Westminster Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Mintz Law Firm handles bicycle accident cases throughout Westminster, just as we do for Westminster residents hurt in any kind of accident, and a Westminster bicycle accident lawyer on our team can start building your claim right away.

What Are Your Rights as a Cyclist in Colorado?

Colorado law treats bicyclists as operators of a vehicle, with the same rights to the road and the same duties to obey traffic laws as a driver. Under C.R.S. § 42-4-1003, drivers are required to give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing, and may cross the centerline to do so when it’s safe. When a driver violates these rules, whether by passing too closely, failing to check for cyclists before turning, or opening a car door into a bike lane, and a cyclist is hurt as a result, that driver can be held liable for the resulting injuries.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Westminster

Some of the most frequent causes of Westminster bicycle accidents include:

• Right hooks: a driver turning right across a cyclist’s path without checking for riders alongside them.
• Dooring: a driver or passenger opening a car door into a cyclist’s lane without looking.
• Distracted driving: drivers texting, eating, or otherwise not watching the road.
• Failure to yield: drivers entering roadways from driveways, parking lots, or side streets without yielding to oncoming cyclists.
• Poor visibility: collisions at dusk or night when a cyclist is harder to see.

Identifying which of these applies to your crash is often the first step in building a claim.

Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

Because cyclists have little protection beyond a helmet, even a low-speed collision can cause serious harm, including road rash and deep abrasions, broken bones and joint injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries that can result in lasting impairment.

Will You Still Be Compensated If You Were Partially at Fault?

Colorado’s modified comparative negligence rule, C.R.S. § 13-21-111, allows you to recover compensation even if you share some fault for the accident, as long as your share of responsibility is less than 50%. Insurance companies frequently try to inflate a cyclist’s share of fault, arguing you weren’t visible enough or weren’t riding far enough to the right, to reduce what they owe. A Westminster bicycle accident lawyer can counter those arguments with an independent review of the crash.

How to Prove Fault After a Bicycle Accident

Building a strong bicycle accident claim starts with evidence gathered as close to the crash as possible: the police report, photos of the scene and your bicycle, contact information for any witnesses, and footage from a helmet camera, dash cam, or nearby business if available. Medical records that clearly connect your injuries to the crash are equally important, both for your own recovery and for the strength of your claim.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

A successful bicycle accident claim in Westminster can include medical expenses, lost wages, property damage to your bicycle and gear, and compensation for pain, suffering, and any lasting impairment.

We help injured cyclists throughout Westminster and the surrounding Denver metro area from our Lakewood office, about 20 minutes away via I-70 East to I-25 North.

Choose Mintz Law Firm for Your Westminster Bicycle Accident Case

Our attorneys have recovered significant settlements for victims of serious roadway collisions, including $1.3 million for a client catastrophically injured in a highway crash and $625,000 for a driver injured by a drunk driver. We bring that same commitment to every bicycle accident case we take on.

Mintz Law Firm’s 12 attorneys average 20 years of experience each, and consultations are always free. Contact us today at (303) 462-2999 or through our contact form for a free consultation.