Experienced Colorado Bicycle Accident Attorneys
Whether in a car, scooter, or motorbike, no traveler is more vulnerable to harm than a biker. With Colorado’s abundantly clear sky, many locals and visitors take advantage of the pleasant weather by taking a bicycle ride along the Colorado Springs shore.
However, riding on busy streets without designated bicycle lanes or suitable night gear is a recipe for disaster, and several bikers sustain injuries in traffic crashes in Colorado daily.
What To Do If You Are Involved in a Bicycle Accident
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in Colorado, the following are some basic safety guidelines to remember:
Consider riding with the following items: cell phone, photo identification, emergency contact information, and writing pen. While most of us already carry these goods, they will come in useful if you are involved in a crash.
Even if you are left unconscious, your mobile phone, identification, and emergency contact information will enable witnesses and medical staff to call your family and ascertain your medical history before or during treatment.
You may need police assistance, an ambulance, or both.
Dial 911. If you are unable to do so, check if someone close is. Even if an ambulance does not arrive on the scene, seek medical assistance immediately. Obtaining medical evidence of your injuries as soon as possible after the crash is critical for any compensation claim.
Wait for the police to arrive before filing an official report. The police investigation of the crash is vital and may prove to be a significant piece of evidence in the coming weeks and months.
Do not hurry to relocate or repair your bicycle after an accident. Until police come, your bike should remain in the same position as it was after the collision (unless leaving it there poses a safety risk to others, in which case, take a picture if possible). Avoid repairing your bicycle as well, at least until you’ve consulted with an accident lawyer.
Collect contact information from on-scene witnesses. Their evidence may be critical in the future if the defendant contests the reason for the bike collision – or your involvement in it.
Capture images and movies. Take photographs of the situation. (Again, this is assuming you can do so.) Make a mental note of anything strange.
It makes little difference who was at blame (ascertaining guilt is often more complicated than it seems, and individuals involved are unlikely to be in a position to do so at the site of the accident).
Simply get the driver’s identity, the names of the passengers, and any pertinent insurance information. (Note that, regardless of who was at fault, you as a bicycle injured by a motor car driver in Colorado may be able to collect no-fault personal injury protection insurance from the motorist – up to $10,000 – if you do not have your own.)
Avoid attempting to bargain with the car’s driver.
Do not speak with an insurance company before contacting a lawyer. You do not want to make any comment that would diminish or compromise your right to compensation.
The Most Frequently Occurring Types of Bicycle Accidents
According to the Federal Highway Safety Administration, about 60,000 bikers are injured, and 900 are killed in motor car accidents each year. Nearly three-fourths of motor car-bicycle collisions occur near driveways and crossroads, and the majority occur in the early evening when traffic is heavy, and visibility is poor.
The following are frequent bicycle collisions: parallel-path collisions, open-car-door collisions; crossing-path collisions; and rear-end collisions.
The most common form of collision happened when vehicles failed to yield to bicycles or when a driving turned or merged into a bicyclist’s route due to inattention.
Immediate Actions to Take Following a Bicycle Accident
If you are involved in a bicycle accident and do not need immediate medical assistance, it is critical to follow these three measures at the scene:
- Collect information on the driver;
- Collect information about witnesses; and
- Document the accident using video, pictures, or other means of recording.
To begin, given the volume of domestic and foreign visitors to Colorado each year, it is critical to collect accurate driver information. This includes demanding to see a picture identification, a physical insurance card, and documentation indicating whether the car is a rental car or not. If the motorist is unable to supply you with this information, immediately contact the police.
Additionally, since witnesses may be visitors, acquire any prospective witness information and contact information at the site, as you may have difficulties reaching them afterward.
Finally, make careful to capture several pictures, videos, and audio recordings of the other driver’s comments at the scene. This may aid in establishing your case and identifying the motorist in the event he or she leaves the scene.
Of course, if emergency personnel need urgent care and evacuation to a hospital, that should take precedence.
It’s terrifying to be involved in any form of accident. Being struck while riding a bicycle is much more frightening and terrible. You’re almost certain to get an injury, and it’s more likely to be serious.
On a bicycle, a motor car may do significant harm. You are exposed out there. While you may still be in shock, knowing what steps to take at the accident site is critical.
Before venturing out on your bicycle, ensure that you have your personal information, mobile phone, and emergency contact information with you. This is quite beneficial if you pass out as a result of a bicycle accident.
Following a bicycle accident, the first measures you take are critical and often timely. When the police come, make a point of recording the officers’ information. You should immediately contact the police or an ambulance or delegate this task to someone else.
He will file a police complaint and detail any violations of laws the driver may have committed or the driver’s irresponsibility.
