Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyers

There are many ways that bicycle accident victims can be injured or even killed by a collision with a vehicle. In fact, cyclists face a far higher risk of crash-related injuries or death than the occupants of motor vehicles. Obviously, when a 4,000 lb vehicle hits a 200 lb cyclist, the person on the bicycle is likely to bear the brunt of the damage. For this reason, motor vehicle operators have a higher duty of care and are obligated to exercise caution around cyclists. With that being said, all too often, drivers fail to maneuver vehicles carefully, or even legally, around bicyclists.

Indeed, motor vehicle accidents cause around 90% of bike accident deaths. It goes without saying, a collision with a motorized vehicle is the most likely way that a bicyclist can sustain catastrophic injuries. Not only are automobiles larger than bikes, but they are also heavier, faster, and designed to withstand collision damages. Those riding bicycles have far less protection.

The most common causes of bike accidents with motor vehicles are usually caused by an error on the part of the vehicle driver. The top three most common causes of vehicle-related bike injuries are when a vehicle cuts off a cyclist, makes a right turn and hits a biker in a straight lane, or makes a left turn without noticing that a cyclist is entering the turning lane space.

The next most common reasons for bicycle accidents involve motor vehicles rear-ending a bike trying to maneuver around a parked car in the bike lane and vehicles opening doors into bike lanes and hitting the person riding by. This is then followed by vehicles failing to obey traffic laws or follow traffic signals. Finally, drunk driving is a common factor in many bicycle accidents.

Top Bicycle Accident Causes

• Cyclists are cut-off by vehicles entering the roadway.
• Drivers making a right turn that cuts off a cyclist in the straight lane
• Vehicle rear-ends a bike trying to maneuver around a parked car
• Vehicles making left turns without seeing a passing bike
• Parked driver opens the door and hits a passing cyclist
• Vehicles running stop signs or ignoring traffic lights
• Inebriated driver or cyclist

However, there are also other reasons for bicycle accidents that do not involve cars. Many of these accidents can still result in successful claims or cases if the cyclist is not at fault.

Top Causes of Bicycle Accidents that Do Not Involve Vehicles:

• Accidents caused by a poorly-maintained roadways
• Bike lanes that are improperly marked or directed
• Defective bicycle parts
• Debris in the road, a curb, or tree

Statistics for Accidents Involving Cars and Bicycles in the US

According to the CDC, there were over 400,000 bicycle accident injuries reported in 2015. Lifetime medical costs and productivity losses of over ten billion dollars were sustained. With nearly 1,000 bicycle crash-related fatalities every year, bicycle accidents must be taken seriously.

Over 70% of fatal bicycle accidents occurred in urban areas in 2016. In most instances, these accidents happened where traffic was heavy. More crashes occurred in the daytime than at night as well. Most fatalities occurred during rush hour, between 6 pm and 9 pm. Clearly, there is a correlation between automobile drivers in a hurry and bicycle accident fatalities.

Which injuries are most commonly sustained by victims of bicycle accidents?

Bicycle accidents can be serious. The most common types of injuries sustained by bicyclists are knee injuries, lacerations, and wrist injuries.

Most Common Injuries After a Bike Accident:

• Knee injury
• Concussion or head injury (if not wearing a helmet)
• Sprains
• Strains and muscle tears
• Fractures
• Injuries to the neck or back
• Broken bones

When a vehicle collides with a cyclist, the injuries change from mild inconveniences to serious injuries that can be life-altering. Serious injuries include head trauma, broken bones, and internal damage.

Most Common Serious Injuries Sustained from Bicycle Accidents:

• Concussion
• Head Trauma
• Broken Bones
• Neck and Spine Injuries
• Whiplash

If you have been hit by a vehicle while riding your bicycle, there are some things that you can do to help make a situation better and improve your odds of winning a lawsuit or claims case later on.

Always be prepared before leaving the house. Carry a photo ID and a contact card so that if you are hurt, your family can be reached immediately. Then, wear a helmet and follow cycle traffic laws in your area. Finally, never ride while inebriated. Drinking alcohol and riding a bike is never wise. Here are some steps to take if you are hit by an automobile when on your bike.

Carry Your Contact Information and Always Be Prepared

Having emergency contact numbers and an ID with you will help you contact loved ones post-crash, even if your phone is damaged. Also, if you are unconscious, the hospital, paramedics, or police, will know who to contact.

Call 911 and be Sure to Get a Crash Report

After you have been hit by a car, call 911. Then, be sure to submit a traffic crash report. Never leave the scene of the crash until after you have spoken with the police. It may be wise to contact your lawyer around this time as well, especially if the collision was clearly not your fault. However, each situation is likely to be unique, so you will have to use your best judgment and discretion.

Get Medical Care and Accept the Ambulance Ride

When the time comes, do not turn down medical care. Some injuries take a while to show symptoms. So, accept the ambulance ride and get evaluated. This will also make it easier to have proof and documentation of your injuries if you need this information later when making a claim or filing a lawsuit,

Gather Any Information You May Need Later

Be sure to get the business card of the police officer who is handling your accident. Also, get their phone number and email. You can also ask if there is a case number for your accident. This will be important later so that you can get a full report. Although our offices can usually find your case number later, it speeds up the process if you already have it available. Also, get the information of any witnesses present at the time of your crash. You may also want to take photos of the accident site and of your injuries.

Do Not Repair Your Bike, Helmet, or Gear

Do not throw away or repair any items from your accident including your gear, helmet, or bike. Broken and blood-stained items may serve as evidence later. You may need photos of these items for your case as well.

