Denver Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Colorado is a beautiful state, and cycling is just one of the many amazing ways to get out and explore it. The Denver area is known for its biking and walking enthusiasts, and while you are typically safe, accidents can happen. If you have been injured due to the negligence of another, you may be entitled to financial restitution. Our Denver bicycle accident legal team has the track record and expertise you need to ensure you obtain the money necessary for your recovery. We work for your health, which is why we only collect fees if we recover money on your case. If you or a loved one has been injured recently in a bicycle accident in the Denver area, call our offices to see if you have a case.

Bicycle accidents are frequent and can quickly become confusing cases. Even the police will occasionally not know the true legal status of a bicyclist or scooter driver. Acting quickly and hiring a bicycle accident attorney will help better your outcome, but there are a few other steps you should take. First, try to collect the contact information of any witnesses. Pointing the blame tends to happen after an accident, and you’ll want eyewitnesses on your side.

I’ve Been Involved in a Bicycle Accident. What Should I Do?

Sadly, in many bicycle accidents, it’s not uncommon to hear motor vehicle drivers say, “I didn’t even see the bike.” If you have been involved in an accident while riding your bike, it’s important to stay calm. It is likely that you could still be shaken up from the accident itself and may not realize the extent of your injuries yet; even if you don’t feel that you have been injured badly, always get checked after an accident by your primary medical care provider. If you find yourself in a bicycle accident situation, remember the following:

• If you or someone else at the scene is seriously injured, request emergency medical services by calling 911. Assist emergency dispatch by giving the location of the accident and by providing information about the injuries present at the scene.
• If you are taken away from the scene of the accident by emergency medical services, focus on recovery first and foremost while you are cared for. You may contact a bicycle accident lawyer or your insurance company once your condition is stable.
• If your injuries are not serious enough to go to the hospital, don’t offer an apology to the driver, and don’t discuss who was “at fault.” Any statements made like this, while seemingly coming from a good place, could affect your claim.
• If you have your phone with you, take pictures of the scene of the accident. These pictures include any damage to your bike, the layout of the accident scene, any injuries you may have, and more. Don’t also forget to collect the full names, contact information, and insurance information of the other individuals involved in the accident.
• If there are other witnesses at the scene of the accident, also collect their full names and contact information if they are willing to supply them. Sometimes, witness reports can become a little vague and anonymous because report writers tend to focus on the involved parties. If you are able to contact witnesses again later, you and your personal injury attorney will be able to build a more detailed, solid case.

When all of these things are accomplished, and your condition is stable, consider contacting a knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney for assistance with your case. It is highly recommended that you do not speak with an adjuster from your insurance company or to anyone from the other party’s insurance company.

What Kinds of Things Can I Be Compensated For?

If you have sustained serious injuries in a bike accident, personal injury, or bicycle accident, lawyers will work with you to determine how the accident has impacted your life and how much compensation you are owed by the negligent party. This process is complex and involves looking at injuries, property damage, and overall quality of life changes post-accident.

Because of the lack of protection offered by bike riders by their vehicles, bike accidents can result in severe injuries even at low speeds. Injuries can include broken bones, severe internal injuries from impacting the bike or other objects, disfiguring injuries to the face, and traumatic brain injuries. While helmets and protective gear do help to lessen injuries, a bicycle rider can still sustain a severe head injury when wearing a helmet. For example, if a bike rider wearing a helmet strikes their head on the ground, the surface of the head will be spared from impact. However, because the brain is inside a fluid-filled cavity, it retains the forward momentum that the helmet suddenly stops. This causes the brain to continue its path and strike the inside of the skull, then rebound back and strike the opposite side. This very distinctive injury pattern is called a coup contrecoup brain injury, and it is commonly seen in bicycle and motorcycle accidents.

