A motorcycle crash can change your life in a matter of seconds. One moment you’re enjoying an open stretch of road, and the next you’re lying on the pavement, wondering what just happened. Unlike drivers in enclosed vehicles, riders have little between their bodies and the road when a collision occurs, which is why injuries tend to be more serious, and recovery is longer.
If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle wreck, you probably have a lot of questions, and Hanratty Law Group has the answers. Call our firm at 702-821-1379 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.
Head and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
Head injuries are among the most serious outcomes of a motorcycle crash. Even with a DOT-approved helmet, the force of impact can cause concussions, skull fractures, or traumatic brain injuries that affect memory, speech, balance, and mood for months or years after the wreck.
Spinal Cord Injuries (SCIs)
Damage to the spinal cord can lead to catastrophic injury, including partial or complete paralysis, depending on where the injury occurs along the spine. Riders who survive high-speed crashes on I-15 or the 215 Beltway sometimes face a lifetime of medical care, assistive equipment, and home modifications after an SCI.
Broken Bones and Fractures
Fractures happen in almost every serious motorcycle wreck. Wrists, collarbones, ribs, and legs take the brunt of the impact as riders try to brace themselves or get thrown from the bike. Some breaks heal cleanly, while others require surgery, hardware, and months of physical therapy.
Thoracic Injuries
Chest injuries can be both life-threatening and difficult to detect immediately after an accident. The impact of a crash can compress the ribcage and harm the organs it protects, making any chest pain a reason to seek prompt medical care. Common thoracic injuries include:
- Broken or bruised ribs
- Punctured or collapsed lungs
- Heart contusions
- Aortic tears
- Sternum fractures
- Damage to the diaphragm
Road Rash and Soft Tissue Injuries
Road rash happens when exposed skin slides across pavement at high speed. What looks like a minor scrape can actually penetrate deep layers of tissue, leading to permanent scarring, nerve damage, and serious infection if not treated promptly and properly.
Severe Burns
Burns can occur from contact with hot engine parts or exhaust pipes, or from friction with the road surface. Second and third-degree burns often require skin grafts, long hospital stays, and cosmetic procedures, and the emotional toll of visible scarring can last just as long as the physical healing.
Lower Extremity Injuries
Legs, knees, and feet are especially vulnerable in a motorcycle crash because they have nothing to protect them from the bike itself or oncoming vehicles. These injuries often limit mobility for months and sometimes lead to permanent changes in how a person walks. Common lower body injuries include:
- Knee ligament tears
- Shattered ankles
- Crushed feet
- Femur fractures
- Torn meniscus
- Amputation in severe cases
Upper Extremity Injuries
Arms, shoulders, and hands take serious punishment when a rider is thrown or instinctively reaches out to break a fall. The nerves, tendons, and small bones in these areas are complicated to repair and can leave lasting weakness. Frequent upper body injuries include:
- Broken wrists and hands
- Separated shoulders
- Torn rotator cuffs
- Dislocated elbows
- Nerve damage in the brachial plexus
- Crushed fingers
Internal Injuries
Internal bleeding and organ damage are dangerous because symptoms can be delayed. A rider may feel shaken but otherwise okay at the scene, only to collapse hours later from a ruptured spleen, lacerated liver, or kidney damage that wasn’t visible from the outside.
Fatal Injuries
Some motorcycle crashes are not survivable. Head trauma, massive blood loss, and internal injuries claim the lives of riders every year across Clark County. Families dealing with their loved one’s wrongful death are left behind facing grief, funeral costs, and sudden financial strain they never anticipated.
How Hanratty Law Group Fights for You
With over 20 years of handling injury cases, our motorcycle accident lawyers are committed to providing strong representation and steady support from the first phone call through the final resolution of your claim, and we fight for our clients by:
- Investigating the crash scene and preserving evidence
- Obtaining police reports and traffic camera footage
- Working with accident reconstruction specialists
- Consulting with medical experts on long-term care needs
- Calculating economic damages, including medical bills and lost wages
- Valuing non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, and emotional distress
- Negotiating directly with insurance adjusters
- Preparing every case as if it will go to trial
FAQ: Answers for Motorcycle Accident Victims and Families
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Nevada?
Under NRS 11.190(4)(e), injured riders generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Nevada. Missing that deadline usually means losing the right to pursue compensation through the Eighth Judicial District Court entirely.
Can I Still File a Claim if I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?
Yes, you can still file a claim even without a helmet. NRS 486.231 requires helmets on public roads, but failing to wear one does not automatically bar recovery. Your compensation for head injuries may be reduced based on Nevada’s comparative negligence law (NRS 41.141).
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Most motorcycle accident cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front. The firm is only paid if and when your case results in a settlement or a verdict. Litigation costs and expenses may be deducted from any recovery obtained. Initial consultations are free so that you can ask questions without financial pressure.
Have You Been Injured? Contact Our Las Vegas Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Now
Were you hurt in a crash and wondering whether you should reach out for help today rather than next week? Insurance companies move quickly to lock in low settlement offers before riders know the full extent of their injuries, which is why timing matters so much.
At Hanratty Law Group, we are ready to review your crash, answer your questions, and explain your options at no cost. Call 702-821-1379 or reach out online to schedule a free consultation with our motorcycle accident lawyers in Las Vegas who will treat your case with the attention it deserves.