Denver Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal | Denver Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Denver Bicycle Accident Attorney

Riding a bicycle is a popular way to get places as well as a healthy method of exercise. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that “[f]rom 2000 to 2012, the number of Americans traveling to work by bicycle increased from 488,000 to about 786,000.” However, cycling is not without its perils. Cyclists usually ride on the street with cars and other motor vehicles that are many thousands of pounds heavier than the bicycle.

When a car makes an error in judgment and is negligent and careless, cyclists can get seriously injured or even killed as cyclists have little to no protection in a collision with a motor vehicle. If you or a loved one has been injured while riding a bicycle, contact a Denver bicycle accident lawyer today.

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Denver, CO Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to data from the Denver Public Works Department, there was an average of 265 bicycle accidents in Denver every year from 2008 through 2012, and about 52% of all Denver bicycle crashes resulted in at least one injury during this five-year period. The number of bicycle crashes increased from 249 in 2011 to 322 in 2012. The rate of injuries increased dramatically from 46% in 2009 to 61% in 2010, then dropping to 49% by 2012. DPW data indicates that there were 1,325 reported bicycle crashes between 2008 and 2012.

Colorado Bicycle Laws

Colorado law considers bicyclists as having the same rights and responsibilities as all other drivers on the road. An expectation exists for motor vehicle drivers to yield the right of way to bicyclists and treat them the same as other vehicles on the road, but unfortunately many drivers find cyclists frustrating and do not show them the same respect and courtesy as other drivers. This can easily lead to very serious accidents which almost always result in much more harm to the cyclist than to the driver.

Colorado law requires cyclists to keep as far to the right as possible while riding in the street and to use bicycle lanes wherever available. Cyclists may ride two abreast in the same lane if it is safe to do so, and all cyclists should signal appropriately before executing turns. Colorado law also requires cyclists to use white headlights on the front of their bicycles when riding between sunset and sunrise.

Unlike many other states, no laws in Colorado specifically require bicyclists to wear helmets. Therefore, it is a personal choice whether to wear a helmet, but parents should always encourage their children to wear helmets while riding and riders of all ages should acknowledge the fact that bicycle helmets, when properly worn, can help reduce the chances of suffering traumatic brain injuries in bicycle accidents.

Colorado Bike Safety Act

In 2009, Colorado passed the Bicycle Safety Act. This new law intends to limit the number of accidents between motor vehicles and bicycles. The Bicycle Safety Act comprises three main provisions.

  • Motor vehicle drivers should give cyclists at least three feet of room when passing.
  • Cyclists must ride single-file if riding two abreast would interfere with the flow of traffic.
  • Cyclists should keep to the right whenever possible, but this does not mean a cyclist must ride through potentially dangerous debris or mount the sidewalk.

Why Do Bicycle Accidents Happen? Causes of Bike Accidents in Colorado

Bicycles and cars have an uneasy relationship, in part because too few cities have incorporated infrastructure, such as protected bike lanes, that make it safe for the two very different types of vehicles to share the road. The NHTSA stated that there are several mistakes that drivers and cyclists make that lead to crashes.

A number of common problems may lead to a deadly collision between a passenger vehicle and a cyclist:

  • Visibility: Drivers who only have eyes for other cars may fail to notice a bicyclist near them and turn left in front of a rider, or even run into one as they turn right or pull out of a driveway or side street.
  • Car Doors: A bicyclist clinging to the side of a road to stay away from cars can be injured when a driver opens a car door to exit a car.
  • Distracted Driving: We all know how dangerous it is for a person driving a car to text or use a smartphone. No law will prevent certain negligent drivers from engaging in texting while driving, and a motorcyclist can pay the price for this behavior.
  • Driving Too Close: Some drivers become agitated if a bicycle is slowing their progress, even to the point of closing the space to force a bicyclist to yield the road. Under Colorado law (CRS 42-4-1412), a person on a bicycle has all the same rights – and responsibilities – as the driver of any other vehicle.

