You may be entitled to compensation
Bikes are a common sight on Colorado roads- with folks using them in Aurora as a means of transportation and recreation. Sharing the roads with vehicles that are much larger than bicycles, bicyclists are in a constant state of peril. In the case of a collision, a bicyclist is far more likely to suffer injury.
Because there’s such a size discrepancy between bicycles and other vehicles on the road like trucks, busses, and cars, Colorado law has special laws specifically for bicyclists as well as the laws that other drivers must follow when they share the road with cyclists.
If you’ve fell victim to a bicycle collision and you’re confronted with injuries, it’s wise to speak with an experienced Aurora bicycle accident lawyer that is familiar with these laws. A personal injury lawyer in Aurora can advise you on what the best way to proceed is to protect your rights and help you recover compensation for injuries and other harm suffered in a collision.
Responsibilities of Drivers
On top of the general responsibilities of motorists to drive in a safe manner, Colorado legislators have added specific requirements with respect to drivers sharing the roadways with bicyclists.
In 2009, the lawmakers of Colorado enacted a statute that is now codified as Section 42-4-1003(1)(b) which requires drivers of motor vehicles passing bicyclists on the road to allow at least three feet between the right side of the motor vehicle and the left side of the rider.
This allowance is measurable from the widest point of the motor vehicle- which includes mirrors and anything else projecting from the vehicle. To better understand these nuances, an individual should consult with an Aurora bicycle accident attorney immediately.
Responsibilities of Cyclists
Bicyclists also have legal responsibilities when sharing the public roads with motor vehicles. Not only must cyclists follow general traffic laws, Section 42-4-1412 of the Colorado code sets a number of specific requirements for bicyclists while on the road. The statute requires bicyclists to:
- Ride as far to the right as possible
- Keep at least one hand on your handlebars at all times
- Ride single file when necessary to avoid impeding traffic
- Use appropriate lighting and reflectors when riding at night.
- Signal turns in advance
- Carry only the number of riders approved for the build of the bicycle
- When Bicycle Collisions Occur
When there is a collision between a bicycle and a motor vehicle, it can be caused by any number of factors and can be the fault of either the bicyclist or the motorist. However, there are some common scenarios that frequently result in collisions causing injuries. Some of these include situations with motor vehicle operators who:
- Drive while distracted
- Turn without looking for cyclists
- Open car doors without looking
- Speed
- Fail to allow sufficient space when passing a cyclist
- Drive recklessly or under the influence
Talk To An Aurora Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
No matter the cause, an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Aurora can help you win justice and appropriate compensation.
What Should I Do If I’m In A Bicycle Accident?
- Report the accident to law enforcement. When the police arrive they will begin their investigation, and make sure that all parties provide the necessary information, including insurance coverage, and issue a citation to the at-fault party. Having the police come out and document the accident and issue a citation to the at-fault driver can significantly help your case later on.
- Seek medical attention for your injuries. Regardless of whether you are feeling the effects of the accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. If you are not taken to the hospital at the time of the accident, then seek medical attention as soon as possible after the collision. The longer you take to seek medical treatment, the more the other insurance company’s defense attorneys will try to use this against you – to show that you were not in fact seriously injured and waited for some time before seeking care.
- Contact an Attorney. If you’ve been injured or a loved one has been injured or killed in a bicycle accident, contact us today for a free consultation. It is important to get an experienced bicycle accident attorney on your side to protect your rights as soon as possible. An attorney who is not familiar with cycling, and the unique dangers cyclists face, can easily overlook crucial case details that can have a negative impact on the value of your case.
The experienced attorneys at Alhasoon, Glidden and Glidden, LLC are here to protect your rights and get you the maximum compensation you deserve. At the Law Offices of Alhasoon, Glidden and Glidden, LLC for us it’s personal, you’re not just another number.
FAQs
Can I afford a personal injury attorney?
The initial consultation is always free. If during the consultation we determine that you have a case, we will pursue your case on a contingency fee basis. When working on a contingency fee, our firm does not get paid on your case unless we recover money for you. When we collect money for your injuries, damages, and losses, we will be paid a percentage of the money we collect for you. We are commits to providing clients with a no-stress, no-hassle intake process call us today for your free consultation to see how we can help you!
What happens at the Initial Consultation and how much does it cost?
You will meet with one of our Managing Attorneys or partners at the time of your first appointment with our firm. You will never have a consultation with an office manager, paralegal, or anyone other than one of our experienced managing attorneys or partners. During the initial consultation, we spend much of our time gathering information from you about your personal injury case. It is helpful to bring as much information as possible to your initial consultation so that we can gather as much information as possible about your case so that we can properly discuss with you the facts, relevant law, and how we can assist you with your case. Information that is helpful to bring if you have it is as follows: traffic accident report, all insurance claim information and a copy of your insurance policy or information, health insurance/Medicaid/Medicare Information, medical records or bills, photographs, etc. The initial consultation is always free. We are commits to providing clients with a no-stress, no-hassle intake process call us today for your free consultation to see how we can help you!
I’m in the hospital can you come to me?
Yes, if you are in the hospital or your injuries prohibit you from being able to come to our office, one of our attorneys will come to you.
Can I still recover if I caused an accident?
Colorado has a comparative fault rule – If you were partially responsible for the accident, you may only collect damages for the percentage of fault the other driver had for the accident. In Colorado, an injured party that is 50% or more responsible for an accident is barred from recovering. In cases where fault is not clear or questionable, it is important to have the attorneys at Alhasoon, Glidden and Glidden on your side.
What Size Cases Do You Handle?
AGG law firm handles cases of all sizes, from simple to complex. Our experienced trial lawyers have the knowledge and resources to represent victims in all types of accident and personal injury cases. At AGG we are dedicated to obtaining justice for clients from all walks of life regardless of how large or small the matter.
Will the Information I Share with you Be Confidential?
Yes, because your communications with us are privileged. It is important that you fully disclose all facts of your personal injury claim including, but not limited to: prior injuries, criminal convictions, etc. This information will aide us in fully evaluating your case. The information you share with us will always remain confidential. This protection applies even when our legal representation ends or if you do not retain our firm.
How long will my personal injury case take?
Each case is unique, and it’s difficult to determine how long it will take to resolve a personal injury case. A personal injury case may settle in a few months without the need to file a lawsuit, while others can take years for the trial and appeals process to complete. We do everything we can to resolve our clients’ cases as efficiently and effectively as possible.