Client Story
Meet April
After a devastating rear-end collision, April’s world turned upside down. Medical bills piled relentlessly.
Hear her story
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Helping You Get the Medical Care You Need
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Supporting Your Emotional Healing Journey
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Fighting for Your Rightful Compensation
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TINA190 Days Ago
I retained Paul Padda after firing my other lawyer. Best decision I ever made! He did a fantastic job for me in handling my personal injury case. Always courteous and cares about his clients. Great office staff that cares about people. With Mr. Padda, I felt comfortable every step of the way. My first choice for a lawyer!
S
S.S.190 Days Ago
Paul Padda is a great attorney that cares about his clients. I hired him and was impressed. Very good in court and handled my case really well. He took the time to understand my case and cared about me as a person. He would be the first person I call if I need an attorney again.
Overview
You Were Just Riding. They Were Distracted. Now You’re Paying the Price.
Riding a bike in Las Vegas, whether you are commuting to work down Flamingo Road, training on the beltway trails, or just enjoying a ride near Red Rock, requires hyper-awareness. You know the risks. But no amount of caution can protect you when a driver is staring at their phone, rushing to a casino shift, or simply refusing to share the road.
When a 4,000-pound vehicle hits a cyclist, the physics are unforgiving. You aren’t just “in an accident” you are unprotected against steel and asphalt. The road rash, broken bones, and head injuries are immediate and brutal. But often, the insult that follows the injury is just as painful: The driver claims they “didn’t see you,” and the police report hints that it was somehow your fault.
We Fight the “Cyclist Bias”
At Paul Padda Law, we know that insurance adjusters and even law enforcement often hold an unfair bias against cyclists. They try to claim you swerved, were riding outside the lane, or were “hard to see.” We don’t accept that narrative. We know that “I didn’t see him” is an admission of negligence, not a valid excuse.
Why Las Vegas Cyclists Trust Us
We understand the unique dangers of cycling in Southern Nevada. From the high-speed arterials where cars treat 45mph zones like freeways, to the tourist-clogged intersections of The Strip where pedestrians and Ubers create chaos, we know exactly where and why these crashes happen. We use this local knowledge to reconstruct the accident, proving that you had the right of way and the driver had a duty to look twice.
Your Recovery Is Our Priority
You are likely facing a long road of surgeries, physical therapy, and lost time from work. You shouldn’t have to fight an insurance company while you are trying to heal. We handle the aggressive phone calls and the complex legal filings so you can focus on getting back on your feet, and eventually, back on your bike.
Don’t Let Them Blame the Victim.If you were hit while riding, call Paul Padda Law today at (702) 366-1888 or contact us online. We handle bicycle injury cases on a contingency basis—you pay nothing unless we win. Let us fight for the justice you deserve.
Table of Contents
The Leader of Your Recovery Team
"Being a lawyer allows me to be a voice for the voiceless."
- Paul Padda, J.D.
More About Paul
What to Do After You Are in a Bike Accident
The moments immediately following a bicycle crash are chaotic. You are likely in shock, your adrenaline is spiking, and you may be lying on the pavement in pain. However, the steps you take in these first few minutes can determine whether you win your case or are left paying for your own surgery.
1. Get to Safety, But Stay at the Scene
If you are in the middle of a busy road like Charleston or Sahara, try to move to the sidewalk to avoid being hit again. However, do not leave the scene. If the driver tries to flee, get their license plate number immediately. If they stop, do not let them convince you to “settle this without police.”
2. Call 911. Make a Report.
In Las Vegas, drivers often try to talk cyclists out of calling the police, especially tourists driving rental cars or locals worried about insurance rates. Call 911 anyway. You need an official accident report from Las Vegas Metro (LVMPD), Henderson Police, or NHP to prove what happened. Without a police report, it is just your word against theirs.
3. Document the Scene Like a Detective
If you are physically able, take photos of everything with your phone:
- The position of your bike and the car (before they are moved, if safe).
- The damage to the vehicle that hit you.
- The driver’s license and insurance card.
- Skid marks, debris, or road defects (like potholes).
- Your own injuries: Take photos of your torn clothes, road rash, and helmet damage right there at the scene.
4. Do Not Repair Your Bike or Wash Your Gear
This is critical. Your damaged bike is your most important piece of physical evidence. Do not fix it. Do not wash it. Do not throw away your cracked helmet or torn jersey. These items prove the force of the impact and how you hit the ground. Store them in a safe place exactly as they are until your lawyer can inspect them.
5. Go to the Doctor, Even if You Think You’re “Just Scraped Up”
Adrenaline is a powerful painkiller. You might feel “fine” immediately after the crash, only to wake up the next morning unable to move your neck or back. Head injuries and internal bleeding often have delayed symptoms. Go to the ER or urgent care immediately to get checked out. This creates a medical record linking your injuries directly to the time of the accident.