When drivers and bicyclists are sharing the road, both need to take proper care in order to prevent accidents, injury, and death.

Common Bike Injuries

Bicyclists are vulnerable, and even relatively non-violent collisions can cause serious injuries. Colorado law does not require bicyclists to wear helmets, though simply falling over and hitting your head against the curb can leave a cyclist permanently disabled. Certain injuries are common in bike accidents:

  • Broken bones: hand, clavicle, elbow, knee, hand, neck, spine
  • Dislocated joints
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Injuries to the teeth and jaw
  • Nerve damage, including paralysis
  • Severe abrasions leaving permanent scars

Will Car Insurance Cover a Bike Accident in Denver, CO?

Your health insurance, if you have coverage, can cover costs associated with treatment for your injury. Automobile insurance coverage extends to accidents involving bicycles and automobiles. If your accident was caused by the negligent or reckless behavior of a driver of an automobile, you can file a claim against their auto insurance company. Denver personal injury attorney Jeremy Rosenthal formerly worked as a defense lawyer for insurance companies and is well-versed in the tactics they employ to attempt to pay out as little as possible. He has deep knowledge of the processes in a bicycle accident case, from both sides, and has exceptional trial skills – an important part of achieving victory in a serious injury case.

It will be hard for you to work your way through the complexities and nuances of the legal and insurance issues around your accident, and your options for compensation, without help. The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal stands ready to assist you.

Bike Share Programs and Liability

To date, it is common practice for bike share services to require those who use their bicycles to assume liability for any damage, injury, etc. that may occur while using their bicycles. If someone else is established as being responsible for causing an accident involving a rideshare bicycle, the process of pursuing compensation for damages must be managed with professionalism and skill.

How to Prove Negligence in a Bicycle Accident in Denver, CO?

If a bicyclist suffers injuries in an accident, the process for proving negligence is the same as any other personal injury lawsuit. The plaintiff must prove four main elements of negligence.

  • Duty. You must establish that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care in the given situation. For a driver, this means a duty to prevent injuries to nearby cyclists by driving safely and abiding by posted traffic signals.
  • Breach. You must show the court how the defendant breached his or her duty of care. This could be through specific action such as failing to yield the right of way or an intentionally dangerous act, such as swerving to scare a bicyclist and causing an accident.
  • Damage. You only have grounds for a personal injury claim if he or she suffered some type of tangible or measurable loss. The plaintiff must provide evidence that shows the extent of the damages caused by the defendant’s behavior.
  • Causation. Finally, the plaintiff must show the court that your claimed damages resulted from the defendant’s negligence and not some other cause.

If you can successfully prove these elements of negligence, then you stand a good chance of winning the lawsuit. However, it is important to remember Colorado’s contributory negligence law. If you were partially at fault for the accident in question, you lose a portion of the case award equal to your fault percentage. If the plaintiff’s fault exceeds the defendant’s, then the plaintiff may not recover any damages.

Comparative Negligence In Colorado

Sometimes in an accident, the plaintiff can share some of the faults for his or her injuries. In such instances, the defendant can assert the defense of comparative negligence or contributory negligence. Contributory negligence is a harsh doctrine that is only followed by a few states. Under contributory negligence, if a plaintiff is even a little responsible for his or her injuries then the plaintiff is completely barred from recovering any damages from the defendant. So even if the plaintiff is just 1% responsible for his injuries and the defendant 99% responsible, the plaintiff still cannot recover anything.

Colorado does not follow the doctrine of contributory negligence. Instead, Colorado follows comparative negligence. Under comparative negligence, a plaintiff can be partially at fault for her injuries and still recover damages. Usually, the damages are reduced by the percentage of the plaintiff’s fault. There are several forms of comparative negligence. In Colorado, in order to recover, a plaintiff cannot be more at fault than the defendant. C.R.S. 13-21-111 (2016).

