Bicycle Accident Lawyer Denver, CO

Bicycle Accident Lawyer Denver, CO

If you have sustained injuries in a bike accident, contact a bicycle accident lawyer in Denver, CO from the Law Offices of Cliff Enten to find out what legal options you may have. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 800 victims are killed in bicycle accidents each year because of collisions with vehicles. Because there is barely any protection around a person riding a bicycle, victims of Colorado bike accidents often sustain serious or even life-altering injuries. In the majority of these crashes, the fault of the accident lies with the vehicle driver.

Injuries You May Receive Compensation For

After being in a bike accident, chances are you sustained some degree of bodily injury. Despite bicyclists having the same right to the road and use of bike lanes, car drivers continually neglect to watch out for those on non motorized wheels. Bikes do not offer nearly as much protection as cars, since there is a thick shield that protects drivers from being injured in a crash. But those who ride bikes do not have that same luxury, in fact, all the protection they have is what they decide to wear on their own body. Even with helmets and other gear, getting hit by a car is likely to cause serious damage to the person. Here are examples of injuries that are common for bike accident victims, and that you may be entitled to compensation for:

Traumatic Head Injury

Head and brain related injuries are among the most prevalently seen injuries in bike accident victims. Riders may sustain an injury without a visible wound on the head, such as a concussion or other closed head injury. For this reason, it is important to get medical attention for a possible head injury even if there are no external wounds or bleeding on the head itself. Symptoms often associated with traumatic head injuries include nausea, vomiting, confusion, poor balance, memory lapses, sudden personality or mood changes, sleeping too much or too little, and losing consciousness.

Facial and Dental Injuries

Bike accidents can cause damage to the victim’s face, in addition to broken teeth, vision damage, fractured jaw, broken nose, and road rash. All of these which may lead to permanent scarring or disability. If you need to see an emergency dental surgeon after your bike accident, then we urge you to contact our law firm so we can help. The person at-fault for your injuries should be the one who pays for your medical bills, which includes emergency dental care. When you can, get copies of medical documents and other evidence to your lawyer so they can work with you from the start and make sure your restitution covers current and future bills.

Mental Stress

Being in a bike accident is terribly stressful. There is no shame in telling your lawyer that you need to see a therapist, especially if you have felt worsened anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health issues since the accident. You may find you are afraid to get back onto a bicycle again. You may be overwhelmed at dealing with insurance companies and missing out on work too. We hope that you decide to lean on our team for the support you need to get through.

Broken Bones

Almost every bicyclist is going to have sustained some kind of bodily trauma after being hit by a car. Broken bones can happen because of direct impact, or from bracing the fall when being tossed to the ground. A bicyclist who tries to cushion themselves mid-fall may break their hands, wrists, or dislocate the shoulder as they hit the pavement. In some cases, a rider may sustain several broken ribs, organ damage, and internal bleeding. Treatment for broken bones can include months of rest, frequent doctor visits, surgery, prescription medication, rehabilitation, and more.

INJURIES YOU MAY RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR INFOGRAPHIC

How to Ride a Bicycle Safely in the Rain

While it is best to avoid bicycling in the rain altogether, sometimes you may not be able to avoid it. This is especially true if you rely on your bicycle for transportation. If you do have to ride your bicycle in the rain, you can take steps to keep yourself safe.

Reduce Your Tire Pressure

When it’s raining outside, tires with high pressure can be tricky to maintain traction on the road. This can increase your risk of getting into an accident. That’s why it is a good idea to lower your bike’s tire pressure during a rainstorm. Doing so will increase the surface area of your tires and make it easier for the tires to grip the road.

Change Your Braking Habits

During a rainstorm, it becomes even more important to use your bicycle’s brakes properly. It could mean the difference between staying safe and getting into an accident. For example, you do not want to wait until the last second to stop when you get to a stop sign or red light. It is better to start slowing down several feet before approaching a stop sign or red light.

It is also important to brake more gently when you are cycling in the rain. Instead of slamming your brakes, lightly tap them a few times.

Reduce Your Speed

Motorists are not the only ones who need to slow down in the rain. It is also essential for bicyclists to reduce their speed while riding in the rain. When the roads are slick and visibility is poor, you will have less time to react to hazards on the road. Try to leave a little early on rainy days so that you can get to your destination on time.

Make Yourself More Visible

While bicyclists should always try to make themselves more visible to motorists, this becomes especially important in the rain. Rain can make it more difficult for motorists to see the road ahead. Wearing bright-colored clothes and using your headlights can make you more visible to drivers, reducing your risk of an accident.

