Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Las Vegas
Hurt in a motorcycle crash in Las Vegas? Attorney Jaklin Sookiassian can review your claim and explain your options in a free consultation.No attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you. You may still be responsible for costs.
The Sookiassian Firm is a Las Vegas personal injury and business law firm in Downtown Summerlin. Attorney Jaklin Sookiassian is licensed in Nevada and New York and speaks English and Armenian. We speak English, Armenian, Russian, and Farsi (Persian). No attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you. You may still be responsible for costs. Call (702) 518-8584 to have a motorcycle accident attorney review your Clark County crash claim.
Riding a motorcycle in Las Vegas means sharing the road with distracted tourists, hurried commuters, and heavy commercial truck traffic — often with nothing between you and the pavement but your gear. When a car or truck driver fails to see a motorcycle or violates a rider's right of way, the consequences are severe.
According to Nevada's Zero Fatalities program, there were 353 motorcycle fatalities and 348 fatal motorcycle crashes on Nevada roads from 2018 to 2022. Riders who survive these collisions often face traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, multiple fractures, and months of painful rehabilitation.
From our Downtown Summerlin office, The Sookiassian Firm represents injured riders throughout Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, and Clark County. We understand the bias riders often face from insurance companies and juries, and we build each case on the facts.
We also serve riders hurt in Henderson; see our Henderson personal injury lawyer page.
If your motorcycle accident happened in Summerlin, see our Summerlin motorcycle accident lawyer page for local information.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Cause Such Severe Injuries
The physics are straightforward: motorcycles offer almost no physical protection compared to a car or truck. There is no steel frame, no airbags, no crumple zones, and no seatbelt. In a collision, the rider absorbs nearly all of the impact force directly.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Even with a DOT-approved helmet, the force of a collision can cause concussions, brain contusions, or severe traumatic brain injuries. Without a helmet, the risk of fatal head injury increases dramatically.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The impact of a crash can damage the spinal cord, potentially causing partial or complete paralysis. These injuries often require lifelong medical care and assistance.
Road Rash and Severe Burns
When a rider slides across pavement at speed, the friction strips away layers of skin and tissue. Severe road rash can require skin grafts and cause permanent scarring.
Fractures and Crush Injuries
Broken legs, arms, wrists, ribs, and pelvises are extremely common in motorcycle crashes. Some fractures require surgical repair with plates, screws, or rods.
Internal Organ Damage
The blunt force of a motorcycle collision can cause internal bleeding, organ lacerations, and other life-threatening internal injuries.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Las Vegas
Many motorcycle crashes are caused by the negligence of other drivers, not the rider. Common causes include:
Left-Turn Accidents
A car or truck turns left at an intersection directly into the path of an oncoming motorcycle. Nationwide, the other vehicle was turning left in 45 percent of fatal crashes between a motorcycle and one other vehicle in 2024 (NHTSA).
Failure to Check Blind Spots
Motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than cars. Drivers making lane changes or merging frequently fail to check for motorcycles.
Distracted Driving
Under NRS 484B.165, using a handheld device while driving is prohibited. A distracted driver who doesn't see a motorcycle can cause a devastating collision.
Speeding
Drivers exceeding the speed limit have less time to react to motorcycles and cause higher-impact collisions.
Drunk and Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence (NRS 484C.110) puts riders at serious risk. Learn more about drunk driving accident claims.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Drivers who change lanes without signaling or checking mirrors put motorcyclists at extreme risk on multi-lane highways.
Dooring
A parked driver opening a car door into the path of an oncoming motorcycle can cause the rider to collide with the door or swerve into traffic.
Road Hazards
Potholes, loose gravel, debris, and oil slicks that a car can drive over can be deadly for a motorcycle rider.
Nevada Motorcycle Laws That Affect Your Case
Helmet Law (NRS 486.231)
Nevada requires motorcycle drivers and passengers on a highway to wear protective headgear. If you weren't wearing a helmet, talk with a lawyer before you decide anything about your claim.
Protective Eyewear (NRS 486.231)
They must also wear glasses, goggles or a face shield (NRS 486.231). A windscreen that meets DMV standards can take the place of the eyewear requirement, and there is an exception for parades.
Lane Splitting Is Illegal
Nevada law is direct on this point: "A person, except a police officer in the performance of his or her duty, shall not drive a motorcycle or moped between moving or stationary vehicles occupying adjacent traffic lanes" (NRS 486.351(1)). The same statute allows up to two motorcycles to ride side by side in one lane if both riders agree (NRS 486.351(3)). If the other side says you were lane splitting, have a lawyer look at the evidence before you accept that version of events.
Full Lane Rights (NRS 486.341)
Under NRS 486.341, drivers may not deprive a motorcycle of the full use of its lane.
Same Traffic Laws Apply (NRS 486.331)
Motorcyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers of other motor vehicles.
Insurance Requirements
Motorcyclists in Nevada must carry the same minimum liability insurance as other motorists (NRS 485.185): $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $20,000 for property damage. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or too little, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage may help, so check your policy.
Types of Motorcycle Accident Cases We Handle
Who Can Be Held Liable?