A negligent driver may also be liable for any damage to property, including damage to your bike. And beyond property and medical bills, which may be available in a short amount of time, a good accident attorney will also be interested in how the accident affects your life in the long term. The severe injuries associated with bicycle accident cases can have lasting effects on the victim’s ability to speak, move, work, and perform daily tasks without help. This overall reduction in quality of life can wholly remove someone’s ability to support themselves and lead to lost wages or lead severe mental suffering like anxiety and depression.

When you work with Fuller Personal Injury Law, we will take all of these things into account when building your accident or personal injury claim, and we will provide you with resources for getting your life back. Contact us today if you are interested in setting up a free consultation.

How Can I Avoid Being in a Bicycle Accident?

The best way to avoid this kind of problem is to understand that it is impossible to eliminate risk fully. Instead, focus your energy on being prepared by understanding the rules of the road as they apply to you and your bike. The sad reality is this: many automobile drivers are simply not as attentive to cyclists as they should be, so cyclists benefit from being as defensive on the road as they can.

According to the rules of the road, cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other motorists do. Bicycle riders should always be clearly visible and predictable in the way they behave. Always ride on the right side of the road with the flow of traffic. Use as much of the lane as you need to avoid hazards on the road. And remember, cyclists should always use hand signals to indicate a turn or a stop. Other tips for being a safe cyclist and sharing the roadway with cars include:

• Ride in a Straight Line like a Car: Don’t weave between parked or stalled cars and remain in a place that is visible, even if you are in a hurry. Otherwise, a motorist may lose sight of you, and there could be a collision if you suddenly pop out into traffic again. Stay at least four feet from parked cars to avoid suddenly opening doors, and at least four feet from other moving vehicles. A good rule of thumb is to put more space between yourself and other vehicles the faster you go.
• Dress to be Visible and Safe: Wear road-approved safety gear, put reflectors and lights on your bike, and wear brightly colored, reflective clothing when riding a bicycle – especially when riding at night. High visibility reflective safety vest is a good companion to your helmet and other typical cycling gear.
• Learn to Look Behind You: Just like a person driving a car, a person riding a bicycle is expected to be fully aware of the road around them, including behind them. Learn to quickly scan the traffic behind you without swerving or slowing down dramatically. A rear-view mirror for your bike helps to view traffic; however, something like a lane change still requires a look behind, which also signals your intention to motorists.
• Be Polite When Riding in a Group: When cyclists travel together, they should try to travel in a single file line when possible. Avoid traveling on sidewalks unless there is no other safe option, as this increases the risk of collision with a pedestrian or with cars coming and going from driveways and alleys.
• Be Careful at Intersections or When Changing Lanes: Intersections can be dangerous for cyclists. At a four-way stop, it is important for cyclists to remain in line with the flow of traffic and to wait their turn. Right-turn lanes are for traffic that is making a turn; don’t go into a turn lane if you are going to travel straight ahead. At intersections, cyclists should signal their intent to turn or stop to other motorists with hand signals. Just like cars, bicycles are expected to stop at lights and obey traffic signs.

Can the Office of Fuller Personal Injury Law Help Me With My Bicycle Accident Case?

If you are looking to file a civil personal injury claim following a bicycle accident or car accident, Fuller Personal Injury Law has the competent Denver personal injury lawyer you need. Our lawyer represents you fully after an accident to ensure you obtain the settlement you deserve. Without legal representation, many Denver insurance companies may look to settle quickly, offering victims a portion of the money they’re entitled to. As an experienced bike accident attorney, Fuller Personal Injury Law will fight for your fair recompense. For the best result out of your filings, work with the right motorcycle crash legal team at Fuller Personal Injury Law.

The team at Fuller Personal Injury Law has a track record of consistently representing our clients in a manner that ensures they receive the settlements they deserve. Many Denver insurance agencies look to settle quickly after most kinds of accidents, typically offering less than you’re entitled to. With a bike accident injury attorney representing you in Denver, you can expect an easier time. We collect evidence and build a case quickly, creating a solid argument to fight for the reparations you deserve. Hire a compassionate lawyer from our firm for reliable representation no matter what.

For a free consultation, contact our law firm at 303-597-4500.