Riding a motorcycle carries certain risks that do not exist when you drive a regular passenger vehicle. Still, traffic laws aim to protect motorcyclists from bodily injury, just like other drivers on the road.
Colorado’s scenic views and mild summer temperatures attract millions of visitors every year, including motorcyclists. Inevitably, some motorcyclists find themselves injured in a Denver motorcycle accident and do not know where to turn.
Colorado recorded 136 motorcyclist fatalities in 2020, representing approximately 22% of all traffic fatalities, although motorcycles represent only 3% of Colorado vehicles. As you can see, motorcyclists represent a disproportionate number of Colorado traffic fatalities.
If another person causes your motorcycle accident, they may be financially liable for your losses stemming from the collision. Here are some steps you can take to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
Pull Over and Check for Injuries
You should try to get out of traffic as soon as possible after a collision. Staying in the roadway puts you in even more danger, especially when you are riding a motorcycle. If possible, pull your motorcycle to the shoulder and check yourself for any serious injuries. If you suffer a severe injury, you should contact authorities to send an ambulance to your location. Otherwise, you can wait for law enforcement to respond to the scene.
You should always seek medical attention as soon as practical after your collision to start documenting your injuries. Otherwise, the opposing party may try to claim you had pre-existing injuries at the time of the motorcycle crash. If you delay treatment, you could increase the risk of additional injury or infection.
Our team at Tenge Law Firm can connect you with a qualified medical professional to evaluate and treat your injuries.
Call 9-1-1
If someone else did not do so already, you need to contact the police after a Denver motorcycle accident. The responding officer will create an official accident report detailing the motorcycle collision once they investigate the incident. This accident report contains important information about your collision that will prove critical facts about your case, including:
- The time of day the accident took place,
- Names of parties involved in the accident,
- Potential witnesses to the collision,
- Insurance information for the parties involved in the accident, and
- Statements about who is at fault in the crash.
While contacting the police is sometimes intimidating, the accident report is a key part of your motorcycle accident claim.
Collect Information at the Scene
If possible, you should make a record of the accident scene immediately after the collision by taking photographs. These moments will display the most accurate picture of the scene. Try to capture photographs of anything that sheds light on your case, like skid marks on the roadway, weather conditions, and traffic conditions.
Additionally, you can request names and contact information for witnesses of the accident. Otherwise, you may be unable to find them to testify about what they saw. While this information may be in the police report, you do not want to run the risk that law enforcement was unable to retrieve a statement before the witness left the scene.
Keep Track of Your Financial Losses
As discussed above, motorcyclists often find themselves at a heightened risk of suffering a severe injury in a collision due to the inherent lack of safety features on a motorcycle. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, your damages may include:
- Medical bills,
- Rehabilitation costs,
- Lost income,
- Loss of future earning capacity,
- Physical distress,
- Emotional distress, and
- Motorcycle repair costs.
We can consult with economic experts to calculate an accurate estimate of your losses due to the crash. Once we determine the value of your losses, we will present our findings to the opposing party’s insurance company to request a settlement for your losses. Remember, you are not required to answer any questions from the opposing party’s insurance representatives.
They do not work for you or represent your best interests. In fact, they are primarily concerned with paying you as little as possible for your injuries.
The insurance adjuster might make you a settlement offer immediately after the accident in hopes you will accept it before you determine the true value of your losses. Do not accept this offer. Instead, review the settlement offer with your attorney to determine if the settlement is fair.
When you hire a motorcycle attorney at Tenge Law Firm, we will negotiate with the insurance representative on your behalf to work toward securing the compensation you deserve.
Hire a Qualified Denver Motorcycle Accident Attorney
While hiring a motorcycle accident attorney may not be the first thing on your mind after a collision, it should definitely be near the top of your list.
Hiring a motorcycle accident attorney can be a great way to maximize your potential recovery. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you gather evidence, negotiate with opposing parties and insurance companies, and prepare to take your case to trial when a settlement is not possible.
Our team at the Tenge Law Firm has the tools, resources, and experience necessary to hold the at-fault party accountable for your losses. But more than that, we will always strive to provide our clients with the professionalism, compassion, and personal attention their legal claim deserves.
How to Find Qualified Denver Motorcycle Attorneys
Many motorcycle attorney searches start in the same place as any other search: online. However, if you search for a motorcycle accident lawyer in your area, you will likely receive thousands of results from all over the U.S., not just Colorado. You should look out for some things to ensure the attorney you hire is qualified to represent you.
Look for a lawyer’s prior experience handling motorcycle accident claims. Attorneys specialize in different areas of law, such as criminal law, construction law, and personal injury law. Our team at Tenge Law Firm has decades of combined experience helping injured motorcyclists recover their losses.
If you want to discuss your motorcycle claim with one of our Denver motorcycle lawyers, contact Tenge Law Firm today to schedule your free initial consultation.