Denver Bike Accident FAQs

Q: When Do I Need to File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Colorado?

A: Colorado has a standard statute of limitations of two years for personal injury claims. However, for car accident claims, the statute of limitations extends to three years. Understanding which category your accident falls into will be critical to ensuring you know the right deadline. If you attempt to file a case after it passes, you’ll be unable to pursue compensation.

Q: Are There Exceptions to the Deadline for Personal Injury Cases?

A: The normal statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is two years. However, there can be a number of issues that impact the timeline of a personal injury case, including if the injury resulted from a car accident, if the injured party is a minor, if the government may be at fault, Q: What if Someone Dies in a Bicycle Accident?

Q: What if Someone Dies in a Bicycle Accident?

A: A death that results from a bicycle accident is always tragic and difficult for the victim’s family. While money can’t fix or replace what was lost when someone passes in a bicycle accident, it may be able to help give the family some security, as well as address the expenses involved.

A wrongful death claim can be filed by family members and may cover many of the same costs that are addressed through personal injury claims, along with additional costs like funeral and burial costs.

Q: Does It Make More Sense to Settle a Claim or Go to Court?

A: Considering whether to settle a claim or go to court is something many bicycle accident victims will encounter. There are advantages to both sides. For instance, going to court is often your most likely path to the highest possible compensation package.

Settling a claim is often a much quicker process, and it can allow you to receive compensation sooner. A settlement also guarantees that you will get the agreed-upon funds, whereas going to court tends to involve a much greater level of risk and the possibility of receiving nothing.

What Should I Look for When Deciding on a Bike Injury Law Firm CO?

A: When deciding which bicycle accident lawyer to work with, there are a number of different factors that you may want to take into consideration. It’s a wise idea to work with a qualified attorney who has a firm basis of knowledge regarding the relevant law.

Additionally, you may want to choose someone with a strong foundation of experience in bicycle accidents and personal injury cases. Experience is important, especially when it comes to the law. A lawyer with extensive experience in negotiations and in the courtroom can have a significant impact on the likelihood of your case succeeding.

It’s also helpful to work with someone who has experience both in settling claims and in litigation. Either one could be the right option for your case, and you’ll want to work with a lawyer who will be comfortable either way.

Best Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Denver

For example, let’s say Priscilla was riding her bike down the street going east, approaching a four-way stop. Don was approaching the intersection going north. Don reaches the intersection first and stops. He sees Priscilla and assumes she will stop at the intersection, so he proceeds on his way. Priscilla fails to slow down and stop at the stop sign. Don hits Priscilla, sending her flying. She has a significant back injury and a broken leg as a result of the accident.

Priscilla files a lawsuit against Don seeking compensation for her injuries. At trial, the jury finds that Priscilla is partially responsible for her injuries. As she failed to stop at the stop sign, the jury finds her 35% at fault for her injuries, and Don 65% for hitting her. Since Priscilla is less at fault than Don, she can still recover for her injuries under Colorado law. Her award would be reduced by the percentage of her fault. Thus if the jury awarded her $100,000, Priscilla’s award would be reduced by $35,000.

Contact A Denver Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

Bicyclists who survive collisions with motor vehicles are very often left with significant, lifelong injuries. If you have been seriously injured in a bicycle accident, hiring an experienced bicycle accident attorney is a necessity. Retaining legal representation is imperative if you hope to be compensated for the full extent of your injuries and their continuing impact on your life.

An experienced and knowledgeable attorney can help you seek just compensation from those responsible for your injuries. Jeremy Rosenthal has been practicing personal injury law in Colorado for over a decade and has extensive experience helping clients in all kinds of personal injury cases. He offers a free consultation to all potential clients. Call the office today at (303) 825-2223, or fill out the online form on our contact page.

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Put my knowledge and expertise to work for you. Contact my office today to discuss your case in a free consultation.