A Class M license is required to drive a motorcycle in the state of Nevada. To apply:

You need to show Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles proof of residency and your age. You must be 18 years of age & older to apply for a permit. A permit is good up to 6 months from the date it was issued and can only be renewed once in a 5 year period. To complete your permit, you must successfully pass the DMV-administered skills test. Or you have the option of presenting a certificate (dated within one year) showing you have successfully completed one of Nevada’s motorcycle safety program classes, such as Nevada’s Department of Public Safety NevadaRider.com and further testing at the Department of Motor Vehicles is waived. If you are new Nevada resident with a motorcycle license from another state, you have 30 days to transfer you license with Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles.

Can I apply for a permit if I’m under the age of 18?

Permits can be issued to individuals under 18 years of age, but they are valid for one year from the date of issuance. Your permit may be renewed if necessary as many times as needed but it will expire on your 18th birthday.

Do I Have to Wear a Motorcycle Helmet in Nevada?

Motorcycle riders and their passengers are required to always wear a motorcycle helmet while riding a motorcycle bike on a road or highway in Nevada. Before purchasing a motorcycle helmet in the state of Nevada, make sure the helmet is DOT compliant and has a manufacturer label certifying that the helmet meets with the strict federal safety standards as set forth by the U.S. Department of Transportation Transportation.gov

If your motorcycle is not equipped with a windshield or windscreen, you cannot wear an open face helmet. A protective face shield or goggles must be worn at all times along with a helmet. If you do not adhere to Nevada’s helmet laws, apart from risking your life, you incur stiff penalties and fines that over time can lead to your license being suspended.

Nevada Motorcyclists Have The Right To:

Motorcyclists have the right to use a whole traffic lane. After coming to a full stop prior to the crosswalk at a traffic signal, a motorcyclist may proceed straight through or turn left or right. If after coming to a full stop prior to the crosswalk at a traffic signal, and the traffic light is found to be either malfunctioning or if the light was not triggered by the motorcycle, a motorcyclist may proceed after the traffic light completes two cycles.

Nevada Motorcyclists Do Not Have The Right To Split Lanes

Lane sharing or splitting lanes means to pass or ride next to another vehicle in the same travel lane. Motorcyclists in Nevada are not allowed to Split Lanes or share lanes. This means a motorcycle operator is not allowed to pass or ride next to another vehicle in the same travel lane whether that vehicle is moving or not. This means a motorcycle operator cannot ride next to another vehicle in the same travel lane or between moving or stationary vehicles.

• There is an exception to this law for police officers.
• There is an exception to this law if two motorcycle riders agree to ride two abreast in the same travel lane.
• It is not legal for more than two motorcyclists to ride side by side in the same lane

In Nevada what Equipment Is Mandatory on a Motorcycle?

All motorcycles in the state of Nevada must be outfitted with the following equipment:

• Headlights –a motorcycle must have at least one and no more than two
• Taillight –must be a red taillight that can be seen for 500 feet
• Stoplight or brake light –must be visible for 300 feet in daylight
• Reflector –at least one rear reflector visible for 300 feet when lit with low beams
• Brakes –both front and rear brakes are compulsory
• Electric turn signals (except for motorcycles manufactured before 1973)
• Two Rearview mirrors –one must be mounted on each handlebar
• Handlebars – Nevada does not permit handlebar height to extend more than six inches above the rider’s shoulders when the rider is in a seated position.
• Fenders –on front and back wheels
• Footrests –adjustable to fit passengers
• Horn
• Muffler – Nevada’s motorcycle exhaust laws require a proper motorcycle muffler

What is the legal motorcycle exhaust noise level in Nevada?

• Motorcycles traveling at 35 miles per hour or slower must have a decibel level lower than 82 decibels.
• Motorcycles traveling more than 35 miles per hour can go as high as 86 decibels.
• Motorcyclists should also check with their local cities or county authorities to become aware of any additional noise ordinance laws or regulations that may apply to a particular community or to a particular time of day or night.
• Also important for all motorcyclists to know is that it is illegal in the state of Nevada to use a “muffler cutout, bypass or similar device” to boost exhaust noise level.

What Do I Need to Know Before I Carry a Passenger on my Motorcycle?

• It is illegal in the state of Nevada to ride with more than one passenger if your motorcycle is not equipped for it.
• A motorcycle passenger is only permitted to ride behind the driver on a seat designated for one passenger, or in an attached sidecar.
• The motorcycle must be equipped with adjustable footrests for a passenger.
• While traveling, the passenger’s feet must always be on their own footrests.

