Avoiding a Motorcycle Accident in Las Vegas

Avoiding a motorcycle accident may not be as straightforward as it sounds. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2019, 5,014 of all traffic fatalities were motorcyclists, and nearly 84,000 were injured.

A large percentage of those killed in wrecks did not have a valid motorcycle license. About forty-two percent of motorcyclists in single-vehicle motorcycle wrecks were alcohol-related. With Las Vegas’s 24-hour culture, it becomes increasingly likely that people in cars — and people on motorcycles — have consumed alcohol.

Therefore, it stands to reason that a motorcycle wreck can be much more severe than a car wreck. It also stands to reason that the best way to survive or at least not get seriously injured in a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas is to avoid having one. Following are valuable suggestions for doing just that.

Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

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Motorcyclists are more likely to suffer a catastrophic injury in a wreck. Avoiding such impacts can be critical to a cyclist’s health and survival.

A major contributing factor to vehicle wrecks is negligence. One or both drivers can become distracted, and before they know it, they are heading for a collision. As a motorcyclist, the only thing you can do is watch out for situations that could turn into a crash. As a motorcyclist, you can keep from acting negligently while on the road. But there is little you can do about other people on the road not to be negligent.

Some common causes of a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas include:

  • Left turning vehicles
  • Speeding
  • Alcohol
  • Changing lanes
  • And more

Cars making left-hand turns pose the most significant risk to motorcyclists. Intersections can be hazardous for motorcyclists. They have known for a long time that drivers often don’t see them even when they look right at them. This phenomenon, known as saccadic masking or inattentive blindness, can be treacherous for motorcyclists.

Saccadic masking happens when the brain blocks visual processing during eye movements to conceal motion blur. This event means that car drivers may not register that a motorcycle is what they see on the road. Thus, motorcyclists need to be aware that they may be invisible to four-wheeled vehicle drivers.

Cyclists can help other drivers see them better by moving back and forth in their lanes. This maneuver can trigger a visual response in drivers making it easier to see you.

Defensive Riding

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Driving — or riding in the case of a motorcycle — defensively is anyone’s best technique for safe motoring. But it is more than a technique. Defensive motoring is a learned behavior, a skill.

Harley-Davidson has been producing motorcycles for over a century. They’ve been giving riding lessons since about 2000. Classes for beginners and skilled riders are offered, and defensive maneuvering is given special attention.

To obtain a motorcycle license in Nevada, you must either take an approved course or pass a written and road skills test offered by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

The basics of defensive driving include:

  • Look ahead and maintain safe distances: Motorcycles cannot stop as quickly as four-wheeled vehicles. Riders must keep speeds and distances in mind when riding in traffic.
  • Always have an escape plan: Besides looking ahead, look around. Anticipate what other drivers around you might do that could jeopardize you, and plan your reaction.
  • Assume every other driver on the road is an idiot or drunk: You cannot tell what other drivers are thinking or going to do. The only person you can trust is you.
  • And others

Defensive driving isn’t about improving your driving skills as much as how to avoid other drivers. People do stupid things while driving.

Even after taking precautions to avoid a wreck, you can still be involved and get injured in a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas. You want to contact an injury attorney in Las Vegas to protect your right to compensation when that happens.

motorcycle accident in las vegas

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Dealing with a motorcycle wreck can be a harrowing experience. Compound that with injuries, and you have an absolute nightmare heading your way. Some common injuries include:

  • Fractures
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
  • Neck and Back Injuries
  • And many more

TBIs can result in physical and cognitive deficits, such as intellectual impairment, communication issues, behavioral changes, and emotional distress, and may have lifelong effects.

Other head and brain injuries include:

  • Concussion
  • Skull fracture
  • Scaring and damage to facial bones
  • And more

Injuries can take a long time to heal, and conditions caused by a motorcycle accident may require long-term care. Suppose you get injured in a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas. In that case, the wise decision is to consult an injury attorney in Las Vegas.

The Schnitzer Law Firm sincerely hopes you will forever ride hard and free and never have even a slight motorcycle accident in Las Vegas. But if you do need the services of an injury attorney in Las Vegas, call the number below for a FREE consultation.

Call or Click Today

Visit The Schnitzer Law Firm online at https://theschnitzerlawfirm.com/ or call anytime day or night (702) 960-4050.

motorcycle accident in las vegas