Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident in Henderson, Nevada? Other drivers are often at fault when motorcycle accidents occur. Drivers who overlook motorcycles or misjudge their speed cause many preventable motorcycle crashes.
Motorcycle accident victims are frequently forced to deal with painful injuries and significant financial hardship. Fortunately, motorcyclists injured by the negligence of another driver may seek substantial compensation for their losses by filing a motorcycle accident injury claim.
At Sam & Ash Injury Law, our down-to-earth Henderson injury lawyers understand the unique challenges facing injured motorcyclists. We’re here to stand up for What’s Right for you. Contact our Henderson personal injury law firm today to discuss the details of your accident with us in a free initial consultation.
Recent Henderson, NV Motorcycle Accident
Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents occur all too frequently in Henderson. More than 2,000 motorcycle wrecks were reported in Henderson in a three-year period.
Recently, the 215 Beltway in Henderson was shut down for hours due to a local motorcycle accident that resulted in a tragic death. Early one Tuesday morning, 23-year-old Joseph Ketterer collided with the rear end of a Jeep traveling west along 215 near the Valley Verde Drive exit.
According to a spokesperson from the Nevada Highway Patrol, the Jeep careened into a barrier wall due to the collision, and the motorist suffered relatively minor injuries. On the other hand, the motorcyclist was ejected from his motorcycle and sustained severe trauma. Ketterer was later pronounced dead from his injuries at Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center.
Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Henderson
Some of the most common contributing factors in Henderson motorcycle crash cases we handle include:
- Speeding – Automobile drivers who exceed posted speed limits or drive too fast for traffic or weather conditions have less time to react when they recognize motorcyclists on the road. At high speeds, even a split second can mean the difference between avoiding or causing a wreck.
- Distracted driving – Distractions that divert a driver’s attention put everyone on the road at risk. Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to a driver’s lapses in attention. When automobile drivers are absorbed in phone conversations, looking at an electronic screen, sending text messages, or distracted in other various ways, they are more likely to overlook motorcycles in nearby lanes or in blind spots.
- Impaired driving – Alcohol, illicit drugs, and even certain legal medications can adversely affect driving abilities. Impaired drivers often have difficulty gauging the relative speed or distance of motorcycles quickly enough to avoid a collision.
- Fatigued driving – According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), driving while sleep-deprived can be as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. Drowsy drivers may collide with motorcycles when they drift unintentionally into neighboring lanes or nod off behind the wheel.
- Driver error – Drivers who are inexperienced are more likely to make errors that increase the risk of motorcycle wrecks. Common examples of driver errors related to inexperience include the failure to monitor blind spots, the failure to yield the right of way, and the failure to accurately judge the speed of approaching motorcycles when waiting to make a left turn.
- Dooring accidents – A dooring accident occurs when a negligent driver or vehicle occupant opens a car door into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist. When a motorcyclist collides with an opening car door, the rider can sustain blunt-force trauma or get ejected from their motorcycle.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
When motorcyclists are involved in traffic collisions in Henderson, they have little protection from the crash impact and may be thrown from the motorcycle onto the pavement.
The following types of serious and potentially life-changing injuries are common in Henderson motorcycle accident cases:
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries
- Facial injuries and dental trauma
- Shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries
- Dislocated or broken bones
- Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Abdominal injuries and internal bleeding
- Hip, leg, knee, ankle, and foot injuries
- Road rash
- Scarring and permanent disfigurement
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
- Partial or total paralysis
- Traumatic amputation and loss of limb
- Thermal and chemical burns
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Other psychological and emotional injuries
- Wrongful death
Nevada Motorcycle Laws
Here are some motorcycle laws every Nevada motorcyclist should know:
- Nevada drivers must obtain a Class M license to ride a motorcycle
- Nevada motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists
- Motorcyclists and passengers of all ages and experience levels must wear appropriate safety helmets at all times while riding on public roads
- Motorcyclists may not pass other vehicles within the same lane
- Motorcyclists are prohibited from lane-splitting in Nevada
- Motorcycles must be equipped with certain safety features, including headlamps, stoplights, rear reflectors, rearview mirrors, and mufflers
Elements To Prove in a Motorcycle Accident Claim
A personal injury attorney will consider the following questions when weighing whether you have a valid motorcycle accident claim:
- Did another driver fail to uphold their duty to drive responsibly and take reasonable safety precautions? – All road users in Henderson are responsible for obeying traffic laws and avoiding causing accidents.
