Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Colorado

Motorcycle accidents are all unique, and can happen for an almost endless array of reasons, from wildlife to glare to medical emergencies. The leading causes of motorcycle accidents, however, include:

• Driver negligence, including failing to yield the right of way, not checking blind spots, or running red lights.
• Speeding, which reduces a rider’s or driver’s ability to react to sudden obstacles, changing traffic conditions, or unexpected turns.
• Improper lane changes, which can happen when a driver doesn’t see a motorcyclist and cuts the rider off.
• Wet roads, icy patches, debris, poorly maintained highways, and other dangerous road conditions.
• Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, prescription medication, or any substance that can affect motor control, reaction times, and judgment.
• Inexperienced riders who lack the ability to handle the bike in various traffic conditions.
• Mechanical defects of a bike or car, which can make it harder to control the vehicle.
• Driver distraction.
• Driver fatigue.

In situations where the causes of your motorcycle accident were caused by negligence, you may have a legal claim and the right to seek financial recovery for your injuries and losses. For example, if the manufacturer of your motorcycle failed to design a reasonably safe vehicle, you may have a products liability claim against that company. If a driver was texting while driving and crashed into you, you may have a claim against that driver and their insurance company.

In many cases, it may not be obviously clear what caused your accident, or even if you have a claim. For example, if there was an uneven patch of road, do you have a premises liability claim against the municipality and the company they hired to maintain the roads? It may take an investigation to find out. Motorcycle accident lawyers in Colorado can help uncover the causes of your collision, can track down all liable parties, and can help build a strong case so you can pursue financial recovery.

Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents

While every motorcycle crash is different, we can divide these types of collisions into the following categories, each with their own unique challenges when you decide to file a claim:

• Rear-end collisions. These types of car accidents involving motorcycles can happen when the vehicle behind you fails to stop in time, crashing into you. Due to the smaller size of motorcycles, they are often less visible to drivers, making rear-end collisions more likely.
• Truck accidents. Truck accidents involving motorcycles can be especially dangerous, because motorcyclists can be run over. These collisions usually occur because trucks have large blind spots and may not notice smaller vehicles that are behind them or alongside the truck.
• Left-turn accidents. When a vehicle making a left turn fails to see an oncoming motorcyclist, the motorcyclist often doesn’t have time to react. This type of crash is especially common at intersections.
• Lane splitting accidents. Lane splitting, or riding between lanes of traffic, is illegal in Colorado but still occurs in certain situations. This can lead to dangerous crashes, particularly in heavy traffic, since lane splitting removes the room vehicles need to maneuver safely.
• Single-vehicle accidents. Single-vehicle crashes can happen when a motorcyclist loses control due to road conditions, mechanical failure, or a momentary lapse in concentration.
• T-bone accidents. These accidents occur when a motorcycle is struck from the side by another vehicle, often at an intersection. These types of accidents can be particularly dangerous for motorcyclists, as the impact is directly to the side of the bike, leaving little room for the rider to escape.
• Side-swipe accidents. These accidents happen when a vehicle and a motorcycle are traveling parallel to each other, and the driver of the vehicle inadvertently swipes the motorcyclist. These crashes can cause the rider to lose control and be thrown off the bike.

Each type of accident brings with it specific challenges. For example, collisions with trucks can mean trying to seek compensation from a powerful trucking company and multiple liable parties. In a single vehicle accident, the insurance company may blame you for the accident. In every sort of crash, it’s important to consult with motorcycle accident lawyers in Colorado early on in the process, since attorneys know how to tackle each kind of claim.

Common Injuries Seen in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents can lead to devastating injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
• Spinal cord injuries.
• Broken bones.
• Facial injuries, including scarring, dental injuries, and eye injuries.
• Road rash, which happens when a rider’s skin comes into contact with the asphalt or other surfaces during a crash, causing injury and possible scarring.
• Internal injuries, including potentially life-threatening damage to major organs.
• Leg and knee injuries, including fractures, torn ligaments, and dislocated joints.
• Neck injuries, including whiplash, neck fractures, and herniated discs.

It’s crucial to remember that some injuries, including potentially fatal injuries such as TBIs, may not be obvious right away. You may not notice some symptoms if they’re subtle. If you have been in a motorcycle accident, always get a medical evaluation as soon as possible, even if you think you may be unharmed.

How is Fault Determined in a Colorado Motorcycle Accidents

The first step in determining fault is a thorough investigation. There are a few parties who may investigate the accident. The police may investigate and reach their own conclusions about the reasons for the accident, and your insurance company will usually launch their own investigation, which may rely on the police report.

However, when you work with motorcycle accident lawyers in Colorado, your attorneys will usually launch their own investigation, because they know that police and insurers can make mistakes. In fact, police and insurers may have a bias against motorcyclists, and insurance companies have a financial incentive to minimize your compensation. That’s why your attorney will investigate your accident and may even work with accident reconstruction experts and other professionals to get the truth about what caused your accident—and to find out who caused the crash.

Comparative Negligence in Colorado

Comparative negligence means that fault for an accident may be shared by more than one party. Colorado uses a “modified comparative negligence” system, where each party’s percentage of fault is calculated, and your compensation will be reduced in proportion to the percentage of fault assigned to you. You can still recover compensation, however, as long as the percentage of fault assigned to you by the insurer or the courts is less than 50%.

Clearly, calculating fault accurately is essential for you to get your rightful compensation. However, insurance companies and defense lawyers often try to shift some of the blame to the injured party in order to reduce their liability. Working with a motorcycle accident lawyer ensures there is someone on your side, building a strong case and making sure that you are not assigned more of the fault than you should be.

Type of Compensation for Motorcycle Accidents

A motorcycle accident isn’t just a frightening situation—it’s a financial one, too. The costs of this type of accident can be substantial, and if you don’t file a claim you could be shouldering many of the costs yourself. Should your accident be caused by someone’s negligence, you may be able to seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including future medical costs.
• Lost income, including future loss of earnings capacity.
• Pain and suffering.
• Property damage, including the cost of repairing your motorcycle, or replacing it.
• Any additional costs related to your accident or injury.

If you have lost a family member in a motorcycle accident in Colorado, you may also be able to file a wrongful death claim. This allows you to seek financial recovery for final burial costs, funeral costs, final medical costs, and pain and suffering. You can also seek compensation for the financial contribution the family member made to you and your family.