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Denver Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you suffered injuries or lost a loved one in a cycling accident, call the Denver bicycle accident attorneys at Dormer Harpring. We understand the exposure to injuries bicyclists face every day in Denver. Even when cyclists follow all state traffic laws, drivers do not always show the same courtesy and respect. We also understand how important compensation can be after a serious injury in a bicycle accident.

Our Denver bicycle accident attorneys offer injured cyclists legal help that is:

  • Specific and focused on their unique circumstances
  • Compassionate and empathetic
  • Professional and knowledgeable in both personal injury law and bicycle law in particular

Our cycling accident attorneys will take the time, effort, and energy to learn about you and your legal goals. Call or contact our office today and schedule a free consultation. Our fees are contingent on the amount we recover.

Denver Bicycle Accident Lawyer Quick Links

How Can A Denver Bicycle Accident Attorney Help?

An experienced bicycle accident lawyer will explain the injury claims process to you and keep you updated throughout your case. Dormer Harpring will pay any upfront costs to investigate and file your claim as well as hire any necessary expert witnesses.

Additionally, our Denver bicycle accident lawyers will:

  • Complete and file all of your legal paperwork, including court documents
  • Identify and pursue all possible sources of compensation
  • Evaluate your total settlement needs to cover accident-related expenses both now and in the future
  • Handle all correspondence and calls from insurance companies and creditors about your accident
  • Negotiate and settle your claim on your behalf
  • Proceed with the lawsuit and trial

At Dormer Harpring, we want to take away as much of the legal stress and strain of your accident as possible. By doing this, we hope that you can regain your overall health and well-being. Speak with our team to find out about our services and what sets us apart from other law firms.

What Are The Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?

Motorists should always drive courteously and obey traffic laws. One of these laws is that when passing a bicyclist, a motorist is to allow at least three feet of space between the widest point of their vehicle and the widest point of the bicyclist. A motorist can cross a double yellow center line if there is no oncoming traffic to pass a bicyclist.

When people fail to follow the law or behave courteously, accidents happen. Most often, motorists cause bicycle accidents when driving:

  • Distracted
  • Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Drowsy or fatigued
  • Aggressively
  • Inattentively

When motorists do hit a bicyclist, they do so by:

  • Side swiping the cyclist
  • Turning in front of the cyclist
  • Pulling out into the cyclist
  • Opening their car door into the cyclist

Motorists and cyclists need to operate most safely and respectfully possible. To avoid accidents altogether, it is crucial everyone learn the laws governing interactions between cyclists and motor vehicles before setting out on the roads.

Common Injuries After a Bicycle Accident

The human body is not built to withstand the forces exerted upon it when hit by a car. Even on a bicycle, you are barely protected from the full impact of the collision. Unfortunately, this can lead to devastating physical injuries, as well as significant psychological harm from the trauma of the event. Due to the mechanics of the average bicycle accident, the most common injuries suffered include:

  • Broken bones
  • Soft-tissue injuries 
  • Head trauma
  • Skull fractures
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Facial injuries
  • Dental injuries
  • Internal injuries
  • Lacerations
  • Road rash

 Serious injuries can significantly impact the quality of life for a cyclist. Some may never fully heal from their injuries or be able to ride a bike ever again. Even minor injuries can result in a great deal of pain, inconvenience and medical costs. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with any type of injury after a bike accident in Denver, our lawyers can help you demand justice.

Compensation for Bicycle Accidents in Denver

Victims of bicycle accidents often face extensive injuries and enormous accident-related medical bills. Accident rehabilitation is costly and may take years to accomplish physically. Compensation for bicycle accidents should pay for current and future estimated costs to cover all of an injured cyclist’s mental, physical, and emotional recovery.

While bicycle accident compensation amounts vary, the kinds of damages available include:

  • Past and future accident-related medical bills
  • Property damage
  • Lost income
  • Lost earning potential
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental and emotional trauma
  • If applicable, wrongful death expenses

Partial Fault After a Denver Bicycle Accident

A common defense to bicycle accident claims that could reduce the financial compensation you receive is the modified comparative negligence defense. This argument could diminish your financial award by an amount that matches your percentage of fault for the accident. If the other driver can prove that you contributed to the accident, such as by running a stop sign or failing to pay attention to where you were riding, this can reduce your monetary recovery accordingly.

Your financial recovery will be reduced by an amount that is equivalent to your degree of fault, but only to a maximum amount. Under Colorado’s modified version of this law, a plaintiff can only be found up to 49 percent responsible for an accident to still remain eligible for compensation. With an equal or greater share of fault as the defendant, a plaintiff is barred from recovery entirely. This is why it’s important to have an attorney represent your side of the case if you believe you contributed to your accident.

Safety Tips for Bicycle Riders

While motor vehicle drivers are responsible for causing most bicycle accidents in Denver, there are things that you can do as a cyclist to decrease your risk of getting into a collision. Being proactive about your safety as a biker could save your life. Use these safety tips for bicyclists in Colorado to protect yourself from being hit by a car as much as possible:

  • Obey the rules of the road. Traffic laws are in place to keep everyone safe. You can reduce your risk of an accident by obeying the laws that apply to you, such as coming to a complete stop at red lights and stop signs. Obeying the law keeps your movements predictable to surrounding drivers, reducing your odds of a collision.
  • Signal your intentions. Don’t make drivers guess where you’re going. Use hand signals to indicate that you plan on turning. Letting other drivers know your intentions can allow them to move out of your way or wait for you to pass before proceeding.
  • Be as visible as possible. Many bicycle accidents occur because the driver doesn’t see the bicyclist. Improve your visibility by biking in bright colors or wearing a reflective vest. Avoid riding your bicycle at night in Denver. If you must ride at night, make sure your bicycle has the required headlamp and rear light or reflector.

If you get injured in a bicycle accident despite your best efforts to stay safe, you have legal rights. Discuss your options for seeking financial compensation and holding a driver accountable with a lawyer at Dormer Harpring for more information. We offer free initial consultations and are passionate about improving the safety of Denver’s bicyclists.

picture of a cyclist on the road, caption "contact our denver bicycle accident attorneys today!"

Contact a Denver Bicycle Accident Lawyer for Legal Guidance

It is imperative to settle a bicycle accident claim with the help of an experienced attorney. A bike accident lawyer will help ensure you do not accept less than you need and deserve. Contact Dormer Harping to see how our Denver bicycle crash attorneys can prove invaluable to your accident claim.