6. Silence Is Golden: Do Not Talk to Their Insurance
The driver’s insurance company may call you within hours of the crash. They will sound friendly. They will ask how you are feeling. Do not answer. They are looking for you to say “I’m okay” or “I didn’t see him coming” so they can deny your claim later. Tell them to speak to your lawyer.
7. Call Paul Padda Law
Before you give a statement, sign a form, or accept a check, call us. We will handle the calls, preserve the evidence, and ensure you aren’t bullied into a lowball settlement.
Whether you’ve been involved in an accident as a bicyclist in Las Vegas or the surrounding communities of Henderson, Sloan, Green Valley, Summerlin, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Laughlin, Mesquite, Goodsprings, Jean or Pahrump we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (702) 707-7000 for a free and confidential consultation.
Bicyclist Injury Data In The United States
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 938 bicyclists killed in traffic accidents in 2020 in the United States. Although only 1% of all trips occur by bicycle, approximately 2% of all fatalities that occur on the roadways involve cyclists. And, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the highest percentage of fatalities involving cyclists involved persons 55-69 years of age. Of course, these statistics do not include the thousands of bicyclists seriously injured, but not killed, in accidents with motor vehicles. In the meantime, our roads just get wider and faster. In a 24/7 city like Las Vegas with great weather and a climate conducive to year-round outdoor recreational activities, it’s easy to see how bicyclists are at heightened risk compared to other cities. In fact, when 5 bicyclists were tragically killed near Las Vegas on a rural stretch of highway, the incident made national news prompting more calls for action to protect bicyclists in Nevada.
In 2011, Nevada passed a law known as the “Three Feet Rule” that requires motorists to maintain at least 3 feet of distance between a motor vehicle and a bicycle on a single lane road. While this has certainly helped reduce potential fatalities, the simple fact is that cyclists remain at danger in Las Vegas and must exercise caution.
Representing The Rights Of Bicyclists In Las Vegas
As experienced Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyers, we see catastrophic injuries each day resulting from the carelessness or negligence of drivers. Many of these accidents can result in life altering situations. This is why we are committed to representing the rights of bicyclists to ensure that they get fair compensation for their injuries.
The legal professionals at Paul Padda Law, as a team of experienced bicycle accident attorneys in Las Vegas, are fully prepared to hold negligent and careless motorists accountable for the injuries that they have caused and lives they have taken.
When Person Meets Vehicle
Bicyclists are especially vulnerable in an accident situation involving a motor vehicle. The exposure of a bicyclist to an accident with a motor vehicle can lead to devastating injuries including the following:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Eye injuries
- Road rash
- Cuts and abrasions
- Fractures, ligament tears, crushed bones, and other orthopedic injuries
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Soft tissue injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Emotional trauma
- Wrongful death
There Are Many Causes For Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can be caused by a variety of negligent behaviors by motorists, including the following:
- Rolling stops where a driver fails to stop completely at an intersection
- Rear-end collisions with a bicyclist
- Mistimed crossings at intersections
- Passing accidents
- Drunk and impaired driving
- Speeding
- Fatigue
- Poor weather conditions
- Vendor and delivery truck accidents, impeding the view of a pedestrian or bicyclist
- Turning or merging accidents when a motorist takes their eyes off the road
- Backing up into a pedestrian or bicyclists
- Dooring accidents
- Sideswipes
- Failure to check blind spots for bicyclists
- Distracted driving
All of these may result in serious injuries and often permanent disabilities. If you’ve been involved in an accident with a motorist as a bicyclist, you owe it to yourself to get the advice of a good personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas. An experienced lawyer will help you understand your rights to compensation for your injuries.
Driver Distractions And Serious Injuries
Unfortunately, many injuries on our roads today are caused by driver distraction. In fact, the most common cause of bicycle accidents during daylight hours is distracted driving.
Today, with our continued reliance on technology, we have seen driver distraction rise as the cause of serious accidents and injuries in Nevada. This is not just limited to cell phone usage and texting. As experienced Las Vegas bicycle accident attorneys, we work with accident reconstruction experts and investigators who are able to prove driver distraction in the case of an accident.
Anything that takes the attention of the driver off the road can be recognized as a distraction. These can include:
- Entering GPS information
- Adjusting radio stations
- Adjusting other electronic devices
- Eating and drinking
- Talking to others in the car
- Texting while driving
- Driving while sleepy
- Reading, including looking at a map
- Personal grooming
- Daydreaming
- Rubber-necking
When a driver’s attention is taken away from the road, bicyclists are at risk. An experienced Las Vegas accident attorney can ensure that an injured party gets fairly compensated for injuries caused by a distracted driver.
