Bicycle Accidents

Reno’s Most Trusted Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Bicycle accidents can instantly change your life. As an avid cycling city, Reno sees its share of serious bike crashes – and Nevada consistently ranks among the most dangerous states for bicyclists. In fact, Reno alone averages around 84 bicycle accidents per year, with many resulting in severe injuries. You don’t have to face the aftermath of a bicycle crash by yourself.

At Friedman & Throop, we bring over 45 years of bicycle accident case experience and have successfully handled more than 100 bicycle accident cases across Northern Nevada. Our dedicated team understands the physical and financial challenges cyclists face and has the proven knowledge to advocate for your best interests.

As Northern Nevada cycling crash attorneys, our goal is to help you secure the compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing. From thorough accident investigations to aggressive negotiations with insurance companies, our firm specializes in motor vehicle versus cyclist collisions, with a focus on comparative liability. We work to minimize any potential liability on the cyclist, especially when insurance adjusters try to shift blame unfairly. Free consultations are available, and you pay nothing unless we win your case. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a bicycle crash, contact our firm today at (775) 322-6500.

We handle bicycle accident cases involving:

• Negligent drivers (distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence)
• “Dooring” accidents (drivers opening car doors into cyclists’ path)
• Hit-and-run bicycle collisions
• Unsafe road conditions or lack of bike lanes
• Defective bicycle parts or safety equipment failures

Reno’s Most Dangerous Areas for Cyclists

Biking in Reno can be a great way to stay active, commute efficiently, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. However, certain roads and intersections pose higher risks due to traffic patterns, lack of designated bike lanes, and increased congestion. Our firm has represented many clients injured along these known danger spots:

• McCarran Loop (SR 659): A busy arterial road encircling much of Reno and Sparks, McCarran Boulevard sees heavy traffic merging onto highways like I-80 and US-395. Fast-moving cars and limited shoulder space in some segments create hazardous conditions for cyclists.
• Downtown Reno Intersections: Areas near Virginia Street, 4th Street, and around the Truckee River often experience rush-hour congestion, pedestrian traffic, and ride-share pickups. Cyclists can be struck by inattentive drivers turning or opening car doors unexpectedly.
• South Reno (Damonte Ranch Parkway, Double R Boulevard): Rapid residential growth and commercial developments have led to more vehicles on the roads, sometimes outpacing the infrastructure for bike lanes and safe crossing points.
• North Valleys (Golden Valley, Lemmon Drive): While less congested than central Reno, these roads can have higher speed limits with fewer bike lanes or shoulders, leaving riders vulnerable to passing traffic.

Although the city continues to add bicycle-friendly amenities, collisions remain a risk where vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians intersect. If you were hit in any of these areas—or anywhere else in Reno—our attorneys can help pinpoint the exact cause of your accident, whether it was a reckless driver, poor road design, or a combination of factors.

We know these roads. We’ve seen these accidents. And we’ve won these cases.

Nearby Hospitals Treating Cycling Accident Injuries

After a bicycle accident, immediate medical attention is critical. We commonly see clients taken to or treated at the following hospitals and medical centers in the Reno area:

• Renown Regional Medical Center (1155 Mill Street, Reno, NV 89502) – Renown is one of the largest hospitals in Northern Nevada, providing trauma care for severe cycling injuries.
• Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center (235 W 6th Street, Reno, NV 89503) – Located near Downtown Reno, making it a common destination for cyclists hurt in the city center.
• Northern Nevada Medical Center (2375 E Prater Way, Sparks, NV 89434) – Serving the Sparks and East Reno regions, especially for collisions on the McCarran Loop near I-80.

Wherever you received treatment—be it an urgent care clinic or a local hospital—always follow up with any specialists or rehabilitation services recommended by your doctor. Not only will this help in your recovery, but comprehensive medical documentation is vital when filing an insurance claim or lawsuit.