Motorcycle accidents can be complex events that involve human, environmental and vehicle factors. Below we discuss the most common causes.

Poor Road Conditions

Road conditions are a significant cause of motorcycle accidents. Bikers depend more on solid, high friction, well-maintained road surfaces to maintain control of their two-wheeled vehicles.

Government agencies are responsible for maintaining public roads and highways. Because federal, state, and local agencies can be involved in road maintenance, it can be challenging to sort out who should be held responsible if you are injured in a motorcycle accident caused by poor road conditions.

Problems with road design, construction, and maintenance can lead to motorcycle accidents, including:

• Sand, loose gravel, or debris on the roadway
• Lack of needed dividers or guardrails
• Inadequate lighting for roads or intersections
• Pavement defects (uneven pavement, potholes, resurfaced or grooved pavement)
• Poorly designed intersections
• Lane shifts or turn lanes that lack proper signs or markings

Sovereign immunity is a legal concept under which government agencies and employees are immune from liability. Fortunately, in Nevada, sovereign immunity does not apply to state and local government in personal injury cases.

Motorcycle accident victims who have been hurt due to the negligence of Nevada state or local government employees while they are carrying out their duties are allowed to sue the government. This includes the right to recover damages from the state or local government for negligence for failing to address dangerous road conditions.

At Fault Drivers

The majority of motorcycle accidents are due to careless acts by passenger vehicle drivers, including:

• Failing to yield
• Failing to give proper following distance
• Swerving in front of a motorcycle
• Distracted driving
• Impaired driving
• Failing to check blind spots
• Speeding
• Unsafe lane changes
• Sudden stops

Alcohol, Fatigue or Inexperience

Nearly half of all fatal motorcycle crashes involve alcohol. A motorcycle requires skill and coordination to operate. Riding a motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol significantly decreases an operator’s ability to operate it safely. Fatigue is also a leading factor in many motorcycle crashes, so take frequent breaks if you are on a long ride–and when in doubt, rest or call it a day.

Motorcycle crashes are often related to lack of experience or failure to take the necessary precautions when operating a motorcycle. Defensive driving is a must for bikers, including being more alert at intersections, where most motorcycle-vehicle collisions occur.

An estimated one-third of motorcycle operators killed in crashes are not licensed or are improperly licensed. Failing to obtain a motorcycle operator’s license means bypassing essential training to ensure you have the knowledge and skills to safely operate a motorcycle.

Motorcycle accidents tend to be more serious than other motor vehicle accidents, and they are especially dangerous for the biker. More than 80 percent of all reported motorcycle crashes result in injury to, or the death of, the motorcyclist. Any of the severe injuries below can lead to lasting pain, disfigurement, and lost income and quality of life.

Traumatic brain injury

Helmet requirements and improved technology have helped reduce motorcycle fatality rates. But even with a DOT-approved helmet, a motorcyclist who survives a crash faces a high risk of serious brain injury from the force of impact with another vehicle, the road or other object. Riders who suffer a traumatic brain injury can have lasting impairments to their ability to speak or carry out other activities of daily life. Injuries can result in extensive rehabilitation, major long-term healthcare costs, and lifetime loss of income.

Road rash

These painful scrapes, abrasions and more serious injuries can resemble burns and are caused when a motorcyclist slides along the road surface. Infection can be a serious risk, as are scaring and permanent damage to nerves and underlying connective tissue. Severe road rash can require skin grafting, physical therapy and other ongoing treatment.

Lower limb injuries

Motorcyclists are more likely to injure their legs and feet than any other part of their bodies. The Center for Disease Control studied over a million motorcycle injuries and found that nearly 30 percent of the injuries occurred to the lower extremities.

When you’re on a motorcycle, your legs are very close to the ground. If you’re in a crash, they are often the first thing to come into contact with pavement. If a motorcycle rolls, it can crush a rider’s leg or foot, causing fractured or broken bones. Lower limb ligament and tendon injuries are also common for motorcyclists who experience a crash.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Head and neck injuries make up nearly a quarter of all injuries from motorcycle accidents. In serious motorcycle crashes, spinal cord injuries can cause the most serious and lasting damage. Helmets unfortunately provide little in the way of spinal cord protection and may actually transfer the impact of a crash toward the spine. Spinal cord injuries can result in chronic pain, temporary or permanent paralysis, and in the most serious cases, paraplegia or quadriplegia. These catastrophic injuries almost always involve significant damages to the injured party, including long-term medical care and associated costs, lost wages and pain and suffering.

