A T-bone motorcycle accident—where a vehicle slams into the side of another—can lead to devastating injuries, especially for motorcycle riders. With little protection, even low-speed impacts often result in very serious injuries or fatalities. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash in Las Vegas or anywhere in Nevada, the big question becomes: Do you need a lawyer after a Nevada T-Bone motorcycle crash?
This article will explain your rights, how Nevada law applies, what to expect from insurance companies, and why legal representation is often necessary in these complex cases.
Why T-Bone Motorcycle Accidents Are So Dangerous
Here’s what makes the T-bone motorcycle accidents so dangerous for individuals involved with motorcycle injuries:
1. Intersection Accidents
T-bone collisions typically happen at intersections when drivers fail to yield, ignore traffic signals, or misjudge speed and distance, especially when turning left in front of oncoming motorcycles.
These intersection accidents are particularly hazardous for riders and are a leading cause of motorcycle accident cases in the Las Vegas area. Motorcycles are less visible than cars, increasing the risk of being struck, even when riders have the legal right of way.
2. Lack of Protection for Riders
Motorcycle riders don’t have the structural protection of a car. Even with a motorcycle helmet and protective gear, a T-bone crash can lead to spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, or broken bones.
Despite efforts to wear helmets and goggles, the human body absorbs most of the impact in these collisions, leading to high rates of severe injuries and emergency medical treatment. It can also help with the driver’s insurance company claims in case of auto accidents.
Types of Injuries from Motorcycle T-Bone Accidents
When we look at how crashes happen, we also find the different types of injuries from motorcycle accidents. Here’s what can likely happen:
Spinal Cord Injuries
T-bone collisions can cause significant force to the spine, leading to spinal cord injuries (SCI), disc injuries, fractures, or paralysis. Victims often need surgery, long-term physical therapy, and specialized care. These injuries drastically increase medical expenses and impact quality of life.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A side impact can cause the rider’s head to strike the pavement or vehicle, leading to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Even with helmet use, these injuries are serious, with long-term cognitive, behavioral, and emotional effects.
Broken Bones and Road Rash
Many victims suffer broken bones, torn ligaments, and deep abrasions. Road rash from being thrown from the bike may require skin grafts and can become infected if not treated properly.
Head Injuries
Though helmets reduce risk, they don’t eliminate it. Concussions, skull fractures, and brain swelling can occur. These injuries affect daily functioning and can delay recovery.
Legal Standing of Motorcycle Riders in Nevada
Nevada Motorcycle Laws
Motorcycles are treated as motor vehicles under Nevada law, meaning riders must follow the same traffic laws as drivers. This includes not lane splitting, obeying signals, and maintaining valid licenses.
Failure to follow these laws may impact liability, though it does not automatically disqualify a rider from seeking compensation.
Nevada Is an At-Fault State
In Nevada, the at-fault driver—the one who caused the accident—is legally responsible for paying medical bills, property damage, and other losses.
This system places the burden of financial responsibility on the negligent party and their insurance provider, giving victims the right to seek compensation through insurance claims or a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
What You Should Do After the Accident
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Getting immediate medical attention is critical after a motorcycle accident, even if injuries aren’t obvious. Conditions like internal bleeding or spinal cord injuries may take time to appear. Prompt care improves health outcomes and strengthens your claim.
Keep detailed medical records, invoices, and doctor’s notes. These documents serve as essential evidence in your personal injury case and are critical to recovering medical expenses and establishing the full extent of your serious injuries.
2. Contact the Police
A police report is a crucial component of any claim. Officers will investigate the scene, note vehicle damage, interview witnesses, and give a preliminary assessment of fault. This report can heavily influence insurance companies’ decisions and may be used in court.
If inaccuracies exist, have them corrected quickly to avoid issues during the motorcycle accident lawsuit or insurance claim process.
3. Collect Evidence
If you’re physically able, take photos of the scene, your motorcycle, the other vehicle, skid marks, traffic signs, and injuries. Speak to any witnesses, request witness statements, and look for nearby traffic camera footage.
This documentation supports your version of how the accident occurred and is valuable during the discovery phase of your case. The more detailed your evidence, the harder it is for other parties or their insurers to dispute your claim.
This is one of the 10 vital elements to prove in a motorcycle accident and can greatly impact the outcome of your lawsuit.
Why You May Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts. They may offer a quick but low settlement offer that doesn’t fully account for your medical expenses, lost wages, or long-term effects.
A motorcycle accident lawyer understands how to counter these tactics and ensure that you receive a fair settlement that reflects the true value of your case, including pain, suffering, and future care needs.
Calculating the Full Extent of Damages
An experienced attorney will help you assess both economic and non-economic damages, including medical treatments, medications, surgeries, ongoing therapy, lost income, and emotional trauma.
Calculating how much compensation you’re owed requires a legal professional who can analyze bills, wage loss, and medical prognoses. Without this, you may unknowingly settle for far less than your claim is worth.
Shared Liability
Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you’re found to be more than 50% responsible for the accident, you cannot recover damages.
If you’re less than 50% at fault, your compensation will be reduced accordingly. A motorcycle accident lawyer will challenge exaggerated claims by other drivers, use evidence like police reports and traffic laws, and work to minimize your share of fault, protecting your right to full recovery.
Overall, motorcycle accident lawyers can help you understand the average compensation and process for the motorcycle accident lawsuit, helping you get bigger compensation.
Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits and Legal Process
Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit
If your insurance claim is denied or undervalued, your lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit. The process includes gathering evidence, negotiating with insurance providers, deposing witnesses, and possibly going to trial.
Your attorney will navigate court rules, file motions, and pursue a resolution that accounts for all losses—both physical and financial—caused by the motorcycle crash.
Wrongful Death Lawsuits
If a loved one dies in a T-bone motorcycle accident, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim. Nevada law allows recovery for funeral costs, lost income, loss of companionship, and more.
These cases require navigating both personal injury and probate laws, making the guidance of a skilled attorney essential.
How Much Compensation Can You Get?
Every motorcycle accident case is unique. However, victims may be entitled to:
- Medical bills and future medical treatment
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Property damage to the motorcycle
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma, including PTSD
- Punitive damages (in cases of gross negligence, like drunk driving)
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will use medical records, expert testimony, and financial data to determine your claim’s value and pursue fair compensation for a T-bone motorcycle crash.
Free Consultation and Timely Legal Help
Nevada has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims. Delaying could forfeit your chance to seek compensation.
A law office like the Bourassa Law Group offers a free consultation, allowing you to learn your options without financial risk. Legal representation ensures that your case is filed in a timely manner and backed by the strongest evidence possible.
Contact Bourassa Law Group
If you’ve been injured in a Las Vegas motorcycle accident, especially a T-bone collision, the Bourassa Law Group is ready to help. Our attorneys understand the unique challenges facing motorcycle accident victims—from serious injuries to biased assumptions by insurance companies.
Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can handle negotiations, protect your rights, and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Whether your case involves traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or lost income, we have the resources and experience to deliver results. Your T-bone motorcycle crash deserves all the compensation it can get.
Contact Bourassa Law Group today for a free consultation. We’re here to help you recover—physically, emotionally, and financially.
1-800-870-8910