Nevada Bicycle Laws And What Drivers Need To Know

Whether you ride a bike or drive a car, it’s important to understand Nevada’s laws about bicycle laws and sharing the road. Cyclists and motorists are expected to share the road with one another. With road sharing, however, can come dangerous and even deadly collisions. Both cyclists and drivers can face serious injuries as the result of negligent behavior on the road.

Cyclists’ Rights and Responsibilities

In Nevada, cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as all other drivers. Bikes are allowed on the streets and on most sidewalks throughout the state, and they have a right to take a lane of traffic on most roads. Drivers must operate their cars at least three feet of distance away from cyclists, and on multi-lane roads, cyclists need to have a full lane of space.

They won’t be pushed off into the shoulder or the roadside, although they should ride in the rightmost lane. Riding in the shoulder can be dangerous and lead to the type of serious accidents and injuries that require the services of a personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas. In addition, cars can only pass bicycles if they have a full lane to pass or at least three feet of space on one-lane roads. Where marked bike lanes exist, cyclists must ride within them, rather than joining in with vehicular traffic.

Rules of the Road

Bicyclists also have to follow the rules of the road—they aren’t exempt from the rules that apply to cars. They must signal when turning or changing lanes and come to a complete stop at red lights and stop signs. In addition, when highways ban bikes, they have a responsibility to get off the road.

What Motorists Should Know

In addition to respecting the rules that provide lane space for bicycles and establish a clear distance for passing, drivers must stay out of bicycle lanes. They also have a responsibility to look out for inexperienced riders on the road. If drivers don’t exercise proper care on the road, a personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas for the resulting accidents and injuries could hold them accountable.

The consequences of an accident involving a bicycle can be severe, especially for the cyclist. Injuries can be catastrophic and lead to massive medical bills, lost wages from time away from the job and extensive rehabilitation and pain. People can even lose their lives or become permanently disabled in a bike crash. Either the driver or the cyclist could be responsible for the damages, depending on who was negligent and whose actions caused the crash.

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident caused by another person’s dangerous or negligent behavior, you can work with a personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas to fight for you and work to secure the compensation you need. Call The Schnitzer Law Firm at 702-960-4050 or use our online firm to set up a free consultation with our experienced personal injury attorneys.