Las Vegas Motorcycle Accident Attorney

After a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas, you generally have 2 years to sue for your injuries and 3 years for your bike and gear (NRS 11.190). You can recover even if you share some of the fault, as long as your share is not greater than the other side's (NRS 41.141). Because Nevada's minimum policy pays only $25,000 for one injured person (NRS 485.185), your own uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage often decides what a rider recovers.

Riders face these questions more often than drivers do. Nevada's Office of Traffic Safety counted 59 motorcyclists killed on Clark County roads in 2025, about a quarter of the county's traffic deaths, a count the state still calls preliminary. Our page on motorcycle crash numbers in Clark County explains where those figures come from.

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

1. Get medical care first. Riders often feel fine at the scene and worse the next day. Same-day records are the strongest proof that the crash caused the injury.
2. Report it and get the other driver's details. Every driver in an injury crash must stop, give a name, address and registration and help anyone hurt (NRS 484E.010, 484E.030). If the driver leaves, call police right away, because a timely report is a condition of an uninsured motorist claim for a hit-and-run (NRS 690B.020(3)(f)).
3. Keep the helmet, jacket and the bike as they are. Scuffs, cracks and the bike's damage show how the crash happened and what it did to you. Our guide on what evidence to keep after a motorcycle crash lists the rest.
4. Photograph the scene. Road surface, skid marks, debris, signals and the car's position all matter in the fault argument that usually follows.
5. File the DMV report if police did not investigate. A report is due within 10 days when someone was hurt or damage appears to be $750 or more, unless an officer's report lists each party's insurance (NRS 484E.070).
6. Notify your own insurer. Your UM, UIM and medical payments coverage are likely to matter, and policies require prompt notice.

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

1. Find every policy that can pay. The at-fault driver's liability insurance comes first, then your own UM, UIM and medical payments coverage, and your health insurance. Our guide on what insurance covers a rider's injuries sets out the order.
2. Settle the property claim. The bike, helmet and gear are property damage, usually paid by the at-fault driver's property coverage of at least $20,000 (NRS 485.185). See getting paid for your motorcycle, helmet and gear.
3. Answer the fault arguments. Insurers often argue that the rider was speeding, splitting lanes or hard to see. The police report, photos, witnesses and any video are the answer.
4. Treat, then present the injury claim. The demand usually waits until doctors can describe the injury's long-term effects.
5. Negotiate, then file if needed. Claims over $15,000 go to the Eighth Judicial District Court (NRS 4.370). The full sequence is in what happens after a motorcycle crash in Las Vegas.

What are the deadlines after a motorcycle accident?

How does fault work for a rider in Nevada?

Nevada's modified comparative negligence rule applies: a rider can recover if their fault is not greater than the combined fault of the people they claim against, and the award is reduced by the rider's percentage (NRS 41.141). A rider found 30 percent at fault, for example, recovers 70 percent of the damages.

The rules of the road are where fault is argued. A motorcycle is entitled to the full use of its lane (NRS 486.341), and a driver turning left must yield to oncoming traffic close enough to be an immediate hazard (NRS 484B.253). That second rule decides many Las Vegas crashes; see who is at fault when a car turns left in front of a motorcycle. Rear-end crashes at a light turn mostly on following distance (NRS 484B.127), as explained in being rear-ended on a motorcycle in Las Vegas.

Some rules cut the other way. Lane splitting and lane filtering are illegal in Nevada: a rider may not ride between vehicles in adjacent lanes or pass a vehicle within the same lane (NRS 486.351(1), (2)). Breaking that rule does not automatically end a claim, but it can raise the rider's share of fault; see lane splitting and a Nevada injury claim. Two motorcycles may ride abreast in one lane only with both riders' consent (NRS 486.351(3)), which matters in group ride and two-abreast crashes.

Do Nevada's helmet and license rules affect the claim?

Nevada requires the rider and any passenger to wear a helmet and eye protection; eye protection is not required on a motorcycle with a qualifying windscreen (NRS 486.231). The seat belt rule that keeps a missing belt out of a car case (NRS 484D.495) has no counterpart in the helmet law. A missing helmet does not end the claim, but the insurer may argue that a helmet would have made a head injury less severe; see how the helmet law affects your claim.

Nevada requires a motorcycle license or endorsement to ride on a highway, and a court that finds a violation must let the rider take a safety course instead of paying a fine (NRS 486.061). A missing endorsement does not by itself show how the crash happened, which is the question fault turns on. Our guide on riding without an endorsement covers what insurers do with it.

What insurance pays a motorcycle rider in Nevada?

Insurers must offer UM and UIM coverage on motorcycle policies in an amount equal to your bodily injury limits (NRS 687B.145(2)), and uninsured coverage is included unless a named insured rejected it in writing (NRS 690B.020(1)). Your own liability coverage does not pay your injuries; it pays people you are responsible for hurting. A passenger's claim has its own order of payment, covered in whose insurance pays a motorcycle passenger.

Hit-and-run crashes need care. An unknown 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)). If a car forced you off the road without touching you, read no-contact motorcycle crashes in Nevada. If the driver touched you and fled, see what to do after a hit-and-run motorcycle crash.

What can a motorcycle accident claim recover?

A rider'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, helmet and riding 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).

