Las Vegas Blog

Any motorcycling enthusiast will tell you there is nothing like the feel of being on a bike. Many riders say nothing can match the freedom of the open road. Unfortunately, that “open road” feeling leaves anyone riding a motorcycle extremely vulnerable to serious or severe injuries in the event of a crash.

Unlike other motor vehicles, which offer protection, there is nothing that is between the person on the motorcycle and the vehicle about to slam into them. This is why it is critical for anyone riding a bike to practice these five safety tips to actively avoid motorcycle accidents in Nevada.

Maintenance

Before getting on your motorcycle, it is critical to your safety to make sure the vehicle is in good condition. Check the tires on your bike on a regular basis to make sure the tire pressure is at the recommended level and that the tread is good. Otherwise, you could have a blowout, which can be particularly dangerous on a bike. Also conduct periodic checks of the bike’s turn signals, headlights, and horn. Perform preventative maintenance on your motorcycle will not only prolong the life of the bike, but could end up saving yours.

Dangerous Road Hazards

When you are driving, make sure to pay attention to not only the vehicles around you but also the actual road in front of you. Watch for potholes, gravel, sand, and debris, all factors which can cause you to lose control of your bike.

Other Drivers’ Blind Spots

Every vehicle has blind spots which can present hazards to other vehicles. Motorcycles, however, are often invisible to other drivers unless the bike is driving right in front of them. Be aware that the vehicle driving next to you may not see you and the driver could switch lanes at any time.

Never Drink and Drive

Just like with any vehicle, never get on your motorcycle if you have been drinking. Maneuvering and balancing a motorcycle requires focus and skill, two things that alcohol greatly reduces.

Motorcycle Safety Course

As with many activities, the more experience you have, the better at it you will become. Consider taking a motorcycle driving safety course to help enhance your skills and also learn how to quickly react when faced with a dangerous situation.

If you are involved in a car accident, a seasoned Las Vegas auto accident attorney may advise you to go directly to either the emergency room or your personal physician in order to check for injuries. It is not unusual for some car crash victims to not realize they have been injured because symptoms of those injuries can be delayed. Medical personnel are aware of the most common auto accident injuries in Nevada and can provide you with the best treatment for those injuries. Some of the more common car accident injuries include:

Head Injuries

Injuries to the head, particularly the brain, can be a dangerous one and if left untreated can result in fatalities. One of the most common types of head injuries is concussions. Concussions are caused when there is bleeding, bruising, or swelling of the brain. Treatment for concussions usually require rest and sleep to allow the brain to heal. Complications of concussions, or more severe head injuries, often require surgery.

Internal Injuries

The sudden impact of a crash can cause our bodies to slam into different parts of the vehicle, even with a seat belt on. Another way injuries are sustained is when items in the vehicle are thrown around during that impact. These blows to the body can result in organ damage to the abdomen, kidneys, liver, and spleen. Diaphragms can also rupture from a crash blow. Medical attention for internal injuries is critical since these injuries often require surgery to heal.

Soft Tissues Injuries

As mentioned above, when two vehicles crash into each other, the force of the impact often causes the body to jerk around, such as in concussions. This jerking can happen to other parts of the body too and can cause sprains or strains to different muscles and ligaments of the body. Whiplash is a common example of this type of injury and happens when the ligaments of the neck have been strained. Muscles and ligaments in the arms, legs, and back can also be affected. In the majority of cases, rest, icing, and heat will be needed to heal the injury. In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend surgery.

Broken Bones

Most people who suffer broken bones in car crashes usually know right away because of the immediate swelling, bruising, and intense pain that accompanies the injury. In severe fractures, the bone itself may even break through the skin. Broken bones are usually treated by putting a cast on the area where the break is or surgery to install metal screws and plates to assist in the healing of the bone. Many car crash victims suffer broken collarbones, pelvic bones, arms, legs, and feet.

Psychological Injuries

A lot of people may not consider the emotional or psychological effect that a vehicle accident can have on a victim, but it is actually one of the most common injuries, especially in serious or severe crashes. Victims with serious injuries that affect their daily lives often suffer from mental distress or depression. Many crash victims also suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTDS) over the crash itself. These psychological injuries can have a serious impact on not only the victim’s life, but the lives of their family members too.

The moments following a car accident can be confusing and frightening. One minute everything is fine, and the next minute everything is chaos.

“Is everyone okay?” “Do we call the police?” “Oh, no, my car!” In any kind of traumatic event like a car crash, our brains automatically release endorphins.

