Bicycling offers many benefits, such as improving your health and saving the environment, yet dangerous drivers remain a major problem for bicyclists. Colorado law clearly defines bicyclists as having the same rights and duties as all other drivers. When drivers fail to share the road, the results can be catastrophic—and even fatal—for bicyclists. If you’ve been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a bicycle accident due to the negligence of a careless driver, contact the Tenge Law Firm, LLC as soon as possible to speak with an experienced attorney.
TOP CASE RESULTS
$520,000
Bike Accident Case
$350,000
Bicycle Accident Case
Video: What If the Driver Who Hit Me Was Uninsured?
Contributing Factors
Driver behavior and actions are the number one contributor to bicycle accidents, according to a report by the Denver Department of Public Works. The overall goal of the report is to improve street safety throughout the city, especially for bicyclists, and it lists the following as the leading factors that contribute to car-bike accidents:
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Careless driving
- Disregarding a stop sign
- Failure to stop at a signal
According to the report, over 80 percent of crashes that occurred over a five-year period took place at an intersection. The impact of a vehicle, such as an SUV, against a bicyclist with limited protection, can result in numerous, and sometimes serious, injuries for Colorado bicyclists. Below are some relevant statistics regarding Colorado bicycle accidents, organized by accident type:
- Broadside with on-street bicyclist—57 percent of 348 crashes resulted in injuries
- Same direction crashes with on-street bicyclist—57 percent of 167 crashes resulted in injuries
- Left hook with on-street bicyclist—60 percent of 115 crashes resulted in injuries
In addition to motorists, streets in poor repair are another contributing factor to bicycle crashes that result in injury. Unsurprisingly, potholes and unmarked construction zones are hazards for bicyclists riding on two thin wheels.
Riding a bicycle on properly maintained Colorado streets is your right as a bicyclist and is protected under Colorado law. Reckless and negligent behavior by other motorists that causes you to sustain an injury is possible grounds for litigation. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle crash that was no fault of your own, contact the Tenge Law Firm, LLC today.
Most Common Types of Injuries
The type of vehicle involved in an accident plays an important role in determining the severity of injuries that a bicyclist may sustain. In previous years, SUVs and pickup trucks have resulted in 57 percent of injuries, versus 47 percent caused by passenger vehicles. Unsurprisingly, crashes involving SUVs and pickup trucks often result in more serious injuries due to their more significant height and weight.
Colorado currently does not legally require bicyclists to wear a helmet. However, cyclists who choose to wear helmets reduce their risk of head injury by 50 percent, and face and neck injury by 33 percent.
The very features that make an SUV safe for its driver and passengers can create serious danger for a bicyclist. The sturdy protection of the vehicle is no match for the unprotected body of a bicyclist, and when the two collide, the bicyclist may experience the following injuries:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord damage
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Severe injuries to limbs, including broken bones or amputation
- Neck and back injuries
- Facial injuries
Severe injuries suffered during a bicycle accident can require lifelong medical and personal care. The attorneys of the Tenge Law Firm, LLC believe everyone has the right to share the road—as required by Colorado law. When someone’s careless driving results in severe, life-altering injuries to a bicyclist, it’s time to contact an experienced Colorado personal injury lawyer.
Our Past Success
At the Tenge Law Firm, LLC, our attorneys always fight to secure fair compensation for our clients. Our past results demonstrate our dedication to pursuing justice for clients injured in bicycle accidents. While we cannot guarantee a positive or similar result in your case, the following is an example of our past success:
$520,000 SETTLEMENT
In this case, our attorneys filed suit on behalf of our client for injuries sustained in a bicycle accident. The case was settled a few weeks before trial for $520,000. The initial offer from the insurance company to our client prior to pursuing litigation was $75,000.
The insurance company’s offer of $75,000 is an example of how insurance companies will attempt to settle cases quickly, and for low dollar amounts. Their primary goal is not your best interest, but rather the company’s bottom line. You deserve better—let our team of highly experienced lawyers deal with insurance companies, so you can focus on your health. Do not speak with insurance company representatives until you have spoken with us. We will evaluate your case, and determine the best course of action, all at no cost to you.
Speak with a Denver Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Riding a bicycle, whether for recreation or as your work commute, is a great way to exercise, help the environment, and save money. Drivers who are distracted, aggressive, or downright careless can cause immediate and significant harm to bicyclists if they are not careful. While sharing the road is required by law, most drivers ignore the rights of cyclists; drivers may be in a rush and may view navigating cyclists as an unwanted burden.
Recovering from a bicycle accident takes time. Depending on the details of your case, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you’ve lost a loved one in a bicycle accident, you may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death claim. Any type of bicycle accident is a traumatic event, due to the high risk of injury and possible death to the cyclist. No one should suffer because of the careless and negligent behavior of other drivers.
The Tenge Law Firm, LLC offers free consultations; speak with one of our experienced Denver personal injury attorneys as soon as possible to discuss the validity of your claim. Time easily slips away as you deal with your injuries. By contacting us right away, we’ll be able to determine whether you have a valid claim, and, if you do, we can get to work before the statute of limitations expires. We do not collect attorney’s fees unless we successfully recover in your case. The Tenge Law Firm, LLC has offices in Boulder, Denver, and Fort Collins. To schedule your free consultation, call (303) 502-5587, or contact us online today.