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Why Choose Matlin Injury Law for Your Bicycle Accident Claim?
Choosing legal representation can significantly impact the outcome of your case, and Matlin Injury Law provides dedicated advocacy for injured cyclists through a combination of local insight, direct communication, and relentless client advocacy. Our legal team, led by Brian Matlin, has deep experience with the Colorado legal system and understands how Douglas County courts handle personal injury claims, along with the traffic patterns and common accident sites in Castle Rock, from the busy intersections near the Outlets to the residential stretches in The Meadows, and even local ordinances such as Castle Rock’s restrictions on Class 3 e-bikes on town trails. You will work directly with your legal team, not a junior associate or case manager, ensuring clear, consistent communication and experienced oversight of every major decision, while we aggressively hold large insurance corporations accountable by investigating every detail of your accident and countering the tactics adjusters use to devalue bicycle claims with strong facts and evidence. Our track of settlements and verdicts for clients with life-altering injuries reflects our commitment to securing compensation that truly represents the impact the accident has had on your life, and because we operate on a contingency-fee basis, you pay nothing unless we successfully recover compensation, allowing you to pursue justice without worrying about hourly legal fees during an already stressful time.
Dedicated Legal Representation for Cyclists in Castle Rock
Bicycle accident legal services involve more than just filing paperwork. When a vehicle strikes a cyclist, the resulting injuries are often catastrophic because riders have almost no protection against several thousand pounds of metal. Even at low speeds, a collision can result in broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, or permanent disability. Our legal team works to level the playing field between an individual cyclist and an insurance company.
We represent individuals who have been injured in various scenarios, including:
- Failure to Yield: Drivers failing to yield the right of way at intersections or when pulling out of driveways and parking lots. Under C.R.S. § 42-4-714(1), motorists must yield to any bicyclist in a designated bike lane.
- Turning Collisions: “Right hook” or “left cross” collisions, where a driver turns directly into a cyclist’s path, often because they failed to check their blind spots.
- Dooring Incidents: “Dooring” incidents where a driver or passenger opens a car door without checking for oncoming riders. Colorado law (C.R.S. § 42-4-1207) prohibits opening a vehicle door into traffic unless it is reasonably safe.
- Distracted Driving: Drivers who are texting, using GPS, or otherwise distracted fail to see cyclists on the shoulder or in designated bike lanes.
Legal intervention is important because insurance companies often rely on a “reckless cyclist” bias to reduce their liability. They may claim you were riding too fast, failed to signal, or were not visible enough. We counter these tactics by gathering objective evidence, such as traffic camera footage, witness statements, and accident reconstruction data, to show how the driver’s negligence caused your injuries.
Handling the Challenges of Colorado Bicycle Accident Laws
Handling a bicycle accident claim in Colorado requires an understanding of specific state statutes that govern both motor vehicles and bicycles. Our legal team manages every phase of the legal process, starting with a comprehensive investigation. We do not just rely on the police report; we often conduct our own investigation, interviewing responding officers, visiting the crash site, and consulting with medical experts to document the full extent of your damages.
One of the most important aspects of these cases is Colorado’s modified comparative negligence rule (C.R.S. § 13-21-111). Under this law, you can still recover damages as long as you are less than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your total recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 10% at fault because a light on your bike was out, and your total damages are $100,000, your recovery would be reduced to $90,000. We work to help you show that fault is accurately assigned to the negligent driver so your compensation is not unfairly diminished by insurance company finger-pointing.
Whether your accident happened on a major thoroughfare like I-25 or a quiet residential street in Castle Rock, we address the specific legal issues involved. This includes identifying all potential sources of recovery, such as the driver’s liability insurance, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, and even commercial vehicle liability if a delivery truck or rideshare vehicle was involved.
How We Evaluate and Strengthen Your Castle Rock Injury Claim
At Matlin Injury Law, our legal team evaluates each claim by looking at the “whole picture” of how the injury has changed your life. We don’t just look at the immediate hospital bill; we consider the long-term impact of traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal damage, or complex fractures. Under Colorado’s “Thin Skull” rule, a negligent driver is responsible for the full extent of your injuries, even if a pre-existing condition made you more susceptible to harm.
To strengthen your claim, we focus on:
- Preserving Evidence: We advise our clients on how to protect evidence immediately following a crash. This includes keeping the damaged bicycle and torn clothing, taking photos of the scene, and preserving GPS data from cycling apps like Strava or Garmin, which can provide data on your speed and positioning.