Combine this with the adrenaline that suddenly begins racing through our body, it is all too common for these chemicals to mask any kind of pain that may be emanating from an injury.
If this happens to you, you may be wondering, “What if my injuries from a car accident in Las Vegas don’t show up right away?”

How Would I Not Know I Have Been Injured?

There are several types of injuries that may have delayed symptoms. The most dangerous ones include brain injuries and internal injuries. Brain injury symptoms, like a concussion, are often slow to appear.

The same applies to internal injuries or internal bleeding. By the time a person is showing symptoms, it can be a matter of life or death if they do not get medical attention in time.

There is often a delay of symptoms with soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash. It may not be until hours or days later that you suddenly start feeling the pain coming from the injured area. Sometimes the area begins to swell. Delaying treatment of soft tissue injuries can also result in serious damage.

It is important to remember that anytime you are in a car crash, even a minor one, you should seek medical attention right away to get examined and make sure you have not suffered any injuries. This exam could save you from further or more serious injury, as well as establish that the injury was a result of the car crash.

If you delay seeing a doctor, the insurance company could try to use that against you as a way of denying your claim. They could accuse you of sustaining the injury after the accident, or they could even go as far as accusing you of lying about being injured at all.

If you have been injured in a crash, contact a seasoned Las Vegas car accident attorney to see what legal recourse you may have for your pain and loss.

When you are injured in a car accident, it can be an overwhelming – even traumatic – experience. Not only are you dealing with pain from the injury and the effect it may be having on your daily life, you may also be dealing with the legal aspects of filing a car accident claim in order to collect financial damages for that injury.

Because of how overwhelming all of this can be, it is not uncommon for accident victims to not realize that some of the things they are doing or not doing can end up being mistakes that can ruin your car accident case in Nevada.

Police Report and Accident Site Evidence

If you are in a crash, call 911 and report the accident. The accident report the officer writes up can help provide proof of your claim. However, do not rely entirely on that report.

If you are physically able, take photos of any skid marks, vehicle damages, and traffic and weather situations. Make sure to obtain not only the other driver’s personal information but also the information of any witnesses (including passengers in the other vehicle).

Seek Medical Attention Right Away

Even potentially life-threatening injuries (such as internal ones) may not present symptoms for several hours after the crash. This is why it is critical to seek medical attention. The other reason why it is important to quickly see a doctor is that it will help establish that your injury claim is a valid one.

Consult with an Accident Attorney

As soon as you are physically able to, contact a car accident attorney for legal advice. If you have sustained serious injuries and are unable to contact the attorney yourself, have a family member or friend do it for you. Your attorney will help protect you against any of the tactics the insurance company may try so they can deny your claim.

It is especially crucial to your case to never speak with the insurance adjuster or agree to give a recorded statement until you have consulted with your attorney first.

Call a Personal Injury Attorney for Help

If you have sustained injuries in a car crash caused by another party, a Las Vegas car accident attorney is available to meet with you and assist in determining what legal recourse you may have to obtain the financial compensation you may be entitled to.

Getting injured in an accident is often a traumatic experience, involving recovery and rehab that can often be painful. Compounding the experience are the financial expenses that require legal attention through a personal injury claim.

The entire experience can be difficult enough if the person responsible for the accident is a stranger, but what happens if that person is a friend or family member?

In these situations, many victims question whether they should even pursue an injury claim, asking themselves, “Should I feel guilty about pursuing a personal injury case in Nevada?” A Las Vegas personal injury attorney can explain to you why the answer to that question is a resounding “no.”

The financial expenses caused by an accident are expensive. Even minor injuries can result in thousands of dollars in medical bills and loss of income for the time missed from work. More serious injuries can really cause financial hardships on the victim.

When you file a personal injury claim in an accident where a family member or friend was responsible, you are filing it against their insurance company, not against them. You need to be compensated for the enormous amount of expenses you may be facing.

This is why we all have insurance – whether vehicle, home, or another type of insurance – to ensure that victims are compensated in accidents where we are at fault.

If you are feeling guilty, it may help to put it in this perspective: In the majority of vehicle accidents where a passenger is injured, the passenger and driver know each other.

So, having a personal relationship with the driver who caused the accident is a very common scenario and one that personal injury attorneys and insurance companies deal with on a daily basis.

If you have been injured in a crash and would like to discuss your situation, our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys are available to meet for a free case evaluation.