Were you or a loved one injured in a Lakewood, CO bicycle accident? If so, you may have suffered serious injuries, missed time from work, and be dealing with expensive medical bills. You may have the right to recover compensation from the party responsible for your injuries.
Matos Personal Injury Lawyers can assist with your case. Since 2016, we have provided dedicated legal representation to bicycle accident victims and have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. Our attorneys have 39 years of legal experience. Contact us today at (720) 912 7274 for your free case consultation with one of our compassionate Lakewood bicycle accident lawyers.
How A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help If You’ve Been Hurt In A Bicycle Accident
Bicycle accident victims can suffer severe injuries that can derail their lives. They may be hospitalized, out of work, and dealing with difficult emotions. The last thing they need is the stress and challenge of a legal claim. Hiring a Lakewood personal injury lawyer from Matos Personal Injury Lawyers can give you the time you need to focus on your recovery while knowing that your claim is in our capable hands.
Our lawyers have 39 years of combined legal experience. When you hire us for your claim, you can trust us to handle the following:
- Investigation into the cause of your accident
- Preservation of evidence in your case
- Communication with the insurance company and third parties
- Hiring of experts to support your case
- Negotiation of fair compensation
- Advice on whether to accept a settlement or proceed to trial
Would you like to learn more about your legal options in Lakewood, CO? If so, contact Matos Personal Injury Lawyers for your free case consultation.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents In Colorado?
In one recent year, 966 bicyclists died in accidents in the United States. Most fatal bike accidents occurred in urban areas and during the summer months between June and September.
Over 13,700 bicycle accidents occurred between 2010 and 2019 in Colorado. Around 4,425 of these crashes occurred at intersections. More than 75% of bicycle accident victims suffered injuries. In the last decade, there have been 2,460 bicycle accidents in Denver that involve motor vehicles. 12% of these crashes result in serious injuries, six times the rate of motor vehicle accidents that result in serious injuries.
What Are The Most Common Causes Of Bicycle Accidents?
Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Failing to yield the right-of-way, the highest factor in fatal bicycle accidents
- Motorists not seeing bicyclists and colliding with them
- Failing to check for bicyclists at stop signs, when reversing, or in parking lots
- Drivers turning right on red failing to look to the right or behind them for bicyclists
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Following cyclists too closely, in violation of the three-foot rule
- Passing bicyclists unsafely, such as not providing for at least three feet between the widest point of their vehicle and that of a bicyclist even while in a bike lane
- Opening doors into the oncoming path of bicyclists
Many bicycle accidents occur because motorists are impatient or don’t understand the rules about sharing the road with cyclists. If you were injured in an accident caused by a negligent motorist, it is important to know what to do after a bike accident.
What To Do After A Bicycle Accident
If you are injured in a bike accident, here is a brief list of the steps to take to protect your health and your legal claim:
- Report the accident to authorities. Call 911 and request an ambulance if you are injured.
- Speak to law enforcement. It may be that you are taken directly to the hospital. If this is the case, contact them when you are well enough to explain what happened. It is important you do this so your side of the case is included in the accident report and in case any criminal behavior was involved so it can be investigated, such as drunk driving.
- Seek medical attention. If it is suggested you take an ambulance, take it.
- Obtain the driver’s information, including their name, address, phone number, vehicle information, and insurance information.
- Take pictures of the accident scene, including wide shots of the scene and close-ups of damage to the vehicle and your bike.
- Ask any witnesses to jot down their names and contact information.
Contact an experienced bike accident lawyer as soon as possible. They will know what steps to take next.
What Is My Bicycle Accident Worth?
Every bike accident claim is different, just as every cyclist is different. Compensation for bike accidents can vary significantly from a low settlement amount to a substantial jury verdict. More serious injuries correspond with higher settlements because the damages are more significant.
Individual factors that can influence the value of a bike accident claim include the following:
- The nature and severity of your injuries
- Whether you suffered any permanent injuries
- How the accident affected your life and the quality of your life
- The defendant’s conduct
- Whether you contributed to the accident
- Whether you are represented by legal counsel
- The skill and experience of your attorney
- The available insurance
The damages you suffer will also play a large role in the potential compensation you can recover.
What Types Of Damages Are Available In A Bike Accident Case?
Colorado allows accident victims to recover economic and non-economic damages if they were injured in accidents caused by someone else’s negligence. Economic damages can be quantified and represent financial losses victims sustain, such as:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost income and employment benefits
- Reduced or lost earning capacity
- Costs to repair or replace your property damage
Non-economic damages provide compensation for losses that cannot be easily quantified but that accident victims still suffer, including the following:
- Pain
- Suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Physical impairments
- Disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
At Matos Personal Injury Lawyers, we treat our clients with the compassion and respect they deserve. Our goal is to help you recover the compensation you need to move into the next chapter of your life with confidence. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you through this difficult time.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
Personal injury lawyers generally take cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that they are only paid for their services if they successfully recover compensation in the case. If they don’t recover compensation, the client does not owe for their services. If they do recover compensation, they receive the agreed-upon percentage of the award.
What Types Of Injuries Are Involved In Bike Accident Claims?
Bicycle accidents tend to result in serious injuries because accident victims do not have the same type of protection that occupants in motor vehicles have. Some common bike accident injuries include:
- Head trauma
- Shoulder injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Concussions
- Organ damage
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Nerve damage
- Crushing injuries
Our Colorado bike accident lawyers have 39 years of experience representing accident victims who were injured because of someone else’s negligence. If you’d like one of our skilled attorneys to review your case, contact our law firm today to schedule your free case consultation.
How Do I Prove The Other Party Was At Fault?
Bicycle accidents can be caused by motorists, other cyclists, pedestrians, or other parties. To establish someone else is legally responsible for your damages, you will usually have to show they were negligent. This means they:
- Had a legal duty of care
- Breached their duty of care
- Caused you to suffer damages
Proving these elements usually requires you submit evidence, such as:
- Accident reports
- Medical records
- Photos or videos of the accident scene
- Witness statements
- Wage loss statements
- Medical bills
- Pain journal entries
In some bike accident cases, the motorist may be the only one who initially gives their side of the story to responding law enforcement because the bicyclist may be seriously injured and unconscious. They may try to blame the bicyclist for the accident. However, even if you were partially at fault for the accident, you may still be able to recover compensation for the accident.
Colorado’s modified comparative negligence statute allows accident victims to recover compensation in accidents even if they were partially at fault for the accident as long as they were not more at fault for the accident than the defendant. However, their compensation is reduced by their degree of fault for the accident.
How Long Do I Have To File A Lawsuit After A Bike Accident In Colorado?
In Colorado, there is a statute of limitations that provides accident victims two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after they are injured in most cases. If this timeline passes and you have not filed a lawsuit, you can lose your right to recover any compensation for your losses.
Contact Our Lakewood, Colorado Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
If you were injured in a bicycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the Lakewood bike accident lawyers from Matos law firm can help. We have proudly served the legal needs of residents throughout Lakewood, Denver, and surrounding areas since 2016. Let our personable, bilingual team help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for your free case review and learn more about what makes us unique.