Ascertain that you get the driver’s information. Collect information from other passengers and the driver’s insurance provider. This is critical information that will aid you in your legal proceedings.
You’ll need to get the names and contact information of any witnesses to the accident. At a minimum, get their name, address, and telephone number. They may be able to testify for you. It is critical that you document your injuries and the damage to your bicycle using photographs and/or videos.
Visual evidence is very advantageous in court. Do not provide an insurance company with a statement until you have spoken with your injury lawyer. While you may not consider it significant, insurance companies can distort your statements, resulting in you receiving less money than you deserve.
Their objective is to spend as little money as possible.
If possible, avoid moving your bicycle after the collision. The police want to view the situation as it is. As previously said, you should seek medical assistance immediately. The doctor can assist you in establishing your injuries with the insurance provider.
Additionally, you may be suffering from undiscovered injuries at present, and obtaining medical care might assist in determining them. For instance, you may believe you are well yet subsequently experience brain damage. If you do not seek medical treatment, the insurance company may claim to fabricate your injuries.
Alternatively, they may fail to quote you on these ailments since you never stated them in the first place. Life may be a whirlwind. Being struck while riding a bicycle is a true tragedy. It can happen to anybody who rides a bicycle.
5 Safety Tips for Bicycling | Bicycle Accident
When you’re out on a leisurely bicycle ride around Hollywood, Colorado, you’re unlikely to consider the possibility of ending up in the hospital. Even if this seems exaggerated, you must consider the potential of this occurring. Nothing is impossible, which is why you must constantly keep safety in mind while riding a bike.
Our bicycle accident attorney gives the following five safety guidelines to ensure that you and your loved ones avoid being involved in a bicycle accident.
Always Wear a Helmet – Priority one should be to always wear a helmet. Many individuals dislike wearing helmets because they believe they appear unattractive. To be sure, wearing a helmet may very possibly save your life.
Consider this: if you are struck by a car, and your head smacks on the pavement, the helmet will be your savior. The helmet may break in two, as has occurred before in bicycle accidents, but it will save your life. It is preferable to replace a helmet than for your family to attend your funeral.
Wear Reflective Clothing Appropriately – Riding a bike does not have to be risky at any time of day or night. This implies that you should always wear luminous clothing on your body and your bike.
The bike’s front and rear reflectors should be illuminated. If you’re riding at night, consider attaching a flashing light to both ends of the bike. Consider wearing a luminous vest, brightly colored clothes, or a helmet equipped with a light.
Ride with Traffic – When it’s time to ride your bike, you must ride with traffic flow. Bicyclists are strongly discouraged from riding against traffic. When you ride against traffic, you make it more difficult for automobiles to manage turns.
Riding in traffic guarantees that you spot pedestrians, stop at stop signs, make appropriate turns, and follow all other traffic regulations. Bear in mind that bicycles must adhere to the same traffic laws as automobiles.
Avoid Night Riding – Make every effort to avoid riding at night. If you are not required to bike at night, you should avoid it. Even if you are wearing luminous clothing, have reflectors on your bicycle,
are riding in traffic, and wear a helmet, nighttime cycling may be very hazardous. Due to the general darkness, it’s more difficult to spot someone riding a bicycle at night.
Go on a Ride with a Friend – Not every bike ride will be in a group. Logically, you’d want or be required to travel alone. It’s a good idea to ride as much as possible with a companion. When you ride with another person, they will be able to contact 911 if you are wounded in an accident or have a medical emergency.
BIKE ACCIDENT STATISTICS
Over 800 bikers were killed in road accidents in the United States in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Additionally, although bike fatalities have declined since the 1970s, it has grown by about 40% since 2010.
Additionally, experts predict that as more people realize the advantages of riding, such as saving money on petrol, increasing one’s health, and reducing harmful emissions, these numbers may continue to grow.
To make our roads safer, academics, engineers, and policymakers analyze data and statistics to get a better understanding of bicycle accidents and, eventually, to make our roads safer. Here are some key bike accident statistics to help you stay safe on the road—as a rider and as a driver.
Bicyclists account for 2% of fatalities caused by motor vehicles each year.
While child biker fatalities have decreased, fatalities among riders aged 20 and beyond have risen
since 1975.
Men are killed in bicycle accidents at a higher rate than women.
Colorado, Colorado, and Colorado are the states with the highest number of bicycle accidents.
75% of bicycle fatalities occur in metropolitan areas.
Bicyclist fatalities occur most often between the hours of 6 and 9 p.m.
