If you were hurt in a motorcycle crash in Summerlin, attorney Jaklin Sookiassian can review your case at our Downtown Summerlin office at 1980 Festival Plaza Dr, Suite 460, Las Vegas, NV 89135. Nevada law gives motorcyclists the same rights on the road as other drivers (NRS 486.331), and being partly at fault does not automatically end a claim. 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.
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).
Talk with attorney Jaklin Sookiassian at our Downtown Summerlin office: call (702) 518-8584 or request a free consultation.
Motorcycle accident help from a Downtown Summerlin law office
After a crash, you may be dealing with injuries, a damaged bike and calls from an insurance company. You shouldn't have to cross the valley to get answers. Our office is in Downtown Summerlin, and attorney Jaklin Sookiassian handles motorcycle injury cases from here.
- Address: 1980 Festival Plaza Dr, Suite 460, Las Vegas, NV 89135
- Hours: Open seven days a week, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Ways to meet: In person at the office, or by phone or video if that is easier while you recover.
Where motorcycle crashes happen in and around Summerlin
Summerlin has busy commuter roads, freeway interchanges and a popular riding route out to Red Rock Canyon. Each one carries its own risks for riders.
Summerlin Parkway and the 215 Beltway
Merges and interchanges are hard places to be on a motorcycle. A driver getting on or off Summerlin Parkway or the 215 may check for cars and miss a bike in the gap. When traffic moves fast and someone drifts over, a rider has very little room to react.
Charleston Blvd, Sahara Ave and Town Center Dr
Summerlin's wide main roads have many left-turn lanes. On Charleston Blvd, on Sahara Ave and around Town Center Dr near Downtown Summerlin, a driver waiting to turn may judge the gap for a car. That driver may not register a motorcycle coming straight through.
Downtown Summerlin
Downtown Summerlin brings shoppers, diners, visitors and steady parking-lot traffic. Drivers looking for a space, backing out or opening a door are often watching for other cars, not for motorcycles. Visitors who don't know the area add to the risk.
West Charleston toward Red Rock Canyon (SR-159)
Many riders head west on W. Charleston Blvd (SR 159) toward Red Rock Canyon. Recreational riders share this route with cyclists, tour traffic and visitors. Some drivers slow down suddenly, turn without signaling or watch the scenery instead of the road.
Construction on the western edges
Neighborhoods are still being built along Summerlin's western edges. Construction can leave gravel, debris, uneven pavement or temporary lane shifts. A hazard a car rolls over can throw a motorcycle off balance.
"The driver said they didn't see me": common Summerlin motorcycle crash patterns
Riders hear "I didn't see you" after a crash all the time. It can feel like the blame is already shifting to you. Fault is decided on the evidence, not on the driver's first explanation.
- Left turns: A driver turning left at a Charleston Blvd or Town Center Dr intersection cuts across a rider going straight.
- Lane changes: A driver changing lanes on the 215 or Summerlin Parkway moves into a rider in their blind spot.
- Rear-end crashes at lights: A driver following too closely hits a rider stopped at a red light on a busy road like Sahara Ave.
- Dooring: In a Downtown Summerlin parking area, a driver or passenger opens a door into a passing rider.
- Road hazards: Gravel or construction debris near new development causes a rider to lose traction.
For a broader look at how motorcycle crashes happen, see our Las Vegas motorcycle accident lawyer page.
Nevada motorcycle rules that can come up in your claim
The other driver's insurer may point to these rules to put some of the blame on you. This is a short overview. Our Las Vegas motorcycle accident page covers Nevada motorcycle law in more depth.
Helmets and eye protection
Nevada requires motorcycle drivers and passengers on a highway to wear protective headgear. 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.
If you weren't wearing a helmet, talk with a lawyer before you decide anything about your claim.
Lane splitting
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 use of the lane
Under NRS 486.341, drivers may not deprive a motorcycle of the full use of its lane.
If you were partly at fault
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.
Read more in our guide to comparative negligence in Nevada.
Deadlines
In Nevada, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (NRS 11.190(4)(e)). Evidence fades long before that, so it helps to start early.
Government roads and vehicles
Claims against government entities are subject to special procedural rules and notice requirements under Nevada law.
