Motorcycle Accidents

motorcycle in denver, colorado

Colorado Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Nationally-recognized injury attorneys providing legal services for motorcycle injury claims for a 20% contingency fee.

LEGAL SERVICE designed for this generation

COST-CONSCIOUS

Most Colorado car accident lawyers charge a 33-40% contingency fee for representation. Our fee is 20%. There are no upfront costs or hourly fees. We don’t get paid until you settle.

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Take care of your legal matter from anywhere. Our online platform saves you time, eliminates hassle, and puts you at ease by making the legal stuff convenient and simple to understand.

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We manage all of the legal aspects of your motor vehicle accident injury case, from the paperwork to dealing with insurance adjusters to handling critical negotiations so you receive a full, fair settlement.

Considering Colorado’s beautiful backdrop, scenic roadways, popular destinations, and the 300+ days of sunshine, it’s no surprise our state is one of the most coveted places for motorcyclists. Unfortunately, as experienced motorcycle accident lawyers in the Denver metro area, we know our mountain roads and busy streets don’t come without danger, regardless of whether riders are obeying the law.

Motorcycle riders are protected under Colorado law just like any other driver or passenger. Our team of top-rated attorneys has more than 75 years of combined experience holding negligent parties and insurance companies responsible. We represent people injured in vehicle collisions caused by negligence and draw on years of experience to help you get the best results possible.

SettleUp was created to provide greater access to high-quality lawyers and to put more money back into your pocket after a settlement has been reached. That’s why we represent clients for a 20% contingency fee, compared to the 33-40% fee most other Colorado auto collision lawyers charge.

Motorcycle Accident Claims in Denver, Colorado

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important to consult with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Denver before contacting any insurance company. Insurance companies tend to have inherent biases against motorcyclists. Even if fault was not contested, the at-fault party’s insurance provider may attempt to dispute your claim, deny your medical bills, or refuse to pay the full amount of the injury claim. 

Quite often insurance companies will also unnecessarily delay a claim in an effort to mitigate their own losses. For example, the insurer may be very slow in communicating with you about the progress of your claim. Or worse, they simply become unresponsive for weeks or sometimes months. Insurance companies know that after a motorcycle crash, the victim is usually out of work for some period of time and finances are tight. A widely known strategy insurance companies will use to delay a claimant’s payment is to halt communication with the claimant, hoping to frustrate them into accepting whatever meager settlement offer they present.

Additionally, you should never sign any documents or provide a recorded statement before speaking with your motorcycle accident lawyer in Denver, Colorado. Contacting an experienced motorcycle crash attorney in Denver, Colorado immediately after your incident will help you avoid a very frustrating and taxing process.

Why Do We Only Charge a 20% Contingency Fee?

READ MORE ABOUT WHY WE DO THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY

Why Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident lawyer?

A study from the insurance industry itself reported that injury claims settle for an average of 3.5x more when a claimant is represented by a reputable personal injury attorney. Unfortunately, without legal representation, the cards are stacked against you in a motorcycle injury claim. You’ll be going up against powerful insurance companies who have armies of well-trained, well-paid attorneys and insurance adjusters who make money by limiting the amount of compensation paid out in an injury claim.

After an accident, you will receive a lot of paperwork and other communication from the insurance companies involved. You will be asked to sign forms and releases, make statements, and provide medical records as part of the insurance companies’ investigations. What you say and do, or don’t do, following a crash could have a huge impact on the amount of compensation you receive. Having an attorney guide you, deal with the insurer and take care of settlement negotiations protects you from saying or doing anything that could harm your claim.

Not only are there countless details to manage in a motorcycle accident injury case, but for any non-lawyer, it can be a daunting, and sometimes impossible, task to evaluate and negotiate the proper amount of money you are rightfully owed. Knowing what fair compensation looks like requires experience and understanding of the law.

At the end of the day, a motorcycle crash lawyer is there to help you with all aspects of your claim so you are not left footing the bill for someone else’s negligence. We are skilled negotiators who know how to fight insurance companies, ensuring they honor their obligation to pay for your medical bills and your time away from work.

when should I hire a motorcycle accident Lawyer?

While it is always an option to settle a motorcycle accident injury claim without an attorney, there are certain circumstances when you should absolutely consult with a personal injury attorney before contacting any insurance company. Including:

Ultimately, whether or not you need a motorcycle accident attorney in Denver, CO will depend on the facts of your case and how comfortable you are negotiating and navigating the claims process alone. But remember, talking to a personal injury lawyer does not mean you have to hire a personal injury lawyer. And, hiring a lawyer does not mean going to court. In fact, the majority of personal injury cases settle without going to trial. After some research and conversations, you might find that handling your Denver personal injury claim on your own is the best option for you.

How Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Denver, co Can Help

Most clients do not want to be involved in a lengthy, expensive, time-demanding legal battle. Our attorneys make the legal process convenient, efficient, and affordable. We will guide you, tackle the complexity, and protect your rights so you obtain the money you are rightfully owed. Our goal is to take on the burden that comes from dealing with the at-fault driver’s insurer so you focus on more important things, like healing.

