Las Vegas, NV (November 13th, 2024) – A fatal motorcycle accident involving speeding occurred near the area of Rainbow Boulevard and Cheyenne Avenue in the northwest Las Vegas valley on Wednesday evening.
The 24-year-old motorcyclist was traveling at an excessive speed, and struck the side of a vehicle making a left-hand turn off of Rainbow Boulevard. Both the rider and a 31-year-old passenger were ejected from the motorcycle. The passenger suffered serious injuries, while the rider was pronounced dead at the motorcycle accident scene.
Why Do Motorcyclists Speed?
Numerous factors contribute to speeding among motorcyclists, including lack of experience, poor judgment, and recklessness. Some inexperienced riders may have difficulty regulating their speeds for the road or conditions, and may lack the skills needed to handle their vehicles at high speeds. Others might underestimate how fast they are going, or the time it will take them to brake and the reduced stability they may experience at high speeds.
What Are the Dangers of Motorcycle Accidents Involving Speeding?
Speeding can increase the risk of serious or fatal motorcycle accidents and the severity of injuries that result. Riding too fast is a contributing factor in 34% of all reported fatal motorcycle accidents. Some of the most common dangers that result from speeding include:
Reduced Reaction Time
Driving too fast for the road or conditions can reduce riders’ reaction times. As such, when a hazard appears, a speeding rider may not have the necessary time to react, swerve, or brake. For every 10 mph over the speed limit, motorcyclists may need an additional 20 feet of stopping distance. This decreased time to react may be the difference between avoiding an accident and suffering serious or fatal injuries.
Loss of Control
Especially in adverse conditions like wet or gravel roads, speeding can easily cause motorcyclists to lose control of their vehicles. In ideal conditions, it can be challenging to stabilize, control, and maneuver motorcycles. If a rider’s ability to operate their vehicles and respond to sudden changes is compromised, it can increase the risk of swerving, skidding, or flipping the motorcycle.
Increased Impact Force
The faster an object is moving, the greater its impact force. Therefore, in motorcycle accidents, increased speeds leads to more severe impacts. Consequently, those involved may suffer more severe injuries or a higher risk of fatality.
Who Is Liable for Motorcycle Accidents Involving Speeding?
Liability for motorcycle accidents often falls to whomever’s negligent acts or omissions led to the wrecks, which may include speeding motorcyclists. Depending on the circumstances, however, liability can be shared or shifted to another party.
Other drivers may be held liable if their negligence directly contributes to the accident. Such negligence may include, for example, running a red light or distracted driving. Government entities may share fault for motorcycle accidents if poorly maintained roads or inadequate signage were factors. If faulty brakes, tires, or other defects play a part in the wreck, vehicle manufacturers may be held liable.
What Factors Affect Liability?
Determining liability in motorcycle accidents can be complex and depends on various factors, from the conduct of the motorists involved to the design or manufacture of the vehicle.
When riders are traveling in excess of the posted speed limit, they may be held partially or fully liable for the accident. Weaving through traffic, and other reckless driving behaviors, and drug or alcohol impairment can also contribute to liability.
While speed may be a contributing factor, negligence on the part of other drivers can extend liability for Las Vegas motorcycle accidents to them. For instance, other drivers may share financial responsibility for accident damages if they were also engaged in negligent driving behaviors.
Can Motorcyclists Sue if They Share Fault?
Even if motorcyclists share fault for collisions, they may still have a right to sue for damages. Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence law. As such, provided the motorcyclist is less than 50% at fault for an accident, they can still recover damages. Their compensation will be reduced by a percentage proportional to their degree of fault.
How Is Fault Determined in Nevada Motorcycle Accident Cases?
For the purposes of a modified comparative negligence claim, a judge or jury will assess percentages of fault to the involved parties. To make this determination, they may review evidence such as:
- Witness statements
- Law enforcement accident reports
- Vehicle damage
- Road conditions
- Traffic laws and regulations
- Expert testimony
Fault is not always clear-cut in motorcycle accident cases involving speed or other such factors. Multiple parties may share responsibility for the wreck, and thus, the resulting injuries and damages. An experienced Las Vegas motor vehicle accident attorney may help those injured in such accidents to review the details of their cases and determine who might be held financially responsible.
Recovering Damages in Motorcycle Accident Cases
Motorcyclists, passengers, and drivers injured in motorcycle accidents may be able to recover various damages for their injury-associated losses. These damages can be categorized into two main types – economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages include losses such as the costs of related medical care, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, seek to compensate for less-easily quantified losses. These may include pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Particularly when fault is shared, navigating the aftermath of motorcycle accidents can be challenging. Since 1985, our dedicated personal injury lawyer at Bochanis Injury Law Offices, George Bochanis, has helped accident victims like you to navigate the justice system and recover the compensation they deserve. Call our team today at 702-388-2005 for a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
