Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Colorado Bicycle Accident Guide

• Why Choose Our Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyers?
• How Much Is a Bicycle Accident Case Worth in Colorado?
• Why Do Colorado Bicycle Accidents Lead to Catastrophic Injuries?
• Where Do Bicycle Accidents Happen in Colorado?
• Intersections
• Parking Lots
• Shared Bike and Vehicle Paths
• Rural Roads
• Residential Zones
• Who Is Liable for a Bike Accident in Colorado?
• Do You Have a Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me?
• Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyer FAQ

Why Choose Our Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyers?

When Tragedy Strikes, Trust Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers

Our Colorado bicycle accident lawyers advocate for you, and help you navigate the complex process of filing a personal injury claim. We have the experience and resources to build a strong case, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent your interests in court if necessary. Without proper representation, you may not receive the full compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages.

As Colorado’s largest personal injury law firm, Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers has a proven track record of success handling bicycle accident cases. Whether a hit-and-run, dooring incident, or accident caused by a distracted driver, our experienced bicycle accident attorneys are dedicated to fighting for your rights and obtaining the compensation you deserve for injuries.

Your journey towards justice and recovering damages starts with a free consultation with our bicycle accident attorneys. They will take the time to listen to your story, assess your case, and provide you with a clear understanding of your legal options.

Once you choose our bike accident attorneys, we will communicate with insurance companies and other parties involved on your behalf. If your bicycle accident claim cannot be negotiated out of court, we are ready to fight for you in the courtroom with our extensive trial experience.

Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers has three decades of experience fighting for personal injury victims across Colorado. Located in 13 major cities, including Aurora, Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Grand Junction, and Pueblo, our easy accessibility ensures that English and Spanish speakers can access comprehensive and compassionate legal support.

Don’t let your bike accident keep you from living your life. Contact a Colorado bicycle accident lawyer from our firm to hold responsible parties accountable for your injuries.

How Much Is a Bicycle Accident Case Worth in Colorado?

Colorado law allows bicycle accident victims to recover compensation for economic and non-economic damages based on the extent of their injuries, including:

• Medical expenses. Short and long-term medical costs for treatment, surgery, rehabilitation, and other necessary medical care can average $3+ million over a lifetime when spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, and paralysis are involved.
• Loss of income. Loss of current and future earnings could see Colorado bicycle accident victims lose several months to years of work. Based on current Colorado average salaries, this could mean a loss of $33,414 to $111,522+ in the first year alone.
• Property damage. Depending on the extent of damages to your bike and other personal property, you may seek compensation for repairs or replacement costs. Considering the price of a mobile phone and a new Yeti bike, Colorado’s most popular brand, accident victims could easily rack up $12,000+ in medical bills.
• Pain and suffering. This can include physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other non-economic damages. These damages are often subjective and may vary greatly depending on the individual circumstances of each case. Non-economic damages are capped at $1,500,000 in 2025, but that number will change next year.
• Punitive damages. In cases of extreme recklessness or intentional harm, a Colorado court may award punitive damages to punish the at-fault party and deter similar behavior in the future. In Colorado, punitive damages are capped at an amount equal to compensatory damages.

Your bicycle accident case may be worth much more than what the insurance companies or opposing attorneys may be willing to offer, considering compensation needs to cover current and future damage related to the accident.

Why Do Colorado Bicycle Accidents Lead to Catastrophic Injuries?

Colorado has seen a significant and alarming spike in catastrophic bike accident injuries in recent years. The number of cyclist deaths rose by 33% from 2022 to 2023. Five times the number of Colorado cyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes than in 2003. Recent Colorado crashes included several deaths of children on the way to school as well as the high profile collision that killed Magnus White, a Boulder teen preparing for the Junior Mountain Bike World Championship. The crash was caused by a driver who drifted out of her lane while driving sleep deprived.

Despite the three feet law in Colorado attempting to give cyclists more space, factors such as Colorado’s growing population, a rise in distracted and impaired driving, as well as issues at crosswalks all create dangerous circumstances for many Colorado bicyclists. Even when bicycle accidents are not fatal, they still commonly cause severe injuries and can lead to life-altering impairments.

Unfortunately, the rate of catastrophic injuries connected to bike crashes is on the rise. Bicycle crashes with SUVs today result in 55% more bodily trauma today than equivalent bike wrecks with cars, according to a new study from IIHS. Ground impact injuries and traumatic brain injuries are twice as common with bicycle-SUV crashes as they are with bicycle-car crashes. Meanwhile, of the 932 reported bicyclist fatalities in 2020, the vast majority involved trucks, vans, and SUVs.