- Medical Documentation: We work to help you show that your medical records clearly link your injuries to the accident. Insurance companies often try to claim that a client’s pain is due to a pre-existing condition. Consistent, detailed medical documentation from providers at facilities like Castle Rock Adventist Hospital is important to proving your case.
- Expert Testimony: When liability is contested, we bring in accident reconstruction experts to provide a scientific analysis of the crash. We may also work with vocational experts to demonstrate how your injuries affect your ability to earn a living, and medical experts to project the cost of your future care.
Our goal is to remove the burden of dealing with insurance adjusters and legal deadlines so you can focus entirely on your recovery. We handle the insurance paperwork so you can focus on your physical therapy and getting back to your daily life.
Take the First Step Toward Recovery with Matlin Injury Law
You do not have to handle the aftermath of a bicycle accident alone. The legal team at Matlin Injury Law is here to provide the clarity and support you need during this difficult time. We are committed to holding negligent drivers accountable and helping cyclists in Castle Rock receive the respect and compensation they deserve under the law. We know the local roads, we know the local courts, and we know how to fight for your rights.
If you or a loved one has been injured, reach out to us to discuss your options. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to review the details of your accident, answer your questions, and explain how we can help you move forward.
Contact Matlin Injury Law today at (303) 854-6078 to start your path toward recovery. We are ready to listen to your story and help you pursue the justice you deserve.
FAQs
What types of compensation can I seek after a bike wreck?
You may be eligible for economic damages, which cover tangible financial losses like medical bills, future healthcare costs, and lost income. You can also seek non-economic damages for intangible losses such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Note that for claims accruing on or after January 1, 2025, Colorado has increased the cap on non-economic damages to $1.5 million (HB24-1472). In cases of extreme negligence, punitive damages may be pursued if “willful and wanton conduct” is proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Colorado?
In Colorado, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims involving a motor vehicle is generally three years from the date of the accident (C.R.S. § 13-80-101). If no motor vehicle was involved (for example, a crash caused by a road hazard), the limit is typically two years (C.R.S. § 13-80-102). Because evidence can disappear and witness memories fade, it is important to consult a lawyer as soon as possible to preserve your rights.
How long does it typically take to resolve a bicycle injury claim?
The timeline varies based on the details of the case and the duration of your medical treatment. It is often unwise to settle a case before you have reached “Maximum Medical Improvement” (MMI), as you won’t know the full cost of your future care until then. Some cases settle within six to twelve months, while others involving severe injuries or disputed liability may take longer if a lawsuit must be filed.
Who is at fault if a driver turns into my path?
In most cases, a driver who turns across a cyclist’s path, whether making a left turn in front of them or a right turn into them, is liable for the accident. Drivers have a legal duty to check for all road users, including cyclists, before executing a turn. If the cyclist had the right of way, the driver is typically found negligent for failing to yield.
Can I still recover compensation if I wasn't wearing a helmet?
Yes. Colorado does not have a universal helmet law for adult cyclists. While wearing a helmet is an important safety measure, the lack of one does not excuse a driver’s negligence. Insurance companies may try to argue that not wearing a helmet contributed to the severity of your head injuries, but this does not bar you from seeking compensation for the accident itself.
What does "negligence" mean in a Castle Rock bike accident?
Negligence occurs when a driver fails to exercise reasonable care on the road, resulting in harm to someone else. In the context of a bicycle accident, this includes speeding, texting while driving, driving under the influence, or failing to obey traffic signals near busy areas like Founders Parkway or Meadows Boulevard. To win a case, we must show the driver owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused your injuries as a result.
What if the driver’s insurance company says the accident was my fault?
This is a standard tactic used to devalue or deny claims. You should never accept the insurance company’s assessment as the final word. They are looking out for their bottom line, not your recovery. We conduct our own independent investigation to challenge their findings and present a fact-based argument for the driver’s liability.
Will my case have to go to court, or can we settle?
The majority of personal injury cases are settled out of court through negotiations. However, a fair settlement is often only possible when the insurance company knows your attorney is prepared to go to trial. We prepare every case as if it is going to court, which gives us the leverage needed to secure a fair settlement. If the insurance company refuses to offer what you deserve, we are prepared to advocate for you in front of a jury.
Do I really have a case if my injuries seem "minor" right now?
Yes. Adrenaline often masks pain immediately after an accident. Many serious injuries, such as internal bleeding, soft tissue damage, or concussions, do not show symptoms for hours or even days. It is important to seek medical attention and legal advice even if you feel “fine” right after the crash. Waiting too long to seek treatment can not only harm your health but also give the insurance company a reason to doubt the connection between the accident and your injuries.