Stay Off Social Media

Until your case is complete, avoid posting about your accident on social media. If your bicycle accident turns into a lawsuit, posting about it online can become a big problem. Also, be careful what you say and who you talk to after your accident. Insurance claims adjusters may try to get you to admit fault in the accident. This could negatively impact your case. Instead, speak with your attorney and follow the legal advice you are given.

Call a Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyer

You can contact our offices by phone or use our handy online case review portal. Our team will guide you through the next steps to take in your specific case. Keep in mind that insurance companies might call you and will possibly try to get a recorded statement from you over the phone. We advise against taking these calls or giving a recorded statement to an insurance company before getting legal advice first. Then, you will be able to give an accurate statement that does not reduce your chances of getting your claims paid.

Should I get a lawyer if I have been the victim of a bicycle accident?

Yes, if you have been in a bicycle accident, it may be a good idea to get a lawyer. However, this will depend on the circumstances surrounding your accident. Even if you think that a lawyer will not be able to help you, we advise you to call our offices or submit your information using our website. We may be able to help you more than you realize.

Additionally, if you have been hit by a motor vehicle while riding your bike, it is always wise to contact an attorney. Motor vehicle operators are required to exercise caution around cyclists. So, you may be entitled to compensation. Give us a call, and we will give you a free bicycle accident consultation so that you will know for sure.

Most likely, the answer is yes. Most car insurance policies cover the losses and medical expenses of victims that have been hit by a vehicle while riding their bicycle. Bicycle collisions with automobiles are handled similarly to pedestrian collisions. The at-fault driver will usually have to pay for the damages sustained by the victim on a bike.

Yes, the person who was driving a vehicle is legally required to carry a minimal amount of liability insurance that will cover accidents with pedestrians or those on bicycles. The person who was hit by the vehicle is entitled to compensation from the liability policy. The insurance agency will compensate the victim based on what coverage the policyholder has.

However, insurance agencies are businesses. As such, they will want to represent their own interests. Speak with us before talking about your accident with the other party’s insurance company so that we can represent your interests and give you a fair chance at getting your claims paid.

If people or property were damaged in a bicycle accident, you might be required to make a claim. This is especially true if an automobile was involved. If law enforcement officers are present on the scene of your bicycle accident, they will submit a report for you. All automobile-related bicycle accidents must legally be reported within 60 days of the accident taking place.

Colorado is an at-fault state. This means that the person held liable for a bicycle accident will be the person who caused the accident. However, this can get complex. If more than one party is found to be at fault, the amount of fault each party is responsible for will be considered when it comes time to determine which damages are paid out and for what amounts. This is why it is important to be careful what you say. Do not incriminate yourself accidentally after a bicycle accident by agreeing with a friendly insurance claims adjuster. Instead, speak with a legal representative before making an official statement.

Colorado is an at-fault State where comparative negligence laws apply. This means that the person who caused an accident will be held liable for any damages. Comparative fault laws determine which parties are responsible for which part of an accident. These laws regulate which types of damages are paid to each party in specified amounts.

After a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle, a police report will be created based on the statements of the individuals involved in the crash and any witness statements at the time. Additionally, evidence from the scene will be gathered. Also, any traffic cameras or cameras from local businesses may be examined. After the evidence is examined and statements are taken, liability will be determined. Your attorney can help walk you through this process and will be able to advise you based on your unique situation.

If you have been hit by an automobile driver while riding your bicycle, you have up to three years to file a claim. However, this timeline can vary based on your unique circumstances. As such, we encourage you to call our offices to make sure that you still have time to file a claim.

Our consultations are free, and we won’t get paid unless you win! In fact, Matlin Injury Law can assist you at any point in your lawsuit or the claims filing process. So, even if you have already begun the process of filing claims or a lawsuit against the driver that hit you, we can still help. Call to find out how!

What kind of damages are available to bicycle accident victims?

There are many different types of damages for personal injury cases. Damages may be compensatory, monetary, non-monetary, punitive, or include structured settlements. Compensation from these damages helps with things like medical costs, pain and suffering, aftercare, the loss of your ability to earn income, or the loss of any income you would have earned while recovering.

Each situation is unique. To find out which types of damages might be owed to you, we encourage you to speak with one of our attorneys. Nationally, if a loved one was killed while riding their bicycle by a negligent motorist, you may be entitled to damages related to wrongful death.

Compensation Can Help With:

• Economic damages
• Non-economic damages
• Medical costs
• Loss of earned income
• Loss of ability to earn income
• Pain and suffering
• Aftercare

Types of Damages:

• Compensatory Damages
• Monetary Losses
• Non-Monetary Losses
• Punitive Damages
• Structured Settlements

Were you hit by an inconsiderate, negligent, irresponsible, or reckless driver while riding your bike? If so, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Damages can vary in cases like this, and each scenario is unique. For that reason, we encourage you to call Matlin injury law. Not only do we offer free case consultations, but we will not get paid unless we win. As such, you can trust that we will do everything in our power to help ensure that you are fairly compensated for your pain and suffering after a bicycle accident.

Our personal injury team is familiar with the court systems here in Colorado. We have won many cases and are ready to go to bat for you! Our team serves Colorado bicycle accident victims in Parker, Douglas County, and the surrounding areas.

Victims of Bicycle Accidents in Colorado, Call Our Top-Rated Team Now!

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, the last thing you want to deal with is a complicated legal case. Instead, hire the personal injury accident attorneys who care! We support cyclists in Colorado and believe you should feel safe while on the road. We’ll do everything we can to make your case go smoothly. Let us represent you and help you get the compensation you are entitled to. Contact us now!

Matlin Injury Law Represents the Victims of Bicycle Accidents in Colorado! Contact us at (303) 487-8911.