Denver Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Bicycle Accident Injuries Can Be Catastrophic – Talk to Us Today
Cycling is healthy, fun, and an integral part of the recreation culture of Colorado. Everyone should feel free to ride a bike without fear of harm. Unfortunately, motorists aren’t always careful around cyclists. A person on a bicycle is no match for a two-ton car or a 40-ton truck. As a result, bicycle accident injuries can be catastrophic. If you, your child, or another loved one were injured while riding a bicycle, please call one of our trusted bicycle accident lawyers in the Denver area to request a free initial consultation.
Our personal injury attorneys at Chalat Hatten & Banker have extensive experience in bicycle accident cases. We have represented riders from around the state who were seriously injured by negligent drivers in accidents that occurred on city streets as well as roadways. We have also won cases on behalf of riders who were injured in accidents within city and state parks, cycling events, and bike versus bike crashes. We love to ride ourselves, and from that experience, we have an intimate understanding of the rules and dynamics of bicycling, both on the road and on a trail. Browse our case reviews and testimonials to see what you can expect when you work with our personal injury law firm.
Why Should You Hire a Bicycle Accident Attorney?
If you’ve been injured while biking in Colorado, you have rights. Our personal injury attorneys at Denver’s Chalat Hatten & Banker represent accident victims, not insurance companies. Our bicycle accident attorneys are knowledgeable about the complex insurance issues involved in bicycling cases. Often, injured cyclists attempt to handle bicycle accident claims and negotiate with insurance companies on their own. While insurance companies may agree to cover medical bills, they tend to deny payment for other losses resulting from an accident, such as lost income or emotional suffering. We know how to negotiate effectively with insurance companies on behalf of our clients. Our cycling accident lawyers have experience with the investigation and data collection needed for winning a bicyclist’s case. These will involve auto insurance in the motor vehicle accident (MVA) cases and homeowners’ policies in disputes between riders.
How This Works
A careful case review will be performed by your lawyer to assess the strengths and weaknesses of your case. Then the conclusions of this review are presented to you in a thorough, understandable manner.
For more details: Litigation Process.
Understanding Colorado’s Bicycling Laws
The most serious accidents are bicycle versus motor vehicle accidents. And with the rapidly growing bicycle culture in Denver, the total number of bicycle accidents is also rising. Over half of these accidents result in injury. In 2017, Colorado enacted a statute (Colorado Revised Statutes 42-4-1412) outlining a cyclist’s rights and responsibilities on public roadways. In Colorado, cyclists and motorists have an equal right to use public roadways. Likewise, cyclists must obey the rules of the road, including these basics:
- A bicyclist may only carry the number of people for which their bicycle was designed.
- Bicyclists should use the right-hand lane.
- At least one hand must remain on the handlebars at all times.
- Bicyclists must signal their intention to turn.
- When cycling on a sidewalk, the bicyclist should yield to pedestrians.
$250 k
policy limit for cyclists
Familiarize Yourself with Bicycle Accident Statistics
In 2018 alone, the U.S. Department of Transportation found that 857 cyclists had been killed in traffic collisions nationwide. Twenty of those accidents occurred in Colorado, representing 3.4% of the total Colorado MVA deaths (632) in 2018. Denver has seen its population of bicycle commuters nearly double since 2009, to about 8,000 people, according to census figures. A recent commuter survey by the Downtown Denver Partnership showed that bike commuting downtown is at an all-time high, with 9% of commuters using bikes. That’s a 36% increase in bike commuting since 2016.
Because cycling is a common pastime in the Denver metro area and surrounding communities, it is all the more critical to be aware of your rights as a cyclist. We recommend reading up on traffic laws to keep yourself safe and free from fault, should an accident occur. It’s also a good idea to understand the most common causes of bicycle accidents. Motor vehicle operators often cause bicycle collisions due to the following reasons:
- Failure to adhere to traffic laws
- Failure to see cyclists
- Driving under the influence
- Distracted driving
Determining Fault in a Colorado Bicycle Accident Claim
Motorists who drive negligently, whether speeding, texting while driving, driving drunk, or failing to yield the right of way, are legally responsible for the injuries they cause. Generally, Colorado personal injury law extends a great deal of protection to cyclists injured because of another party’s careless behavior. Figuring out who is at fault in any given personal injury case can be a challenge. Since Colorado is a comparative fault state, more than one party to the accident may be found at fault. At Chalat Hatten & Banker, it is our mission to ensure that the responsible party is held liable. We’ll work with you to gather sufficient evidence to prove that someone else’s negligence caused your bicycle accident injuries.
Get the Compensation You Deserve with Our Help
Victims in bicycle accidents deserve compensation for their injuries and suffering. Whether you’ve suffered broken bones or a spinal cord injury, you may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party. Our team of cycling accident lawyers in the Denver metro area will make every effort to recover the compensation you need. In past cases, our clients have been awarded the following types of damages from their bicycle accident claims:
- Lost wages or reduced ability to earn an income
- Medical expenses
- Reduced quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Property damage
Reach Out to Our Cycling Accident Lawyers Today
Dealing with the aftermath of a bicycle accident can be difficult, even if you’ve only sustained minor injuries. No matter the outcome of the accident, the responsible party should be held liable. If you’ve been injured and require the assistance of a cycling accident lawyer in the Denver metro area, contact Chalat Hatten & Banker as soon as possible to go over your best options. Our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help you get the compensation you deserve to pay your medical bills and replace any lost wages. Our law firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t collect until you do!