Denver Bicycle Accident Lawyer

While cycling and commuting via bicycle remain common in Colorado, many cyclists are injured in traffic accidents. When these collisions occur, seeking legal help from a Denver bicycle accident attorney at Mintz Law Firm may help you recover the compensation you are owed because of another's negligence behind the wheel. 

Understanding Colorado's Right of Way Traffic Laws 

Motor vehicle traffic laws are in place to protect cyclists and vehicles alike. While sharing the road, every commuter has to act in a way that does not cause danger or harm to others sharing the same road. Nevertheless, accidents and collisions still occur. Understanding how Colorado enforces shared roads between bicyclists and motorists can help prevent collisions and prove liability in an accident. 

Some of Colorado's official bicycle laws include: 

• No bicycle should be used to carry more than one person at a time unless equipped and intended to do so 
• When riding, cyclists should not attach themselves to any vehicles or motorists
• Cyclists should remain in the rightmost lane or where a paved shoulder is suitable 
• Cyclists should remain on the right shoulder except when overtaking a vehicle traveling the same direction, when preparing for a left turn into a road or intersection, or when reasonable to avoid hazards
• Cyclists should ride in a single file line, not abreast of each other

When a bicyclist is involved in a traffic accident, different reasons may contribute to how an accident occurs. Motorists disobeying traffic laws, such as failing to yield to the right of way, lacking visibility, bad road or weather conditions, and other factors are typical reasons a cyclist on the road is struck by a vehicle. You may file a claim and recover compensation if you are not at fault as an injured cyclist. 

Who May Be Liable in a Bicycle Accident in Denver?

If a car driver, truck driver, pedestrian, motorcyclist, or other bicycle rider fails to yield to the right of way, they may cause a collision and injure the other party. If you were involved in a bicycle accident due to another's negligence, you might be able to recover compensation and take legal action against the other party. Determining who is responsible for the collision may be challenging, but a skilled attorney may help you gather evidence. 

What if I Was Not Wearing a Helmet? 

Cyclists should wear helmets when riding. However, this is not a requirement in Colorado. Many injured individuals fail to make a claim when injured in a bicycle accident for fear of being negligent. However, with a skilled attorney on your case, you can avoid a settlement offer less than what you deserve and avoid insurance company tactics. 

Recoverable Compensation After a Colorado Bicycle Accident 

When cyclists encounter a motor vehicle accident, the effects and injuries may range from mild to severe. Because cyclists are impacted directly during a crash, a lack of protection from their surroundings leaves them more vulnerable during a collision. The injuries sustained may require life-saving intervention and long-term recovery. Additionally, varying aspects of an individual's life may be affected.

Types of damages a cyclist may sustain from a collision include the following:

• Physical: Due to the impact of a collision, varying physical injuries require short or long-term recovery. Traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, soft tissue injuries, and other ailments may result from a bicycle accident. Additionally, severe collisions may cause paralysis, amputation, and other injuries. 
• Mental/emotional: After any accident, injured individuals may go through emotional imbalances and mental health conditions such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 
• Social: Accidents involving injuries and causing hardships may affect a person's everyday life. A bicycle accident may result in changes in everyday life, such as interruptions in family, work, or friendships. Especially in cases of paralysis and other long-term effects, the social aspect of an injured individual may be significantly affected. 
• Financial: Injured cyclists may require weeks or months of doctor's visits, therapy, and rehabilitation. Severe cases may even cause loss of employment, disability, or limitations. Medical expenses, loss of wages, and loss of earning capacity are the financial damages an injured person may endure.

Non-economic and economic damages you may recover in a Colorado personal injury case may include the following: 

• Pain and suffering 
• Current and future accident-related medical expenses 
• Rehabilitation and mental health services 
• Loss of enjoyment of life 
• Loss of wages or employment 
• Loss of earning capacity 
• Emotional distress or trauma 
• Disability or permanent disfigurement 
• Wrongful death 

If you have been injured in a Denver bicycle accident, you may wonder how recovering compensation may benefit you and your long-term well-being. Depending on the severity of your injuries and your individual recovery needs, you may qualify for varying types of compensation. On the other hand, qualifying family members of the deceased in an unfortunate bicycle accident traffic fatality may qualify to retrieve compensation for the damages they have endured. 

How a Denver Personal Injury Attorney Helps Your Injury Case 

Personal injury cases involve different phases within the process. From the start of a case to the end of a settlement, our legal team works diligently to ensure you understand your rights and that our efforts may result in total compensation recovery. If you are seriously injured in a bicycle accident, you may have doctor's appointments, rehabilitation services, time away from work, and other life changes. 

Benefits of hiring a personal injury attorney include the following: 

• Ample legal knowledge surrounding bicycle accidents, traffic laws, and personal injury
• Experienced negotiation and beneficial skills in communicating in court or with insurance companies  
• Legal teams working to prevent mistakes and delays in a personal injury claim 
• A lawyer helping you access medical care and recovering the total compensation you deserve
• Lawyers advocating for you and defending your rights as the injured 
• Legal teams representing you and ensuring you do not accept a settlement offer less than what you deserve
• Recovering evidence and providing vital legal resources to benefit your case 

While you recover, our legal team may gather the information and resources necessary for a successful claim. At Mintz Law Firm, we advocate for our clients and help them understand their rights as the injured in a bicycle accident case. Proving negligence, gathering evidence, and recovering rightful compensation may become complex and stressful to manage independently. Trusting our law firm to handle the necessary paperwork, negotiation, and the stages of injury case development can help you feel more at ease. 

Contact a Denver Bicycle Accident Attorney at Mintz Law Firm Today 

Navigating through the process of filing a claim and reaching a settlement can be challenging to face on your own. With a skilled legal team dedicated to helping the Denver community and protecting the rights of injured cyclists, you may benefit from our legal assistance in your injury case. 

At Mintz Law Firm, we understand no two cases are alike, and we aim to help our clients with their individual needs after suffering injuries in a bicycle accident. While we cannot change the adverse effects of an accident the negligent party created for you, we work diligently to help you recover the compensation you deserve. Complete a contact form or call us at (303) 462-2999 to schedule a consultation at no cost.