Here are the number of ways our team of award-winning attorneys can help you:

  • Offer a no-cost, no-obligation initial consultation
  • Explain your rights, the legal process, and answer your questions
  • Serve as the direct point of contact with the insurance companies and the at-fault party
  • Ensure you meet the necessary deadlines
  • Collect documentation to support your claim
  • Closely examine the terms of all insurance policies applicable to your case
  • Identify all possible sources of compensation for your Denver personal injury claim
  • Build a strong demand pursuant to Colorado accident laws and the facts of your case
  • Aggressively negotiate a fair motorcycle accident settlement

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Understanding Colorado Motorcycle Laws

Motorcycle drivers must not only obey all the same traffic laws as other motor vehicles on the roadways (e.g., signaling before making a turn, yielding to the right of way, coming to a complete stop), but they also must abide by a specific set of motorcycle laws to operate their vehicle in Colorado. As outlined by the Colorado Department of Transportation, the minimum safety standards for motorcycles include: 

Helmets – Colorado law allows motorcyclists to decide for themselves whether or not to wear a helmet. To legally not wear a helmet, a motorcycle rider must be at least 18 years old.

Eye Protection – Some form of eye protection, like a visor on a helmet or goggles or eyeglasses with lenses made from safety glass or plastic, is legally required for all riders-drivers and passengers in Colorado.

Footrests – Motorcycles must be equipped with footrests for passengers; passengers must utilize them.

Riding Position – Passengers cannot ride in front of the driver; they must ride on the seat behind the driver or to the side.

Passing or Overtaking – Passing or overtaking a vehicle in the same lane is illegal in Colorado; lane sharing and lane splitting with cars are also illegal. However, motorcycles can share a lane or “co-ride” with one other motorcycle.

Clinging – Motorcyclists cannot attach their motorcycle to another vehicle, i.e., grab onto another motorcycle or vehicle (i.e., towing).

What Commonly Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Colorado?

As Colorado motorcycle collision attorneys, we understand the many challenges and dangers motorcyclists face on the road. Whenever a motorcyclist hits the road, they are statistically in more danger than a typical motorist. The common factor in most motorcycle accidents involving a second vehicle is the failure of the other driver to register the presence of the motorcycle. Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are over 30 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash. For all two-vehicle crashes during 2017 involving a motorcycle, over a third occurred when the other vehicle was turning left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking another vehicle. Common causes of motorcycle wrecks include:

  • Left turns
  • Lane splitting
  • Dangerous roadways
  • Drunk driving
  • Speeding/time to stop
  • Defective equipment

Riding a motorcycle is not the same as driving a car, and we understand the implications of those differences. While we may not put on leathers and go for a run every weekend, we have successfully represented many clients that do, and would welcome the opportunity to help you.

What Are Common Injuries From Motorcycle Accidents?

Motorcycles lack any structural protection and have fewer high-tech safety features than cars. Because of this, motorcyclists are far more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries when involved in a collision. On average, motorcyclists are 27 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled and are over five times as likely to be injured. Riders may suffer from these injuries after a motorcycle crash:

  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Road rash
  • Broken bones
  • Back injury
  • Neck injury
  • Loss of limb
  • Burns
  • Soft tissue injury
  • Blunt force trauma
  • Internal injuries
  • Paralysis

Who is responsible for my motorcycle accident?

Most serious motorcycle accidents will be assessed by the attending police officer or state patrol, but resulting traffic citations may not determine the responsibility in a civil lawsuit. Your personal injury claim for the motorcycle accident may be filed in a different court from the traffic offenses. If you believe that your motorcycle accident resulted because of the negligence of another driver, then you should speak to an attorney.

Establishing Fault in a Colorado Motorcycle Accident

Like all motor vehicle accidents, negligence must be proven for a motorcyclist to recover damages from the at-fault party. The motorcycle accident lawyer must prove the following to establish a basis for a personal injury lawsuit:

  • A legal duty was owed to the injured person
  • The at-fault party breached that duty
  • The injured person suffered damages
  • A breach of duty caused the injuries

What Compensation Can Be Recovered in a motorcycle Accident Claim?

Anyone who has been injured in a motorcycle accident that was caused by the carelessness or negligence of another has the legal right to pursue compensation for any harms or losses that were incurred as a result of the wreck. In a personal injury claim, harms and losses are known as damages. Damages are subdivided into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.  

In more serious injury collisions, a plaintiff is typically entitled to recover both economic and non-economic damages. In more minor motorcycle accident cases, where injuries will heal, recoverable compensation is typically only applicable to economic damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are tangible, measurable financial expenses and losses that can be calculated and proven with receipts, bills, and invoices. Such as: 

Non-economic Damages

Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages are much more difficult to calculate because they aren’t considered monetary. Non-economic damages are the intangible harms and losses that result from the injury. These types of damages are sometimes referred to as “pain and suffering” damages, and include:

Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer Today

If you or a loved one has been injured, call us today at (303) 399-3235 or contact us online. Your consultation with a top personal injury lawyer in Denver, Colorado is free, and you only pay legal fees if your case is successful. Our legal team is committed to providing you with exceptional representation every step of the way.