How We Can Help After Your Bicycle Accident

Just crashed your bike in Reno? Your head is probably spinning with questions – and not just from the impact: Who is at fault? How will medical bills get paid? How do I deal with the driver’s insurance? As your personal injury attorneys, we guide you every step of the way. Our team will promptly launch a thorough investigation into your bicycle crash, gathering police reports, traffic camera footage, witness statements, and any other evidence to determine exactly what happened. We often work with accident reconstruction experts to analyze the scene – whether it was a collision at an intersection, a vehicle drifting into a bike lane, or a catastrophic hit-and-run on a Reno roadway.

Once we identify the liable parties, we aggressively pursue your claim so you can focus on recovery. Our Julie Throop and Terry Friedman lead our Reno cycling accident law firm with a personalized approach. We will deal directly with insurance companies on your behalf – preparing all communications, filing insurance claims, and pushing back against common tactics used to minimize payouts. Insurance adjusters may try to blame the cyclist or offer a quick, low settlement. Our experienced bicycle accident lawyers know these strategies and won’t let you be taken advantage of. We negotiate from a position of strength, backed by evidence and decades of legal expertise, to seek the maximum compensation you deserve. And if the insurer refuses to offer a fair amount, we are fully prepared to file a lawsuit and fight for you in court.

Understanding Nevada Bicycle Laws & Your Rights

Nevada Bicycle Laws at a Glance: In Nevada, bicyclists generally have the same rights and obligations as drivers of cars. State law protects cyclists by requiring motorists to safely share the road. For example, drivers must give at least three feet of space when passing a bicycle and should never drive or park in a bike lane (except briefly to turn or in emergencies). Motorists are expected to yield to bikes as they would to any other vehicle and to be extra cautious around children or less experienced riders. On the flip side, cyclists must obey traffic signals and signs, ride with the flow of traffic, and use bike lanes when available. At night, you’re required to have proper lighting and reflectors on your bike to stay visible. While Reno allows cycling on most roads, always check local ordinances (for instance, some busy downtown sidewalks may be off-limits to bikes). Ultimately, these laws exist to keep everyone safe, and if a driver violates them and hits you, they can be held legally responsible for the accident.

No Statewide Helmet Requirement: Unlike motorcycles, Nevada does not currently have a law requiring bicyclists to wear a helmet. However, going without a helmet is extremely risky. Helmets dramatically reduce the chance of serious head injury or death in a crash. If you weren’t wearing a helmet during your accident, the good news is that it won’t prevent you from pursuing a claim – you didn’t break any law by riding without one. Our bike accident lawyers can still fully argue your case. (Insurance companies might attempt to argue your injuries could have been less severe with a helmet, but we have experience countering such claims with medical evidence and expert testimony.) We always encourage clients to wear a helmet for safety, but legally, not wearing one does not bar you from compensation.

Why Choose Friedman & Throop as Your Reno Bicycle Accident Attorneys?

• Local Expertise: As lifelong Northern Nevada attorneys, we know Reno’s roads, bike lanes, and local laws inside and out. We understand the common locations and causes of bicycle crashes in our community, and we’re familiar with the local courts and insurance companies.
• Proven Results: Our firm has a track record of success that includes a 98% case success rate and over $350 million recovered for injury victims. Insurance companies know we mean business, and they won’t get away with lowball offers when we’re on your side.
• Personalized Attention: We keep our caseload manageable so each client gets our full focus. From promptly returning your calls to keeping you updated on your case, we pride ourselves on top-notch client service. You’ll work directly with our attorneys who genuinely care about your recovery.
• No Fee Unless We Win: We don’t want cost to stand between you and quality representation. Our contingency fee policy means you pay nothing upfront – and no legal fees unless we win for you. Your initial consultation is also free, so you can get trusted legal advice with zero risk.

Ultimately, our mission is simple: to relieve your burdens and secure justice for you. With Friedman & Throop fighting in your corner, you can be confident that seasoned trial lawyers are doing everything possible to maximize your recovery.