Las Vegas Bicycle Accident Attorney

If a driver hit you on your bicycle in Las Vegas, you generally have 2 years to sue for your injuries and 3 years for your bike (NRS 11.190). Nevada gives a cyclist the rights and duties of a vehicle driver (NRS 484B.763) and requires drivers to change lanes or give at least 3 feet when passing (NRS 484B.270). Your recovery is reduced by any share of fault that is yours, and barred only if that share is greater than the driver's (NRS 41.141).

The state's official counts show 12 bicyclists killed on Clark County roads in 2025 and 11 in 2024, figures the state still treats as preliminary. Our page on how often cyclists are hurt or killed on Clark County roads explains the numbers. This page covers the claim itself.

What should you do in the first days after a bike crash?

1. Get medical care and call police. A driver in an injury crash must stop, give a name, address and registration and help anyone hurt (NRS 484E.010, 484E.030). A police report is strong evidence in any claim and is required for a hit-and-run claim on your own policy (NRS 690B.020(3)(f)).
2. Get the driver's insurance. Photograph the insurance card, plate and license. If the driver's identity is unclear later, the DMV may disclose a party's insurer from the crash reports it receives (NRS 484E.070(6)).
3. Keep the bike, helmet and clothing as they are. Damage patterns show the angle and speed of impact. Store them unrepaired and photograph them.
4. Save your ride data. GPS apps, bike computers and helmet cameras can show your speed, your lane position and the moment of impact.
5. Look for video and witnesses. Ask nearby businesses for footage in writing quickly, before it is recorded over.

How does a Nevada bicycle accident claim work, step by step?

1. Find every policy. The driver's liability coverage pays first. Your own auto policy may add uninsured, underinsured or medical payments coverage, depending on its wording; see whose insurance pays when a car hits a cyclist.
2. Claim the bike and gear. These are property damage, paid by the driver's property coverage of at least $20,000 (NRS 485.185).
3. Answer the fault arguments. Drivers often say the cyclist "came out of nowhere," rode without lights or left the bike lane. The rules of the road, set out below, are the answer.
4. Treat, then present the injury claim. The demand waits until doctors can describe the injury's course, because that is when its cost is known.
5. Negotiate, then file if needed. Claims over $15,000 go to the Eighth Judicial District Court, and smaller ones can go to justice court (NRS 4.370). The court steps are the same as in a car case, covered in what happens after a lawsuit is filed in Clark County.

What are the deadlines after a bicycle accident?

What Nevada cycling rules decide fault?

Fault is argued with the traffic rules, and Nevada's are specific about bicycles.

• Passing. A driver passing a bicycle, e-bike or e-scooter must move into the next lane to the left if there is one and it is safe; otherwise the driver must pass at a safe distance of at least 3 feet (NRS 484B.270). See how the 3-foot passing law helps a cyclist's claim.
• Bike lanes. Drivers may not drive in a bike lane except for listed reasons, must yield to riders in it and must use due care to avoid a collision (NRS 484B.270). Our guide on right of way in a bike lane crash covers turning cars and parked cars.
• Lane position. A cyclist rides as near the right side as practicable, except when keeping pace with traffic, turning left, or when the lane is unsafe or too narrow to share, and no more than two abreast outside bike paths (NRS 484B.777).
• Car doors. No one may open a vehicle door on the traffic side in a way that interferes with moving traffic (NRS 484B.153), which is the rule in a "dooring" crash.
• Lights at night. A bike ridden at night needs a white front lamp visible from 500 feet, a red rear reflector and side reflectors or lamps, and every bike needs a working brake (NRS 484B.783). See whether the light and equipment rules affect your claim.

A broken rule on the cyclist's side does not end the claim. Under modified comparative negligence, it matters only if it helped cause the crash, and then it reduces the recovery by the cyclist's percentage unless that share is greater than the driver's (NRS 41.141).

A driver who breaks the passing or bike lane rules and causes a collision with a rider also faces an added penalty (NRS 484B.270). That penalty is part of the traffic case, but a citation, and the facts behind it, can support the injury claim.

What insurance pays a cyclist in Nevada?

Many cyclists assume that because they were not in a car, no insurance of theirs applies. That is often not the case, but it depends on how your policy defines who is covered, so ask the insurer for the full policy, not just the declarations page. A hit-and-run driver counts as uninsured only if the vehicle made physical contact with you or your bike and the crash was reported to police in time (NRS 690B.020(3)(f)).

What can a bicycle accident claim recover?

A cyclist's claim usually covers medical care past and future, lost income and earning ability, pain, suffering and lost enjoyment of life, and the repair or value of the bike and gear. After a fatal crash, heirs can recover for grief, lost support and companionship, and the estate for medical and funeral costs (NRS 41.085); see wrongful death claims after a fatal crash.

Part of a recovery may be owed back. A hospital can hold a lien for the reasonable value of its care (NRS 108.590), Medicaid has a lien when it paid (NRS 422.293), and our guide on hospital liens on a settlement explains how they work.

What changes the answer?

