Denver Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Cycling through Denver’s beautiful roadways, city streets, and state parks is a refreshing experience, contributing to the city’s status as one of the most bikeable places in the US. While biking in the area, one can choose between a workout through the rolling hills, a scenic ride on well-kept local paths, or exploring and coasting around Denver’s downtown. However, things can quickly turn ugly should you hit a figurative or literal bump in the road– an unexpected accident or shattering wreck involving a vehicle. Recovery from a bicycle accident can be lengthy, filing a claim is usually complicated, and any legal action can be that much more challenging or exhausting–when you attempt to go at it alone.

In the aftermath of a Denver bike accident, you must have a strong comprehension of the legal road map of Colorado motor vehicle, traffic, and bike laws or, even better, a legal professional on your side who does. Notably, in Colorado, the responsibility of proving the driver’s fault and negligence in a bicycle case lies solely with you, the cyclist. 

At Frickey Law, we provide tailored and expert guidance for bike accidents and personal injury in and around the Denver area and can offer support during these challenging times. Call us at 303-237-7373. With a seasoned bicycle accident lawyer in Denver by your side, taking charge, collecting, and organizing all necessary evidence to support and shape your claim while ensuring you are in line with the law, it transforms from complicated to effortless.

Bicycle Accidents in Denver are Rising

The rise of two-wheel commuters and Denver’s thriving cycling community bring attention to a unique set of issues facing cyclists. Accidents involving bicycles and vehicles demand a detailed understanding of traffic laws and the specific vulnerabilities that can impact cyclists sharing the road. Recently, Colorado saw a spike in cyclist fatalities by over 30 percent compared to the year prior. Denver locals who enjoy biking have been witness to, forewarned, or victims of car door accidents, left-turn crashes, sideswipes, distracted driving, and right-turn accidents. 

In Denver’s downtown and other areas, hot spots with street parking hide unexpected hazards, even for the most experienced cyclists. For instance, a parked car door suddenly opening can create a spontaneous and treacherous scenario. While occupants should practice caution by first ensuring it’s an appropriate time to exit their vehicles, some may neglect to check for oncoming cyclists, creating a significant hazard. Maintaining vigilance and heightened awareness of these potential threats to your safety is essential when cycling. Remember, your alertness and caution can be the key to avoiding such accidents. We have seen many cases involving cars parked or stopped and idling in no stopping or standing areas, no parking zones, or vehicles illegally and dangerously double parking.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Denver

Left Hand Turns

One of the most common accidents between vehicles in motion and cyclists involves a car making a left-hand turn. Why? Because these turns cross directly into the path of oncoming cyclists. In these circumstances, a motorist may fail to check for a cyclist until it’s just too late, leading to a collision and a potential catastrophe. Injuries from these accidents can be road rash to fatalities, with other factors such as speed and road congestion sometimes playing contributing parts.

Sideswiping

The sideswipe is another common form of accident that cyclists encounter. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states the car weighs on average 4,094 pounds. The outcome can be horrific when an object that large in motion even taps an individual on a bicycle. Drivers, whether unintentionally trying to avoid a hazard or due to distracted driving, can drift to the edge of their lane or even unintentionally cross over in just a second by a couple of feet. As a cyclist, you only have a little room to navigate for safety, whether in a bike lane or sharing the roadway. The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) asks that drivers allow for at least 3 feet when passing bicycles. Still, the driver leaning over for a cup of joe can effortlessly tug on the steering wheel just enough to sway their vehicle over a few feet, bumping an individual on their bike into a calamity. In 2022, Colorado’s Department of Transportation began installing signage to remind drivers about the 3-foot clearance, as the issue had long been pervasive.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a top cause of accidents involving bicycles and pedestrians across the US. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) concluded well over 15,000 accidents were caused by distracted driving last year, in line with the increasing trend the State and Country have been experiencing this decade. 

