Riding a motorcycle is one of the more thrilling and adventurous types of ground transportation. Motorcyclists love the exhilaration, speed, and being at one with the air and wind while riding their bikes.
However, motorcyclists might be at higher risk of injuries from accidents between motorcycles and other vehicles. These accidents can produce broken bones, broken collarbones, spinal injuries, and possibly deaths.
There were just under 5,000 deaths (4,985) resulting from motorcycle crashes in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Inattention to safe motorcycle riding may have caused some of these deaths. Motorcycle riders can be cavalier with certain safety characteristics (e.g., riding sober, riding with helmet, etc.).
But even the most careful and safety-aware motorcyclist can suffer extreme personal injuries from accidents with out-of-control or inattentive drivers of trucks, buses, and cars. This is mostly due to the motorcyclist riding without any outer vehicle protection, making their injuries more severe than with two cars colliding, for example.
If you are recovering from a serious motorcycle accident, you might want to consult with a personal injury lawyer to see if you can recover damages for pain and suffering. If you were blindsided by another vehicle while riding your motorcycle, then we want to help.
Reach out to Ben Crump Law, PLLC, today at (800) 924-3113 to learn how a Denver motorcycle accident lawyer could assist with your case. We can walk you through your legal options to bring a personal injury lawsuit against the driver or drivers responsible for the accident.
Colorado Motorcycle Laws
Motorcycle riding in Colorado offers some of the most scenic views for motorcyclists anywhere in the United States. However, motorcyclists must still follow the rules of the road.
As the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) outlines, the state has certain minimum safety requirements for motorcyclists riding in the state. Motorcyclists under age 18 must wear a helmet, although riders over age 18 are not required to wear them.
Colorado law also requires that motorcycle drivers and passengers wear protective eyewear. It is also illegal to pass or overtake a vehicle in the same lane.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accidents lawyer serving Denver, call (800) 921-7227
Trauma of Motorcycle Accidents
When a vehicle unexpectedly hits someone riding on a motorcycle, the impact can cause traumatic injuries, and in some cases, these wounds can be life-threatening.
Many motorcycle accidents in the U.S. occur from a collision with a left-turning car. This generally occurs when the motorcyclist is heading toward an intersection with a full green light ahead. But coming from the opposite direction is a left-turning car whose driver does not see the motorcycle headed toward it, so the driver continues to turn left through the intersection.
The car turning left that does not see the motorcycle is generally found to be liable in these scenarios unless the motorcyclist is performing an illegal maneuver at the time of the accident. If you were driving a motorcycle and a left-turning driver hit you, you could seek legal counsel to recover damages from the driver who caused the accident.
Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC, for a free consultation today. You can share the details of your accident with us, ask questions, and learn more about how a Denver motorcycle accident lawyer might be able to help you.
Denver Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (800) 921-7227
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, and you pursue a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver, one of the first questions you might have is how much money would be possible in an accident settlement.
That is a difficult question to answer, as compensation does not have a set value in every case. Some motorcycle accident victims who suffer paralysis after an accident could gain a larger settlement due to the severity of their injuries.
In general, here are the guidelines that must be in place for the court to consider awarding a settlement:
- For a court to consider awarding you damages in a settlement, another driver must be found liable for the accident. To obtain a financial award for your injuries, you must prove the other party is responsible for the accident. If the evidence supports that claim, then you could secure a settlement.
- A claim could worth more depending on the severity of your injuries. If a car or truck intentionally rammed a motorcyclist, who subsequently died, that could be considered a wrongful death injury, which could receive a higher settlement. Likewise, a catastrophic injury would fall under the same circumstances, as they both would likely cover economic and noneconomic damages.
- In Colorado, you and your personal injury attorney would need to have a strong case, with evidence showing that the other driver is liable for your accident, and that the accident caused you much harm, and that this harm resulted in lost income, lost limbs, and more.
When these elements in a personal injury claim come together, it can translate into a solid financial settlement for the injured motorcyclist.
If you hire a Denver motorcycle accident lawyer to work on your behalf, the person can file all paperwork in your case, handle negotiations between parties and seek fair compensation for you, and file your case in court if a favorable settlement does not happen.
They also can ensure that your case is filed by the statute of limitations deadline in Colorado, which is two years, per CO Rev Stat § 13-80-102(1). If your lawsuit is not filed with a court by the deadline, you could miss out on your chance to recover compensation for your damages.
The legal team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC, can help review legal recourse in your situation, depending on the circumstances in your situation. Call us today at (800) 924-3113 to discuss your case as you consider what steps you want to take next.
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