Chest Injuries

Injuries to the ribs and chest are very common in motorcycle crashes. Injuries to this area can be life-threatening as the rib cage protects vital organs, especially our lunges. Trauma to the thorax area (the chest down to the diaphragm) from a serious accident can result in a collapsed or punctured lung and internal bleeding. Damaged tissue can result in long recovery times and can lead to secondary injuries from infection.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Clark County, you owe it to yourself to speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer who can help you understand your rights, evaluate your case and your options before you sign any settlement offer, and build a strong case for getting the compensation you deserve.

If you or someone you love is a motorcycle accident victim you owe it to yourself to protect your interests. Here are the steps you should take.

• Make sure you and others involved are physically okay. Call 911 or seek immediate medical attention if anyone is injured. Make sure you and others are not at immediate risk from oncoming traffic or other roadway hazards.
• Make sure the accident is reported immediately. Call 911 and explain the situation. If the emergency is non-life threatening, the operator may advise you to call 311 or another local service. Under Nevada law, a driver must immediately report any traffic accident that results in an injury to any person, a death, or damage to property. Drivers should provide detailed information to a member of law enforcement who investigates the crash.
• Gather information and evidence at the scene. Use your cellphone to take photos at the scene that show angle of impact, damage to your motorcycle and other vehicles and/or property. Get contact information for all witnesses at the scene. Take photos of insurance cards from any drivers involved. This step may prove invaluable later on as your legal team prepares evidence to build the strongest possible case.
• If you are the driver of another vehicle, report the accident to your insurance company. REMEMBER: Being in an accident can be confusing and disorienting. Do not admit fault or make other statements about your injuries or those of others to anyone until you have gained a full picture of what happened.
• Keep a file of all accident-related medical records, medical bills, and accident-related correspondences.
• Document any lost work time or wages. If you or your loved one misses work because of the accident or resulting injuries, these costs could be considered damages.
• Talk to a skilled personal injury attorney to understand your legal rights and how the specific facts of your case could affect an award for damages.

Do not sign or agree to any offer from an insurance adjuster, before consulting an experienced Nevada personal injury attorney. Insurance company adjusters and lawyers may appear to be on your side or neutral in the process, but be aware they work exclusively for the insurance company and are working to protect their interests. An adjuster’s job is to help maximize insurance profits and this often means limiting losses (or payouts for damages). You and your loved ones deserve someone who is on your side, protecting your interests at every step of the way. Call us today.

Motorcycle crash claims are similar to other motor vehicle accident cases. They are subject to the two-year statute of limitations and comparative negligence standard we will discuss below. There are important differences between motorcycle accident cases and other personal injury cases. Motorcyclists tend to sustain serious injuries that create major health care costs and lost income. Insurance companies have an interest to aggressively search for minor violations and other ways to place some of the blame onto the injured motorcyclist. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, you and your legal team must be ready to fight back against unjust blame for the accident. You owe it to yourself to consult a personal injury lawyer who has extensive experience handling claims involving Nevada motorcycle accidents.

Requirement to Report Vehicle Accidents

Under Nevada law, the driver of a vehicle involved in a crash must report it if the incident resulted in:

• injury to or death of a person, or
• damage to a vehicle or other property.
• If no police officer arrives at the scene, the driver must report the accident immediately to the nearest office of the Nevada Highway
• Patrol, or another law enforcement authority. Failure to report an accident in Nevada can result in a license suspension of up to one year.

Comparative Negligence

Nevada has “modified comparative negligence” when it comes to personal injury cases. This means that a victim may still be able to recover some damages even if that person is partially to blame for the accident. As long as you are less than 51 percent to blame for the accident, you can recover some of your losses.

If you are found to be partly to blame, your damages are reduced by the percent that you are at fault. For example, if you’re 30 percent to blame, you would recover 70 percent of your damages. If your total damages are $100,000, you recover $70,000. When multiple parties are involved, (for example, two passenger vehicles and a motorcycle) assigning percentages of blame can be complicated. One person’s recovery may be offset by damages that person owes to others involved in the accident.

A jury decides fault in a Nevada personal injury case. They hear evidence from both sides and determine each person’s fault as a percentage. A judge will give the jury instructions about comparative negligence before they deliberate. The jury can decide that someone is entirely at fault. In most cases, a jury’s decision is final.

