Denver Bicycle Accident Lawyers

What Compensation is Available to Victims of Denver Bicycle Accidents?

Damages is the legal term for the compensation awarded to people injured as a result of another person’s negligence. Outside of punitive damages, damages are intended to make the injured person whole and restore them to the position they would have occupied had the negligent act never occurred. Colorado law reflects this and allows people injured by negligent acts to recover damages for:

• Lost income, specifically the wages lost between the date of the accident and the resolution of their case, the income they will lose going forward, and compensation for their diminished capacity to earn a living.
• Pain and suffering, which injured parties can recover when their injuries result from another person’s negligent or wrongful conduct.
• Loss of enjoyment of life, which accounts for the injured person’s inability to participate in activities they enjoyed before the accident.
• Medical expenses, including the reasonable value of past, present, and future medical costs to the extent that the injured person’s attorneys can demonstrate they were reasonably and necessarily incurred as a result of the injury.

In some cases, a bicycle accident can result in the tragic loss of life. If that is the situation you are facing, our Denver wrongful death attorneys are here to support you every step of the way.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries We See in Denver

Bicycle accidents in Denver can leave riders with injuries that run the full spectrum, from minor cuts and bruises to conditions that permanently change the course of a person’s life. Without the protection that a vehicle frame provides, cyclists absorb the full impact of a collision, and even crashes at relatively low speeds can produce serious harm. Some of the most common injuries seen in bicycle accident cases include:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): TBIs rank among the most devastating outcomes of any cycling accident. A helmet reduces risk, but it cannot eliminate it — the force of a collision can still produce concussions or significant brain trauma, with consequences that include cognitive difficulties, memory problems, and permanent neurological damage.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Impact to the spine during a crash can lead to partial or complete paralysis, depending on where and how severely the spinal cord is affected. Recovery frequently involves multiple surgeries and months or years of rehabilitation.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: Riders instinctively reach out to break a fall, which is why arm, wrist, collarbone, leg, and rib fractures are so common in these accidents. Some heal with a cast and time; others require surgical intervention and extended physical therapy.
• Lacerations and Road Rash: Sliding across asphalt after being thrown from a bike causes deep abrasions and cuts that go well beyond ordinary scrapes. Improperly treated wounds can develop serious infections or leave permanent scarring.
• Internal Injuries: The blunt force of a collision can damage internal organs — the liver, spleen, and lungs being among the most commonly affected — and cause internal bleeding that isn’t obvious from the outside. That hidden nature makes these injuries particularly life-threatening without immediate medical evaluation.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Tears to ligaments, strained muscles, and other soft tissue damage can cause pain and restricted movement that lingers long after the accident. Whiplash is another possibility when the sudden jolt of a crash snaps a rider’s head forward or back.

The injuries above can be serious, and the window for protecting both your health and your legal rights is limited. Getting medical attention right away and speaking with a Denver bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible are two of the most important steps you can take.

If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a bicycle accident in Denver, reach out to Flaxman Law Group for a free consultation.

What Causes Bike Crashes in Denver?

A large portion of bicycle accidents and the injuries that follow are preventable. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 85% of bicyclist fatalities occur in urban areas, and that 46% of those fatalities result from collisions with light trucks, including SUVs, pickups, and vans.

The NHTSA has identified the following precautions cyclists can take to reduce their risk of injury:

• Always Wear a Helmet: The single most important thing a cyclist can do before any ride is put on a properly fitted helmet. Sizing is not always straightforward, as fit standards vary from one manufacturer to the next.
• Choose the Right Bike: Riding a bike that fits your body correctly makes it significantly easier to maintain control in unexpected situations. A bike that is too large or too small creates unnecessary risk.
• Check Your Brakes: Brake failure is a contributing factor in a meaningful number of bicycle accidents. If you were hurt because of a faulty bicycle component, speaking with a Denver defective product attorney about your options is worth considering.
• Wear Bright Colors and Reflective Gear: Protection is not just about helmets and padding. Being visible to drivers is one of the most effective safety measures a cyclist can take. If drivers can see you, they can avoid you.
• Never Assume Drivers See You: Scan ahead constantly for road hazards that could send you off course, including potholes, drainage grates, and railroad tracks.
• Avoid High-Traffic Roads Where Possible: Streets with heavy, fast-moving traffic create greater exposure to serious accidents. A dedicated bike lane or path is always the better option when one is available.
• Ride Predictably and Follow Traffic Laws: Obey all posted signs, signals, and road markings the same way a driver would. If you were involved in a collision with a vehicle, our Denver car accident attorneys are available to help.
• Stay Where Drivers Expect to See You: Riding in predictable positions on the road increases the likelihood that motorists will spot you and give you adequate space.

When you look at the root causes of most bicycle accidents, three factors come up repeatedly: inadequate equipment, poor bicycle maintenance, and low visibility. Fortunately, all three are within a rider’s control and can be addressed before a crash ever happens.

Important Bicycle Laws in Denver

Under Colorado law, cyclists share the same fundamental rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles. Beyond those general rules, state law imposes several additional requirements specific to people riding bicycles:

• Attaching a bicycle to a moving automobile is prohibited under Colorado law.
• Cyclists may not carry a passenger on a bike designed for a single rider.
• Cyclists are required to ride in the right-hand lane and allow faster-moving vehicles to pass. Where a paved shoulder is available, riders must use it.
• When riding on Colorado roads, cyclists must travel in single file.
• At least one hand must remain on the handlebars at all times while riding.

Injured in a Bike Accident? Reach Out to a Denver Bicycle Accident Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been seriously hurt in a Denver bicycle accident, you don’t have to face what comes next on your own. At Flaxman Law Group, our attorneys are here to help. Call (970) 999-0530 today for a free consultation. We’ll take the time to hear what happened and walk you through your legal options clearly and honestly. If you choose to move forward with our firm, we will get to work on your case right away and fight to recover the full compensation you deserve.