• You were on an e-bike or e-scooter. Nevada defines an electric bicycle as one with working pedals and a motor of no more than 750 watts in one of three classes (NRS 484B.017), and riders have the same rights and duties as cyclists (NRS 484B.763). See e-bike and e-scooter crashes.
• A road defect caused the crash. Claims against a city, county or the State are capped at $200,000 per claimant (NRS 41.035).
• The driver was drunk. Punitive damages without the usual cap may be available (NRS 42.010); see our drunk driving accident page.
• The rider is a child. A court must approve a minor's settlement (NRS 41.200); see court approval of a child's settlement.
• You were riding as part of your job. Workers' compensation may pay, with a lien on your recovery from the driver (NRS 616C.215).
• The crash was in Henderson. Henderson has its own police and courts; see Henderson crash claims.

For example: a right hook at an intersection

For example, imagine a cyclist riding straight in a marked bike lane when a car passes, then turns right across the lane. Under NRS 484B.270 the driver had to yield to the rider in the bike lane, so fault falls mainly on the driver. The driver's insurer offers its $25,000 limit. The cyclist's own auto policy covers household members injured as cyclists, so an underinsured motorist claim pays the rest of the losses, up to that policy's limit. This is a hypothetical, not a real case.

Common mistakes after a bike crash

1. Not calling police because the driver was apologetic. Without a report, a later hit-and-run or a changed story is hard to prove.
2. Fixing or throwing away the bike. It is key evidence of the impact.
3. Assuming your auto policy does not apply. Read the full policy before deciding.
4. Accepting that missing lights or riding outside the bike lane ends the claim. Under NRS 41.141, it reduces a recovery only if it helped cause the crash.
5. Letting the 2-year deadline pass during negotiations. Talks with an insurer do not pause it (NRS 11.190).

How The Fletcher Firm handles bicycle accident claims

Why Choose The Fletcher Firm?

• Cycling Law Experience: I have a thorough understanding of the laws that protect cyclists and how they interact with Nevada’s traffic regulations. This experience helps in building strong cases for clients who have suffered in cycling accidents.
• Tailored Legal Strategies: Recognizing that no two bicycle accidents are alike, I customize my approach to fit the specific circumstances and injuries of each client.
• Commitment to Clients: You only pay if we win. My focus is on getting you the maximum compensation possible, and you will incur no fees unless I recover funds on your behalf. Please note: a client may be liable for the opposing parties' fees and costs.

My Approach to Bicycle Accident Claims

1. In-depth Case Evaluation: I conduct a thorough review of your accident to collect all pertinent evidence, including accident scene photos, witness statements, and police reports.
2. Expert Collaboration: I collaborate with medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists to fully understand the extent of your injuries and the accident dynamics. This detailed preparation supports your claim with strong, expert-backed evidence.
3. Assertive Negotiation and Litigation: With a robust case file, I negotiate forcefully with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement. Should negotiations stall, I am fully prepared to litigate in court, advocating passionately on your behalf.

Types of Bicycle Accident Cases I Handle

• Collisions with Motor Vehicles
• Accidents due to Road Hazards
• Accidents caused by Negligent Driving

Frequently asked questions

Do cyclists have to ride in the bike lane in Nevada?

The rule is to ride as near the right side as practicable, with exceptions, not a duty to use a bike lane (NRS 484B.777).

Can I ride two abreast?

Yes, but no more than two abreast, except on paths or lanes set aside for bicycles (NRS 484B.777).

Does the driver's citation prove my case?

It helps, but the injury claim is decided on its own evidence. If the driver is convicted of a crime arising from the crash, the conviction is conclusive evidence of the facts needed for civil liability (NRS 41.133).

Can I still claim if I was not wearing a helmet?

Yes. The bicycle sections of Nevada's traffic law contain no helmet requirement, and fault turns on what caused the crash (NRS 41.141). The insurer may still argue that a helmet would have made a head injury less severe.

Who investigates a Las Vegas bike crash?

Usually the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, or Henderson or North Las Vegas police in those cities. Our guide on getting a Las Vegas crash report explains how to request it.

Contact Me for a Free Consultation

As a bicycle accident victim, you deserve an attorney who is both compassionate and fiercely effective. I am here to provide that representation. Contact me today at 702-333-6339 or fill out our online form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Let me help you on your journey to recovery and justice.

Sources

• NRS chapter 484B: passing, bike lanes, lane position, doors, lights and e-bikes (Nevada Legislature)
• NRS 11.190, time limits for lawsuits (Nevada Legislature)
• NRS 41.141, comparative negligence, and NRS chapter 41 on wrongful death, government claims and minors' settlements (Nevada Legislature)
• NRS chapter 484E, duties after a crash (Nevada Legislature)
• NRS 485.185, minimum insurance (Nevada Legislature)
• NRS 687B.145, underinsured motorist and medical payments coverage (Nevada Legislature)
• NRS 690B.020, uninsured motorist coverage (Nevada Legislature)
• NAC 686A.665 and 686A.670, claim handling (Nevada Legislature)
• 2024 to 2025 State Fatal Report, April 6, 2026 (Nevada Office of Traffic Safety)