Bicycling is a popular way to commute and stay active in Aurora, but sharing the road with motor vehicles can be dangerous. When drivers fail to pay attention, speed through intersections, or ignore bike lanes, cyclists often suffer the most serious consequences. A bicycle accident can leave victims facing painful injuries, expensive medical bills, and time away from work.
An experienced Aurora bicycle accident attorney helps injured cyclists understand their legal options after a crash. Whether the accident involved a distracted driver, unsafe road conditions, or a failure to yield, a bicycle accident lawyer in Aurora investigates the circumstances, gathers evidence, and pursues compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.
If you or a loved one was injured in a cycling crash, speaking with an Aurora bicycle accident lawyer is a step toward protecting your rights and recovering the compensation you deserve.
It can be incredibly challenging for injured bicyclists to recover compensation in the aftermath of these claims. Unfortunately, most injured bicyclists do not have the resources necessary to stand up to the insurance carriers who may try to deny their claim. A skilled bicycle accident lawyer in Aurora will level the playing field and conduct a complete investigation into the incident.
An attorney will also make sure that a trusted health care professional tends to the well-being of their client and that economic experts help calculate total expected losses. Using this information, an attorney will vigorously negotiate with other parties to recover fair compensation for their client.
Bicycle accidents take lives in Colorado every year. According to the latest statistics from the Colorado Department of Transportation, 16 bicyclists passed away in traffic accidents in 2017. Nonfatal bicycle accidents sent dozens of other bicyclists to emergency rooms. The number of bicyclist deaths in Colorado has increased by 33 percent over the last five years. Statistically, the cyclists who are most at risk of fatal bicycle accidents in Colorado are men of the ages 35 to 54 and 65 or older.
Most bicycle accidents in Aurora are preventable. They happen when motor vehicle drivers break traffic laws or fail to pay attention to the road, endangering the lives of the most vulnerable roadway users. At Manning Law, we can carefully evaluate your bicycle accident to determine its cause. Common examples include:
Negligent and reckless drivers are often responsible for bicycle accidents. However, their insurance companies can make it difficult to obtain compensation. In the case of an accident, if a bicyclist doesn’t follow the traffic laws, the bicyclist and motorist may share fault. If you were a bicyclist involved in an accident with a large vehicle, you will need to contact an Aurora car accident attorney or truck accident attorney in Aurora so that we can get started on your case immediately.
The Colorado Department of Transportation shows us that bicycles must typically be treated as traditional vehicles on the roadway. This means that bicyclists must follow all traffic laws, and other drivers on the roadway must approach bicyclists with the same amount of caution that they do other vehicles. This includes yielding the right of way, following at safe distances, passing safely, etc.
Bicyclists have a responsibility to make sure their vehicles have all of the required equipment, including lights and reflectors for riding at night. Bikers in Colorado do not need to wear helmets, however, regardless of age. Just as bicyclists have certain legal responsibilities, they also have rights. Motorists legally must respect these rights and operate carefully and prudently around cyclists.
Drivers breaking traffic laws is a common cause of bike accidents in Aurora. If a bicyclist doesn’t follow the traffic laws, however, the bicyclist and motorist may share fault. Under Colorado’s modified comparative negligence law, a biker can still recover partial compensation with shared fault. This is why it is important to consult with an attorney even if you believe you caused your accident.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for vehicle drivers to ignore bicyclist safety. This can lead to disastrous results when a collision occurs. At Manning Law, our Aurora personal injury attorneys have extensive experience helping bicyclists who have sustained the following injuries as a result of a collision with a vehicle:
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with any type of injury after a bicycle accident in Aurora – including a catastrophic injury – our personal injury attorneys can help you file a claim.
It is important to take the right steps to protect yourself after a bicycle accident. If you can, take the following actions:
Don’t worry if you cannot complete all of these steps. Your lawyer can guide you through the recovery process from start to finish.
Colorado is a fault state. This means that the party at fault for a bicycle accident is who will pay for the damage caused, typically through his or her insurance carrier. You may need an attorney’s assistance to prove that the driver is at fault, such as through cell phone records or eyewitness statements. In some cases, a party other than the driver may be liable. If your accident was caused by a pothole or another roadway defect, for instance, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the government in Aurora.
The damages, or financial compensation, available in a Colorado bicycle accident claim will depend on how the incident impacted you and your family. In general, available damages include:
The value of your claim is something that you can discuss in detail with one of our attorneys. We will fight to recover maximum financial compensation on your behalf.
After a bicycle accident, the first priority is safety and medical care. Call 911, seek medical attention, and report the crash to law enforcement so an official accident report is created. If possible, take photos of the scene, your bicycle, and any vehicles involved.
Gathering contact information from witnesses can also help. Speaking with an Aurora bicycle accident attorney soon after the crash helps protect your rights and preserve important evidence.
Yes. When a bicycle accident is caused by a negligent driver, injured cyclists may be able to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning compensation may still be available even if the cyclist was partially at fault, as long as they were less than 50 percent responsible for the accident.
The value of a bicycle accident claim depends on many factors, including the severity of injuries, the cost of medical treatment, lost income, and the long-term impact of the injuries.
Every case is different. An Aurora bicycle accident lawyer can evaluate the circumstances of the crash and help estimate the potential value of a claim based on the available evidence.
In Colorado, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles, is generally three years from the date of the crash. Failing to file a claim within this time frame can prevent victims from recovering compensation.
Consulting an Aurora bicycle accident attorney early helps make sure important deadlines are not missed.
Hit-and-run bicycle accidents can still lead to compensation in some situations. Victims may be able to pursue a claim through uninsured motorist coverage or other insurance policies.
An Aurora bicycle accident lawyer can review available insurance coverage, investigate the crash, and help identify potential sources of compensation.
A bicycle accident can leave victims facing serious injuries, medical bills, and uncertainty about what comes next. When a driver’s negligence causes a crash, injured cyclists have the right to pursue compensation for the losses they suffer. An experienced Aurora bicycle accident attorney reviews the details of your case, explains your legal options, and helps you take the next steps toward recovery.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a cycling accident, do not wait to get legal guidance. Contact Manning Herington Law Firm today to speak with an Aurora bicycle accident lawyer and schedule a consultation to discuss your case. Reach out now!
