Reno Bicycle Accident
A bicycle accident in Reno can lead to devastating injuries, steep medical expenses, and months or even years of recovery. Cyclists have little protection in a crash, making them vulnerable to life-changing injuries such as broken bones, spinal cord damage, or traumatic brain injuries. Nevada law allows injured bicyclists to seek compensation when another party’s negligence causes an accident. However, dealing with insurance companies and navigating the legal system can be overwhelming without professional representation.
At CVBN Law, our Reno bicycle accident lawyers fight tirelessly for injured cyclists. We understand the unique dangers cyclists face on busy Reno roads, including high-traffic areas like South Virginia Street, North McCarran Boulevard, and the Truckee River bike paths. Our team is committed to securing full compensation for medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. We investigate every detail of your accident to hold negligent drivers, property owners, or other responsible parties accountable.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a Reno bicycle accident, now is the time to seek legal help. Call CVBN Law at (725) 208-5202 or visit our contact page to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can protect your rights.
Types of Bicycle Accidents in Reno
Bicycle accidents in Reno can take many forms, and each type of crash presents unique risks and legal challenges for injured cyclists. Roads such as South Virginia Street, Keystone Avenue, and the busy intersections near the University of Nevada, Reno, often see heavy vehicle traffic that can put cyclists in harm’s way. Understanding the most common types of bicycle accidents helps victims recognize who may be liable and why pursuing a personal injury claim can lead to the compensation needed for recovery. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 1,000 bicyclists are killed each year across the United States, and thousands more suffer serious injuries from preventable collisions.
At CVBN Law, we investigate every detail of a bicycle accident, from reviewing police reports to consulting accident reconstruction experts, to determine the cause of the crash. Our approach often involves reviewing safety data from trusted organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Injury Center and local reports from the Nevada Department of Transportation. This comprehensive strategy allows us to build a strong case and pursue maximum compensation for injured cyclists.
Intersection Bicycle Accidents
Intersections in Reno are high-risk zones for cyclists due to the frequent crossing of vehicle and bicycle paths. Drivers often misjudge a cyclist’s speed or fail to yield when turning, leading to dangerous collisions. Busy intersections such as those near North McCarran Boulevard or East Plumb Lane are particularly hazardous because of heavy traffic flow and limited visibility. According to the Federal Highway Administration, intersections are among the most common locations for vehicle-bicycle crashes.
Our attorneys often rely on intersection camera footage and witness statements to prove that a driver ignored traffic laws. This evidence can be critical when demonstrating that negligence caused the accident and that the driver failed to respect the cyclist’s right of way.
Left-Turn Collisions
A left-turn collision occurs when a driver turning left fails to see an oncoming bicyclist or misjudges their distance and speed. These accidents are often severe because the cyclist has little time to stop or swerve. Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that left-turn accidents account for a significant percentage of vehicle-bicycle crashes nationwide.
At CVBN Law, we gather critical evidence such as traffic light sequences, dashcam footage, and eyewitness accounts to build strong claims for victims of left-turn collisions.
Right Hook Accidents
Right hook accidents happen when a vehicle turning right crosses the path of a bicyclist traveling straight in a bike lane or on the road shoulder. Drivers who fail to check their mirrors or blind spots before turning are often responsible for these crashes. The League of American Bicyclists emphasizes the importance of public awareness campaigns to reduce the risk of right-hook accidents, yet many drivers remain unaware of how dangerous these collisions can be.
Rear-End Bicycle Collisions
A rear-end collision involving a bicycle can be devastating, even when the vehicle is moving at a low speed. Unlike a car accident, where occupants have safety restraints, bicyclists are directly exposed to impact forces. These crashes often lead to traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, and severe fractures. The National Safety Council reports that rear-end collisions frequently result in long-term medical complications, requiring months or even years of rehabilitation.
Our legal team investigates crash scenes to determine whether the driver was tailgating, distracted, or speeding. We also review data from vehicle black boxes and consult resources from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety to support our clients’ claims.
Tailgating and Stopping Distance Issues
Vehicles require significantly more time to stop than bicycles. When a driver follows a cyclist too closely, they may not have enough time to react if the cyclist slows or stops. Nevada law mandates that drivers maintain a safe distance when passing or following a bicycle, but many drivers fail to comply. Our attorneys collect skid mark measurements, accident reconstruction reports, and driver statements to demonstrate that tailgating contributed to the crash.
Dooring Accidents
Dooring occurs when the occupant of a parked vehicle opens their door directly into the path of a cyclist, leaving the rider with no time to avoid a collision. Urban areas in Reno, especially Midtown and downtown streets with parallel parking, are common locations for dooring incidents. The League of American Bicyclists highlights dooring as a significant cause of urban cycling injuries due to distracted or careless behavior by parked drivers.
Driver’s Responsibility for Dooring
Drivers and passengers have a legal duty to check for approaching cyclists before opening their doors. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for resulting injuries. At CVBN Law, we frequently use dashcam video, surveillance footage, and eyewitness testimony to establish fault in dooring cases.
Side-Swipe and Unsafe Passing Accidents
Side-swipe accidents happen when a vehicle passes too closely and clips a bicyclist, often forcing them off the road or into traffic. Nevada law requires motorists to leave at least three feet of clearance when overtaking a bicycle. However, many drivers fail to observe this rule, especially on narrow roads without dedicated bike lanes. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, improper passing is a significant factor in serious bicycle injuries and fatalities.
Unsafe Lane Changes and Blind Spot Crashes
Drivers who change lanes without checking their blind spots create a serious risk for bicyclists, particularly on multi-lane roads such as I-580 and South Virginia Street. When a cyclist is forced off the road or struck due to a sudden lane change, our attorneys investigate vehicle positioning and traffic camera data to prove negligence.
Speak With a Reno Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
A bicycle accident in Reno can change your life in an instant, leaving you with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and a long road to recovery. You should not have to face these challenges alone. At CVBN Law, our experienced Reno bicycle accident lawyers are ready to protect your rights, hold negligent drivers accountable, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve under Nevada law.
Our team understands the unique risks cyclists face on busy roads and intersections throughout Reno, including high-traffic areas such as South Virginia Street, East Plumb Lane, and North McCarran Boulevard. We investigate every aspect of your case, working with accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals to build a strong legal strategy. Whether your injuries stem from a distracted driver, a failure to yield, or unsafe passing, we will take swift and decisive action to secure justice for you.
We handle all communications with insurance companies, so you do not have to worry about lowball offers or tactics designed to reduce your claim. Our goal is to help you recover the full cost of medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and long-term rehabilitation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a Reno bicycle accident, now is the time to act. Call (725) 208-5202 or visit our contact page to schedule your free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. Let CVBN Law stand by your side and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
