Golden Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Many people living in Golden and surrounding areas of Colorado enjoy riding bicycles for exercise, for pleasure, or for alternative local transportation. While most are able to enjoy their time riding without any problems, bicycle accidents can happen unexpectedly in a variety of ways. It’s crucial to know what you can do to recover from such an event, especially when you know that another party is clearly at fault for the incident and the associated damages.
Legal Counsel for Victims of Bicycle Accidents in Golden, CO
The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal can provide the legal counsel you need in this difficult situation. Our team has years of experience guiding clients through their Golden personal injury claims, and we can apply this experience to your efforts. When another party has injured you or a loved one through negligence or any type of intentional misconduct behind the wheel, we can help ensure accountability for their actions and compensation for the losses they caused you to suffer.
Proving Fault for a Bicycle Accident in Golden, CO
Before you can recover any compensation for your damages from a bicycle accident, you must first prove exactly how the accident happened and who caused it. Bicycle accidents happen for many of the same reasons that other motor vehicle accidents happen, but cyclists are especially vulnerable in some situations and likely to suffer extreme injuries from accidents. A few of the most commonly cited causes of bicycle accidents in Golden that lead to personal injury claims include:
- Distracted driving, which is also responsible for most of the motor vehicle accidents reported throughout the country each year. Your Golden bicycle accident attorney can help secure the evidence needed to prove the defendant was not paying attention to the road when they caused your bicycle accident.
- Speeding. Any time a driver exceeds the speed limit, they increase their risk of causing an accident. Speeding will reduce the time and space a driver has to react to changes in the road ahead, and they may not be able to stop or slow down in time to avoid crashing into a bicyclist.
- Poor visibility. Bicyclists should do their utmost to make themselves as visible as possible to passing drivers, such as by wearing bright colors and adding reflectors to their bikes and their outerwear at night. However, a driver always has a duty to use extra caution when driving at night or in any other conditions that limit visibility.
- Moving violations. If a driver does not navigate an intersection correctly, performs an illegal turn, or fails to stop for a red light or stop sign, these and other moving violations can easily result in devastating injuries to cyclists.
- Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs. Any driver who causes an accident while driving under the influence faces liability for not only the damages they cause others but also criminal penalties under Colorado’s DUI laws. In addition, any DUI offense resulting in severe bodily injury is likely to result in a felony charge, and the defendant is also responsible for compensating the victim’s damages.
No matter how your recent bicycle accident happened, you must be prepared to prove liability and all the damages you suffered to succeed with your recovery. If the at-fault driver has auto insurance, you have the right to file a claim against their policy as you could after any other motor vehicle accident. An insurance claim that is successful may provide some valuable initial compensation for your damages, but you are likely to need the help of an experienced attorney to maximize your settlement and pursue further legal recourse with a personal injury action.
Claiming Compensation for Bicycle Accident Personal Injury Damages
Any time a driver hits a bicyclist, the bicyclist is highly likely to suffer severe injuries. The initial impact from the at-fault driver’s vehicle can cause catastrophic traumatic injuries, and the victim will likely suffer secondary injuries from hitting the ground as well. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and a host of severe cuts, scrapes, and bruises are commonly reported from these incidents.
Colorado’s personal injury statutes enable the plaintiff of a personal injury case to seek compensation for:
- Medical expenses, both those incurred immediately after their accidents and the long-term medical costs they face for the treatment of their injuries. Your Golden bicycle accident attorney can help assess the full amount of medical expenses your accident is likely to generate to ensure the defendant is held fully accountable for all the medical expenses you incur because of their actions.
- Lost income. Your accident could leave you unable to work, and the defendant is liable for the income lost until you recover. You can also claim compensation for any vacation time or paid time off you were forced to use.
- Lost future earning capacity. When a motor vehicle driver hits a pedestrian, they can easily cause catastrophic injuries causing permanent disability. If you are left unable to return to your job because of your bicycle accident injuries, the defendant is liable for the future income you are no longer able to earn.
- Property damage, such as the cost of replacing your bicycle and any other personal effects lost in the accident.
If you have an experienced Golden bicycle accident attorney representing you, you are significantly more likely to maximize the economic damages you secure once you win your case. However, you could secure more than just repayment of your financial losses. Colorado law enables you to seek pain and suffering compensation that reflects the severity of your experience. While this aspect of your recovery is limited by state law, a good attorney can help their client maximize the pain and suffering compensation they win from their personal injury case.
When you choose the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal to represent your claim, you will have a dedicated legal advocate ready to provide the counsel and support you need in this challenging situation. Our firm has years of professional experience in Colorado personal injury law and will help you understand the legal mechanisms in play in your case as you work toward securing compensation for your losses.
Bike Accident Lawyers FAQs
Q: Can a Bicyclist Be at Fault for an Accident?
A: Colorado acknowledges bicyclists as drivers in most respects, and bicyclists have the same duty to operate their vehicles responsibly while abiding by traffic signals at all times. When a motor vehicle hits a bicyclist, the driver of the vehicle is typically at fault, but it is possible for a bicyclist to bear some liability for this type of incident. If a personal injury claim follows a bicycle accident and the bicyclist shares responsibility for the incident, Colorado’s modified comparative negligence law could apply, and the bicyclist will lose a part of their case award equal to their percentage of fault for causing the accident in question.
Q: What Is a Bicycle Accident Claim Worth in Golden?
A: If you can prove another party is directly responsible for causing your recent bicycle accident in Golden, CO, you have the right to file a personal injury claim and seek complete repayment of all associated damages. The total value of any bicycle accident claim in Golden hinges on the severity of the harm the victim experienced. State law allows them to claim recompense for medical expenses, long-term treatment costs for serious injuries, lost income, lost future earning potential, property damage, and their pain and suffering.
Q: Will Hiring a Golden Bicycle Accident Attorney Help Me Win a Larger Case Award?
A: Your legal counsel can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of any recovery efforts you pursue following a bicycle accident. The average person is usually able to account for immediately recognizable losses, but they may find it difficult to calculate the full range of damages they could seek. Therefore, it is worth investing in legal counsel you can trust to reach the best possible conclusion to your efforts after a bicycle accident.
Q: What Does a Golden Bicycle Accident Attorney Charge a Client?
A: It’s completely natural to worry about the cost of hiring an attorney for your bicycle accident claim, but the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal accepts these cases on a contingency basis. You do not pay any legal fees for representation and only owe a fee once our firm wins. The contingency fee is a set percentage of your award, and you keep the remainder. Always verify a prospective attorney’s billing policies before you agree to their representation.
Q: Does It Take a Long Time to Settle a Bicycle Accident Claim?
A: You may be able to finalize your bicycle accident claim and recover the compensation you deserve more quickly than you might expect, as long as you have the right Golden bicycle accident attorney representing you. If the defendant accepts liability and agrees to a settlement, this may only take a few weeks to resolve. However, if the defendant denies liability or refuses to settle for any reason, litigation could take several months.
The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal has years of professional experience in Colorado personal injury law, and our team has successfully represented many bicycle accident claims. Our goal for every client is maximum compensation for their damages in the shortest time possible. If you are struggling with the effects of another party’s negligence or misconduct, contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation with a Golden bicycle accident attorney.