Consult an Accident Attorney in Colorado Springs Today to Discuss Your Case
If you have been injured in a motor car-bicycle collision, you should immediately contact a Colorado, personal injury attorney. Because most bikers do not have personal injury or liability insurance, compensation issues may get complicated, and it is critical to have an attorney on your side. After all, why should you have to pay to enjoy the outdoors?
The Warrior Bicycle Accident Lawyers, is your go-to company in the wider Colorado Springs Area for motor car-bicycle accidents, and they will argue on your behalf to ensure you obtain the most compensation available. Call 719-300-1100 now to schedule a no-obligation consultation.
Best Attorneys for a Bicycle Accident in Colorado Springs
Accidents involving bicycles may result in serious injuries, some of which can last a lifetime. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a bike accident, call the Warrior Bicycle Accident Attorneys, to book a free consultation with a personal injury attorney with extensive expertise in bike accidents.
We have a long history of success in preserving the rights of victims of bicycle accidents in Colorado.
Accidents involving bicycles occur in a variety of ways.
According to the Federal Highway Safety Administration1, about 60,000 bikers are wounded or killed in motor car accidents each year, with 900 of them dying as a consequence of their injuries.
Driver-bicycle collisions occur near driveways and crossroads, with most crashes occurring around rush hour in the evening when traffic is heavy and visibility poor.
The following are some of the most prevalent forms of bicycle accidents: Crash types include:
parallel-path collisions, open-car-door crashes, crossing-path accidents, and rear-end crashes. Immediately Following a Car Accident
Confusion, chaos, and overpowering feelings often follow a traffic collision in its early aftermath. Being prepared will allow you to maintain control of the situation, safeguard your health and healing, and preserve and defend legal rights and responsibilities.
Dial 911 for assistance. The dispatcher will assist you in determining whether or not you need police, fire, medical, or any other kind of emergency assistance.
Obtain any medical treatment that may be required on the spot. Assist any more victims who need your assistance as soon as you can do so.
Provide your statement to the police officers that are on the site. If you are involved in a hit-and- run accident, try to get as much identifying information as you can. In certain cases, police may identify the driver or car by describing the driver or car. This is especially true in cases when a license plate number is available.
If necessary, go to an emergency hospital or urgent care facility to get any emergency medical treatment that may be required.
Being able to get appropriate medical care
Following an accident, you may need further medical attention or continuous medical therapy. Certain types of injuries are difficult to identify immediately away. Other injuries manifest themselves immediately, but they need extended care that cannot be provided in a single emergency room visit (such as physical therapy or chiropractic services).
Make no hesitation in seeking medical attention for your injuries to ensure that they are properly treated.
First and foremost, get the urgent medical assistance you may need from paramedics on the accident site or from an emergency department visit.
Arrange an appointment with your primary care provider. 3. He or she will work with you to devise a long-term treatment strategy. They will arrange for any diagnostic tests or visits with experts that are required.
Determine your long-term treatment requirements by completing any diagnostic tests (such as x- rays, CT scans, MRIs, and other imaging studies) recommended by your doctor and following the suggestions of any experts you see.
Ongoing treatment may involve physical therapy, chiropractic treatments, pain management, and other forms of care. 5. Make careful to take care of any injuries or problem areas right away — injuries that are left untreated tend to worsen. If you are worried about the expense of these services, speak with a personal injury attorney to discuss your alternatives for paying for them.
- Make any follow–up visits with your specialists or primary care physician that may be required. Your physicians must keep track of your progress to ensure that your injuries are healing properly and safely.
Protecting Your Legal Rights is very important.
Someone else’s legal responsibility (or “liability”) for your bicycle accident means that he or she is legally compelled to reimburse you for any damages that arose as a consequence of the crash. These expenses might include lost pay, pain and suffering, medical costs, property damage, and any other expenses that are directly related to the accident. You should speak with a personal injury attorney to ensure that you receive all of the compensation to which you are entitled after an accident.
Insurance companies are in the business of reducing the number of claims they get whenever feasible. Legal counsel will not only safeguard your interests and prevent you from being taken advantage of, but it will also spare you the worry and hassle of dealing with the insurance company.
When an accident occurs, the police report is often the essential piece of evidence. If you need emergency medical attention on the site of an accident, be sure to acquire information from the authorities on obtaining a copy of their accident report.
If you are the victim of a hit-and-run, make every effort to get whatever identifying information you can. Although a license plate number is the most useful, a description of the car or driver may be adequate in certain cases.
If feasible, you should also attempt to get the names and contact information of any witnesses who were there when the accident took place.
