Reno Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

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After getting into a car accident I called Barbara and it was the best decision I ever made. She is amazing! I couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer to represent me. She got me the best settlement to pay back my medi...

Dave Henry

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The fight with insurance companies is just as hard as fighting for your life after an accident. As long as you dont give up on yourself Barbara will fight for you. The staff at Kidwell and Gallagher were great as well. I...

Angie Peters

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These two are specialists in two related fields, personal injury and workmen’s comp. Both they and their staff were VERY responsive to me and my questions, and handled my case with patience and competence. I would,...

I. E. Music

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I feel like kidwell & Gallagher went above and beyond for me. Craig himself and his staff are so nice and helpful. I would highly recommend this law office for your workmans comp/injury needs. You will not be disappo...

Ashley

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The best place to go if you need good hometown lawyers. They are very informative and kept us updated on what was going to happen through out our case.

Jim Mathers

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Was the best experience, we told them the problem and they took over everything, was such a relief. Always there to answer any questions and help is fast is possible.

Marcela Abrams

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I was at my job mountain crew changes there in the basement of kidwell and Gallagher

Cindy Allen

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They weren’t able to help with my case, but they directed me to someone who could.

Jeremy Oehlert

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Motorcycle accidents in Reno often result in serious injuries, and the claims that follow are rarely simple. Insurance companies treat riders differently from other crash victims, and without experienced legal representation, that bias shows up in the settlement offer. Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers represent injured riders throughout Reno and across Nevada. If you are searching for a Reno motorcycle accident lawyer, our team is ready to review your case at no cost.

Reno Motorcycle Accident Claims: What Injured Riders Should Know

  • Nevada generally gives injured riders two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit.
  • Motorcycle accident claims often involve serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, fractures, road rash, internal injuries, and long-term disability.
  • Insurance companies may try to blame the rider, even when another driver caused the crash.
  • Nevada’s comparative fault rule can reduce compensation if the rider is assigned partial fault.
  • Helmet use, lane position, licensing, speed, road conditions, and witness statements can all affect how the insurer evaluates the claim.
  • Kidwell & Gallagher handles motorcycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.

Why Motorcycle Accident Claims Can Be Harder to Resolve

Insurers frequently treat motorcyclists as reckless by nature, an assumption with no legal foundation but real practical consequences. Adjusters use it as leverage to undervalue claims, delay payments, and push settlements that fall far short of a rider’s actual losses.

According to the Nevada Department of Transportation crash data, Washoe County recorded 13 motorcyclist fatalities in 2022 and 18 in 2023, a nearly 40 percent increase. Statewide deaths rose from 91 to 109 over the same period. Motorcycles offer none of the structural protection a car provides, so when a rider goes down, the injuries are severe: spinal cord damage, brain trauma, shattered bones, and deep road rash.

Building a strong claim means gathering evidence quickly, connecting your injuries to the crash through medical records, and having legal representation that pushes back when insurers lowball. We build cases that hold up under pressure.

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What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycle accidents can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Driver negligence: Many motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers who fail to look for motorcycles on the road or who don’t give them enough space.
  • Road hazards: Potholes, debris, and other hazards on the road can be especially dangerous for motorcycles.
  • Defective motorcycle parts: If a motorcycle has a defect that causes an accident, the manufacturer or distributor may be held liable.
  • Weather conditions: Rain, snow, and ice can all make roads more dangerous for motorcycles.

What Are Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycles can cause serious and even life-threatening injuries, including:

  • Head injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Road rash
  • Internal injuries

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Nevada Motorcycle Laws That May Affect Your Case

Several Nevada laws directly shape what compensation a rider can recover. Understanding them before speaking with an insurer matters.

  • Helmet requirements: Under NRS 486.231, all riders and passengers must wear a properly fitted helmet approved under Nevada’s safety standards. Failure to comply can factor into comparative fault arguments if head or facial injuries are part of your claim.
  • Comparative fault and the 50% bar: Nevada follows a shared-fault rule, called modified comparative fault, under NRS 41.141. You can recover compensation as long as your share of fault does not exceed 50 percent, though any assigned percentage reduces the recovery dollar for dollar.
  • Filing deadlines: Nevada’s filing deadline, known as the statute of limitations, is generally two years from the date of the accident. Missing it eliminates your right to pursue compensation.
  • Licensing requirements: Riding without a valid Class M license gives an insurer grounds to argue you were at fault.
  • Lane splitting: Nevada does not permit lane splitting. If it was involved in the crash, insurers will use it to reduce your share of compensation.