- Did the other party’s negligence directly contribute to your injuries? – You must demonstrate a causal link between the other party’s negligent act and the injuries or other losses you suffered.
- Did you suffer measurable losses due to your injuries? – You must show that your injuries caused calculable losses such as significant medical expenses, lost income, or personal difficulties.
Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injuries
When filing a motorcycle accident claim, you may seek compensation for the following types of crash-related losses:
- Medical expenses you incur for the treatment of your injuries
- Anticipated future medical costs if your injuries will require ongoing care
- Incidental costs, such as the costs of travel to and from medical appointments
- Lost wages and benefits from any time you missed at work due to your injuries
- Projected losses in future earning capacity if your injuries leave you disabled
- The intangible costs of injury-related pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life
What To Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Henderson, NV
You can protect your legal rights after a motorcycle accident in Henderson, NV, by:
- Seeking prompt medical attention to have your injuries diagnosed and treated
- Following your doctor’s care plan and attending all follow-up appointments
- Gathering evidence from the accident scene, including photos, contact and insurance details from the other driver, and statements from eyewitnesses
- Keeping your medical bills, pay stubs, and other documentation of your accident-related financial losses
- Watching what you say to others or post online while your case is pending
- Contacting a knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney for guidance
How Long Do I Have To File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
If the at-fault driver’s insurance company denies your motorcycle injury claim, you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit to demand fair compensation. Nevada’s statute of limitations allows you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
If you wait to file your lawsuit until after the two-year deadline has passed, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you will lose the right to seek money for your losses. It’s important to work with an experienced Henderson motorcycle accident attorney who understands how the statute of limitations applies to your case.
Henderson Community Information
Henderson is located about 16 miles southeast of downtown Las Vegas. Today, Henderson is the second-largest city in Nevada, with a population size comparable to Pittsburgh.
The city is home to Nevada’s largest recreational facility and various entertainment and shopping destinations. Located just minutes away from McCarran International Airport and the Las Vegas Strip, Henderson prides itself on a unique combination of small-town ease and big-city refinement.
Henderson Law Enforcement
The Henderson Police Department is headquartered in downtown Henderson and operates out of several other locations throughout the city:
Henderson Police Services Headquarters (in City Hall)
223 Lead St
Henderson, NV 89015
(702) 267-5000
Henderson North Community Police Station
225 E Sunset Rd
Henderson, NV 89011
(702) 267-5000
Henderson West Community Police Station
300 S Green Valley Pkwy
Henderson, NV 89012
(702) 267-5000
Henderson Police Department Jail
243 S Water St
Henderson, NV 89015
(702) 267-5245
Henderson Detention Center
18 E Basic Rd
Henderson, NV 89015
(702) 267-5245
Henderson Hospitals
If you or someone you know is injured in a Henderson motorcycle accident, you may be taken for treatment to one of the following healthcare facilities:
Henderson Hospital
1050 W Galleria Dr
Henderson, NV 89011
(702) 963-7000
Dignity Health – St. Rose Dominican, Rose de Lima Campus
102 E Lake Mead Pkwy
Henderson, NV 89015
(702) 564-2622
Dignity Health – St. Rose Dominican, Siena Campus
3001 St Rose Pkwy
Henderson, NV 89052
(702) 616-5000
Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Henderson
10301 Jeffreys St
Henderson, NV 89052
(702) 939-9400
How Our Henderson, NV Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help
The motorcycle accident attorneys at Sam & Ash Injury Law are dedicated to standing up for injured motorcyclists in Henderson and throughout Nevada. Contact us today for a free case review to learn how we can help you seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
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