If you were hurt while riding your bicycle in Fort Collins, you may be able to seek compensation by filing an injury claim. A bicycle accident lawyer from Cook, Bradford & Levy LLC can explain your legal rights, assess the extent of your damages, help you file your claim, and work for compensation on your behalf.
Know your rights while riding a bicycle in Fort CollinsColorado has some of the most specific laws regarding bicycle riding on the roadways in the United States. Motor vehicle drivers and bicycle riders are expected to share the road and be aware of each other at all times.
Here are some of your most important rights while on the roadway, according to the City of Fort Collins:
Right to safe passing
When a vehicle passes on your right or left while you are riding your bicycle—or while you are passing oncoming vehicles—the motor vehicle must maintain a distance of at least three feet. This distance is measured from the side of the vehicle that is passing you and includes any rear-view mirrors or other attachments on the vehicle.
If a driver fails to maintain this distance and you become injured as a result, this could make them liable for your injuries.
Right to share the road with other motorists
Colorado enforces several laws which protect bicycle riders, specifically. These laws offer you protection from the following:
Drivers who commit these offenses can face a Class 2 misdemeanor—or Class 1 misdemeanor in the case of a wrongful death or serious injury.
Right to hazard-free cycling
While cyclists in Fort Collins must abide by specific rules for sharing the roadway—riding in the right lane whenever possible—they are still afforded protections if it is not safe to do so.
For example, you have the right to ride hazard-free, which means seeking an alternate route or lane when:
If you are traveling on your bike and seek to avoid a hazard, but a vehicle strikes you in the process, they may be held liable for your injuries.
What Can You Do If You Are Injured In A Bicycle Accident?Seeking compensation for your injuries after a bicycle accident in Fort Collins requires filing a personal injury claim against the liable party. Any compensation you receive in a bicycle accident settlement can help pay for your medical costs, bicycle repair, and other damages.
A bicycle accident lawyer on our team can help you file your claim, from assessing all the ways the accident has impacted your life to proving liability, and more.
Understanding Bicycle Accident Injury ClaimsWhile many factors will play a role in bicycle accident injury claims, the following are some of the most influential factors that will affect your claim.
The role of negligence
In order to seek compensation, you must be able to prove that the driver that caused the accident was negligent. This requires showing that the driver’s actions at the time of the accident were careless toward you and others on the roadway when the accident occurred.
All personal injury claims hinge on the concept of negligence and showing how the at-fault driver’s negligence led to the accident.
Determining liability
If one of our bicycle accident lawyers can show that the driver was negligent, you can demonstrate why they should be held liable for your injuries.
Liability is important in injury claims because a person is only responsible for your damages if they are liable for the accident. Proving liability requires showing that the driver was negligent, that the negligence was the direct cause of the accident, and that the accident directly led to your injuries.
Evaluating damages
Once your lawyer determines liability with proof of negligence, they will also likely establish the damages you can seek through your claim. “Damages” is the legal term used to describe all the ways the accident has impacted your life, from personal to financial to physical damage.
Damages can include tangible effects, such as medical costs and lost wages, as well as invaluable effects, like pain and suffering over the loss of a loved one to a bike accident.
Factors That May Affect Your ClaimThere are many laws that may affect the outcome of your injury claim, but some of the most relevant include:
Colorado’s comparative negligence law
Colorado recognizes comparative negligence for all injury claims, as stated by CO Rev Stat § 13-21-111. As such, you can still seek compensation following a bicycle accident, even if you were partially at fault. However, any settlement you receive may be reduced based on your portion of responsibility.
The personal injury statute of limitations
You have a specific time limit to file your lawsuit under the statute of limitations. In Colorado, this timeline begins the day of your accident and lasts three years for most bicycle accidents, according to CO Rev Stat § 13-80-101.
How Can A Fort Collins Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help With Your Case?Working with a lawyer from Cook, Bradford & Levy, LLC can help ensure you are not assigned a higher percentage of fault for the accident than is rightfully yours and that you file within your statute of limitations, among other things.
Our lawyers know personal injury law and have fought for numerous clients to receive fair settlements for their injuries. Contact us today at (303) 543-1000 to learn more about how we can help during your case and to receive a free consultation.