Some of the recovery may be owed back: a hospital lien for the reasonable value of hospital care (NRS 108.590), or Medicaid's lien when it paid the bills (NRS 422.293). Punitive damages require clear and convincing proof of oppression, fraud or malice (NRS 42.005), and the cap on them does not apply against an impaired driver (NRS 42.010); see our drunk driving accident page.

What changes the answer?

• A pothole, gravel or debris caused the crash. A claim may lie against whoever was responsible for the road or the load. Against a city, county or the State, damages are capped at $200,000 per claimant (NRS 41.035); see road hazard motorcycle claims in Las Vegas.
• A truck was involved. Federal safety rules and higher insurance minimums apply; see our truck accident page.
• You carried a passenger. Nevada allows a passenger only on a motorcycle the manufacturer designed to carry more than one person (NRS 486.181), and the passenger may claim against you, the other driver or both.
• You were riding for work. Workers' compensation may pay, and its insurer has a lien on your recovery from the other driver (NRS 616C.215).
• The crash happened in Henderson or North Las Vegas. Those cities have their own police and courts; see Henderson crash claims. North Las Vegas is covered in North Las Vegas crash claims.

For example: a left turn at an intersection

For example, imagine a rider heading east on Tropicana Avenue at the speed limit when an oncoming car turns left across the lane. The driver tells police the rider "came out of nowhere." Under NRS 484B.253 the turning driver had to yield to traffic close enough to be an immediate hazard, so the question becomes whether the rider was that close and riding lawfully. The driver's insurer pays its $25,000 limit; the rider's own UIM coverage pays the rest of the losses, up to the rider's limit. This is a hypothetical, not a real case.

Common mistakes riders make after a crash

1. Throwing away the helmet or gear. It is evidence of how the crash happened.
2. Not reporting a hit-and-run right away. Without a timely report, your uninsured motorist claim may fail (NRS 690B.020(3)(f)).
3. Assuming you have no claim because you were partly at fault. Nevada allows recovery up to the point your fault is greater than the other side's (NRS 41.141).
4. Not checking your own UIM limits. A minimum policy on the other side rarely covers a serious riding injury.
5. Talking about speed or lane position before you have seen the evidence. Early guesses become the insurer's fault argument.

How The Fletcher Firm handles motorcycle accident claims

Why Choose The Fletcher Firm?

• Experienced Knowledge: As an attorney with extensive experience in motorcycle accident law, I have a deep understanding of the unique aspects of motorcycle cases and Nevada traffic laws.
• Individualized Approach: I know that each case comes with its own set of challenges. That’s why I tailor my legal services to meet the specific needs of your situation and your personal recovery goals.
• Commitment to Clients: You pay no fees unless I win your case. I am dedicated to securing the maximum compensation possible to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Please note: a client may be liable for the opposing parties' fees and costs.

My Approach to Motorcycle Accident Claims

1. Detailed Case Evaluation: I start with a comprehensive evaluation of your accident, collecting evidence from the scene, and speaking with witnesses to build a strong foundation for your claim.
2. Medical and Technical Collaboration: Partnering with medical experts and accident reconstruction specialists, I ensure that every aspect of your case is meticulously documented and supported by expert opinions.
3. Aggressive Advocacy: Whether it’s at the negotiation table or in the courtroom, I advocate fiercely on your behalf. I strive to negotiate substantial settlements and am fully prepared to litigate if necessary to achieve justice for you.

Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases I Handle

• Collisions with Cars or Trucks
• Single Motorcycle Crashes
• Accidents Caused by Road Hazards
• Hit and Run Incidents
• DUI-related Motorcycle Accidents

Frequently asked questions

Is lane filtering at a red light legal in Nevada?

No. Riding between vehicles in adjacent lanes is banned whether the traffic is moving or stopped (NRS 486.351(1)).

Can a passenger on my motorcycle make a claim against me?

Yes, if your fault contributed to the crash. Your own liability coverage is what pays a passenger you are responsible for hurting.

Does my motorcycle policy have to include medical payments coverage?

No. The insurer must offer at least $1,000 of medical payments coverage, but buying it is your choice (NRS 687B.145(3)).

How long does a motorcycle injury claim take?

It depends mostly on how long treatment lasts and whether fault is disputed. Serious riding injuries often take months to define before a claim can be valued.

What court hears a Las Vegas motorcycle accident lawsuit?

Claims over $15,000 are filed in the Eighth Judicial District Court (NRS 4.370), which sits at the Regional Justice Center in downtown Las Vegas.

Contact Me for a Free Consultation

You should not have to bear the burden of a motorcycle accident alone. I am here to fight for your rights and ensure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve. 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 road to recovery.

Sources

• NRS chapter 486, motorcycles: helmets, lane use, licenses, passengers (Nevada Legislature)
• NRS 11.190, time limits for lawsuits (Nevada Legislature)
• NRS 41.141, comparative negligence, and NRS chapter 41 on wrongful death and government claims (Nevada Legislature)
• NRS 484B.253, left turns, and NRS 484B.127, following distance (Nevada Legislature)
• NRS 484D.495, seat belts (Nevada Legislature)
• NRS chapter 484E, duties after a crash and DMV reports (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)
• NRS 42.005 and 42.010, punitive damages (Nevada Legislature)
• 2024 to 2025 State Fatal Report, April 6, 2026 (Nevada Office of Traffic Safety)