Insurance companies will often use the same formula to determine what they offer as a settlement. “Comparative negligence” is almost always a judgement call that is subject to your ability to negotiate with insurers or persuade a jury. A skilled attorney with knowledge of past awards and how fault is determined under Nevada law will be invaluable in this process.

Statute of Limitations

The amount of time you have to file a personal injury claim in the state of Nevada, called the statute of limitations, is generally two years from the date that the accident happened or the injury was discovered. This applies to a number of personal injury areas, including:

• Motorcycle accidents
• Car accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Truck accidents
• Wrongful death (here the statute of limitations is based on the date of death)

If you miss this two year deadline, you likely lose your ability to negotiate for fair compensation. So speak with an attorney experienced in Nevada motorcycle accident claims and personal injury law right away. This way, you and your legal team can build the strongest case possible and you can receive the compensation you deserve.

Other Nevada Laws

Personal injury, wrongful death, defective product, or other civil case law could play a role in your case. Criminal law could also play a role if a party is prosecuted for a crime related to the accident, such as driving under the influence or hit-and-run. A skilled attorney with experience winning for motorcycle accident victims in Nevada can help you understand how these laws could affect your case.

Wrongful Death Claims

Under Nevada law, a wrongful death is one that is “caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.” When one person dies and another person or entity bears legal fault that is death is considered a wrongful death. This includes motorcycle accidents where one or more of the parties acted with negligence or intentional malice.

In a wrongful death claim, the injured person is no longer available to bring his or her case to court. Instead, a loved one must file the lawsuit in order to establish liability and seek damages.

Like other personal injury cases, the defendant’s liability is in terms of financial compensation, or damages. The court orders the defendant to pay damages to the deceased person’s survivors or estate. This differentiates it from a criminal case that can result in jail or prison time, fines to the state, probation, and other penalties. Criminal cases have a higher standard to establish responsibility: “beyond a reasonable doubt.” A defendant can face both criminal and civil cases for the same act that resulted in the death of a victim. For example, a drunk driver who kills a motorcyclist could face vehicular homicide criminal charges and a civil case brought by the victims family at the same time.

Who is at fault in most motorcycle accidents

Liability in a motorcycle accident can be clear-cut, such as when a driver fails to yield and hits a biker who has the right of way, which is often the case. There may be other parties at fault, however, such as motorcycle or parts manufacturers, repair shops, or those responsible for road maintenance. Insurers will also often work to place some of the liability on the biker. It is in your best interest to consult a personal injury lawyer to conduct a thorough investigation.

How long does a motorcycle accident case take?

The vast majority of personal injury cases in Nevada are settled out of court. A skilled personal injury attorney will help at every step of the process so you receive the maximum settlement for your injuries and prepare you for court if necessary. In cases of serious injury, the process can take time as you recover and the extent of any lasting injuries is determined. If a case goes to civil court in Nevada, there will be added time as the court establishes evidence and witnesses give testimony. Once a settlement is reached, a release from liability is signed and the insurance company pays the settlement, typically within six to eight weeks.

What are factors that may affect the outcome of a motorcycle accident case?

Factors that affect the amount of a settlement include: 

• The severity of your injuries
• Whether injuries cause permanent disfigurement or scarring
• Loss of quality of life or independence
• The cost and length of treatment for injuries
• Lost income as a result of injuries
• Pain and suffering

Factors that support your personal injury claim include:

• Evidence + testimony (photographs of injuries or property damage)
• Admissions of liability from the other party
• If you seek medical attention immediately after the injury
• If you carefully follow your treatment plan
• Meeting procedural requirements and filing deadlines

Factors that might negatively affect your personal injury settlement include:

• No witnesses or inconsistent, witnesses who are not credible
• Lack of medical records to document your injuries
• Whether you share liability for any part of the accident
• Whether pre-existing conditions could have contributed to your injuries

Call Us Today

The legal team of Gina Corena & Associates is dedicated to fighting for the rights of the people who suffer life-changing injuries in car, truck and motorcycle accidents and other personal injury cases. 

We wish you safe driving, but if you or a loved one has been seriously or fatally injured in a motorcycle crash and want outstanding legal representation, call us today to schedule a free consultation. We are always here to help. Call Gina Corena & Associates now at (702) 680-1111 for a free case evaluation.

We work to provide our clients with skilled legal advice in a timely, efficient manner. We take great pride in having recruited the toughest trial attorneys in Nevada. Let our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys win a fair settlement in your case.