For a breakdown of what to do immediately after a crash, see our guide on what to do after a motorcycle accident.

What Compensation May Be Available After a Motorcycle Accident

What you can recover depends on how the crash affected your life, and in the early days after an injury, that picture is rarely complete. Nevada law gives injured riders the right to pursue compensation across two categories: economic damages, which cover concrete financial losses like medical costs, lost wages, and property damage, and non-economic damages, which cover the personal harm that does not come with a receipt: pain, disability, emotional distress, and the loss of the life you had before the crash.

The value of a claim is shaped by the severity of the injuries, how permanently they affect your ability to work and live, and how well the evidence connects those injuries to the crash. Our guide on how to recover from a motorcycle accident walks through the full process, and if you have questions about what your health insurance may or may not cover, our resource on whether health insurance covers motorcycle accident injuries addresses that directly.

Medical Costs, Lost Income, and Pain and Suffering After a Motorcycle Crash

A motorcycle accident claim can include a wide range of losses. The most common categories riders pursue include:

  • Emergency and ongoing medical care: Hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, specialist visits, and any future treatment required once your case is resolved.
  • Lost wages: Income missed during recovery, including vacation or sick pay spent on treatment appointments.
  • Reduced earning capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to the same job or working at full capacity, the difference in what you would have earned becomes part of your claim.
  • Property damage: The cost to repair or replace your motorcycle and any gear destroyed in the crash.
  • Chronic pain and physical limitations: Ongoing pain that affects your daily function is compensable under Nevada law and often carries significant value.
  • Emotional distress and psychological harm: Anxiety, depression, and other mental health consequences that follow a serious crash are recognized losses.
  • Loss of enjoyment of life: When injuries prevent you from doing the things that mattered to you before the crash, that change is factored into what you can recover.
  • Out-of-pocket expenses: Medications, transportation to appointments, and other costs that accumulate during recovery and are easy to overlook.
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How Kidwell & Gallagher Handles Serious Motorcycle Injury Cases

From the first call, our team works to lock down scene documentation, police reports, and witness accounts before that window closes. When an insurer opens with a low offer, we treat it as the beginning of a pushback, not a starting point.

We work closely with medical providers to make sure your records reflect the true extent of your injuries, then build the documented case that forces a real number to the table. If the insurer will not move, we take the case to court. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. For context on typical recoveries, see our breakdown of average motorcycle accident settlements.

Barbara Gallagher

Barbara Gallagher represents injured clients in serious personal injury cases throughout Nevada, including motorcycle accident claims involving catastrophic injuries, disputed liability, and insurance company resistance. Her litigation background allows the firm to build motorcycle accident cases with the evidence needed to challenge rider bias, prove fault, and document the full impact of a serious crash.

Motorcycle cases are rarely simple. Riders are often blamed unfairly, injuries are often severe, and insurers may use helmet use, lane position, speed, or licensing issues to reduce the value of a claim. Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers prepares these cases with the expectation that the insurance company will challenge liability, damages, or both.

Visit Our Motorcycle Accident Office in Reno, Nevada

Our Reno office is located at 580 Mt Rose Street, Reno, NV 89509. From this office, Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers helps injured motorcyclists throughout Reno, Sparks, Washoe County, Carson City, Fernley, Fallon, Elko, Lovelock, West Wendover, and nearby northern Nevada communities.

If you were injured in a motorcycle crash, hit by a negligent driver, blamed unfairly for the accident, or pressured by an insurance company to accept a low settlement, our Reno motorcycle accident team can review your case and explain your options during a free consultation.

Speak With Kidwell & Gallagher About Your Reno Motorcycle Accident Case

A serious motorcycle injury changes everything quickly, and the decisions made in the weeks that follow shape what you recover. Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers offers free consultations for injured riders in Reno and across Nevada. Call (775) 323-2667 today to speak with a Reno motorcycle accident lawyer and find out where your claim stands.

Craig W. Kidwell, Esq.

Craig W. Kidwell is the managing partner of Kidwell & Gallagher, Ltd., and exclusively represents injured workers in Nevada. Mr. Kidwell has been practicing workers’ compensation law in Nevada since 1999 and has acted as lead counsel on over 2,000 contested workers’ compensation claims. Mr. Kidwell represents injured workers in Nevada through all stages of Nevada’s complex worker’s compensation system. Craig regularly appears in all levels of Nevada’s administrative workers’ compensation system and has represented injured workers in Nevada’s districts and Supreme Court.