Safety inspectors blame the growing danger on higher front ends in newer models of SUVs and trucks. Changes in front end design lead to worse visibility or extended “front end blind zones“. Meanwhile, cars and trucks have gotten both larger and heavier, causing more damage when they do strike bicyclists. Bicyclists are more often struck higher up in the torso during a crash with a larger SUV or truck. This tends to lead to worse internal injuries as well as an increased chance of being trapped below the vehicle and mown over, as opposed to flung up over the windshield and out of the way of the wheels.

Where Do Bicycle Accidents Happen in Colorado?

Intersections

Across Colorado, intersections are the most dangerous locations for bicycle accidents. With vehicles turning, distracted drivers, and complex traffic signals, cyclists are at a higher risk of being struck, pushed into traffic, or thrown from their bikes.

The most hazardous intersections around the state include:

• Aurora: East 16th Avenue and Alton Street near Colfax.
• Boulder: Areas with high student populations or near bike paths, such as Broadway and Baseline Road intersections.
• Colorado Springs: Intersections near recreational trails or major parks, like those surrounding Garden of the Gods.
• Denver – Colfax: Colfax Avenue intersections, particularly where it crosses major streets like Broadway or Speer Boulevard.
• Denver – Lakeside: Near the amusement park, especially on Sheridan Boulevard.
• Fort Collins: College Avenue intersections, especially those near Colorado State University.
• Grand Junction: Areas around Colorado Mesa University and along the Colorado Riverfront Trail.
• Greeley: Intersections along 10th Street and near the University of Northern Colorado.
• Lakewood: Wadsworth Boulevard, particularly where it intersects with West Colfax Avenue.
• Littleton: Intersections along South Broadway and near Heritage High School.
• Longmont: Main Street intersections and areas close to Longmont High School.
• Pueblo: Areas near the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo and along Santa Fe Avenue.
• Thornton: Intersections along Thornton Parkway and near major shopping centers.

In reality, any intersection with heavy traffic, insufficient signage, or a history of bicycle accidents poses a risk for cyclists. If you’ve been injured at these or any other intersections in Colorado, contact a bicycle accident lawyer from our law firm.

Parking Lots

Parking lots are common locations for bicycle accidents. Though collisions don’t always happen at high speeds, these unexpected crashes can result in severe injuries for cyclists.

The most common causes of parking lot accidents include:

• Driver Inattentiveness: Many drivers are distracted while looking for a parking spot or exiting a space.
• Limited Visibility: Poor lighting and tight spaces make it difficult for drivers to see cyclists.
• Pedestrian and Cyclist Right-of-Way Violations: Drivers may fail to yield to cyclists, resulting in a collision.
• Reversing and Backing Up: Often, drivers do not look behind them before backing up, putting cyclists at risk.

Additionally, these accidents can happen due to negligent caretaking of the lot, such as debris or potholes that can cause a cyclist to lose control. The property owner or manager could be liable for your injuries in these cases.

Shared Bike and Vehicle Paths

Whether in a shared or designated bike lane, vehicle traffic and high speeds can pose a risk for cyclists.

Common areas where shared bike and vehicle paths intersect include:

• Highways: Though rare, cycling on certain highways is permitted in Colorado, which could lead to accidents with high-speed vehicles.
• Bike Lanes Near Busy Streets: These designated lanes are designed to keep bicycles safe from traffic but still allow them to be in close proximity to vehicles.
• Bike Path Intersections: Many recreational bike paths cross major streets or intersect with sidewalks, increasing the risk of accidents.

Determining fault for these accidents is challenging, but our experienced bicycle accident lawyers are prepared to investigate and hold accountable any parties responsible for your injuries.

Rural Roads

While many consider urban areas the most dangerous for cyclists, rural roads pose a unique risk due to higher speeds, limited visibility, and lack of bike lanes or paths.

Some of the most hazardous rural roads in Colorado for cyclists include:

• State Highway 119: This highway is a popular route for cyclists due to its proximity to Boulder, but it has narrow shoulders and high speeds.
• Highways 160 and 550: These highways in Durango are popular with cyclists but also have narrow shoulders and high speeds.
• Highway 34: Cyclists often ride this highway through Loveland, Estes Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park, but it has limited bike lanes and narrow shoulders.
• Highways 40 and 14: These highways near Steamboat Springs are popular for cycling but do not always have designated bike lanes.

Rural drivers may not be used to sharing the road with other cyclists. However, their difficulties do not justify your injuries when negligent, reckless, or careless driving causes a bicycle accident.

Residential Zones

Accidents in residential zones can result from negligent or distracted drivers not paying attention to their surroundings.

