If you have been hurt in a motorcycle crash that was not your fault, you are probably dealing with more than just physical pain. There are medical bills, missed work, insurance adjusters, and decisions that feel high-stakes. Having a motorcycle accident lawyer on your side can take those burdens off your plate, help you understand your rights, and fight to make sure the compensation you recover actually reflects what you have been through. This guide walks you through what that process looks like from the moment of impact onward.
What Does a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Actually Do?
Many people are unsure what hiring a lawyer actually means in practice. Here is what we do as motorcycle accident lawyers:
We take over all communication with the insurance company, which means you stop getting phone calls designed to lock you into statements before you know the full picture of your injuries. We investigate the crash by reviewing the police report, gathering witness information, and identifying whether any other parties share responsibility. We build a complete picture of your damages that goes well beyond the initial emergency room bill, including follow-up care, lost income, reduced earning capacity, and the ways the injury has changed your daily life.
From there, we negotiate with the insurer to pursue a fair settlement. If the insurer refuses to offer what your case is worth, we prepare for litigation and, if necessary, take the case to trial. With over 40 years of personal injury experience and recognition as specialists by the State Bar of Nevada, we know the difference between a case that can be resolved efficiently and one that needs to go to court, and we are not afraid of either path.
Why Motorcycle Accident Claims Are Different from Other Vehicle Claims
Motorcycle crashes are not handled the same way as car accident claims, and that distinction matters when you are trying to recover fair compensation.
The injuries tend to be more severe. Without the protective shell of a car, riders absorb the full force of a collision. Traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, road rash, and broken bones are common, and the long-term consequences of those injuries can be significant. If you or someone you love has experienced a motorcycle accident brain injury, the stakes around building a strong legal case become even higher.
Insurance companies are also aware that jurors and adjusters sometimes carry a bias against motorcyclists and an assumption that riders are inherently reckless. That bias can show up in how claims are valued and how aggressively insurers push back. Having a legal team, especially a legal team full of motorcycle accident lawyers who know how to counter those assumptions with evidence, is a meaningful advantage.
1 IN 5 — In 2024, motorcyclists accounted for roughly 1 in every 5 traffic deaths in Nevada, despite motorcycles making up just 3% of all registered vehicles in the state.
Nevada law also has specific rules around comparative negligence, which means an insurer may try to argue that you were partly at fault in order to reduce or eliminate what they owe you. That is another reason it pays to have someone in your corner who understands how these cases are built and defended.
4 Steps to Take After a Motorcycle Accident in Nevada
What you do in the hours and days after a crash can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. As experienced motorcycle accident lawyers, here is what we advise clients to do.
1. Seek medical attention immediately
Even if you feel okay at the scene, get evaluated. Some injuries, particularly head and spinal injuries, do not present obvious symptoms right away. Delaying medical care not only puts your health at risk, but it also gives insurers an opening to argue that your injuries were not serious or were caused by something else entirely. A clear, continuous medical record is one of the most important things you can have in a motorcycle accident claim.
2. Document the scene and gather information
If you are physically able to do so, take photos of the crash scene, the vehicles involved, road conditions, skid marks, and any visible injuries. Get the other driver’s name, insurance information, and license plate number. Collect contact information from any witnesses. The more documentation you have from the immediate aftermath, the stronger your case will be.
3. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers
After a crash, you may receive a call from an insurance adjuster, sometimes very quickly, asking you to give a recorded statement. You are not required to do this, and we strongly advise against it before you have spoken with an attorney. Adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that can minimize your claim or introduce inconsistencies. What you say casually in those early conversations can be used against you later.
4. Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer before accepting any offer
Initial settlement offers from insurance companies are almost always lower than what a case is actually worth. Insurers make early offers because they know that injured people are often under financial pressure and may not yet understand the full extent of their injuries or losses. Before you sign anything or accept any payment, have an attorney review your case. Once you settle, you generally cannot go back for more, even if your condition worsens.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
Every case is different, but motorcycle accident claims in Nevada can include compensation for a range of economic and non-economic damages.
Medical expenses are often the most immediate concern and can include emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, and the cost of future treatment if your injuries are ongoing. Lost wages and reduced earning capacity matter, too, if your injuries have kept you off the job or permanently limited your ability to work; those losses are part of your claim.
Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and the impact the injury has had on your quality of life are also compensable in Nevada. These non-economic damages are often where the gap between an insurer’s offer and a fair recovery is widest, because they are harder to quantify and easier for insurance companies to discount without pushback.
Property damage to your motorcycle and any personal effects lost in the crash can also be included. In cases involving a fatality, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim as well.
4 Safety Tips to Prevent a Motorcycle Accident in Reno
Motorcycles are undeniably dangerous. Following best practices does not guarantee a crash-free ride, but these habits can meaningfully reduce your risk and, if a crash does occur, may also affect how a motorcycle accident lawyer evaluates fault and liability.
1. Wear High Visibility Gear
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 41% of all motorcycle crashes are caused by other drivers failing to notice the motorcycle. Although motorcycles are small, making them inherently more difficult for drivers to see, riders can improve their visibility by wearing high-visibility orange or yellow jackets over their other protective gear. These jackets often have reflective strips that improve nighttime visibility, but adding additional reflective tape to your helmet provides an extra layer of protection after dark.
2. Stay in Control
Ride a motorcycle that is the right size for you and that you are properly trained to handle. If the bike is too large or if you lack the experience to maneuver it safely, your risk of a crash increases significantly. Avoiding aggressive riding also decreases your reaction time and makes it more difficult for other drivers to anticipate your movements.
3. Perform Regular Maintenance
Keeping your bike in good condition improves handling, braking, and overall safety. At least once a year, have a licensed mechanic perform a safety inspection to catch potential issues before they become dangerous. Before every ride, do a quick walk-around to check tire tread depth and wear, brake pad thickness, turn signals and lights, mirror condition and position, and any signs of leaking fluids.
4. Always Ride Sober and with Protective Gear
Never get on your bike under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These substances slow your reaction time, impair your motor skills, and have no place around any vehicle. If you find yourself in a situation where you have had too much, leave the bike and find another way home.
Beyond sobriety, always wear your protective gear: sturdy boots, abrasion-resistant clothing, and a DOT-approved helmet. Protective equipment is your last line of defense if something goes wrong, and it can also factor into how your injuries are evaluated in a legal claim. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation offers a helpful guide on what to look for when selecting protective gear.
Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Reno — Free Consultation
In 2020, Washoe County experienced 14 motorcycle fatalities, an increase for the fourth consecutive year. The roads here are not getting safer, and when a crash happens through no fault of your own, you deserve legal representation that takes your case seriously.
At Jensen Personal Injury Law, we have been handling personal injury cases in Nevada for over 40 years. We know what it takes to build a strong motorcycle accident claim, and we are not a large, impersonal firm where you get passed around. When you work with us, you have direct access to experienced attorneys who will fight for the recovery you deserve, and you pay nothing unless we win.
If you are ready to talk through what happened and understand your options, we are here. As an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Reno, we offer a free consultation to see what your claim is worth. Contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this site is for general information purposes only. The information you obtain at this website is not, nor is it intended to be, legal or medical advice. You should consult an attorney or doctor for advice regarding your own individual situation. Use of this website or submission of an online form does not create an attorney-client relationship.