insurance company refuse to pay you a fair settlement amount or deny your claim. Unfortunately, this happens far more than it should. Insurance companies are not your friends, despite all their cheerful ads. They are in business to make money, and that means paying you the least amount of money for your claim.
If your claim is denied, most insurance companies, even your own, require you to “exhaust administrative remedies” before you can take them to court. This means you will not be able to file a lawsuit until the claim has been denied, appealed, and gone through the process described in the insurance policy. Having a certified insurance attorney like those at Leverty & Associates Law Chtd. can streamline this process.
Most claims are denied for simple paperwork reasons. Either there was a lack of supporting documentation, or the paperwork itself was improperly completed. Sometimes deadlines were missed. Insurance companies may require you to submit a claim within as little as 30 days after an accident. If you’ve just been catapulted off your bicycle by an SUV, filling out insurance forms is the last thing on your mind.
We can make sure that all your paperwork is completed before it gets sent to your insurance company or to the at-fault driver’s company and avoid delays while incomplete documents are sent back and forth, or deadlines are missed. Equally important, we’ll be familiar with your case if it does get denied. We will be ready for any appeals or legal action, and we will be prepared to go just as soon as anything comes back from the insurer.
An insurance case means collecting a lot of information from random sources. The insurer will want doctor’s records, police reports, witness statements, and billing invoices so that they can determine who was at fault and how much should be paid out on your claim. We can assemble your document packet and get the documentation the insurer wants with less trouble than you might have.
You have enough to worry about after a bad bike accident — getting well, going to physical therapy, fixing your bicycle. You should not have to spend additional time collecting paperwork. If you’ve been in a bicycle accident because of another driver’s carelessness or negligence, you need a skilled advocate on your team who can negotiate for your rights and the compensation you need.
Contact Us Today To Get Started
When you’re denied an insurance claim to help pay for your accident, you can feel hopeless, frustrated, or even angry at your insurance company. Our team has a combined experience of nearly 100 years that can help you fight for due compensation, so you don’t have to worry about your medical bills or time away from work. Call today.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a bicycle accident in Reno, call us for a free evaluation of your case. The bike accident attorneys at Leverty & Associates Law Chtd. are here for you (775) 624-5276 to discuss your accident and alternatives.
The Reno lawyers at Leverty & Associates Law Chtd. handle bicycle accident cases occurring in Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Lake Tahoe, Fernley, Fallon, Dayton, Minden, Gardnerville, Washoe County, Lyon County, Douglas County, Churchill County, Las Vegas, Clark County, and throughout Nevada.
Client Testimonial
”Patrick is a great lawyer, he help me with my case and solved a great problem ,thanks to him and his quick response time we won the case thanks, could not have done it with out him.” – Lloyd Fellon (Google Review)
Attorney Patrick Leverty
With his master’s in insurance law, Patrick routinely helps individuals and businesses who are having issues with their insurance company. He also has extensive experience with personal injury actions, complex tort actions, product liability matters, and class actions. Patrick Leverty is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell (the highest rating) and has been granted membership in the Million Dollar Advocate Forum, and Multi-Million Dollar Advocate Forum. Patrick Leverty has been certified as a Personal Injury Specialist by the State Bar of Nevada. [ Attorney Bio ]
