Denver is a beautiful place to ride your bicycle, whether as a mode of transport, for exercise, or as a hobby with your fellow cyclists. Unfortunately, other motorists may fail to pay attention and cause a bicycle accident.
Even if you’re wearing a helmet, a bike crash can cause painful injuries. Victims of bicycle accidents often wind up with hefty hospital bills and experience lost wages due to being unable to work as a result of these injuries.
If you have been in a bicycle accident, you need to speak with the Denver bicycle accident attorneys at Ganderton Law, LLC. Our Denver bicycle accident lawyers have over 40 years of combined experience fighting for the rights of bicycle accident victims. We provide personal attention from the start of your personal injury claim through the resolution of your personal injury case. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Denver bicycle accident lawyer from our law office.
How Do Denver Bicycle Accidents Occur?
Motor vehicle drivers often do not realize that bicyclists have the same legal rights as other drivers. If bicycle lanes are available, bicyclists should utilize them. However, this type of lane is not available on every street. When there are no bike lanes, a bicyclist must ride in the same lanes as cars.
There are many drivers who either fail to watch for bicyclists or do not understand that they are required to yield the right of way to bicyclists. This often leads to bicycle accidents caused by negligent driving behaviors.
Distracted Driving
Bicycle riders must stay vigilant when sharing the roads with drivers who might be distracted behind the wheel. Most bicycle accidents occur because car drivers aren’t focused on the task of driving. They may be texting, eating, looking up directions on their GPS, or rummaging for something that fell out of their reach. This is no excuse not to obey traffic laws and stay focused on driving safely.
Speeding
Some bicycle accidents happen because a motorist is driving over the speed limit. When motor vehicle drivers do not obey traffic laws and speed in a reckless way, they are not capable of stopping in time when they spot a bicyclist. Even worse, they may not see the bicyclist at all, causing a bicycle accident with severe injuries.
Driving Under the Influence
Many bicycle accident cases involve motorists who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If a drunk driver hit you on your bicycle, Colorado personal injury claims allow you to recover compensation for the serious injuries you’ve incurred as a result of their negligence.
Failure to Follow Traffic Laws
There are many ways a driver can cause a bicycle accident by not obeying the rules of the road. Bicycle crashes often happen when drivers of motor vehicles do not yield to oncoming traffic or bicyclists, when they open their car door without making sure the way is clear after parking on the street, make illegal turns, or run through stop signs or red lights.
Lack of Visibility
It is the motorist who has the duty of care to adjust their driving tactics when there is little to no visibility. While bicyclists should take care while riding to avoid bike crashes by making themselves visible to drivers and using hand signals to communicate on a bike ride, the driver is responsible if an accident occurs when visibility hinders their view of the road.
In Denver bicycle accidents, it is always a wise idea to get legal representation from a Denver bicycle accident lawyer who can help you through the process of your bicycle accident claim. Contact a Denver personal injury lawyer from Ganderton Law, LLC to discuss your bicycle accident case and learn what to do next.
Most Common Injuries in a Denver Bike Accident
Many bicycle accidents result in major injuries to the bicyclist. According to bicycle accident statistics for 2022, every pedestrian and biker should be alert as these types of accidents are on the rise. This data reveals that 20 bicyclists were killed and many other bicyclists injured.
Those who enjoy bicycling shouldn’t have to live in fear that a negligent driver will run them over and require them to file a personal injury claim or that they may not survive the impact. Denver bike accidents often result in the following injuries:
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severed limbs
- Crushing injuries
- Wrongful death
After a bicycle accident, you are bound to be in physical pain and the stress of dealing with the aftermath may be too much to bear on your own. If you suffered injuries in a bicycle accident, contact a Denver bicycle accident attorney from our legal team to learn more about bicycle accidents claims and the available financial compensation that you may receive for your damages.
The Importance of Hiring a Denver Bicycle Accident Attorney
A Denver bicycle accident attorney is someone you need on your side after a bike accident. Our Denver bicycle accident attorneys are experienced in negotiating with the insurance company to get you the money you deserve.
Without a bicycle accident attorney, the insurer may reject your claim or try to take advantage of you by offering a low settlement. If you have already received an offer from the insurer, let an experienced bicycle accident lawyer from our law firm take a look at it to make sure it covers all the damages you’ve incurred due to the at-fault driver.
Our Denver bicycle accident lawyers will protect your rights in a bike accident case. When you work with a Colorado personal injury lawyer from Ganderton Law, LLC, you will have someone who is well-versed in Colorado law and understands the time limits imposed on these types of cases. When victims need financial compensation for their bicycle accident claims, they should choose our Denver bike accident attorneys to give them the personal attention they deserve in their time of need.
How Colorado Residents Can Recover Fair Compensation for a Bicycle Crash
If your bicycle accident caused you injuries and someone else caused this to happen to you, you can hold them accountable for your damages. In order to recover compensation for your accident claim, you must protect your rights at all costs. These tips can help you hold the driver responsible for the injuries you’ve sustained due to their carelessness.
Call Police to the Crash Scene
If you are the victim of a bicycle crash, it is important to call the police to report the incident. They will create a police report that details what happened, where the vehicle stopped, and where the cyclist was found on the ground. They will also include notes if a citation was issued to the driver of the vehicle.
Get Medical Care
As the victim of a bicycle accident, you are bound to have injuries, and you need to have them treated promptly. Even if you think you’re lucky and do not notice any injuries beyond some scrapes and bruises, you need to go to the hospital. Many injuries have hidden symptoms that can worsen and become life-threatening when ignored. You can recover your medical costs and medical expenses when you file your claim.
Collect Evidence and Information
Some cyclists may be too injured for this step, but it is recommended that you try to take photos and videos of the aftermath. You should also get the contact and insurance information from the driver. If you are not able to talk to them or any witnesses who were bicycling with you, a bike accident attorney can step in and take over on your behalf.
Speak to an Attorney to Help You Obtain Compensation
We see it all too often here in Denver. A bicyclist will be riding either on their own or with a fellow cyclist when a driver does not pay attention and causes a horrific crash. A helmet can only protect you to a certain degree and while wearing one certainly has the potential to save your life, you may still have pain from injuries to other parts of your body.
People riding bicycles who get into an accident should not be stuck with medical bills that put them into debt or make them experience lost income because their injuries prevent them from going to work. In addition to medical bills, you may have out-of-pocket costs related to the accident, and you’ll likely experience noneconomic damages, such as pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, or disfigurement.
There is no reason why you should suffer the financial burden when car drivers speed through intersections or fail to stop at a stop sign. At Ganderton Law, LLC, our attorneys understand your plight and represent you with personalized care and attention throughout the legal process. We provide a free consultation to those who have been hurt in bicycle accidents to help them determine their next steps.