Distracted driving is any activity that takes your gaze and concentration off the road. From the cases and accident reports we have reviewed, these actions may include but are not limited to texting, fumbling with devices, watching or recording videos, caring for children or animals, 

reading, or eating. For cyclists, a driver’s diverted attention, for even a split second, can translate into moderate to life-altering injuries or, tragically, death. If you believe distracted driving is the basis of the accident and injuries you suffered, examining accident scene details and images, combing over the crash report, reaching out and obtaining witness reports, studying traffic camera footage, and any other elements that can be rendered as evidence is paramount to proving the fault of the negligent driver.

Another prevalent cause for wrecks involving bicycles is the notorious right hook accident, when a driver suddenly makes a right turn without observing a bicycle on the shoulder or the adjacent bike lane on their right. These situations leave much less than an outcome of cyclists trapped in a nasty collision with the turning vehicle. A skilled Denver bike accident lawyer will know what evidence to look for and highlight in a claim or lawsuit involving a right hook crash.

Driving Under the Influence

Accidents caused by drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol also sadly affect bicyclists in Denver and can lead to some of the most fatal. In these accidents where you question the physical and mental state of the driver who hit you, it is essential to call the police to protect yourself and to ensure a crucial police report thoroughly documents the scene. Lastly, contacting a trusted Denver bike accident attorney immediately is the next most critical step in these sorts of accidents.

Poor Driving Conditions

Aside from the above types of accidents, certain driving conditions can jeopardize your safety as a cyclist in Denver, including poor visibility, heavy rain, and snow, as well as congested areas and times of day known for heavy traffic, like rush hour. Using your better judgment and avoiding going for a ride under these conditions and circumstances is essential.

What To Do Immediately After a Bicycle Accident

Regardless of the accident’s severity, calling the police is imperative. Your safety and the safety of all parties involved in the crash can be monitored after making the call to the police. However, when injuries are immediately present, calling 911 can be the fastest way to get emergency medical services on the scene. Either way, by ushering police to the crash site, you initiate a process that results in an invaluable police report that will be immensely useful for your forthcoming claim and potential legal action. If you are injured, allow the first responders to tend to you. However, if you or a friend or family member may be present, taking photos and video of the scene can significantly help your claim and assist your bicycle accident attorney later. Any witnesses and their statements that can corroborate the events, actions of the other driver or yourself, and any details of your overall claim may also be of great value.

Additionally, regardless of how you feel within 24 hours of any accident, especially bicycle accidents, getting yourself to the hospital for a complete check-up is vital. You may have undergone heavy stress to your body, suffering severe harm in countless ways like bruising, pulled muscles, whiplash, internal bleeding, a concussion, a brain or spinal cord injury, broken ribs, or fractured another bone. Cuts, scraps, or road rash are common in bicycle accidents and should be treated appropriately and cleaned to avoid infection. Always seek a follow-up visit with your primary care doctor and heed medical advice and recommended therapies.

What laws and rules of the road apply to cyclists?

Most traffic laws applicable to drivers apply to cyclists, too. Motorists disobeying the posted speed limits when coming across a cyclist can shorten the time to react or stop for signaling or passing bicyclists. As a cyclist, however, you must obey the posted traffic signs and laws when sharing the road. You have the right of way in a designated bike lane. Should you drive on the road with other vehicles, you must yield to pedestrians and ride with the flow of traffic, not against it. You are also responsible for learning and using appropriate bike signaling.

Trusted Advocates for Injured Bicyclists in Denver

As a bicyclist, if you are injured due to the negligence of another person, like a motorist, then you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and any temporary or permanent disability you suffered as a result of the accident. Our team of seasoned bike accident attorneys in Denver have successfully handled numerous bicycle accident claims resulting in favorable settlements and court judgments for our clients. 

If you have been in a bicycle accident and need help navigating your claim and seeking compensation for damages, contact our experienced and trusted Denver bicycle accident law firm of Frickey Law for a free and confidential consultation.