Wear a Helmet

Wearing a helmet might not be able to prevent a bicycle accident in the rain. However, it can reduce your risk of serious head injuries if you do get into an accident. 

Call Our Injury Law Firm for Help

If you have been injured in a bike accident, call the Law Offices of Cliff Enten to find out from a Denver, CO bicycle accident lawyer what kind of financial compensation you may be entitled to — call our office today to schedule a free case evaluation.

Should I Contact the Police After a Bicycle Accident?

Yes, a Denver, CO bicycle accident lawyer will advise you to call the police if you have been hurt in a bicycle accident. They will come to the scene of the accident and file a police report. At the very least, a police report provides evidence that you contacted the police and the accident happened. Remember to obtain a copy of the report.

How Long Do I Have to Seek Compensation After a Bicycle Accident?

The statute of limitations to file a bicycle accident in Colorado is three years after the crash. Once the deadline has passed, you no longer have the right to pursue compensation. While three years might seem like a long time, you should not procrastinate. Consult a lawyer about your case as soon as possible.

What Happens If an Issue with My Bicycle Contributed to the Accident?

Sometimes a defective bicycle part, like a cracked frame or faulty brakes, can contribute to an accident. If that is the case, you may be able to pursue legal action against the bicycle manufacturer. A lawyer can help you bring a claim against the manufacturer. 

Should I Still See a Doctor If My Injuries Don’t Seem Serious?

Just because you do not get knocked out unconscious or bleed a lot after a bicycle accident, does not mean that you should not seek immediate medical attention. You could still be seriously hurt. Sometimes injuries from an accident can take days to show symptoms. That is why a Denver bicycle accident lawyer may advise you to get evaluated by a doctor right away. You do not want to put your health at risk.

If My Bicycle Accident Didn’t Involve a Vehicle, Can I Still Get Compensation?

The most common types of bicycle accidents involved motor vehicles. However, some of these accidents can involve pedestrians, other bicycles and even poor road conditions. If a bicyclist, for example, ran a stop sign and slammed into your bicycle, he or she may be held liable.

Should I Talk to the Insurance Company?

After a bicycle accident, the defendant’s insurance company may try to contact you and ask you about your case. It is in your best interest to say as little as possible to the insurance company. Stick to the basic facts and don’t talk about your injuries. They care about the bottom line first and may try to use anything you say against you. If they continue to ask you questions, you should direct them to contact your lawyer.

What Is My Bicycle Accident Worth?

No two cases are the same. How much your bicycle claim is worth depends on the unique factors of your case. Generally, the more severe your injuries are, the more your case is worth. After evaluating all of the circumstances in your case, a Denver bicycle accident lawyer can estimate how much your case is worth.

Contact the Law Offices of Cliff Enten to schedule a free case evaluation today.

Denver Bike Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are an estimated 50,000 bicycle-related fatalities each year in the U.S.

• Bike accidents account for 2% of all traffic fatalities in the United States.
• The most common type of bike accident is a collision with a motor vehicle.
• Bike riders are more likely to be injured or killed in a bike accident than car drivers.
• Helmets can reduce the risk of head injury in a bike accident by up to 85%.

Finding a Skilled Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Even if you aren’t sure if you qualify or want to pursue a bike accident injury claim, you should still contact an attorney who can evaluate your case and determine what type of legal options you may have.

Most people do not have a personal injury lawyer that they deal with on a regular basis. It is essential to take specific steps to ensure the lawyer you meet with is a skilled advocate for their clients. Since most injury attorneys offer free consultations, it is a good idea to contact and meet with a few to see who you feel comfortable with and who you have the most confidence in.

Preparing Your Claim

Once you have retained a Denver, CO bicycle accident lawyer, they will have you go through the events that led up and caused the crash. Your lawyer will need to show that it was the vehicle driver who was negligent in their actions and no actions on your part caused the accident and your injuries. Some examples of vehicle driver negligence in bike accidents include running a stop sign, running a traffic light, turning when they do not have the right of way, and driving the wrong way down a one-way street. 

Sometimes No Proof Is Necessary

When a driver has broken the law, and that act contributed to the crash, it is legally referred to as negligence per se. Consider the following example:

A vehicle driver ran a stop sign and crashed into a cyclist. Police arrive at the scene and end up citing the driver for running the sign. The victim’s lawyer can argue that it was the driver’s act of breaking the law (running the stop sign) that was the cause of the bike accident and the victim’s injuries.

Lawyers can use evidence of negligence per se, eyewitness testimony, and other evidence collected to prove the vehicle driver was at fault and is responsible for the losses the victim has suffered because of their injuries.