Bicyclists are increasingly common around Denver. The city has plenty of trails and pathways for recreational cycling, and many people commute to work on bikes. However, bicycle riders remain vulnerable to serious injuries when sharing roads with cars and trucks. Unfortunately, many motorists do not look out for cyclists or respect bicyclists’ rights to ride on the road. Cyclists often suffer serious injuries in preventable accidents.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in the Denver area and you suspect a motorist was at fault, contact the personal injury lawyers at The Wilhite Law Firm today. Talking to a lawyer soon after an accident helps you understand your legal options and gives you a better chance of recovering compensation for your injuries.
What Injuries Are Common in Denver Bicycle Accidents
Our experienced bike accident lawyers have been helping people seek full compensation for serious injuries for more than 40 years. We have 22 highly qualified lawyers and more than 90 support staff, giving our firm the resources to handle the most challenging cases. Among our many honors and awards, we have a 10/10 rating from Avvo and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. To speak to one of our bike accident attorneys, call our Denver office or visit our contact page.
Bicycle helmets offer some protection to cyclists if they’re involved in an accident. Yet, cyclists are extremely vulnerable to serious injuries in a crash. Most small cars weigh 2,000 to 3,000 pounds, and bigger vehicles like pickup trucks and SUVs may weigh 5,000 to 6,000 pounds.
Even at low speeds, these vehicles pack tremendous force if they hit a cyclist. If the cyclist is hit by a bigger vehicle, such as a semi-truck, their injuries may be catastrophic or fatal.
Some of the most common types of injuries in bicycle accidents are:
Fractures and broken bones, especially in the legs, hips, and chest
Torn muscles and ligaments, as well as other soft-tissue injuries
Injuries in a bicycle accident can lead to costly medical bills. If your injuries adversely affect your ability to work, then dealing with your medical care can become a financial nightmare. A skilled Denver bike accident attorney can help you file a claim against the motorist who caused your injuries and demand the compensation you need to cover your medical bills and other expenses.
Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:
Drunk or impaired driving
Distracted drivers
Inattentive drivers
Drowsy drivers
Speeding
Aggressive driving (failing to use turns signals, speeding, unsafe merges, and lane changes, following too closely, stopping suddenly)
Impatient drivers who do not give cyclists enough space while passing or try to pass when it is unsafe to do so
Drivers opening their car doors without looking
“I enjoy time on my bike because it’s a unique and personal way to see the world! After traveling to over 20 countries to compete in the Ironman Race, I have a different perspective and experience than I would have otherwise!”
– Rob Wilhite, cyclist rider
What happens to you in an accident is not fun. What you need is someone to be there for you. Rob makes sure that you are always happy from the beginning to the end. There is a reason that they are considered some of the best lawyers in the state. You won’t regret your decision when you have such a life changing event. Don’t mess up and hire someone that doesn’t care. Hire Wilhite and there won’t be a regret.
Gaby Mims
I have known Rob for several years now in a professional capacity. He is a heck of a good personal injury lawyer, one of the best–tough, tenacious, and smart. If you are hurt in Colorado, Rob is the first call you should make.
Julian Gomez
The team that Rob has put together is truly fantastic. Everyone from the pre litigation to the litigation team really cares about the client. They will fight for you to get you what you deserve. They give you the good and bad about your case which is very reassuring. The firm is very caring about everything relating to their client and it shows by the fact they pay for cabs so people won’t drink and drive over holidays. I tell anyone that ask, don’t hesitate hiring Rob!
Kristen Miner
My attorney Joanna was so professional and helpful. I enjoyed working with her and watching her fight for me. Thank you Joanna.
Leronie Everett
Colorado
Our firm is a Proud Partner with the CDOT "Moving Towards Zero Deaths" initiative.
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 demand 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:
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 contests your claim, you’ll need strong evidence to support your claim. To get 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.
Contact Our Denver Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
You have only a limited amount of time after an accident involving a motor vehicle to file a personal lawsuit. Critical evidence can deteriorate quickly. You should seek the help of a lawyer as soon as possible after a serious accident. The attorney can make sure all evidence is preserved and build a case supporting your claim. Our attorneys at The Wilhite Law Firm can handle all the legal legwork on your behalf while you focus on recovering from your injuries. Our dedicated and compassionate Denver bicycle injury lawyers are ready to listen to you and get you the legal help you need. Call The Wilhite Law Firm today or fill out our contact form to get a free case review. If we take your case, you don’t owe us any fees unless we obtain compensation for you through an insurance settlement or court award.
What happens to you in an accident is not fun. What you need is someone to be there for you. Rob makes sure that you are always happy from the beginning to the end. There is a reason that they are considered some of the best lawyers in the state. You won’t regret your decision when you have such a life changing event. Don’t mess up and hire someone that doesn’t care. Hire Wilhite and there won’t be a regret.
Gaby Mims
I have known Rob for several years now in a professional capacity. He is a heck of a good personal injury lawyer, one of the best–tough, tenacious, and smart. If you are hurt in Colorado, Rob is the first call you should make.
Julian Gomez
The team that Rob has put together is truly fantastic. Everyone from the pre litigation to the litigation team really cares about the client. They will fight for you to get you what you deserve. They give you the good and bad about your case which is very reassuring. The firm is very caring about everything relating to their client and it shows by the fact they pay for cabs so people won’t drink and drive over holidays. I tell anyone that ask, don’t hesitate hiring Rob!
Kristen Miner
My attorney Joanna was so professional and helpful. I enjoyed working with her and watching her fight for me. Thank you Joanna.
Colorado
Colorado & Texas
