Damages Available in Las Vegas Motorcycle Accident Cases

When another party’s negligence causes a motorcycle crash, the injured rider has the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim. The damages available in these cases fall into three primary categories: economic damages, non-economic damages, and, in limited situations, punitive damages.

It’s vital to seek legal advice from an experienced Las Vegas motorcycle accident injury lawyer immediately to preserve your rights and build a strong compensation case.

Economic Damages

Economic damages cover the actual financial losses resulting from the accident, supported by documentation such as bills, receipts, and wage records.

• Medical Expenses: Full reimbursement for all accident-related medical treatment. This includes emergency response, hospital stays, surgery, prescription medications, rehabilitation, medical equipment, and any required future care. 
• Lost Wages: A claim for lost wages compensates for income you could not earn due to the injury. This includes salary, hourly pay, bonuses, and lost employment benefits. If the injuries permanently impair the ability to work, the claim may also include loss of future earning capacity.
• Property Damage: Motorcycle accidents frequently result in the total loss of the bike. Compensation can pay for the repair or replacement cost of the motorcycle and any damaged personal property, such as helmets, protective gear, or communication devices.
• Other Out-of-Pocket Costs: Injured riders often face additional expenses, including transportation to medical appointments, home modifications, and the cost of hiring help for household tasks. These costs are recoverable when directly related to the injury and supported by documentation.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address the personal and emotional consequences of the accident. These losses do not have a fixed monetary value:

• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by your injuries. This includes chronic pain, mental anguish, anxiety, depression, and the psychological trauma that often follows a severe crash.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If the injury limits your ability to participate in hobbies, exercise, travel, or other daily activities, you may recover damages for loss of enjoyment of life.
• Disfigurement and Permanent Disability: Motorcycle accidents often lead to scarring, amputations, or other permanent impairments. Compensation can be recovered for the long-term impact of these conditions on your appearance, physical abilities, and overall quality of life.
• Loss of Consortium: In cases involving married victims, the spouse may bring a separate claim for loss of consortium. This includes the loss of companionship, affection, and intimacy that results from the injury.

Punitive Damages

Courts may award punitive damages in motorcycle accident cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct. These damages are not designed to compensate you but instead meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct. Examples include collisions caused by a driver under the influence or a commercial driver who knowingly violated safety regulations.

Is There a Cap on Damages?

In Nevada, there are generally no statutory caps on compensatory damages. This means that injured riders can recover the full amount of their economic damages and non-economic damages without limitation. However, there are specific exceptions to this rule. 

Punitive Damages

Nevada law imposes caps on punitive damages in most personal injury cases. If compensatory damages are less than $100,000, punitive damages are capped at $300,000; if compensatory damages are $100,000 or more, punitive damages are limited to three times the amount of compensatory damages. These caps do not apply in cases involving defective products, insurance bad faith, or intentional misconduct, such as driving under the influence. 

Government Claims

If the at-fault party is a government employee acting within the scope of their official duties, total damages—including both economic and non-economic—are capped at $100,000, and punitive damages are not permitted.