Colorado Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Colorado Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

You may have a motorcycle injury claim in Colorado if your crash was caused by the negligent or willful conduct of another party. Most motorcycle accident claims are based on negligence – the failure of another party to exercise the level of care that a reasonable person would use under similar circumstances. It may be another driver who caused the crash, the manufacturer of the motorcycle if defective design, manufacturing, or assembly contributed to the accident, or another negligent party.

After your free case consultation with a Colorado motorcycle accident lawyer at Larson Larimer Schneider, we pledge to help to navigate the complicated process of filing a personal injury claim and take the burden off of you while you heal. Larson Larimer Schneider will provide you with your own Colorado Motorcycle Accident Lawyer and will take as much of the strain away as we can.

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Motorcycle accidents have a higher rate of fatalities and injuries than other types of motor vehicle accidents as riders lack the physical protection provided by an enclosed vehicle. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation in 2022 (Website here), there were 137 motorcyclist traffic deaths in Colorado alone last year.

  • In 2020, there were 140 fatal motorcycle accidents in Colorado
  • In 2021, there were 137 fatal motorcycle accidents in Colorado
  • In 2022, there were 75 fatal motorcycle accident since from January to July
  • The top three counties with the most motorcycle deaths are El Paso (26 fatalities), Jefferson (15 fatalities) and Adams County (12 fatalities)
  • Motorcyclists made up 23 percent of all traffic deaths on Colorado roadways in 2020 despite representing just 3 percent of the vehicles on the roadway

Our Colorado Motorcycle Accident Lawyers will meet with you or your loved ones as soon as possible after your accident. First, our team will gather the evidence needed to build your case. The initial process usually involves your opening insurance claims, evaluating and updating the damages you incurred, and fully exploring possible sources of compensation for your injuries. We can also help to find the best providers to fit your individual needs.

A major motorcycle accident injury in Colorado can cost you a fortune in medical fees, lost wages, and property damage. It could also cause pain and suffering, as well as possible impairment. We’ll coordinate with your insurance company to help get you compensation for these economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.

If your insurance company or the at-fault party’s insurance company refuses to provide you with appropriate compensation, our Colorado Motorcycle Accident Lawyers will help to file a lawsuit against them. We are dedicated to providing aggressive legal representation to help ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

When it comes to settling a motorcycle accident case, the decision is entirely up to the client. The Colorado Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at Larson Larimer Schneider will provide guidance on whether or not to settle your case if the insurance company offers a settlement.

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What do you after a Motorcycle Accident in Colorado?

Getting into a motorcycle accident in Colorado can be a confusing situation, especially if you or other people are badly hurt. However, there are certain steps you should try to take to protect your rights, including your future right to recover injuries and compensation.

Here are some things to do after your motorcycle accident so your Colorado Motorcycle Accident Lawyer can better handle your case:

  • Call 911 To Get Assistance. Make sure to call 911 so emergency medical attention can be administered to the injured at the scene. In addition, make sure not-to-admit fault to the 911 dispatcher, since this can be used as evidence in your case.
  • Take Photos of the Damages. The strongest evidence of liability in your motorcycle accident case will be the pictures and videos that were taken at the scene of the crash. Please allow us to view any photographs you took with your smartphone. If your helmet has a camera attached, then its footage can also be incredibly helpful.
  • Identify the Liable Party. Exchanging contact and insurance information with the liable party is crucial. Don’t forget to also do the same with any eyewitnesses who saw your wreck. We recommend not talking in great length with these parties, though, if you let our attorneys communicate with them on your behalf.
  • Police Correspondence. Any accident that causes an injury or significant motorcycle or vehicular damage should be reported to the police. When they arrive, you should tell them what happened, and instruct them that the other motorist caused your crash. Do not-to-admit fault to the 911 dispatcher, the authorities, EMT or first responders. If they ask whether you were at fault, state you would like to decline to answer after speaking to a personal injury attorney.
  • Get Insurance Information. Get names, addresses, insurance information, and contact information from the other parties involved in the accident. This makes it easier for you and your insurance company to follow up with them later.
  • Medical Evaluation. Ensure you have a full medical evaluation following the accident, our firm can help you through this process to get the correct specialist related to your injuries. Seeing a doctor helps ensure you don’t have severe underlying injuries, and it establishes when your accident happened through the report of a trustworthy third party. We can work with medical professionals throughout Denver to find a doctor who will see you through a medical lien. This is an agreement that they will treat you upfront for no cost or a reduced cost, but they will be repaid later through a settlement or award you get.
  • Hire a Personal Injury Attorney. Our firm can help you with the insurance companies involved. It’s always a good idea to contact a motorcycle accident attorney in Denver Colorado when you’ve been in a crash, even if you don’t think there’s much they can do for you. We will usually take on your case without upfront payment, so it doesn’t have to cost you. An automobile accident lawyer can make the process of dealing with insurance, the courts - so much easier.
What damages can you recover after a Motorcycle Accident in Colorado?

Motorcycle accidents in Colorado can often result in severe, life-altering injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, friction burns (“road rash”), and broken bones. Because motorcyclists have relatively little protection compared to larger, heavier vehicles, they are the ones who tend to sustain the most serious injuries in a crash.

Due to the nature and severity of these injuries, many motorcyclists will require extensive, ongoing medical care. This means that they need financial compensation not only for their current medical expenses and lost wages but also for future medical care costs and lost earnings as well.

Depending on the specifics of your case, we can help you fight for the following damages:

  • Current and future medical expenses
  • Current and future lost wages/income
  • Pain and suffering, including mental anguish, the development of mental illnesses, chronic pain, and other forms of emotional distress
  • Property damage (repairs to your motorcycle)
  • Lost income earning capacity (disability)
  • Loss of quality of life due to physical or mental disability
  • Loss of future earnings due to permanent disability
  • Costs associated with treating mental disorders (PTSD, anxiety, depression, etc.)
  • Medications, medical devices, and equipment, including wheelchairs and prosthetics
  • Wrongful death damages (if a family member died in a motorcycle crash)
What are the Motorcycle Laws in Colorado?

All motorcycle riders in Colorado must follow certain laws and regulations to operate their vehicle safely and ensure the safety of others on the road. The Colorado Department of Transportation (Website here) outlines clear regulations for motorcycle riders in the state on their website. According to the agency, motorcycle drivers must obey the same traffic laws applicable to other motor vehicles. These laws include following traffic signals, coming to a complete stop at intersections, and honoring the right-of-way.

The Colorado Motorcycle Laws that could affect your claim are:

  • Helmet Use. Motorcycle riders and passengers under age 18 must wear a DOT-approved helmet. Motorcyclists age 18 and older can choose not to wear a helmet, but this is not recommended.
  • Eye Protection Use. Motorcycle riders and passengers of any age must wear some form of eye protection like a visored helmet or goggles. A windshield is not eye protection under the law.
  • Footrest Use. Passengers must be provided with footrests and must use them while the motorcycle is in motion.
  • Passenger Positioning. Passengers cannot be seated in front of the rider on any motorcycle.
  • Lane-Splitting. Attempting to pass or overtake a vehicle – also called lane-splitting – is illegal in Colorado. You can share a lane with another motorcycle, though.
What are the Motorcycle Injury damage caps in Colorado?

Colorado state law does not limit the amount of economic damages, such as medical bills and lost income. However, the Colorado state law does cap non-economic damages for pain and suffering at $540,000 for most cases. If there is clear and convincing evidence to justify non-economic losses then $1,080,000 is the damage cap.

Many motorcycle accidents in Colorado result in fatalities as well as substantial injuries. If your loved one died from critical injuries sustained in a traffic accident with a motorcycle, you or your loved one’s immediate family can claim damages for several types of losses as well here is what they are below:

  • Wages. Whether its future earnings wages or Social Security payments, and other forms of compensation that the deceased would have provided to his or her family if the motorcycle collision had not occurred
  • Medical Expenses. For any treatments, hospitalizations, medications, and other care that the deceased received for the accident prior to death
  • Life Insurance Benefits. Medical benefits, and other benefits that the deceased could have provided to his or her family if death did not occur
  • Funeral and Burial Expenses. The average funeral costs between $7,000 and $12,000. The viewing, burial, service fees, transport, casket, embalming, and other prep are included in this price. The average cost of a funeral with cremation is $6,000 - $7,000. These costs do not include a cemetery, monument, marker, or other things like flowers
  • Get Insurance Information. Get names, addresses, insurance information, and contact information from the other parties involved in the accident. This makes it easier for you and your insurance company to follow up with them later.
  • File an Auto Accident Report. Call the police or arrange to file a police report. If there are injuries or a vehicle cannot move, you will all need to wait there until the authorities arrive to assess and deal with the situation. Do not forget to file a report even if you all can leave, though. This is key to getting your damages covered.
  • Medical Evaluation. Ensure you have a full medical evaluation following the accident, our firm can help you through this process to get the correct specialist related to your injuries.
  • Hire a Personal Injury Attorney. Our firm can help you with the insurance companies involved. It’s always a good idea to contact a car accident attorney in Denver Colorado when you’ve been in a crash, even if you don’t think there’s much they can do for you. A personal injury lawyer will usually take on your case without upfront payment, so it doesn’t have to cost you. An automobile accident lawyer can make the process of dealing with insurance, the courts - so much easier.
What is the Colorado Wrongful Death Act specifically in Colorado?

The Colorado Wrongful Death Act (PDF here) does not put a cap on tangible economic damages. Non-economic damages are subject to a cap of approximately $468,000 after inflation. However, the courts will not award punitive damages for negligent or reckless behavior in wrongful death cases.

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