What should I do after a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas?

Call 911, do not remove your helmet until medical professionals arrive, seek immediate medical attention, document the scene with photos if possible, get the other driver's information and insurance details, do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company, and contact a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Can I still recover compensation if I wasn't wearing a helmet?

Not wearing a helmet does not automatically bar you from recovering compensation in Nevada. However, the defense may argue that your head injuries would have been less severe with a helmet, which could reduce the amount you recover for those specific injuries. You can still pursue full compensation for all other injuries.

Is lane splitting legal in Nevada?

No. Unlike California, lane splitting is illegal in Nevada. If you were lane splitting at the time of your accident, it could affect your percentage of fault under Nevada's comparative negligence law. However, it does not necessarily bar you from recovering compensation if the other driver was also negligent.

How much is a motorcycle accident case worth?

The value depends on the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, the degree of the other driver's negligence, and available insurance coverage. Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, which means the damages — and potential settlement values — can be significant.

What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?

If you were the victim of a hit-and-run motorcycle accident, you may be able to recover compensation through your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage. Report the accident to the police immediately — law enforcement may be able to identify the driver through surveillance cameras, witness descriptions, or forensic evidence.

How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Nevada?

You have two years from the date of the accident under NRS 11.190. For wrongful death claims, the deadline is two years from the date of death. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to preserve evidence and protect your rights.

Do you handle motorcycle accidents in Summerlin?

Yes. Our office is located in Downtown Summerlin, and we represent riders injured in motorcycle accidents throughout Summerlin and the greater Las Vegas area. Whether the crash occurred on the Summerlin Parkway, Charleston Boulevard, I-215, or anywhere else in Clark County, we are ready to help.

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Las Vegas

Injured in a motorcycle accident? We fight for riders' rights and maximum compensation. Free consultation. No fee unless we win.

(702) 518-8584 Free Case Evaluation

Riding a motorcycle in Las Vegas means sharing the road with distracted tourists, aggressive commuters, and heavy commercial truck traffic — often with nothing between you and the pavement but your gear. When a car or truck driver fails to see a motorcycle or violates a rider's right of way, the consequences are severe.

From 2018 to 2022, motorcycle fatalities accounted for 23 percent of all traffic fatalities in Nevada — despite motorcycles making up a small fraction of vehicles on the road. Over that period, there were 353 motorcycle fatalities and 348 fatal motorcycle crashes statewide. Riders who survive these collisions often face traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, and months of painful rehabilitation.

Based in Downtown Summerlin, The Sookiassian Firm represents motorcycle accident victims throughout Summerlin, Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Clark County. We understand the unique challenges motorcycle accident victims face — including the bias riders often encounter from insurance companies and juries — and we know how to overcome them.

We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case.

Why Motorcycle Accidents Cause Such Severe Injuries

The physics are straightforward: motorcycles offer almost no physical protection compared to a car or truck. There is no steel frame, no airbags, no crumple zones, and no seatbelt. In a collision, the rider absorbs nearly all of the impact force directly.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Even with a DOT-approved helmet, the force of a collision can cause concussions, brain contusions, or severe traumatic brain injuries. Without a helmet, the risk of fatal head injury increases dramatically.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The impact of a crash can damage the spinal cord, potentially causing partial or complete paralysis. These injuries often require lifelong medical care and assistance.

Road Rash and Severe Burns

When a rider slides across pavement at speed, the friction strips away layers of skin and tissue. Severe road rash can require skin grafts and cause permanent scarring.

Fractures and Crush Injuries

Broken legs, arms, wrists, ribs, and pelvises are extremely common in motorcycle crashes. Some fractures require surgical repair with plates, screws, or rods.

Internal Organ Damage

The blunt force of a motorcycle collision can cause internal bleeding, organ lacerations, and other life-threatening internal injuries.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Las Vegas

Most motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence of other drivers — not the rider. The most common causes include:

Left-Turn Accidents

The single most common type of motorcycle accident. A car or truck turns left at an intersection directly into the path of an oncoming motorcycle.

Failure to Check Blind Spots

Motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than cars. Drivers making lane changes or merging frequently fail to check for motorcycles.

Distracted Driving

Under NRS 484B.165, using a handheld device while driving is prohibited. A distracted driver who doesn't see a motorcycle can cause a devastating collision.

Speeding

Drivers exceeding the speed limit have less time to react to motorcycles and cause higher-impact collisions.

Drunk and Impaired Driving

DUI (NRS 484C.110) is a leading cause of fatal motorcycle accidents in Las Vegas, particularly on weekend nights.

Unsafe Lane Changes

Drivers who change lanes without signaling or checking mirrors put motorcyclists at extreme risk on multi-lane highways.

Dooring

A parked driver opening a car door into the path of an oncoming motorcycle can cause the rider to collide with the door or swerve into traffic.

Road Hazards

Potholes, loose gravel, debris, and oil slicks that a car can drive over can be deadly for a motorcycle rider.