"I have used the law offices of Paul Padda Law two times in the last couple of years. Mr. Padda represented me on an insurance..."
-C.M.
"When your back is against the wall and it seems like nobody cares you need someone who believes in you and will fight for you..."
-A.R.
The Responsibility Of A Bicyclist In Nevada
A motorist is not always at fault for a bicycle accident. Bicyclists must follow their own rules to ensure that everyone is safe when sharing the roads. Bicyclists have strict rules and must follow Nevada laws when sharing the roads with motorists. These rules serve to protect everyone, motorists, and bicyclists alike. Some of these rules include the following:
- A bicyclist should not interfere with the motion of a motor vehicle.
- A bicyclist must follow traffic rules.
- A bicyclist must not ride on the shoulder of any roadway.
- If available, the bicyclist must ride in a designated bike lane.
- A bicyclist must use appropriate hand signals when turning or stopping.
- A bicyclist must ride in the direction of other traffic.
Conversely, motorists must also abide by laws when in the proximity of a bicyclist.
- A motorist must yield the right-of-way to a bicyclist at an intersection.
- A motorist must move into an adjacent lane when passing a bicyclist.
- A motorist must maintain three feet of clearance between their vehicle and a bicycle.
- A motorist must take particular care around children and inexperienced bicyclists.
If you’ve been injured as a bicyclist, getting the advice of an experienced Las Vegas bicycle accident lawyer is critical to ensure that you get fairly compensated for any injuries.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents in Las Vegas
Is it legal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk in Las Vegas?
It depends on exactly where you are riding. In general, riding on the sidewalk is legal in residential areas of Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County unless there are signs prohibiting it. However, it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk on The Strip (Las Vegas Blvd), on Fremont Street, and in certain business districts where pedestrian traffic is heavy. If you were hit while riding on a sidewalk, we check the specific municipal code for that street to prove you were riding legally.
I wasn't wearing a helmet when I was hit. Can I still sue the driver?
Yes. Nevada state law does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets. The insurance company might try to argue that your injuries would have been less severe if you had a helmet, but your failure to wear one does not automatically bar you from recovering compensation. We fight to ensure the focus remains on the driver’s negligence, not your fashion choices.
Does my own car insurance cover me if I’m hit while riding my bike?
Yes, and this is crucial for many cyclists. If the driver who hit you ran away (hit-and-run) or doesn't have enough insurance, your own Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your auto policy will likely cover your medical bills and pain and suffering, even though you were on a bike. We review your policy to find every available dollar of coverage.
What is "dooring" and is the driver at fault?
"Dooring" is when a driver parks and opens their car door directly into the path of an oncoming cyclist, causing a crash. Under Nevada law (NRS 484B.153), a person cannot open a vehicle door on the side of moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so. The driver is almost always at fault in these accidents, even if they claim they "didn't see you."
What if the police report says the accident was my fault?
Do not give up. Police officers often have a "windshield bias" and may blame the cyclist simply because they don't understand bicycle traffic laws (like a cyclist’s right to "take the lane"). A police report is just an opinion; it is not the final verdict in a civil case. We conduct our own investigation, often finding video footage or witnesses that prove the officer was wrong.
Who pays to replace my damaged bike?
The at-fault driver’s property damage liability insurance is responsible for repairing or replacing your bicycle. If you ride a high-end carbon fiber road bike or a custom mountain bike, standard "blue book" values are often inaccurate. We work with local bike shops to get a professional appraisal or quote for a replacement frame and components to ensure you get the full value of your custom gear.
Do I have to ride in the bike lane if one is present?
Generally, yes, but there are important exceptions. You are allowed to leave the bike lane if it is obstructed by debris, parked cars, or glass, or if you are preparing to make a left turn. If a driver hits you while you are maneuvering around an obstacle, they cannot use your position on the road as an excuse for their recklessness.
How long do I have to file a bicycle injury lawsuit in Nevada?
You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, do not wait. Physical evidence like skid marks fades, and nearby security cameras (from businesses or gas stations) often delete footage within 7 to 30 days. Contacting a lawyer immediately preserves the evidence needed to win your case.
Get The Professional Representation You Need And Deserve
If you’ve been injured in an accident as a bicyclist, you need the guidance of an experienced personal injury lawyer in Las Vegas.
At Paul Padda Law, we will investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident, determine the value of your claim, and negotiate with the insurance company to ensure that your compensation is fair. If a fair settlement is not offered, we’ll take your case before a court of law to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
If you’re a bicyclist and you’ve been involved in an accident, we might be able to help you. Call Paul Padda Law today at (702) 707-7000 for a free consultation or get in touch with us through this website. Our goal is to help you get back on the path to recovery – emotionally, physically and financially.