For many in Colorado, motorcycles offer a great way to get around.
Between the easy access to wide-open roads, the beautiful scenery, and the relatively low amount of traffic, Colorado has a lot to offer riders.
However, there are still a significant number of serious and fatal motorcycle accidents each year.
In fact, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation, there were 118 fatal Colorado motorcycle accidents in 2018 alone, which made up about 18% of all traffic fatalities in the state for the year.
It is important for riders to understand the various types of motorcycle accidents so they can take special care in risky situations.
If you have questions, please contact the motorcycle lawyers at Tenge Law Firm today.
Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents in Colorado
In most cases, motorcycle accidents are the result of negligence—either on the part of the motorcyclist or another driver.
Below is a list of some of the most common types of motorcycle accidents.
Distracted Driving Accidents
Drivers who are distracted by their phone, a passenger, or some other external distraction can fail to see other cars, and motorcycles are even easier to miss.
Distracted drivers may also miss an upcoming stop sign or a traffic signal changing from green to red.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is a leading cause of all motor vehicle accidents in Colorado.
In fact, according to the most recent data from the Colorado Department of Transportation, alcohol-involved accidents are responsible for over 30% of all traffic-related fatalities.
Drunk drivers pose a risk to anyone on the road, especially motorcyclists.
A drunk driver’s erratic driving may be difficult for a motorcyclist to notice, and even when a motorcyclist attempts to avoid a collision, they may lose control and end up being ejected from the bike.
Left-Turn Accidents
Left-turn accidents are those that occur when another vehicle makes a left turn in front of a motorcyclist.
These accidents are common because drivers often have a difficult time accurately gauging the speed of an approaching motorcycle.
More often than not, drivers err on the side of thinking they have more time than they do to complete a turn.
This can cause the approaching motorcyclist to crash into the side of the turning vehicle.
Road Defect Accidents
Motorcycles are much more sensitive to road conditions, and if a road has deep potholes or is covered in gravel from a nearby construction project, it can exponentially increase the risk of an accident.
Motorcycle accidents caused by road defects are unique because they do not involve another motorist.
Thus, insurance companies will often claim that the motorcyclist was at least partially responsible for the collision.
However, an experienced Colorado motorcycle accident lawyer can help injured riders prove that fault rests with either the government entity responsible for maintaining the road or another party, such as a construction company.
The Three Types of Impacts Associated with Motorcycle Collisions
While there are many different types of motorcycle accidents, most fall into one of three categories.
Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision occurs when another vehicle crashes head-first into an oncoming motorcyclist.
An example of this would be a drunk driver that drifts out of their lane and crashes into an oncoming rider.
Ejection
Ejection accidents occur when a rider is physically ejected from the bike, often as a result of colliding with another object such as a car, curb, or street sign.
Angular
Angular accidents occur when a driver collides with a motorcycle either from the side or from a front or rear angle.
Left-turn accidents are the most common type of angular accident.
Regardless of the type of accident you were involved in, the lawyers at the Tenge Law Firm, LLC can help you understand your rights and pursue a claim against the responsible party.
Were You Injured in a Colorado Motorcycle Accident?
If you or a loved one was recently involved in a motorcycle accident, the Colorado personal injury lawyers at the Tenge Law Firm, LLC are here for you.
We proudly represent motorcyclists injured in serious accidents, helping them recover the compensation they need and deserve.
We also represent grieving families who lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident.
Over the past seven years, the Tenge Law Firm, LLC has recovered more than $50 million on behalf of our clients.
To learn more, call 303-529-2865 today. You can also connect with us through our online contact form.