Nevada Motorcycle Laws That Affect Your Case

Helmet Law (NRS 486.231)

Nevada requires all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear DOT-approved helmets at all times on public roads. Not wearing a helmet could affect your claim for head injuries.

Protective Eyewear (NRS 486.231)

Riders must wear protective glasses, goggles, or a face shield unless the motorcycle has a transparent windscreen meeting DOT standards.

Lane Splitting Is Illegal

Unlike California, Nevada prohibits lane splitting — riding between two lanes of traffic. If you were lane splitting, it could affect your claim.

Full Lane Rights (NRS 486.341)

Motorcyclists are entitled to the full use of their traffic lane. Other drivers may not crowd or share a motorcyclist's lane.

Same Traffic Laws Apply (NRS 486.331)

Motorcyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers of other motor vehicles.

Insurance Requirements

Motorcyclists in Nevada must carry the same minimum liability insurance as other motorists: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage.

Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle

Left-turn motorcycle accidents

Intersection collisions

Lane-change accidents

Rear-end collisions

Head-on collisions

Hit-and-run motorcycle accidents

Drunk driver motorcycle accidents

Highway accidents on I-15, US-95, and I-215

Dooring accidents

Road hazard and road defect accidents

Motorcycle vs. truck accidents

Motorcycle vs. rideshare vehicle accidents

Single-vehicle accidents caused by road conditions

Fatal motorcycle accidents (wrongful death)

Who Can Be Held Liable?

The Other Driver

If another driver's negligence caused the accident — running a red light, failing to yield, texting while driving, driving drunk — that driver is liable under NRS 41.130.

The Driver's Employer

If the at-fault driver was working at the time of the accident (delivery driver, commercial vehicle operator), their employer may also be liable under respondeat superior.

Government Entities

If dangerous road conditions, inadequate signage, or poor road design contributed to the accident, the responsible government entity may share liability.

Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers

If a defective vehicle component (brakes, tires, steering) on either the motorcycle or the other vehicle contributed to the crash, the manufacturer may be liable.

Road Maintenance Contractors

If a construction company or road maintenance contractor created a hazardous condition (loose gravel, unmarked lane shifts, debris), they may be liable.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Economic Damages

Medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, skin grafts, prosthetics, future medical care), lost wages and lost earning capacity, property damage to your motorcycle and gear, and out-of-pocket costs.

Non-Economic Damages

Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent scarring and disfigurement, and loss of consortium.

Wrongful Death Damages

If a motorcycle accident is fatal, surviving family members may pursue compensation under NRS 41.085 for funeral costs, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and other damages.

Punitive Damages

In cases involving extreme recklessness — such as DUI or street racing — Nevada law (NRS 42.005) may allow punitive damages.

For more on how personal injury damages are calculated, see our guide: How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth in Nevada?

The Anti-Rider Bias Problem

Insurance companies and defense attorneys frequently exploit a bias against motorcycle riders. They may argue that riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous, that the rider was speeding or being reckless, or that the rider "should have known" the risks. This bias can reduce settlement offers and affect jury verdicts.

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney knows how to counter this bias by focusing on the facts: the other driver's negligence, the evidence from the scene, witness statements, and the applicable traffic laws. At The Sookiassian Firm, we fight to ensure that our clients are treated fairly — not punished for choosing to ride.

Nevada's Comparative Negligence Rule

Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence system under NRS 41.141. You can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault — as long as your share of fault is less than 50 percent. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

In motorcycle accident cases, the defense will often try to assign fault to the rider for not wearing enough protective gear, for lane positioning, or for alleged speeding. A strong attorney can counter these arguments with evidence and protect your right to full compensation.

For more on how Nevada's fault rules work, see our Car Accident Lawyer page. For examples of how fault is apportioned in multi-vehicle crashes involving commercial vehicles, see our Truck Accident Lawyer page.

The Statute of Limitations

Under NRS 11.190, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Nevada. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period begins on the date of death.

Do not wait to contact an attorney. Evidence from the scene — skid marks, surveillance footage, witness memories — deteriorates quickly. The sooner your case is investigated, the stronger it will be.

Why Choose The Sookiassian Firm?

We Understand Rider Bias

We know that motorcycle accident victims face unfair assumptions from insurance companies and juries. We build cases that focus on the facts and the other driver's negligence.

We Investigate Thoroughly

We work with accident reconstruction experts, obtain traffic camera footage, interview witnesses, and document every detail to build the strongest possible case.

Concierge-Level Service

Every client gets personalized attention and direct access to their attorney. We are not a billboard factory.

No Fee Unless We Win

We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and you owe us nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

Multilingual Service

We serve clients in English, Armenian, and Russian.

Frequently Asked Questions

Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?

Get Your Free Consultation Today

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Summerlin, Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, or anywhere in Clark County, The Sookiassian Firm is here to help. We fight for riders' rights and will pursue every dollar of compensation you are owed.

1980 Festival Plaza Dr, Suite 460, Las Vegas, NV 89135

(702) 518-8584 Contact Us Online

Free Consultation | No Fee Unless We Win