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If you suffer injuries or lose a loved one to a Denver motorcycle accident, call the attorneys at Dormer Harpring. We understand the dangers motorcyclists face each day on our roadways. In fact, Attorney Sean Dormer is himself a motorcyclist.
Those of us who ride understand that a motorcycle can leave its rider vulnerable to serious injuries in the event of a crash and that drivers of passenger vehicles often fail to see us on the road around them. As attorneys, we know that obtaining compensation after a crash is often the key to healing and returning to daily life. At Dormer Harpring, out Denver motorcycle accident lawyers commit themselves to providing injured riders with unique representation and compassionate support while working to get the best legal result possible.
Motorcyclists who retain Dormer Harpring get understanding, successful attorneys who:
We encourage you to continue reading the following motorcycle accident pages to learn more about how our law firm can help you. Then contact us for clear, honest answers about your recovery options. We dedicate ourselves to helping injured riders and their families recover from motorcycle accidents.
A Denver motorcycle accident lawyer will stand by you throughout the claims process and ensure the insurance company does not take advantage of you. Our personal injury attorneys will meet with you, listen to your story, and build the strongest case possible for compensation.
Dormer Harpring’s motorcycle accident lawyers will also:
At Dormer Harpring, we want you to focus on regaining your physical, mental, and emotional health. Our motorcycle accident attorneys will focus on the legal aspects of your claim. Call us today and schedule your free consultation.
Motorcyclists account for 14% of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. However, they make up only 3 percent of the registered vehicles on U.S. roads. Motorcyclists do not have the added safety layer of a motor vehicle surrounding their bodies, which makes motorcycle crashes more fatal overall.
When motorists cause motorcycle accidents, they often do so through the following:
The above accidents leave riders with injuries specific to motorcycle crashes such as:
Although it is impossible to control the actions of other drivers, taking active precautions like wearing a helmet and appropriate clothing while riding a motorcycle can reduce the risk of some injuries. Complying with traffic laws, including Colorado motorcycle laws, is also essential to safe riding.
Under Colorado’s car insurance laws, the person or party at fault for a vehicle collision must pay for the accident. It is the injured party’s task to prove fault, such as establishing that the negligence of the other driver is what caused the motorcycle accident. Negligence in a personal injury claim means the failure to use ordinary or reasonable care. When negligence causes harm to others, the injured person can file a claim against the negligent party.
The burden of proof in this type of case is a “preponderance of the evidence.” You or your lawyer will need to present clear and convincing evidence of the defendant’s negligence. This requires proof that the defendant owed you a duty of care, breached or violated the duty, and caused your motorcycle accident. A duty of care is an obligation not to cause harm to others, such as a driver’s responsibility to prevent car accidents. A breach of duty can refer to any careless or reckless behavior, such as speeding or following too closely.
You or your lawyer must prove that your motorcycle accident would not have happened but for the negligence of the defendant. Meeting this burden of proof requires evidence such as a police report, accident reconstruction, eyewitness statements, expert testimony, photographs and videos, medical records, and cell phone records. An attorney can help you collect any available evidence to prove negligence during your motorcycle accident claim.
Proving negligence is necessary during both a car accident and motorcycle accident case in Colorado. However, these are very different types of claims that require unique attention. Motorcyclists who are injured in accidents face several additional issues compared to standard motor vehicle drivers. They include:
The most effective way to handle these unique issues is by hiring a Denver motorcycle accident attorney to represent you. An attorney can accurately represent the extent of your severe injuries to push for full compensation. Your lawyer can also help control the juror selection process and present compelling evidence to establish the defendant’s liability on your behalf.
Every motor vehicle operator in the State of Colorado must purchase certain amounts of automobile insurance. Motorcyclists are not exempt from this requirement. Every motorcycle rider in the state must carry at least the following minimum amounts of insurance at all times:
If a motorcyclist chooses to opt-out of uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance, he or she must do so in writing when purchasing the policy. Otherwise, it will automatically be added. It is possible for motorcyclists to purchase greater than the minimum required amounts of insurance if he or she desires more coverage. For example, a motorcyclist can purchase first-party insurance, such as collision and comprehensive coverage, to pay for his or her own losses, no matter who is at fault for the crash.
Liability insurance is required in Colorado due to the tort-based or fault-based insurance system. Colorado is in the majority of states in that it holds the person or party at fault for an accident financially responsible. Liability insurance pays for the medical bills and property damages of others after an accident. It ensures a motorcyclist’s financial ability to pay for victims’ losses if he or she causes a collision. Likewise, if the motorcyclist is not at fault, he or she can seek benefits from the other driver’s insurance policy.
Motorcycle accident injuries may result in physical, mental, and emotional damages to riders. Long-term, permanent impairments are common requiring physical therapy, rehabilitation, and home care. This care is costly and affects an injured riders’ ability to earn a living and as well as their quality of life.
No sum of money can account for the damages a rider and their family suffer after a motorcycle accident. However, financial recovery can provide a sense of closure to a victim and serve to hold any negligent parties responsible for the injuries they caused.
Amounts of compensation available to motorcycle accident victims may vary. However, typical damages include:
The amount of damages awarded in a motorcycle accident depends on the circumstances of that particular accident, such as:
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can evaluate and assess the value of an individual motorcycle accident claim. It is wise to speak with an attorney before making any statements or accepting any offers from an insurance company.
Under Colorado law, you have no more than three years from the date of your motorcycle accident to file a lawsuit in pursuit of damages for injuries sustained in the crash. The time limit or statute of limitations on personal injury cases that do not involve motor vehicles is two years. If you don’t discover your injuries immediately, the clock won’t begin counting down until the date of discovery. However, you may have less time to file if you plan on suing the government (e.g., for a dangerous road defect).
It is always in your best interest to speak to an attorney as soon as possible after a motorcycle accident in Denver. You don’t want to miss your time limit, as exceptions to the rule generally are not accepted. If you attempt to file after the statute of limitations has expired, you will most likely be barred from making a financial recovery. You could also risk the loss or destruction of important evidence to support your claim, such as accurate eyewitness accounts.
Knowing what to do after a motorcycle accident empowers riders in the event they are in a crash. Please read and keep the following steps in mind in the event you are in a motorcycle accident. If you cannot follow any of these steps, please contact a Denver motorcycle accident attorney for help.
At Dormer Harpring, our motorcycle accident lawyers see other law firms treat riders like every other accident case. We treat riders as individuals and as fellow motorcyclists. It is our mission at Dormer Harpring to fight for your rights as a rider and do everything possible to win for you.
Learn more about your options following a motorcycle crash. Call (303) 747-4404 or email our firm via the contact form on this page.
From offices based in Denver, our attorneys provide exceptional representation to riders throughout Denver County, Adams County, Boulder County, Arapahoe County, Jefferson County, and the state of Colorado. Our commitment to representing motorcyclists from all walks of life means that we never charge for a consultation. Our legal fees are “contingent,” meaning they’re based only on the amount we recover.