What to Do After a Motorcycle Crash Leaves You Seriously Hurt

Motorcyclist riding at night with headlight on, surrounded by blurred lights from traffic on a multi-lane road.

How a Las Vegas motorcycle accident lawyer can help you pursue maximum compensation

The sound of metal scraping asphalt. The blur of a car that didn’t see you coming. One minute you’re cruising along with the wind in your face, and the next, you're dealing with serious pain, suffering, and a complicated insurance claim.

Motorcycle accidents aren’t like your typical car accidents. When you’re on a motorcycle, you’re exposed. You don’t have steel doors or airbags protecting you. So when you get hit, it hits hard physically, emotionally, and financially. If you’ve been seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident, the steps you take next can shape your entire recovery and the outcome of your claim.

What should I do right after the crash?

If you’re able to move, the first thing you should do is get out of traffic and to a safe location. Then call 911 to report the crash to the police and request emergency medical care. Even if you don't feel seriously injured, don’t try to “shake it off.” You’ve just experienced blunt-force trauma. Internal damage or brain injuries may not be apparent immediately. EMTs can spot signs of a concussion, broken bones, or internal bleeding that you can’t.

If you're too hurt to move, try to stay still. Don’t take off your helmet. Let paramedics help you. If possible, try to document the crash scene. Take photos of the road, the other vehicle, your bike, your gear, and any injuries you may have. Ask someone nearby to help if needed. Get names and contact info from witnesses and the other driver. But don’t apologize or talk about fault. Even casual words such as “I didn’t see you” can be used against you later.

How do I protect my legal rights after a motorcycle accident?

The moment the crash happens, the insurance companies are already working against you. Their job is to pay as little as possible (or nothing), not to help you heal. If the driver's insurance company calls you, don’t talk to them. You're under no legal obligation to give a recorded statement. They’ll ask leading questions, take your words out of context, and try to lock you into a version of the story that weakens your claim.

Instead, get an experienced lawyer who knows motorcycle crashes inside and out. An attorney can protect you from the insurance company's tactics by handling all communications and negotiations on your behalf. Also, save everything. That includes your helmet, your jacket, and your broken phone. Keep all medical records, bills, receipts, and prescriptions to document your treatment and recovery. Additionally, consider starting a recovery journal to record your daily feelings, activities, and how this injury is impacting your life.

What types of injuries are most common in motorcycle accidents?

Motorcycle accident injuries are not to be taken lightly. Since motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable road users, they tend to sustain severe injuries such as:

Head injuries: Even when wearing a helmet, head injuries can still occur. They may include concussions, severe traumatic brain injuries, or skull fractures.
Spinal injuries: Spinal cord injuries can lead to nerve damage, ongoing pain, or even paralysis. These injuries often affect your ability to move, work, or live independently.
Broken bones: Motorcycle crashes often cause broken legs, arms, ribs, or pelvis. Some fractures are severe enough to require surgery and months of recovery time.
Road rash and skin injuries: When your skin scrapes along the pavement, it can cause deep wounds known as road rash. Serious cases may require skin grafts or leave permanent scars.
Internal injuries: Internal bleeding or organ damage is extremely dangerous and not always obvious at first. These injuries need immediate medical treatment and can quickly become life-threatening.
Mental and emotional trauma: The emotional impact of a motorcycle accident can be long-lasting. Many people experience anxiety, PTSD, or depression, especially if their injuries change how they live or work.

Could a defective motorcycle part or helmet have made your injuries worse?

When you’ve been seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident, it’s easy to focus only on the other driver. However, sometimes the danger begins before the crash even occurs, with a defective part or poorly designed safety equipment. That’s why a good lawyer won’t just investigate the driver’s actions. They’ll dig deeper to uncover whether product liability played a role in your injuries.

Was your helmet properly tested and manufactured? Did your bike’s brakes fail? Was a tire defect to blame? These are the kinds of questions that matter, because if a defective part made your injuries worse or contributed to the crash, you may have a claim against the manufacturer.

At Lasso Injury Law, we look at every angle. That includes preserving your damaged helmet, protective gear, and motorcycle for analysis. We work with engineers and safety experts who understand how these products are supposed to perform. If a defect is found, we build a separate case that can open up another path to compensation, and help prevent the same product from hurting someone else.

What kind of compensation can I pursue after a motorcycle crash?

A serious motorcycle crash can quickly drain your finances. Hospital stays, emergency surgery, time away from work, and months of physical therapy can all add up fast. Under Nevada personal injury law, you have the right to seek compensation if someone else’s negligence caused your injuries. That includes both economic and non-economic damages, such as:

Medical expenses, including ER visits, surgery, rehab, and future care
Lost wages and reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to work
Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional toll of your injuries
Emotional distress, like PTSD, anxiety, or depression
Wrongful death damages if a loved one was killed in the crash, including funeral costs and loss of support

Nevada also follows a comparative negligence rule, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. That's as long as you were less than 50% responsible. Insurance companies often take advantage of this rule and use their bias against motorcyclists to shift the blame. For example, they might claim that you were riding recklessly, even if you weren't. That's why you need a skilled lawyer on your side who can gather the facts and prove who was really at fault.

Get a Las Vegas motorcycle accident lawyer who knows how to fight for injured riders

If you’ve been seriously hurt in a Las Vegas motorcycle accident, you can’t afford to let insurance companies call the shots. Lasso Injury Law knows how to fight back when others try to blame you for their mistakes. Insurance companies often portray riders as reckless, but we know the truth. Most crashes happen because other drivers aren’t paying attention, and when that happens, it’s the person on the motorcycle who pays the price.

Al Lasso doesn’t just take your case; he builds it from the ground up with hard evidence, expert insight, and relentless advocacy. That includes investigating your helmet, motorcycle, and any safety equipment for potential defects that may have contributed to your injuries. And if the insurance company won’t play fair, he won’t hesitate to take them to court.

Don’t wait for bills to pile up or your injuries to get worse. Get a legal team that treats you like a person, not just a case file. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. There's no pressure and no upfront fees; just honest answers and a fierce attorney who will protect your rights.

"Absolutely wonderful! Both Al and Christine are great. They were very accommodating when it came to working with me and my case. Very professional, yet empathetic and so very helpful. I would and do recommend them every chance I get!" — R.C., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