Motorcycle accidents tend to cause the most serious injuries of all the types of motor vehicle crashes and incidents that occur in Nevada. Motorcyclists have little protection in an impact with cars and other vehicles and are at a much higher risk of being thrown from their bikes in the event of a crash.
Whether you are a motorcyclist yourself or a concerned driver, understanding the most common types of motorcycle crash injuries in Nevada and what causes these accidents to occur can help all road users stay vigilant and make the roads a safer place to be. As a driver or motorcyclist, maintaining awareness of your surroundings and taking steps to drive safely can help to reduce the number of deaths and life-changing accidents that occur on Nevada roads.
Motorcycles in Las Vegas
In Las Vegas, motorcycles are a particularly popular way to get around, meaning that bike accidents here are often more common. The fact that motorcycles are small and easier to maneuver means that they are an ideal choice for navigating the dense traffic and often limited parking spaces in the city.
Along with this, Nevada is a popular destination for bikers from all over the country thanks to the stunning Mojave Desert. Bikers from far and wide travel for a scenic ride through the winding Highway 159 path, while cruising the Red Rock Canyon is a must-do for lots of bikers in the US.
Since there is a higher-than-average number of motorcyclists in Nevada, this comes with a major downside of a higher number of serious motorcycle accidents occurring on the roads.
The Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Nevada
Las Vegas and the surrounding areas in Nevada are the most common places in the state for fatal motorcycle accidents to occur. Around seventy percent of fatal motorcycle accidents occur in the urban areas of the state. Clark County is home to the highest concentration of fatal motorbike incidents in Nevada.
While a motorbike accident can lead to any type of injury, some injuries tend to be more common with this type of accident. These are often caused by being pinned by another vehicle or by being thrown through the air at high speeds in a crash.
Traumatic Brain/Head Injury
Traumatic head and brain injuries are common outcomes of motorcycle accidents in Nevada. While wearing a helmet can help to reduce the risk of this type of injury occurring, it does not offer a complete guarantee.
Traumatic head and brain injuries are a form of catastrophic injury as they can seriously impact the cognitive abilities of the injured person. This type of injury is more likely to occur when the motorcyclist’s head is seriously impacted in the crash, or in cases where the skull is pierced by an object.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Injuries to the spinal cord are another common injury caused by motorcycle accidents in Nevada. When there is an impact to the head or back in a motorbike accident, or if the spinal cord is pierced by an object in any part, a spinal cord injury is often the result.
Organ Damage
Motorcycle riders do not have any safeguards to protect the abdomen during an accident. Because of this, they are often at a higher risk of an internal injury such as organ damage and internal bleeding after being involved in an accident.
Broken Bones
Broken and fractured bones are some of the most common types of injuries seen after a motorcycle accident, particularly bones breaking or fracturing in the lower extremities. They are common as they can happen in many different ways. Most commonly, being thrown from a bike or crushed between objects during an accident can lead to bone fractures.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
There are lots of potential ways for a motorcycle accident to happen. They are often caused by drivers who do not watch their surroundings as closely as they could. For example, failing to check mirrors when changing lanes and not seeing a motorcyclist in the next lane. Since motorcycles are smaller than cars, they can often be harder to see on the road, which is why drivers should be vigilant at all times.
Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol is also a common cause of motorcycle accidents in Nevada. This could include the motorcyclist themselves driving after drinking or taking drugs – or being involved in a car accident with a driver who is. Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol when driving is illegal as it can seriously impair your ability to notice your surroundings while having an impact on your ability to make safe decisions on the road.
Distracted driving can also lead to a motorcycle accident. Whether a motorcyclist or a driver is distracted in some way, for example, by using a phone while in charge of the vehicle, this can often only take a split second for an accident to happen. A driver who looks down on their phone while behind the wheel might not notice a motorcyclist in front of them, and an accident may occur.
Finally, speeding is another common cause of motorcycle accidents in Nevada. Driving at high speeds can be dangerous for both car drivers and motorcyclists. Sticking to the speed limit and driving appropriately for the weather and road conditions at the time, even if that means driving well below the speed limit on the road, is advisable to keep both yourself and other road users safe.
Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you are a motorcyclist and have been involved in an accident on the road that was not your fault, then we are here to help you at Karns & Karns Personal Injury & Accident Attorneys. Our experienced team of Nevada motorcycle accident lawyers is ready to learn more about your case, hold the responsible driver accountable, and make sure that you are in with the best chance of getting the compensation you deserve for any pain, suffering, and loss of income you have suffered a result. Call us today at 877-557-4221.