These areas may have lower speed limits, but they still pose a risk for cyclists as drivers may fail to:

• Obey Traffic Signals: Drivers who run stop signs, red lights, or roundabouts in residential neighborhoods can cause serious accidents with cyclists.
• Adhere to Safe Passing Laws: Drivers must give at least three feet of space when passing a cyclist in residential zones, but many do not follow this rule.
• Watch for Pedestrians and Cyclists: It is easy to get distracted or not pay attention while driving through residential areas, leading to accidents with cyclists and pedestrians.

Furthermore, with most Colorado counties prioritizing major roads for snow removal, cars face an increased risk of skidding or sliding on uncleared residential streets. This can result in accidents with cyclists who are less visible during these conditions.

Who Is Liable for a Bike Accident in Colorado?

Colorado uses modified comparative negligence laws, meaning that each party involved in an accident can be assigned a percentage of fault based on their actions or negligence. The total compensation awarded to a victim may be reduced based on their percentage of fault.

A Colorado bike crash lawyer is an experienced advocate for injury victims, ensuring that every element of the crash is taken into consideration. Our firm helps build and strengthen your claim based on traffic cameras, eyewitness statements, relevant street design and accident statistics, and more. Liability in Colorado must take into account both parties’ actions, any distractions, impairment, or adverse weather conditions involved, as well as adherence to all state-specific safety laws. For instance:

• In Colorado, bicyclists may legally ride two abreast unless doing so is deemed a hazard to traffic. Riding more than two abreast on roadways is not permissible.
• The Colorado Safety Stop Law passed in April 2022 allows bicyclists to treat red lights as stop signs, and stop signs as yield signs. This means a Colorado bicyclist can legally proceed through a red light in the absence of other traffic if they have first come to a complete stop. Rolling stops through stop signs are also permissible for bicyclists in Colorado, when other traffic is not present. This law only applies to bicyclists age 15 and up in Colorado, although younger riders may also do a “safety stop” when with parents or guardians.
• Bicyclists in bike lanes have the right of way in Colorado, which are presumed to extend throughout intersections even when they are not marked as such.
• Drivers can cross a double yellow center line when traffic permits in order to safely pass a bicyclist. Drivers must leave three feet of space when passing bicyclists on Colorado roads.
• Under § 42-4-1412(5a), Colorado bicyclists should presume to ride in the far right hand lane unless they are preparing for a left hand turn at an intersection, passing a slower vehicle, or avoiding hazardous road conditions.
• Bicyclists must signal their intention to turn or stop when sharing the roadway.
• Drivers under 18 years of age in Colorado are prohibited from using a cell phone. However, adult drivers may legally use a cell phone for voice calls only while behind the wheel.

Failure to adhere to all of these safety standards and more can impact your liability in a Colorado bicycle accident. Most cases are not cut-and-dried. A driver may attempt to argue that they were unable to see your bicycle because you failed to use reflective gear while riding at dusk, or that your failure to wear a helmet impacted the extent of your injury. They may also claim that you did not signal to turn, or that you were not riding in the appropriate area during an intersection. By contrast, you might argue that they were speeding, texting while driving, or swerving erratically before the crash. All of these issues may impact your final settlement amount under Colorado’s modified comparative negligence standard.

A bike wreck lawyer will be able to advise you about how to strengthen your claim for the other party’s fault, as well as minimize your own liability. At Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers, our firm has years of experience throughout Colorado advising accident victims about the traffic statutes that protect them in the event of an accident. Our team is up to date on the latest changes in bicycle safety law, as well as relevant cases and recent decisions handed down from Colorado county courts. We bring this expertise to bear to represent injury victims and ensure that you have the strongest claim possible for compensation after a crash.

Do You Have a Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me?

As the largest personal injury law firm in Colorado, Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers has the resources and experience you want on your side – and we’re always nearby when you need us. The firm maintains offices in Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver, Fort Collins, Glenwood Springs, Greeley, Grand Junction, Lakewood, Littleton, Longmont, Pueblo, and Thornton.

Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyer FAQ

Choose a Colorado Bicycle Accident Lawyer from Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers 

Colorado Bicycle Accident Attorney, Franklin D. Azar

Nothing can compensate you for the pain and suffering caused by a bicycle accident, but securing proper compensation can help ease the financial burden and provide a sense of justice. With our help, you can focus on your recovery while we handle the legal aspects of your case.

Contact knowledgeable Colorado personal injury lawyers from Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers, online or at (303) 757-3300 for your free consultation in English or Spanish.

Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers – Colorado Office

14426 E Evans Ave
Aurora, CO 80014
P: (303) 562-1442