Evidence that matters in a Summerlin motorcycle crash
Good evidence answers the "I didn't see you" story. Try to protect as much of the following as you can:
- Your helmet and gear. Keep them as they are. Don't repair, clean or throw them away.
- Your motorcycle. Photograph the damage before any repairs. Talk with us before the bike is sold or scrapped.
- Photos. Take pictures of the scene, the vehicles, the road surface, any debris and your injuries.
- Helmet-cam or dash-cam video. This can be your own footage or footage from other drivers who stopped.
- Business and traffic-camera video. Shops, restaurants and garages along Charleston Blvd, Sahara Ave and in Downtown Summerlin may have cameras. Video can be overwritten, so ask early.
- Witnesses. Get names and phone numbers before people leave the scene.
- The police report or event number.
- Medical records and bills, from the first visit onward.
Talk with attorney Jaklin Sookiassian at our Downtown Summerlin office: call (702) 518-8584 or request a free consultation.
What compensation may be available
Every case is different, and no honest lawyer can tell you up front what a claim is worth. Depending on the facts, compensation in a motorcycle injury claim may include:
- medical care, now and in the future
- lost income
- damage to your motorcycle and riding gear
- pain and suffering
If a crash left you with a serious, lasting injury, see our catastrophic injury lawyer page. If you lost a family member, our wrongful death lawyer page explains how families can bring a claim.
What to do after a motorcycle crash in Summerlin
- Get medical care. Call 911 if anyone is hurt. Some injuries don't show symptoms right away.
- Report the crash. Ask for the police report or event number.
- Take photos of the scene, the vehicles, the road and your injuries.
- Get witness contact details before people leave.
- Keep your helmet and gear exactly as they are.
- Be careful about giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company before you understand your rights.
- Talk with a lawyer about your options.
For a fuller checklist, read what to do after a car accident in Las Vegas. Most of it applies to riders too.
More Summerlin injury help
- Summerlin personal injury lawyer: our main page for injury cases in Summerlin.
- Las Vegas motorcycle accident lawyer: Nevada motorcycle law in more depth.
- Summerlin truck accident lawyer: help after a crash with a commercial truck.
- Service areas: the communities we serve across the Las Vegas valley.
Summerlin motorcycle accident FAQs
Is there a motorcycle accident lawyer in Summerlin?
Yes. Attorney Jaklin Sookiassian of The Sookiassian Firm, located in Downtown Summerlin at 1980 Festival Plaza Dr, Suite 460, handles motorcycle accident injury cases.
I wasn't wearing a helmet. Can I still bring a claim?
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. If the other side says you were lane splitting, have a lawyer look at the evidence before you accept that version of events.
What if the driver says I was speeding or came out of nowhere?
Fault is decided on the evidence, not on what the driver says at the scene. Video, witnesses, the crash scene and the damage to both vehicles can show what really happened. 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.
I crashed on the road toward Red Rock Canyon. Does it matter where it happened?
It can, because the location affects which agency responds to the crash and who owns or maintains the road. Claims against government entities are subject to special procedural rules and notice requirements under Nevada law.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident claim in Nevada?
Generally two years from the date of the injury for 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.
What if I was partly at fault?
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.
How much does a consultation cost?
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.
Can I meet you in person?
Yes. You can meet at our Downtown Summerlin office at 1980 Festival Plaza Dr, Suite 460, Las Vegas, NV 89135. We're open seven days a week, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. If you can't come to the office, attorney Jaklin Sookiassian can meet with you at home or in the hospital.
About attorney Jaklin Sookiassian
Attorney Jaklin Sookiassian founded The Sookiassian Firm and practices from its Downtown Summerlin office. Jaklin is licensed in Nevada and New York and speaks English and Armenian. She previously worked at Fried Frank, an AmLaw 100 firm in New York. We speak English, Armenian, Russian, and Farsi (Persian). Learn more about Jaklin
Talk with a Summerlin motorcycle accident lawyer
Talk with attorney Jaklin Sookiassian at our Downtown Summerlin office: call (702) 518-8584 or request a free consultation.
No attorney's fee unless we recover compensation for you. You may still be responsible for costs.
Keep your helmet and gear, and remember that video can be overwritten.
1980 Festival Plaza Dr, Suite 460, Las Vegas, NV 89135 · Get directions · Open seven days a week, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM