Bicycle Accident Attorney in Denver

What Compensation Is Available for a Bicycle Accident in Colorado?

Many bicycle accident victims find themselves facing significant medical expenses after the crash. Their injuries may prevent them from working. This can put an injured rider in a serious financial bind. If the insurance company denies or delays the claim, the situation may become even more stressful.

Colorado law allows bicyclists to recover compensation for their injuries and related expenses, after an accident, if they were the victim of someone else’s negligence. Drivers have a responsibility to look out for cyclists. Drivers who disregard traffic laws and drive unsafely should be held accountable for the injuries they cause. When filing an injury claim against the at-fault driver, you may request compensation for:

• Your past medical expenses, such as hospital stays, doctors’ visits, prescription drugs, physical therapy, and lab work
• The cost of any future medical care you may need
• Your lost wages – past and future
• Your reduced capacity to work and earn a living
• Your physical pain and suffering
• Scarring and permanent disability
• Your emotional pain and suffering

Colorado Bicycle Accident Stats

Bicycle accidents have been increasing as more people use bikes to commute or for recreation around Colorado. Here are a few statistics about bicycle accidents in Colorado:

• A total of 20 cyclists died in bicycle accidents in Colorado in 2019 including 9 in the Denver area, based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.
• Denver has more than 175 miles of bicycle lanes throughout the city with plans to install another 50 miles.
• The majority of Denverites (59 percent) would like to ride a bicycle, but only when it is safer and more convenient to ride, the Denver Department of Transportation reports. About 16 percent of people in the Denver area feel confident riding bicycles on the street.
• A report from Denver Public Works found there were 1,325 bicycle crashes reported in Denver during a five-year period and that half of all bicycle accidents result in at least one injury.

How to Know If You Need Legal Help After a Bicycle Accident in Denver, CO

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you should have a lawyer review the accident and discuss your legal options. If someone else caused the bicycle accident, you may be entitled to file a claim for compensation. Failing to explore your legal options can prove costly.

An insurance company may dispute or deny a claim if it’s not immediately clear who was at fault for a crash. An experienced personal injury lawyer at the Wilhite Law Firm can gather the evidence needed to build a persuasive case for compensation on your behalf. If you don’t have a skilled bike accident attorney representing your interests, you could wind up having your claim reduced, delayed, or flat-out denied.

Here are a few key indicators that you need help from an attorney after a bicycle accident:

• Your injuries resulted in a permanent disability – Damage to your head, neck, back, or spinal cord from a bicycle accident can impair your ability to do many activities. These injuries often require ongoing, expensive treatment. You will need to take advantage of all the financial resources available to pay for the care you need.
• There’s a dispute over who is at fault – If the party that caused your accident disputes your claim, you’ll need strong evidence to support your claim. To obtain maximum compensation for your injuries, you’ll need extensive documentation of your losses and evidence of the other side’s liability.
• There were multiple parties involved – Depending on the circumstances of the bicycle accident, there could be multiple parties potentially liable in your personal injury claim. More liable parties mean more insurance companies involved and more negotiations.
• Your insurance claim has been denied or delayed – Insurance companies often try to shade the facts of a case to limit their liability and how much they have to pay when someone makes a claim. They may even deny your claim outright. When this happens, you’ll want a seasoned legal professional to help you refute their case so you can get the compensation you deserve.