Protecting your rights after a bicycle accident begins with the activities you take immediately following the event. While individual circumstances may need a modification to this approach, in general, the following actions should be followed after being involved in a bicycle accident:
Depending on the circumstances, you may be compelled to report an accident involving a motor car under the provisions of the law. In Colorado, a driver of a car is required to report an accident if the accident results in the injury or death of any person (including passengers and/or pedestrians); and/or if the accident results in damage to any car or other property totaling more than $500 are caused by accident.
If your mishap falls within this category, you must contact the local police station right once to file a complaint. If your collision occurred outside of a municipality, you must report it to either the county sheriff or the Colorado Highway Patrol, depending on the circumstances.
Take Notes of the Scene
When an officer arrives on the scene, he or she will take some notes on the scene as well as the circumstances surrounding the accident. However, don’t assume that the
police will be able to pick up on every detail. Make a point of getting the contact information of any prospective eyewitnesses. Take your photographs of the situation to ensure that it is well captured.
You should also take photographs of your injuries as well as any damage to your motorcycle. It will be very beneficial in the future if you have photographic documentation of the precise state of things after the accident happened.
Repairs that are delayed
Although you may be eager to have your bike fixed and back in riding form immediately, it may be in your best interests to hold off on repairs until you have consulted with a Colorado personal injury lawyer.
If you repair your bike before the other party’s insurance adjuster has had an opportunity to inspect the damage, you may jeopardize your ability to collect damages from the other party. Many insurers may refuse to pay for damage that has occurred before they can assess it themselves.
Therefore you mustn’t make any repairs until your claim has been thoroughly investigated. A professional investigation of your motorcycle may also assist in providing proof of how the accident happened and support your claim that the other person was to blame for the accident.
Instead of hurrying to have repairs done, take pictures of the damage and record it as thoroughly as possible. Take images and videos of the damage, and have local repair businesses offer quotes for restoring it (but don’t start repairing it until you have the quotations!).
In addition, you must avoid doing anything that might cause more harm to your bike. Do not ride it or let it sit outside until the damage has been thoroughly examined and assessed. If the condition of your motorcycle deteriorates after the accident as a result of your activities, you may jeopardize your entitlement to compensation.
Keep all of your documents and hand them over to your attorney as soon as possible. It is important to save any document you get from your insurance, the other party’s insurer, the police department, repair shop, doctor, or any other source so that you may provide it to your attorney to aid in your claim for damages.
Keeping duplicates of everything is essential because any document might be vitally valuable in ways that are not yet apparent.
Notify your auto insurance company of your accident: According to Colorado law, your car insurance will be liable for covering a portion of your medical expenses and missed income if you cannot work as a result of the accident.
Although you were not in your car, this is accurate nevertheless. If you have questions about the specific benefits to which you are entitled under your policy, you should speak with your insurer.
Suggestions for Riding a Bicycle While Safe
Always use a helmet while riding a motorcycle. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, wearing a helmet decreases the likelihood of receiving a brain injury by fifty percent while driving. According to the researchers, it also decreases the likelihood of receiving a head, neck, or facial injury by 33%.
Your bike, as well as your safety equipment, should be a suitable match for your riding style. Ascertain that children’s helmets are appropriately fitted to their head sizes by having them measured.
Before you go on your bicycle, check to see that it and all of its accessories are in excellent operating order. Make sure to pay attention to the brakes and chain.
Make sure your tires are properly inflated and clear of debris
See and be seen! Drivers are not always prepared for the presence of bicycles on the highway. Wearing light-colored clothes or reflective gadgets (such as wristbands or safety vests) to make yourself more visible to cars can assist you in being seen.
Bikers should exercise extreme caution while riding at night.
Bikers should also ride defensively: never presume that an car would give the right of way to you when riding (even when it is legally required to do so). Always keep an eye on your surroundings to ensure your safety. As a last precaution, you should avoid making sudden movements since it is much more difficult for automobiles to avoid you.
Whenever feasible, use hand signals to indicate your movements. Do not get so absorbed in your smartphone or navigation system that you lose sight of and fail to react to potential dangers on the road.
If you are listening to music, keep one earphone or headphone out so that you can hear oncoming traffic.
Be careful while passing parked automobiles in parking lots or on the street. Doors may open abruptly, and drivers in parking lots have shifted their focus away from the duty of parking to the activity of driving.
Give yourself a lot of breathing room between your bike and a parked car. When a car in your immediate vicinity is backing up, proceed with caution.
Get in Touch With an Experienced Colorado Personal Injury Attorney Right Away.
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, contact the Warrior Bicycle Accident Lawyers, now to learn about your legal options. In addition, our Colorado Springs personal injury lawyers have a wealth of expertise in aggressively pursuing personal injury cases, and we will work tirelessly to ensure that you obtain just compensation for your injuries.
To book your free consultation, please contact our office at 719-300-1100.