The Other Driver
If another driver's negligence caused the accident — running a red light, failing to yield, texting while driving, driving drunk — that driver may be liable under NRS 41.130.
The Driver's Employer
If the at-fault driver was working at the time of the accident (delivery driver, commercial vehicle operator), their employer may also be liable under respondeat superior.
Government Entities
If dangerous road conditions, inadequate signage, or poor road design contributed to the accident, the responsible government entity may share liability. Claims against government entities are subject to special procedural rules and notice requirements under Nevada law.
Vehicle or Parts Manufacturers
If a defective vehicle component (brakes, tires, steering) on either the motorcycle or the other vehicle contributed to the crash, the manufacturer may be liable.
Road Maintenance Contractors
If a construction company or road maintenance contractor created a hazardous condition (loose gravel, unmarked lane shifts, debris), they may be liable.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Economic Damages
Medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, skin grafts, prosthetics, future medical care), lost wages and lost earning capacity, property damage to your motorcycle and gear, and out-of-pocket costs.
Non-Economic Damages
Pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent scarring and disfigurement. A spouse may have a separate claim for loss of consortium.
Wrongful Death Damages
If a motorcycle accident is fatal, surviving family members may pursue compensation under NRS 41.085 for funeral costs, loss of financial support, loss of companionship, and other damages. Learn more about wrongful death claims.
Punitive Damages
Nevada law (NRS 42.005) may allow punitive damages when there is clear and convincing evidence that the defendant was guilty of oppression, fraud or malice.
For more on how personal injury damages are calculated, see our guide: How Much Is My Car Accident Case Worth in Nevada?
The Anti-Rider Bias Problem
Insurance companies and defense attorneys frequently exploit a bias against motorcycle riders. They may argue that riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous, that the rider was speeding or being reckless, or that the rider "should have known" the risks. This bias can reduce settlement offers and affect jury verdicts.
A lawyer can counter this bias by focusing on the facts: the other driver's negligence, the evidence from the scene, witness statements, and the applicable traffic laws. At The Sookiassian Firm, we work to see that our clients are treated fairly — not punished for choosing to ride.
Nevada's Comparative Negligence Rule
Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence system under NRS 41.141. You can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault — as long as your share of fault is 50 percent or less. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
In motorcycle accident cases, the defense will often try to assign fault to the rider for not wearing enough protective gear, for lane positioning, or for alleged speeding. Fault is decided on the evidence, such as video, witnesses and the damage to both vehicles.
For more on how Nevada's fault rules work, see how comparative negligence works in Nevada. For examples of how fault is apportioned in multi-vehicle crashes involving commercial vehicles, see our Truck Accident Lawyer page.
The Statute of Limitations
In Nevada, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (NRS 11.190(4)(e)). Claims against government entities are subject to special procedural rules and notice requirements under Nevada law. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period begins on the date of death.
Do not wait to contact an attorney. Evidence from the scene — skid marks, surveillance footage, witness memories — deteriorates quickly. The sooner evidence is gathered, the more of it can be preserved.
For more detail, see how long you have to file a personal injury claim in Nevada.
Working With The Sookiassian Firm
We Understand Rider Bias
We know that motorcycle accident victims face unfair assumptions from insurance companies and juries. We build cases that focus on the facts and the other driver's negligence.
We Gather the Facts
We handle all communication with the insurance companies and gather and preserve evidence. Accident reconstruction can help show how a crash happened.
Concierge-Level Service
We provide personalized attention to every client. If you can't come to the office, attorney Jaklin Sookiassian can meet with you at home or in the hospital.
No Attorney's Fee Unless We Recover
No attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you. You may still be responsible for costs.
Multilingual Service
We speak English, Armenian, Russian, and Farsi (Persian).
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do after a motorcycle accident in Las Vegas?
Can I still recover compensation if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
Talk with a lawyer before you assume anything, because how helmet use affects a claim depends on Nevada law and the facts of your case.
Is lane splitting legal in Nevada?
No. NRS 486.351 prohibits driving a motorcycle between moving or stationary vehicles in adjacent lanes. The same statute allows up to two motorcycles to ride side by side in one lane if both riders agree (NRS 486.351(3)). If the other side says you were lane splitting, have a lawyer look at the evidence before you accept that version of events.
How much is a motorcycle accident case worth?
What if the driver who hit me fled the scene?
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Nevada?
In Nevada, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (NRS 11.190(4)(e)). For wrongful death claims, the deadline is two years from the date of death. Claims against government entities are subject to special procedural rules and notice requirements under Nevada law. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
How much does it cost to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer in Las Vegas?
The consultation is free. We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means our fee is a percentage of any recovery. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney's fee. You may still be responsible for case costs, and in some cases a client may be liable for the opposing party's fees and costs if the case is lost.
Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?
Get Your Free Consultation Today
If you or someone you love was hurt in a motorcycle crash in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, or anywhere in Clark County, talk with attorney Jaklin Sookiassian about your options.
1980 Festival Plaza Dr, Suite 460, Las Vegas, NV 89135
Free Consultation. No attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you. You may still be responsible for costs.
Related Resources
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Step-by-step guide to protect your rights and preserve evidence after a crash.
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