  • With more than 21 years of experience in complex litigation cases in Nevada.
  • In 2018, the State Bar of Nevada selected Mr. Kidwell as one of the five co-founding board members.
  • Mr. Kidwell has lobbied and testified before the Nevada Legislature on behalf of the Nevada Justice.
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Kidwell & Gallagher Injury Lawyers

start your free consultation
(775) 323-2667

Contact a Reno lawyer near you:

 

With over 45 years of combined personal injury law experience representing clients nationwide, our team is dedicated to helping our clients and our community. We also have two bilingual staff members to accommodate your needs!

Craig W. Kidwell

Founding Attorney

Frequently Asked Questions

When you schedule your free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Reno, Nevada, you should come prepared with specific questions for us to address.

Motorcycle accident victims have the right to seek compensation for their injuries and losses. Determining the case value is challenging because many factors will determine how much you can recover, including injuries, insurance policy limits, and more. The accident’s impact on a person’s life will also impact case worth. Punitive damages are available in instances of egregious negligence by the other driver. 

For permanent injuries, it is essential to consider the age and if any preexisting conditions were impacted by the accident. Occupation and hobbies are also factors because a Reno motorcycle accident lawyer must consider how your injuries prevent you from participating in your job or doing the things you once loved. 

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to have legal representation. A Reno motorcycle accident lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and ensure that your rights are protected. They can also help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries, damages, and other losses.

Finding the right motorcycle accident lawyer in Reno can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve never needed legal representation before. Here are some tips on how to find the right Reno motorcycle accident lawyer for your case:

1. Look for Experience

When searching for a motorcycle accident lawyer in Reno, look for someone with experience in this area of law. An experienced lawyer will be familiar with the laws and regulations specific to motorcycle accidents and will know how to build a strong case on your behalf.

2. Check Their Reputation

Check the reputation of any lawyer you’re considering. Look for reviews and testimonials from past clients, and check their rating with the Better Business Bureau. A reputable lawyer will have a good reputation in the community and will have a track record of success.

3. Ask for Referrals

Ask friends, family, and acquaintances for referrals to motorcycle accident lawyers in Reno. Referrals from people you trust can be a great way to find a lawyer who has experience and a good reputation.

4. Schedule a Consultation

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential lawyers, schedule a consultation with each one. This will give you the opportunity to ask questions, discuss your case, and get a feel for whether or not the lawyer is a good fit for you.

During your initial consultation with a Reno motorcycle accident lawyer, you can expect to discuss the details of your case. The lawyer will ask questions about the accident, your injuries, and any other relevant information. They will also explain the legal process and what you can expect moving forward. This is a good time to ask any questions you may have and to make sure you feel comfortable with the lawyer.

Many motorcycle accident lawyers in Reno work on a contingency fee basis, which means they don’t get paid unless you win your case. The fee is typically a percentage of the settlement or award you receive. Before hiring a lawyer, make sure you understand their fee structure and any other costs associated with your case.

The cost of hiring a motorcycle collision lawyer can vary depending on several factors. Here are some factors that can influence the cost:

  1. Fee Structure: Lawyers typically charge their clients using various fee structures. The most common ones are:
    • Hourly Rate: Some lawyers charge an hourly rate for their services. The rate can vary based on the lawyer’s experience and location.
    • Contingency Fee: In personal injury cases like motorcycle collisions, many lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid if you win your case. They will take a percentage (often around 33% to 40%) of the compensation you receive.
    • Flat Fee: Some lawyers might offer a flat fee for specific services, such as drafting legal documents or representing you in court for a certain phase of the case.
  2. Complexity of the Case: The complexity of the case can influence the cost. Cases that require more investigation, research, and court appearances may be more expensive.
  3. Location: The cost of legal services can vary significantly based on your location. Lawyers in urban areas or areas with a higher cost of living may charge more than those in rural areas.
  4. Experience: Highly experienced lawyers might charge more due to their track record and expertise.
  5. Additional Costs: Keep in mind that there could be additional costs beyond the lawyer’s fees, such as court filing fees, expert witness fees, and expenses related to obtaining evidence.

It’s important to discuss the fee structure and any potential additional costs with the lawyer during your initial consultation. Many lawyers offer free initial consultations, during which you can ask about their fees and how they handle costs. This will help you understand the financial aspects of hiring a motorcycle collision lawyer and make an informed decision based on your budget and the potential outcome of your case.

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This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Managing Partner, Craig W. Kidwell who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.