Motorcycles may provide a more adventurous mode of transport, but when a motorcycle accident happens, serious injuries are often the result. Even the most experienced motorcycle riders can end up in a motorcycle accident that leaves them with major medical expenses, lost wages, and an array of other financial damages.
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident, turn to the motorcycle accident lawyers at Ganderton Law LLC for legal representation. Motorcycle accident victims are often blamed for their injuries, even when they did nothing to cause the motorcycle accident. We have seen this in many motorcycle accident cases over the years and we are committed to fighting for justice on your behalf.
With over 40 years of combined experience in personal injury law, our Colorado Springs motorcycle accident attorneys are ready to provide you with the personal attention you deserve and seek compensation for your injuries. Contact a Colorado Springs motorcycle accident lawyer from our law firm today for a free consultation.
The Importance of Hiring a Colorado Springs Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you were in a motorcycle accident, you need a Colorado Springs motorcycle accident lawyer to help you with your motorcycle accident claim. The best reason to hire a Colorado Springs motorcycle accident lawyer is to have legal representation to stand up to the insurance company.
In Colorado, the at-fault insurance policy model means any motorist who causes an accident is responsible for the injuries and damages they’ve caused to the victims. When you contact the insurance company that represents the at-fault party, the insurance adjuster will try to tell you that it isn’t necessary to hire a lawyer for your insurance claim.
This is one tactic they use among many to reduce your payout or deny your motorcycle accident claim completely. Every insurance company adjuster is trained to have a polite and caring demeanor to encourage you to let your guard down. They will ask leading questions under the guise that they are helping only to use the information you provide against you.
Insurance companies are often biased against motorcyclists. They consider them to be risk takers simply because they ride motorcycles. The reality is that most motorcycle accidents are caused by other drivers on the road who fail to pay attention to motorcyclists.
If they offer you a settlement for your motorcycle crash, you should not accept it without having it carefully reviewed by a Colorado Springs motorcycle accident lawyer first. Your motorcycle accident injuries are bound to be serious, and the amount they initially offer will likely be too low to cover your medical bills, let alone your future medical bills. It will probably not cover your lost wages or your pain and suffering.
Protect your rights by speaking with a Colorado Springs motorcycle accident lawyer today about your motorcycle accident claim.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Colorado Springs?
Any Colorado Springs personal injury lawyer can tell you that there are inherent risks to motorcycle riders. However, the vast majority of injured motorcycle riders incur their injuries because of someone else’s negligence. Motorcycle riders and passengers are subject to severe injuries as they have less protection.
In motorcycle accident claims, these are the most common causes:
Distracted Driving
Accident reports continue to cite distracted driving as one of the most common reasons motorcycle accidents occur. Drivers who are not paying attention to the task of driving by texting, checking the GPS, eating, or talking to their passengers put everyone at danger on the road, especially motorcyclists.
Drivers Fail to Obey Traffic Laws
When drivers do not follow the rules of the road, car accidents and motorcycle accidents can happen. Every driver must stay alert for traffic conditions and adjust their driving accordingly. They must follow speed limits, stop at red lights and stop signs, and uphold their duty of care to others on the road.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Changing lanes requires checking blind spots to ensure the lane is clear. Many drivers do not watch out for other vehicles or people on motorcycles, leading to injured motorcyclists.
Impaired Drivers
Any driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs can cause a crash. The local law enforcement agency will likely file criminal charges against the at-fault party for their actions. You can hold the responsible parties accountable in civil court too when you file a motorcycle wreck claim.
Reckless Driving
Speeding, tailgating, and weaving in and out of traffic are all reckless behaviors. Whether the other driver is in a truck or car, we can help prove their liability and recover compensation for your motorcycle accident case.
A Colorado Springs motorcycle accident attorney has the resources needed to investigate motorcycle accident cases. Motorcycle accident injuries are often painful and many injured riders suffer life altering injuries as a result of the negligence of others. Contact a motorcycle accident attorney in Colorado Springs at Ganderton Law LLC to get started on your motorcycle accident case. We will fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.
How Comparative Negligence Affects Motorcycle Accident Claims in Colorado Springs
If you have a motorcycle accident case in Colorado Springs, it is important to understand the potential impacts of the comparative negligence laws in this state. Colorado law uses a modified comparative negligence model that allows blame to be assigned to all involved parties.
Every driver on the road, including motorcycle riders, must follow the laws and conduct themselves in a reasonable and responsible way. In a motorcycle crash, an investigation will be launched to determine the cause and issue a determination as to who is the responsible party.
With this law, there may be more than one negligent party in the collision. The insurers will review evidence from the accident scene such as the police accident report, witness statements, and skid marks, and determine how much fault each party has in the motorcycle accident.
Proving liability is important for injured bikers because the insurers are inclined to blame them because they ride motorcycles. When determining fault, they may put some of the blame on you, which can reduce your compensation. If they can blame you for 50% or more of fault, then you will be barred from financial recovery.
If you have serious injuries, do not proceed without the representation of a Colorado Springs motorcycle accident attorney.
What We Do to Help You Obtain Fair Compensation
When representing our injured clients, we do everything we can to assist with their financial recovery. We know that every motorcycle rider might be unfairly judged for choosing to ride their motorcycle. Riding a motorcycle does not mean that you deserve to be injured by another driver. Every driver should watch for bikes to avoid a crash.
Establishing liability requires evidence to support your claim. We work tirelessly to present your medical records that detail your injuries and their severity. We show every medical treatment you have received for injuries sustained and calculate the future cost of the medical treatments you’ll need down the road. Whether you have head injuries, road rash, or other severe injuries, our mission will be to prove liability to get you the money you deserve.
At Ganderton Law LLC, we present the police report. If the at-fault driver was issued a citation, it will also appear in the crash report and help your case. Testimony from eyewitnesses and accident reconstruction experts can demonstrate that the collision was not your fault.
If you are in the hospital receiving medical care for your injuries caused by a negligent driver, contact a Colorado personal injury lawyer from our law firm immediately for legal assistance.
Tips for Staying Safe on Your Motorcycle in Colorado Springs
You cannot make drivers pay attention to you. However, you can minimize your risks in a collision by wearing protective gear. A helmet can protect your head from a major impact with the pavement in a motorcycle accident. Riders should always wear helmets and make sure any passengers wear helmets too.
Another way to keep safe is to avoid engaging in dangerous practices such as lane splitting, which is also illegal in Colorado, though lane filtering is permitted. You should not attempt these maneuvers if you are not an experienced rider.
Engaging in safe practices while riding your motorcycle may not always prevent motorcycle accidents. When these situations arise, it is important to remember to call the police, get the medical attention you need, and gather evidence to support your claim. You may think you have a clear-cut case where the driver of the other vehicle is fully to blame; however, it is always best to protect your rights with the help of a motorcycle accident lawyer. Schedule a free initial consultation with our Colorado Springs motorcycle accident attorneys to discuss your case today.